The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
Basement battle vital for Loons, warns Malcolm
Station Park boss tells players they cannot underestimate opposition
Forfar manager Stuart Malcolm is in no doubt over how serious his second bottom side’s game with bottom placed visitors Stranraer is this afternoon and he has warned his players that they have to have their mentality right.
Malcolm explained: “This is a massive, massive game in our season and we have to ensure that our attitude for it is spot on. We are seven points ahead of Stranraer just now, and to keep it that way or even extend that gap, we cannot think that we will get things easily.
“Stranraer have drawn their last five games in the league and the last three of them were against Airdrie, Falkirk and Raith Rovers who are the top three sides. Overall, they have drawn nine games this season and that shows that a lot of their results have been on a knifeedge. If they start picking up three points from games as opposed to one then they will pull themselves closer to the four other clubs in the bottom half.”
Malcolm added: “We cannot underestimate Stranraer at all as they have good players there. Their manager Stephen Farrell recruited well last month and they have Joao Victoria to add to the squad that held Raith last weekend so we cannot underestimate them at all.”
The Loons are itching to get back into action after being denied the chance to build on their 2-1 win over Clyde a fortnight ago when their match at Peterhead was abandoned last weekend.
Malcolm said: “The Peterhead game should not have started. Football should really be looking at what other sports do in terms of when games can be played in certain conditions. You can play in rain and light snow, however gale force winds ruin the game.
“Both teams did their best and created a couple of chances each but that was about it and as the wind was getting worse the referee was right to call it off.
“We have moved on and it is all about Stranraer now.”
On-loan Hibs striker Ryan Shanley is out for the Loons after picking up an injury in training.