Brechin boss looking for his team to click

Challenge: Dods looking forward to testing his side against League One favourites

Brechin boss Darren Dods admits his new-look side are still trying to gel fully as a team – and he hopes they finally do so against Dunfermline at the Glebe today.

The 40-year-old player/manager has been in a race against time trying to bolster his squad since taking over in the hot-seat vacated by Ray McKinnon.

His team have lost their two meaningful games so far against Peterhead in the Petrofac Cup and last week when they were defeated by Ayr United in the League Cup.

With Dunfermline red-hot favourites to win League One this year, a game against Allan Johnston’s side might be the last thing Dods would want, but he insists it is a challenge his players should relish.

He said: “It is very much the case that we are still trying to gel as a team.

“It has been difficult as ideally you would have liked to have a squad of 18 players in place by the end of June but we have been playing catch-up.

“For instance, Ross Perry only signed the day before the Peterhead game.

“Even our skipper Craig Molloy has been away on honeymoon and he is still getting up to speed.

“That is just a fact of life at part-time clubs and we have to get on with it.

“However, I believe there are signs that we are getting there as a team. I will still look to add one more player and try to bring someone in on loan.

Dods added: “We now have the first league game to look forward to.

“It is a fresh start at home against the title favourites. Dunfermline have made a good start to the season and are a fulltime side.

“They have strengthened during the summer and have brought in the likes of Joe Cardle who will be a big player for them. So it will be a tough test for us but a challenge the players should relish.”

Dods will miss the game as he is suspended after being booked for Forfar in the Championship play-offs last season with the yellow card taking him over the disciplinary threshold.

The manager added: “I think it is unfair that bookings in the play-offs should count but those are the rules.

“We will also be missing Dene Shields who will be out for four weeks after damaging a bone in his foot.”

Cardle admits he and his Pars teammates will be under huge pressure every week this season as they bid to lead the club to promotion and away from the financial pitfalls of another year in League One.

The former Raith winger said: “I’ve heard a few whispers here and there about what could happen if the club don’t achieve their goals this season.

“I think the boys know that. Everybody’s playing for their livelihoods and we know what the circumstances are for the club.

“Obviously it’s going to put pressure on the boys on a Saturday but that’s what you play football for.

“There’s always pressure involved and if we keep playing the way we have done for the last couple of games and build on that we’re definitely going to go somewhere.”

I believe there are signs that we are getting there as a team DARREN DODS

Picture: SNS Group. Brechin captain Craig Molloy: still getting up to speed after his honeymoon.