Sticking to the programme means it can be all smiles again at Cowden

Cowdenbeath boss Maurice Ross hopes his side can build on their first win under his stewardship when they head to Stranraer.

The Blue Brazil cut the gap at the bottom of League Two to four points with victory over Stirling Albion last weekend and face Stranraer this afternoon.

Ross said: “The manner of the win was the most pleasing thing because it was not as if it was a worldie or a deflection, it was the result of programmed movement stimulated by our front two pressing the game.

“There are certain triggers within the 3-5-2 formation and we executed them to a tee.

“That helps because it means players trust the system and they can now go into games with freedom knowing that the system will protect them.

“Individual errors are understandably more

common at this level so it is up to us to find a system that can help mitigate against that.

“It is something we speak about bi-weekly at training, that we do not deviate from what we work on. Anyone who is successful in whatever industry is so because of their good structure.

“What you won’t see for us is randomness in terms of our play or in decision making, it will always hit one of three tenets.”

He added: “That was the case with our first substitution last week, there was a 10-minute spell where we lost the midfield, meaning our press was half a second late, which impacted our distances.

“We will never be overly dramatic in whipping people off – it will come from the structure.

“We are still bottom of the league so we will not get carried away, but there are enough signs and enough quality to help us move forward.”

Ross is without striker Kris Renton through injury but should have everyone else available.

Cinch League 2 leaders Kelty Hearts will be out to make it 15 games unbeaten today when they host Albion Rovers. Kelty are seven points ahead of second-placed Forfar.

The Fife club will be boosted by last week’s Scottish Cup win over cinch League 1 high-fliers Montrose.

Maurice Ross.