Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser
Harper doesn’t mind gap
Albion Rovers manager Kevin Harper says “the gap isn’t a worry” – depite an eight-point deficit at the bottom of League Two.
Rovers drew 1- 1 with Cowdenbeath at The Reigart Stadium on Saturday – a result which saw Harper gain his first point as the club’s manager.
Berwick Rangers and Stirling Albion remain closest to Rovers in the table, in ninth and eight place respectively.
But despite Rovers being on five points and with just one win to their name this season, Harper is confident his players are “moving forward”.
He told the Advertiser: “The teams around us have changed manager as well so the gap isn’t a worry.
“Some teams are falling down the table so it’s up to us to get a win under our belt now.
“We put a stop to the defeats on Saturday with the draw against Cowdenbeath but the players were still really disappointed with that.
“That’s a good sign as it shows the mentality is changing so I’m confident the boys are moving forward.
“We’ve got Elgin this Saturday and they’re on a patchy run just now.
“Stirling at home after that is a huge game and we believe we can win both of them.
“There’s a bit of pressure
because if they win it stretches them further away from us.
“But the weekend’s performance was much better than against Berwick the week before.
“That gives confidence and is a good thing to see.”
Reflecting on the draw with the Blue Brazil, Harper continued: “We should have got three points from the game.
“We started well and got our goal but allowed them back into the game.
“I was pleased to reach half-time with the score at 1-1 and the boys calmed down in the second half.
“We controlled possession without creating too much.
“I’m happy with the improvement but we need to start converting chances when we’re on top in games.”
Rovers have recently added a new player to their squad in the shape of Spanish midfielder Gerard Escuriola.
But Harper is keen to add more new faces in January.
He said: “I know where we need to improve the squad.
“We’ll make sure we network well ahead of the window and hopefully attract some new players.”