The Press and Journal (Inverness, Highlands, and Islands)
Elgin aiming to pile more misery on to Gable Endies
Midfielder out to keep winning streak going against leaders Montrose
Elgin City midfielder Chris Dodd is determined to help the Black and Whites continue their fine record against League 2 leaders Montrose at Links Park today.
City have avoided defeat in the last six meetings between the two sides, with the Gable Endies’ last beating Elgin with a 3-1 home victory in February 2016.
The Angus men are three points clear at the top of the table but Dodd hopes to move closer to the summit by continuing the streak, with fourth-placed City seven points adrift of top spot.
Dodd said: “It’s a tough game for us, Montrose are a good side. Stewart Petrie has done a great job since he went in just over a year ago.
“They are top of the league and they have a good squad that tries to play football the right way.
“We’ve got a good record against them though, so we are going there with absolutely nothing to fear.
“People say everyone has a bogy team, and that can stick.
“We seem to enjoy playing against Montrose though, I can’t put my finger on why.
“We beat them twice comfortably last season on their big artificial pitch, which seems to suit us well. We are looking forward to it.”
Dodd was a late addition to Gavin Price’s starting line-up for last weekend’s 1-1 draw against Edinburgh City, after on-loan winger Tony Dingwall withdrew from the warm-up with an ankle injury, ahead of what was due to be his final game before returning to parent club Ross County.
Dingwall’s arrival on a temporary one-month deal limited opportunities for Dodd but the 26-year-old is eager to make his mark, adding: “I have been in and out of the team for various reasons. Last week I had to get my game head on quite quickly after Tony pulled out.
“In my opinion, there’s no denying we’ve got a better squad than last year. That makes it tricky to get into the starting line-up but I’m looking to get into the team as quickly as possible and try and stay there.”
Price replaced Jim Weir as manager in October but it is not the first time he has been in charge of Dodd, having been manager when the midfielder was at Jeanfield Swifts.
Dodd feels the move has been a smooth turnaround, adding: “We were in a bit of limbo for a week and a half or so, with our IRN-BRU Cup game against The New Saints falling in the middle of that.
“I was happy for Gavin as he deserves the chance – he has certainly earned it with Elgin.
“He has had a decent start and for me it’s an easy transition. I know Gavin both in and away from football and I know what he expects, so it has been very easy for me to adapt.”
“We are going there with absolutely nothing to fear”