Jeanfield come back stronger after break
Competition for places is pleasing for Gunnion
Jeanfield Swifts manager Ross Gunnion believes the break from competitive football came at the right time for his squad.
The Perth side were out of league and cup action last weekend following a hectic start to life in the East of Scotland set-up.
A friendly against a Dundee youth side was arranged for the Friday night to get game time into players requiring more minutes.
But others were given time to rest and recover ahead of this weekend’s SFA South Region Challenge Cup second round clash with Vale of Leithen.
Gunnion said: “Dundee were a fulltime team with a lot of energy and players who are probably pushing to get into the first team squad.
“They gave us a really good test and it was what our fringe players needed.
“We went 3-0 down and I think that is more symptomatic of us being a bit rusty and Dundee being really keen to impress. It finished 6-3. We got into the game and it became a more even contest.
“It was definitely needed for four or five players who had not had as much game time over the past month or so.
“It was also good for those who have been playing regularly to get a week off or a wee break.
“We hit the season running with a lot of tough games and haven’t really had the opportunity to take a breath and work on a few different formations and patterns.
“Getting a break came at the right time.
“The Broxburn cup match was maybe a game too much without getting the time on the training field.”
Swifts have played eight games, winning seven, since moving away from junior football this year.
For Gunnion there is slight frustration that only two of those games have been in the league.
“We went on a winning run of seven games but we only had six points to show for it, which isn’t a great thing,” he said.
“Cups are important but unless you win the competition it doesn’t count for anything. Nobody remembers the semi-finalist.
“Getting to the next round is good for confidence but, in terms of what it gives you in hard currency, we don’t get anything for it.
“It’s allowed us to bed in five or six of the new players and really get them into the squad and the way we are playing.
“Hopefully we can spend another month or two with decent weather and surfaces and take the benefit of the last six weeks into that.”
The cup action continues on Saturday as Swifts hit the road to take on Lowland League side Vale of Leithen.
Gunnion said: “Vale of Leithen will probably be similar in terms of what East Kilbride were, maybe not quite as good. They will be strong and we’ve seen them a couple of times now. They move the ball well and reasonably quickly but they have weaknesses, as a lot of these teams do. We’ll have to be on our game defensively. Ross Gunnion
“When it comes to the attacking side of things we have more than enough to go and cause them problems.
“James Yates has been working his way back to fitness and Scott Mollison is back from the Futsal Champions League.
“Mark Mitchell will miss out this weekend but we have cover and Allan Leith is back and looking to get in the squad.
“We’re good at the moment and will probably be sitting with one or two not getting a strip. There’s lots of competition for places.”
On the attacking side of things we have more than enough to go and cause them problems