Martin keeps to own advice for Rose battle
Paddy Martin quips he’ll have the “play by play” of how pyramid play-off rivals are doing today given it’s Bonnyrigg’s chance to escape the drop.
But the rose no.1 admits he has to practise what he preaches coaching Hibs’ academy keepers by focusing on what goes in his defenders’ ears rather than his own.
Last week’s 4-1 win at East Fife means Martin and Co face Spartans knowing a win, combined with a Clyde defeat at home to champions Stenhousemuir, guarantees their League two status.
The New Dundas Park side took until the final day of last season to write off a return to the pyramid play-off.
and Martin said: “you can’t rely on anyone else. Last game last year, we went in 0-0 at half-time and everybody said it’s still 0-0 at albion rovers. People said, just because you’re so close, ‘We need a goal.’
“We scored pretty early in the second half. But then we were told albion had scored so people were like, ‘We need to go get another!’ “the fans are right on top of you. you try to ignore it. But people can just reach out and touch you half the time, it’s different and probably gives the ground a bit of charm.”
today is potentially when rose could secure survival if other sides do them a turn and he added: “i think i’ll have the play by play! But the best way of keeping focus is organising, being involved in the game.
“i will say to the kids i coach, ‘if you can organise your defence to stop them having a shot, that is potentially one fewer goal, that is potentially a clean sheet.’
“I’ve seen a few of the kids I coach at New Dundas. Some of them will come in and say, ‘What about that one that went in? You should’ve done this...’
“they’ll get closer to us in the goal and might hear what we say – and hopefully not repeat it! But they might see i’ve been talking and think, ‘i need to try that.’”
Seven points clear in fourth, SPFL new boys Spartans can secure their place in the play-offs – even with a defeat if East Fife slip up – for back-to-back years.
rhys armstrong reckons last season’s experience will stand them in good stead.
He said: “Most of the team have been together through going up from the Lowland. all the lads have built experience from the last time and hopefully we can take that in – if we get there.”