The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Forfar due break in derby clashes, says boss Weir
Manager anxious to avoid clean sweep of defeats by Red Lichties
Forfar are determined to make sure local rivals Arbroath don’t complete a clean sweep in this season’s Angus derbies, according to manager Jim Weir.
Gary Bollan’s time in charge at Station Park came to an end when the Red Lichties inflicted a 5-0 hammering on the Loons.
Things have improved since Weir took over and they were unfortunate to go down to a late goal at Gayfield in November and lose narrowly at New Year.
Weir doesn’t want today’s match to be another hard-luck story.
“We definitely don’t want to lose all four,” said Weir.
“This is such an important game for our fans, and because it is the last one of the season we’d love to give them the bragging rights for the next few months.
“I do think we’re due a break against them.
“The defeat at Gayfield was particularly hard to take because it was so late. And we had chances at New Year as well after playing well.
“Arbroath are a good team, though. They score a lot of goals and I’m sure Dick will have used the midweek defat at Alloa as a wake-up call for them.
“I was there and it was one of those games that can happen, when neither team defends well.
“I’ll be expecting Arbroath to be better on the back of it.”
After Arbroath, Forfar have games against Raith Rovers and Ayr United, but Weir is encouraged by his team’s performances against the top sides in League One and the character they showed in their last game at Hampden.
He said: “We were in front against Queen’s Park and then they came back to go 2-1 ahead and we went down to 10 men.
“So to get a draw in those circumstances against one of the teams at the bottom with us was important.
“We actually had a couple of really good chances to win it.
“There’s no doubt this is a tough run of games but, apart from a heavy defeat against Ayr not long after I came in, we’ve been competitive against all the top teams.”
Eddie Malone is suspended and Mark Millar injured.