Coupar edge closer to first league win
Coupar Angus continue to search for their first win of the Premier League North season.
But manager Tom Stevenson believes the taste of victory is just around the corner as he looks to kick-start the Foxhall Park campaign.
The east Perthshire men have lost all eight of their league fixtures this term but performances are showing signs of improvement.
Coupar head for Perth this weekend for a tussle with Kinnoull and Stevenson would love to cause an upset and bag three points.
He said: “I think our first win is only around the corner and to achieve this we just need to cut out our mistakes and take our chances in front of goal.
“We also want the chance to have a full injury free squad with all players available for selection, which hasn’t happened this season yet.
“Kinnoull have brought a lot of new faces in this season and have a big squad to keep happy, which isn’t easy.
“But they have had some great results and most games have been tight scorelines.
“Tulloch Park is always a hard place to go to but we just need to focus on how well we can play and believe we can start picking up points on the road. We hope to welcome back three players missing from last weekend’s game.”
Stevenson was taking plenty of positives from last week’s 5-2 Signature Signs Cup defeat against high-flying Dundee North End.
“The game against North End was a great game even though we went three down by half-time,” he added.
“That scoreline didn’t do justice on how we played but second half the guys did what we asked of them in the team talk.
“We got back into game and at 4-2 the players were playing well and with belief that we could score again.
“We could have been awarded a penalty but never got it and then, in that same play, they scored their fifth goal.”
New signings - including recent additions Kris Malone, Scott Brown and Callum Byres - have added a freshness to the squad.
And Stevenson went on: “The new signings have settled in well but it will take time for everyone to gel and get to know each others’ strengths and weaknesses. That will come as they train and play more with each other.
“The new signings are passionate and willing to fight for each other, and prove they are good enough at this level.
“The squad is shaping up well and there are still a couple of additions to be made.
“I’ve got the backing of the committee to do so as some of the current players can’t commit every week due to work and other commitments.
“We want to make sure we are fully covered and can field a strong competitive squad from now on in.”
Weekend opponents Kinnoull will head into the fixture fresh following
Coupar have struggled this season but are on the up their break from competitive action last Saturday.
Manager Alan Cameron said: “The break has allowed several of the boys to recover from their knocks.
“Hopefully we should have a full squad available for the visit of Coupar Angus.
“As I constantly say, every team in this league is capable of taking points from others.
“Coupar Angus have really strengthened their squad over the past month or so.
“But we will approach the game the same as every game and treat them with the respect they deserve.
“We will concentrate fully on how we play and try to build on our second half comeback against East Craigie last time out.”
Also in the Premier League North on Saturday, Blairgowrie, after putting in a good performance against Forfar West End, travel to take on Dundee Violet.
All league kick-offs this weekend are 2.30pm.