The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
It’s quality not quantity, vows ‘picky’ Potter
John Potter said Kelty Hearts were “close to one or two” new recruits last week as he bids to add to his small squad ahead of the season.
The manager revealed that perhaps he is being “too picky” when it comes to bringing in fresh faces.
He wants them to match the quality he already has, rather than filling out the squad for the sake of it.
Potter was speaking after his side came back from 1-0 down at half-time to earn a draw versus Championship outfit Raith Rovers.
Jamie Gullan opened the scoring for the away side before Alfredo Agyeman levelled the scores.
There were fitness concerns over Nathan Austin and Tam O’Ware, who were both substituted after taking knocks.
Potter said that both were withdrawn as a precautionary measure, given his squad is so threadbare.
He does not want to add players for the sake of it and they have to be up to the standard already set in the dressing room.
“We were close to a few things last week but it didn’t happen for whatever reason,” said the Kelty manager.
“I’m maybe being picky, but I’ve got to try and sign players that I think are as good as what we’ve got in there.
“There’s no point in signing players just to be squad-fillers, I’ve got young boys that can do that.
“We need to sign guys that can make an impact, and it’s difficult because we’ve got a good squad.
“We need one or two more short-term, hopefully we can do something this week.”
Former Dunfermline defender Lewis Martin was added earlier in the week and 19-year-old Brodie Strang is the only other summer recruit so far.
Martin, as he has become accustomed to, switched positions after Austin was taken off – moving from left-back to right-back.
The introduction of Reis Peggie at left-back appeared to give the side a bit more balance and led to an improved second-half display.
“I was disappointed with the first half,” continued Potter, “it’s not how we want to play. We made it easy for Raith, even though Raith Rovers are good.
“We were passive and we let them pass the ball forward – we were too safe.
“The second half we were much better, especially the first 30-35 minutes of it.
“We could be better with a lot of things, but we were much more like the team we want to be.
“We scored a good goal, had a goal chopped off for offside – so most of the second half it was much better.”
Kelty start their Premier Sports Cup campaign on Saturday with a home tie versus Inverness in the Premier Sports Cup group stage, with kick-off at 3pm.
They then take on Albion Rovers at New Central Park before trips to Cove Rangers and Livingston.
Meanwhile, veteran Kelty star Joe Cardle revealed that at 35 years old he is still learning.
The former Dunfermline and Rovers star, who prides himself on staying in shape, told Courier Sport he was nursing an injury over that latter period.
“I’ve been playing with it for the last six months,” said Cardle.
“I was just getting through training and getting through games and struggling in-between times.
“It got to a point in the summer when I took two to three weeks’ rest and did nothing, which I don’t normally do. Then I started running when I was back in Portugal and felt it straight away.
“So I knew there was a problem. I managed to get looked at by a specialist and have a scan.
“We realised there was really bad inflammation on the bone on my hip and on my groin – I had a tear on my groin as well.”
A steroid cortisone injection followed, administered a week ago, with a seven-to-10-day recovery period.
The treatment seems to have done the trick and Cardle is desperate to return. He played no part against Rovers but is hoping his return is no--t too far behind it: “I’m feeling amazing, I’m feeling great after the injection.
“It’s worked well. I’m hoping to be in training this week with the boys and I’m going to be available for selection next weekend for the start of the season.”
Cardle added: “I’m gutted I’m missing it. But I want to be 100% going into the league season and the (Premier Sports Cup) games.
“I’m just delighted that I’m able to put on a pair of boots and hopefully do a wee hour’s session to get myself started for the week ahead.”