Stephen Baxter during his team's 4-1 defeat at Coleraine

Crusaders boss Stephen Baxter has hit out at the "ludicrous" amount of games that Irish Premiership teams have played so far this season.

Baxter voiced his displeasure after his team lost top spot in the Carling Premiership by losing 4-1 at Coleraine on Tuesday night.

"There's 25% too many games if you are asking part-time players to play every Saturday and Tuesday," said Baxter.

"It's been far too many games at the start of the season."

Cliftonville boss Eddie Patterson has been among a number of other Irish Premiership bosses to hit out at the number of midweek games so far in the campaign.

Indeed, Baxter told BBC Sport that the issue would come up at the next meeting of Irish League managers this coming Monday.

"There will be a discussion and we will certainly be launching some kind of thought process as to what needs to happen."

If we need to fit in three or four midweek games then it has to happen further down the road in the season Stephen Baxter

Baxter believes that the Irish FA should consider the option of teams playing other clubs twice as opposed to three times before the league split.

"It's either that or space these games out a little bit more.

"If we need to fit in three or four midweek games then it has to happen further down the road in the season.

"It can't happen on top of the County Antrim Shield, Co-Operative Cup etc etc."

Baxter felt that Tuesday's 4-1 result at Ballycastle Road didn't tell the full story of the match.

"We conceded a goal in the first minute of first-half injury-time when I felt we were well on top after missing some good chances in the first half.

"We were disappointed to go in 1-0 down at half-time and they then hit us with another sucker punch but after we had missed three, four or five chances.

That game was more reflective of a 4-4 Stephen Baxter on his team's 4-1 defeat at Coleraine

"I'm pleased with the effort. We pushed on even when we went down to 10 men (after goalkeeper Chris Keenan's sending-off) and we played some really good football.

"With 4-1, you feel like you've been murdered on paper but I know that game was more reflective of a 4-4.

"But Coleraine took their chances. Worthy winners."

After three defeats in four games which has dropped them to third in the table - albeit level on points with Glentoran and leaders Linfieid - Baxter acknowledges that his side has hit "a hump in the road".

"We have to refocus and redouble our efforts and keep working hard.

"It's going to be a tough campaign for all of us.

"Coleraine are a top-four team in my book with really good players.

"That's going to be the way it is all year."

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