PEPTALKS
We won’t Fal out about it QUEEN OF STH v ROSS COUNTY Blair: Just save it for Pete’s sake LEAGUE TWO
LIAM FONTAINE insists there is a touch of the Pep Guardiola in the way Ross County’s co-management team go about their business.
Steven Ferguson and Stuart Kettlewell’s fledgling careers in Dingwall may seem a million miles from the stellar environs occupied by the Spanish legend at Manchester City.
But former Hibs defender Fontaine has spotted in the pair traits reminiscent of Guardiola’s outlook and methodology.
The County vice-captain said: “From the get-go in pre-season, we have worked hard to reach the standards our managers are setting. It’s going well.
“Last week, scoring five in the first half against Raith, it was probably one of the best halves of a match we’ve had. We have DANIEL HARVIE is banned for as they bid to see off in Ray McKinnon’s first league game in charge of the visiting Bairns.
Falkirk are without injured keeper David Mitchell and defender Jordan McGhee. Sam BY been creating loads of chances but it was good to get the goals, rather than wait until the last 15 or 20 minutes to win.
“We have better standards this year, with the squad they’ve built. They’ve been able to implement the ideas they want, on the training field and in transferring it onto the pitch.
“Anyone watching us can see we are playing with confidence. With their backgrounds in dealing with the club’s youth academy, you see a lot of that side of it coming across in their work with the first team.
“Something I feel often gets Stanton and Stewart Murdoch are expected to miss out for
against but Fraser Fyvie and Billy King could return.
The visitors will have Jonatan Johannson in charge for the first time and he misses KOd strike lost in first-team football is the coaching aspect. But if you watch the best managers in the world, such as Guardiola, they still coach players and show them exactly what they want.
“It’s on a smaller scale but on the field the management team show us exactly what they expect of the players.”
Fontaine never wanted to leave beloved Hibs where he won the Scottish Cup but has found another club he loves after joining County last season.
He brings rich experience having grappled with Rangers in the second tier while at Hibs, as well as playing in the top flight. And duo Robert Thomson and Connor Bell.
Ryan Williamson is a major doubt for
against and could join Sean Murdoch, Tom Beadling and Lewis Martin on the sidelines.
Wasps boss Jim Fontaine added: “We just have to be consistent, which is another emphasis from the managers. Rather than being an eight out of 10 player one week and a five or six the next.” Meanwhile Queen of the South keeper Alan Martin reckons losing three goals to Crusaders last week could prove a blessing in disguise. The Dumfries men led the Belfast side 4-0 at half-time in their Irn-Bru Cup tie but ended up hanging on for a 4-3 win. Martin said: “It may turn out to be a kick up the backside at the right time as Ross County will be stronger than Crusaders and we can’t be slack at all.” Goodwin has a full squad to choose from.
are again without injured signing Angus Beith for the visit of who have Thomas O’Ware, Shea Gordon and Andrew McCarthy injured but Stuart Bannigan back. Queen
have Callum Fordyce and Darren Brownlie out as they host but fit-again striker Stephen Dobbie will play.
County have doubts over Marcus Fraser and Keith Watson. BLAIR CURRIE wants Albion Rovers’ new on-loan keeper Peter Morrison to wait a week before showing how good he is.
The Coatbridge side have yet to pick up a point and have conceded 16 times in five games.
But Clyde No.1 Currie reckons that will soon change now Morrison’s signed from Motherwell.
The Broadwood side host Albion Rovers today and Currie said: “Peter was in with Clyde last season and did well in training but never got a game.
“It looks like he’ll get game time at Albion Rovers and that will be great for his development.
“I hope he proves what a good goalkeeper he is – but only after this game.”
Currie added: “I know they’ve not won this season but we’ll focus on what we can do. We have good strikers in David Goodwillie and Jack Boyle – if we keep them busy we’ll get goals.”
Rovers scored their first league goals in the 5-3 defeat by Berwick and boss John Brogan said: “We’re a brand new team still knitting together. It looks like we’re getting things right at one end now but there’s work to be done at the other.” TEAMSHEET DARREN LAVERY and Ouzy See are out for
with visitors missing the injured Stephen Bronsky.
include Jordan Stewart as they host
who have Barry Eley back from suspension.
are without the banned Kyle Miller for the visit of who have Paddy Boyle and Mick Dunlop back from injury.
have Kieran Stewart back to take on who miss keeper Alex Mitchell.
And have Darren Smith ruled out against injury-hit
who add Gregor Fotheringham.