Rovers need to end slump

With 11 games to go in the season, the League One table does not make happy viewing for Rovers fans.

It’s not only that second bottom position that will be worrying fans and staff alike.

Current form has been abysmal and has seen Brian Kerr’s men take only two points from eight games since the turn of the year.

It’s relegation form in anyone’s book and things will need to change quickly if the promise shown at the beginning of the campaign is not to count for nothing in the final analysis.

There may be some comfort to be taken from the fact that seven of those 11 fixtures are at home. But it has to be remembered that Rovers best performances this season have been on the road and in fact of the 23 points accumulated so far, only eight have been won at Cliftonhill.

Obviously every game from now on is important but games against fellow strugglers Queen’s Park and Forfar are especially significant.

Apart from having played less games than these two, Rovers also currently have a much better goal difference which could be significant as the season pans out.

Weather permitting, Rovers will fulfil one of those outstanding away fixtures with a visit to Stair Park to face Stranraer on Saturday. A battling point was gained there just before Christmas but it’s fair to say that the Blues have had the best of the encounters so far with two fairly comprehensive victories in Coatbridge.

A repeat of the point gained in December would not be a disaster but of course a victory would be even better.