Locke looking for another top Cowden performance

Cowdenbeath will look to bolster their survival hopes by winning at Annan this afternoon, improving on the seven points they have taken in their first four games under new manager Gary Locke.

The Central Park side go into the game after a mixed week after losing to Montrose last Saturday and then defeating Clyde in midweek.

Locke said: “I was really disappointed last weekend as it felt like a step back.

“We resorted early to hitting long balls and did not have the same intensity that we had shown in my first two games. I had a few words with the players after the game and before kickoff on Tuesday and it worked.

“We were much better at Clyde where we passed the ball around well.”

There is light at the end of the tunnel now for Cowden and Locke is keen to keep it that way.

He added: “We have pulled ourselves to within four points of the teams above us. We are still bottom and a bit adrift but we have put pressure on the teams above us. We simply have to look to keep that going.

“Annan had been on a good run until last weekend and a look at the league table shows how strong they are, so we need another top performance to get anything.”

The unpredictable nature of football will be in evidence, with Locke adding: “Just a few months ago I was managing Raith Rovers against a Queen of the South side managed by Gavin Skelton.

“Now I am leading Cowdenbeath in a game against Annan, for whom he is playing. That shows you that football can change quickly.”

Burton O’Brien and Matthew Rooney remain major doubts for the Blue Brazil.