Image source, Pacemaker PressImage caption, Glentoran sit eighth in the table on seven points after six games
ByJana McCabeBBC Sport NI journalist- Published13 minutes ago
A Glentoran side that, on paper, promised so much before the season started has so far failed to deliver in the Irish Premiership.
The Glens have won just two of their opening six league matches and already find themselves nine points behind current league leaders Coleraine, who they face on Tuesday.
For a club with ambitions of challenging for the Gibson Cup, it is a disappointing start and one that has left manager Declan Devine and his players under heavy scrutiny.
But why has it gone so wrong for the Glens so far this season?
'Players have to take accountability'
To play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser.
This video can not be played
Figure caption,Highlights: Glentoran v Bangor
There was plenty of optimism around the Oval during the summer.
Glentoran had recorded their highest points tally of owner Ali Pour's ownership last season, while striker Pat Hoban enjoyed a prolific debut campaign.
There was also excitement around some of their summer arrivals. Defender Zeno Ibsen Rossi impressed on the European stage, while the late re-signing of Northern Ireland international Conor McMenamin looked to provide a timely creative boost.
However, six games into the season, the mood has changed and players have left the pitch to choruses of boos from large sections of their support after some dire performances.
After their latest frustrating result, a 1-1 draw against Bangor at the Oval on Saturday, first team coach Tim McCann said the side must "turn this around very, very quickly" and make up for the "unacceptable" displays.
"Players have to start taking accountability because they're getting well paid to play at a football club that is one of the biggest in Ireland," McCann added.
"It's totally, totally unacceptable what's being served on that pitch right now. Whether it's lack of effort, whether it's picking the right pass, I do not care.
"To play for this club, you need courage to play for this club. You need to be a special player to play for this club in front of these fans. Right now, there is not too many of them."
Is Devine on the brink?
Devine became permanent manager of Glentoran in April 2024 before McCann re-joined the coaching staff the following month, with Paddy McCourt taking on the role of assistant manager.
During Devine's tenure, Glentoran have lifted the County Antrim Shield, but have struggled to push for the club's first league title since the 2008-2009 season.
Despite McCann taking his share of the responsibility for the disappointing start, he believes the players need to "step up" as pressure on the coaching staff mounts.
"It's not for me to speak on behalf of Declan," McCann replied when asked if he thought Devine may step down.
"It's time for players on that pitch to stand up and be counted and start giving these fans more than what they're getting. Whether we're here or we're not here, six managers down the line, it doesn't really matter.
"Every fan can have their opinion and I'm sure social media will go crazy and everybody, before the team comes out will have picked their own team but we've really good players out in that pitch and unfortunately, they didn't perform to their potential."
'The pressure is on and Devine is aware of that' - Pour
Image source, Pacemaker PressImage caption, Glentoran have struggled to compete for the Irish Premiership title during Pour's tenure as owner
Investor Ali Pour, who owns 95% of the club, has tried to move Glentoran forward and, since he became involved in 2019, the Glens have brought in over 80 new players.
Yet, the investment has not led to a single top-two finish in the Irish Premiership, while the side has also struggled in European games and failed to reap the financial rewards success on the continent brings.
Pour, who flew in for the Bangor match, said the expectations for the club are known by the experienced Devine.
"Decky knows [the expectation of silverware] and the facts are facts," Pour told BBC Radio Ulster's Sportsound before the match.
"Decky has had the biggest budget of any manager. This is his squad, every single player he has hand-picked, so the pressure is on and he's aware of that.
"He's been around, he's had experience and he knows what is expected of him. I don't need to tell him, he knows.
Pour added that before Saturday's game he had spoken with Devine about his position.
"This morning he said, 'Ali, if I thought I can't pull this off, if I thought I can't manage this team, I will be having a chat with you, shake hands and I'm gone'.
"He's a man of honour, a man of integrity, he's highly qualified and he knows what's expected from him and that's it. It makes my life a lot easier.
"We haven't had the easiest games, and we have players injured but that's not an excuse, we shouldn't have lost the games we have lost. The players are aware, we have to improve, there's no doubt."
It is still early in the campaign, but there have been plenty of worrying signs for the east Belfast side so far.
For Devine and his players, the next few weeks will be crucial as the fixtures continue to come thick and fast and patience among supporters wears thinner.
Coleraine's visit to the Oval on Tuesday will provide a real acid test and the outcome of the game may go a long way in deciding the manager's future.
