Goal king Webster targets derby strike

Player of month hopes hot streak continues

Graham Webster admits he has no idea where the goals have come from after scoring five in five as Montrose have transformed their season.

That total is more than the former Dundee winger has managed in each of the last three seasons.

And the 26-year-old hopes the hot streak continues in today’s derby with Forfar.

Webster, who has been named Ladbrokes League One player of the month, said: “I have no idea where the goals have come from. I haven’t had a run like this for four years and there is nothing better than when you’re scoring goals.

“I don’t know how long I can keep it going. Hopefully there are a few more goals in there.

“I think the system suits me. The gaffer’s using a 4-3-3 and I’m on the right of that and it suits me to a tee.

“It allows me to get forward and we try to use the counter-attack as we have pace going forward. So I’m getting into good positions but the goals have come out of nowhere, really.”

It’s been an astonishing turnaround at Links Park. Montrose had just one point from their opening seven games – now they have won five in a row.

Webster added: “It’s been an incredible run we’ve been on, especially after the start we had.

“We lost five in a row and we only had one point from our first seven matches so things didn’t look very good. But look at us now – and long may that continue.

“It’s so tight in this league. Games are turning on small margins because the teams are so evenly matched.

“East Fife were the only unbeaten team in the SPFL so to go there and win last week was huge for us.”

It is an awards double for the Gable Endies as Stewart Petrie has been named manager of the month.

He said: “The strange thing is we haven’t been doing too much differently from the games that we lost.

“We had a slow start last season and we just had to have belief in ourselves.

“We were bottom of the league after the first quarter last season but we didn’t panic and we ended up in the play-offs.”

Petrie expects Jim Weir to be back in football before long after he decided to quit Forfar earlier this week to fully recover from a serious car accident.

He said: “Jim decided he needs a wee break from football. He did fantastically well last season and I’m sure we’ll see him back at the side of the pitch soon.”

Meanwhile, Forfar’s interim boss Barry Smith says there has been no selfpity in the Loons squad.

He said: “The chairman, Ross Graham, came down and spoke to the players at training on Monday night. They were obviously disappointed at Jim leaving but could understand why he did. They were quiet for a spell however they have pushed that disappointment aside and worked hard in training ahead of what should be an exciting game.

“You cannot feel sorry for yourself ahead of a derby match and thankfully we are not. You need to be up for games like this and there was a sense of excitement building about facing Montrose the longer the week went on.

“This squad have had a couple of good results against Montrose already this season and they know that if they play to the same level, they showed in those games they can win again. “

“Despite the different recent paths into this game if we win this one there will only be three points between us so there is plenty to play for.”

Forfar miss Rory Currie and Andy Jackson through injury, with on-loan Russell McLean unable to face his parent club.

Courier Sport understands that the interview process at Forfar is under way, with ex-player Stuart Malcolm among the candidates.

Picture: SNS Group. Graham Webster and Stewart Petrie with their player and manager of the month awards.