McInally telling his Blue Toon players to accelerate the run

Peterhead manager Jim McInally has called on his side to have the confidence and belief to continue their winning run.

Montrose visit Balmoor this afternoon to take on a Blue Toon side buoyed by back-toback victories against Raith Rovers and Clyde.

Those successes came after six matches without a win and McInally believes confidence has been restored within his squad and hopes it can be boosted further by making it three wins on the spin today.

Scotland’s longestserving manager said: “I just hope that the confidence is building up in my players.

“I hope they see the importance of retaining the ball and not giving it away too much.

“That’s always when it’s difficult, when there are too many turnovers in the game and you can’t have sustained periods of pressure.

“Last week (against Clyde) we were able to retain the ball in the first half and that was why we played so well.

“We look as though we are getting there – I always knew, a few weeks ago, that we would still improve and I think that’s happening now and there’s more to come.”

McInally has been pleased with the showings from his side in the last couple of weeks.

But even during their winless run the Blue Toon boss wasn’t too down about their displays – apart from a 4-3 reverse against Montrose at Links Park on September 28.

He added: “As much as you know the quality is there and it’s frustrating when you don’t win, there’s not too many Saturdays when I’d say I came away totally disappointed.

“The last time would be the last time we played Montrose, when we lost 4-3.

“I thought we were really poor that day at Links Park and when I went through the team at the end I couldn’t find a positive in the team.

“Apart from that we’ve been unlucky at times. The Raith Rovers games at Stark’s Park in the Betfred Cup (3-1 loss) and the league (4-0 defeat) weren’t good enough, but apart from that I haven’t been too down heartened.

“We’ve improved since then and we just need to try to keep building the momentum and we know if we could win the game it would take us right into the pack in the middle of the table.

“So we know it’s a big game in that regard and for Montrose to be going for seven wins on the bounce is unbelievable.

“They’ve won six already and they certainly won’t be underestimated.

“You just hope that the way we’ve played in the last three games – the Dumbarton defeat was a good performance as well – can be maintained and we get a run of consistency and the players keep believing in themselves.”

Peterhead have a fully-fit squad for today’s game.

Strike: Gary Fraser, left, celebrates his goal against Raith with Jack Leitch

Target: Jim McInally’s men will be going for their third consecutive win when they take on Montrose