Tough play-off clash for Monarchs BOSS TURNS UP THE HEAT
Hopkin warns his table-topping stars about getting complacent
The Edinburgh Border Roofing Monarchs begin their quest for a third successive Premier League play-offs title today (Thursday).
The Armadale-based side finished fourth in the league table and will travel to the Ipswich Witches with the return leg set for September 30 at the Armadale Stadium.
However, they will have to make do without talented youngster Dan Bewley in their hunt for silverware as the youngster looks like being out for the rest of the season.
The Monarchs’ No.7 rider hasn’t raced since suffering a nasty head injury against Newcastle on August 28.
Team manager John Campbell said: “We are all agreed that he needs to be very cautious after what was a potentially serious injury.
“After a head injury with concussion you cannot be too careful.”
It’s a busy week for the Monarchs who host the Peterborough Panthers in a Premier League match-up on Friday night (7.30pm).
It will be the first time former captain Craig Cook has raced at Armadale against the Monarchs since ending his five year spell at the club over the winter.
Livingston boss David Hopkin says there will be no complacency from his table-topping stars — because the players know places in the team are up for grabs.
The Lions have started the season in fine form and sit joint- top with Alloa Athletic after six games with the two sides boasting identical records ahead of this weekend’s visit to East Fife.
But the head coach says players that haven’t featured regularly this campaign are showing their talent on the training pitch and are ready to fight for playing time.
The former Scotland international said: “We need to make sure we keep up the work rate and desire and keep everyone on their toes because there are plenty of players on the bench who are desperate to get on the pitch and play.
“We’ve got plenty of options and lots of talented footballers who are challenging for games. I think the players realise that and know they can’t let their standards slip.”
The Methil outfit have made a great start to life in League One following their promotion and currently occupy the final playoff spot – and Hopkin knows returning to West Lothian with all three points will be no easy task.
He said: “Every game is going to throw up different challenges and this one will be no different.
“It’s up to us to make sure the players are fully prepared during the week so that when they go out on to the pitch on Saturday they know exactly what is expected of them and their responsibilities during the game.
“It will be a tough match as they have a squad full of very good players. They’ve started brightly and done well for a newly promoted side, they try to play football.
“We know it’s going to be hard but ultimately we just have to focus on ourselves and focus on what we want to do.”
Lions’ top- scorer Liam Buchanan – who netted 14 times in 42 games for East Fife during the 2013- 14 campaign – echoed his manager’s sentiments.
He said: “They did fantastically well last season to win the league and they’ve shown over the early stages of this year that they’re good enough to compete in this league.
“They’ll be a hard-working and well organised team but they can play decent football too. They’ve taken the momentum into this season and have started well.
“As a squad we need to demand the best out of each other and hopefully, collectively, that comes together for a good season.
“We know there’s guys champing at the bit to get games.”
Defender Jackson Longridge is back in training and is expected to be available.