Defender reckons more is to come Quality will help push Swifts up the Super League
James Yates is adamant that there is more to come from Jeanfield Swifts in the second half of the season.
The Riverside defender, formerly of Forfar Athletic, has shaken off a groin injury ahead of this weekend’s return to Super League action.
He believes Swifts have the quality to improve upon their current placing of 11th as a busy schedule kicks-off against Hill of Beath on Saturday.
Yates said: “Hill of Beath will be a tough test as they are a team who will press us high and will be in our faces from the first minute.
“But on our day and when playing the way we know we can, we are a match for any team so I think we can come away with the three points.
“Personally I think we’ve underachieved this season, if you take into consideration the squad we have got.
“If we can start getting a bit of luck with our finishing then I think we can end the way we ended last season by getting a few more wins under our belt.
“I picked up a niggling injury on my groin a few weeks ago but have returned to full training now. The first half of this season hasn’t been my best at all.
“It’s been hard to get a good run of consistency but I’m raring to go for the second half of the season.”
Festive call-offs were a frustration for clubs across the region but the time allowed Yates to make a full recovery.
“Although you’re never wanting a game to be called off, in a way it was good timing as it gave me time to recover,” Yates told the PA.
“It’s been tough all the way through December with the call-offs and the frozen pitches.
“But the gaffer and the coaching team have been putting us through our paces with circuits and sprints.
“Some of the sessions have been the hardest I’ve ever taken part in but it’s all worth it to keep the timber off over Christmas.
“We had a friendly against Coupar Angus on Tuesday which was a good test for us against a good team.”
Swifts have a huge Scottish Junior Cup tie penned in the diary later in the month after being matched up with Beith.
Ross Gunnion’s side will welcome the Ayrshire giants, who won the competition in 2016, to Perth for fourth round action on January 20.
“A game against Beith would be a huge game for any club as they are one of the biggest clubs in the juniors,” said Yates.
“They are the games you are wanting to play in and, as I said, on our day we are a match for any team. Jeanfield defender James Yates hopes to help Swifts climb the table
“I have no doubts we will bring the game to them and hopefully get a win.”
Jeanfield’s game against Hill of Beath takes place at the Riverside on Saturday.
Kick-off is 1.45pm.