The Press and Journal (Inverness, Highlands, and Islands)
EYE ON THE PRIZE:
Peterhead midfielder Jordon Brown believes his side can defy expectations and qualify for the knockout stages of the Betfred Cup.
The Blue Toon are second in Group A, two points behind surprise leaders East Fife, who beat Dundee on penalties last weekend before winning againstDumbarton on Tuesday.
JimMcInally’s side can go top of the group at the halfway stage if they win at Bayview today and Brown insists confidence is high in the Peterhead camp that they can qualify from their section following their 2-0 win against Forfar at Balmoor on Tuesday.
He said: “Given the way last season ended for us it was important we got off to a good start. We had won a couple of pre-season friendlies but it is the competitive games which matter and we did well on Tuesday.
“It was comfortable for us in the endagainstForfaranditwasa solid performance all round from the team.
“We know if we were to win tomorrow it would leave us in a great position and we see qualification for the knockout stages as a great opportunity for us now.
“The manager spoke to the players before thegameonTuesday and told us given the way the results had gone in the first round of matches last Saturday that we would put ourselves in the frame to qualify and our aim is now to do just that.”
League 2 champions East Fife stand between Peterhead and top spot and Brown is expecting a challenging afternoon against the surprise package of the group.
He said: “East Fifehave surprised a lot of peopleandbecometheteam to beat in our group following two great results but it is no surprise to us. They are a strong side and their win against Dundee has been massive for them.
“It will be a good test for us but it is agameweare looking forwardto. We know if we win we will have a huge game against Dundee at Balmoor on Tuesday and we want to make that game as big as possible which means we have to get a win tomorrow.” Dundee manager Paul Hartley has called for more substitutes to be available in the early stages of the Betfred Cup.
The newly- formatted competition, with clubs split into seeded five-team sections and penalty shoot- outs following drawn matches, is up and running but still with only 14 players allowed during any game.
Hartley, whose Dark Blues were beaten by East Fife on penalties last week after a 1- 1 draw and host Dumbarton today before travelling to Peterhead on Tuesday, is a supporter of the tournament but would like the opportunity to utilise his whole squad.
“I think this competition is good but it still doesn’t give you game time with the majority of the squad,” he said.
“We are only allowed three substitutes. I would like to see more players used, five or six instead of three substitutes we are
“We need more substitutes because players need to play”
allowed, especially in the section stages.
“We need more subs because players need to play.
“They are still finding their feet, they are not 100% sharp and we can’t play everyone.
“We want to pick the strongest team, we are not taking this cup lightly but I have got to look at the players also in terms of getting plenty of game time and lots of minutes.
“We are early into the season, if you look at previous seasons you would still be two to three weeks away from your first league gameandyouwouldstillbe playing friendlies. “It is a balancing act.” Attacker Greg Stewart will return from a hip injury, while goalkeeper Scott Bain is back in the squad after missing last week with a knock.
Midfielder Paul McGowan will see a specialist about his shoulder injury and if given the all-clear will be available for Tuesday night.