DIVISION THREE PREVIEWS

HAVING HAMMERED Stenhousemuir 7-0 at Bayview earlier in the season, league leaders EAST FIFE travel to face the Warriors safe in the knowledge that today’s trip is likely to provide a tougher test of their abilities.

The Fifers moved 12 points clear at the top of the table last weekend but with Stenny having won three out of their last four matches, Bayview boss Dave Baikie is expecting an entirely different proposition to the one he faced in September.

“It will be a totally different team we’ll be playing against and they are one of the form teams in the division at the moment,” he admitted.

“They’ve got a lot of good players in their team and we know it’ll be a tough game, especially at this stage of the season.

“We try not to set targets a million miles ahead of us, but I tend to see the season in segments of six games, almost like mini-leagues, and we’ve won the first two mini-leagues of the season so far.

“We’ve now played 15 games and we’ve now won the first three games of this mini-league, so we’re half-way there again.”

Paul Walker remains out with a stomach strain and Kevin Fotheringham is a doubt after being sent home ill during the week, but Steven Tweed and Jonathan Smart should return from suspension and illness respectively.

Stenny have injury problems with keeper John Hillcoat, John Dillon, Scott McCulloch and Craig Menzies among those out.

Manager John Coughlin said, “This is a big game for us, but we go into it in decent form.”

ARBROATH manager John McGlashan has warned his players that he will tolerate no less than 100% commitment on the park in the wake of last Saturday’s shock 5-2 defeat at the hands of Albion Rovers.

The Lichties play host to East Stirlingshire this afternoon in a match which could determine whether they remain in the top four as the year draws to a close.

McGlashan said, “There will be changes to my starting line-up from last Saturday—this has to happen after such an unacceptable performance.

“The coaching staff have told the players exactly what we expect of them and the team that runs out at the start tomorrow will reflect that.

“East Stirlingshire have been playing with a lone striker— ironically former Arbroath player Joe Savage—and pushing midfielders forward on the break when the opportunity arises, so it will be a very tough game.

“They are certainly not going to lie down and let us trample all over them and we will really have to raise our work rate if we want to get anything out of the game.

“But if we go into the game full of passion and commitment then the rest will follow.”

Arbroath’s injury problems have eased with the expected return of Alan Brazil and Craig Tully, and Paul Tosh is available for selection following his three-match suspension.

McLashan said, “The return of these three creates competition for starting places again and that will do us no harm and we look to complete our home games for 2007 on a high note.

“There is also the small matter of the transfer window opening up soon and I will be looking to freshen things up with one or two new faces at Gayfield.”

“Shire are at full strength and after their disappointment in midweek manager Gordon Wylde said, “That display was unacceptable. But we must also be aware that Arbroath will be dangerous because they will be hurting after their defeat last week.”

MONTROSE manager Jim Weir was impressed when he watched Dumbarton play at home against East Stirling in midweek so knows the difficulties to expect when his men go there.

He expects a tough match but is looking to reward the Links Park fans with an early Christmas present with a return to winning ways after some poorer performances recently.

“Dumbarton have not had a good spell and they’ve lost their manager as well, but they played well on Tuesday,” said Weir.

“We have certainly to improve on last week’s performance. Our home form has been very poor and we’ve got to get back to winning ways again.

“Up until now there has been a cushion between ourselves and the teams chasing us, but if we don’t start winning we will drop out of the top four.”

Weir expects to make a few changes from the side which slumped against Forfar when he chooses the team to take on Dumbarton.

“There have to be changes. I will tinker with things a bit and try to get something different in the middle of the park and the wide areas.” said Weir.

While wide players Jay Stein and Scott Gates started the season well, he says both would admit their form has dipped recently.

“We will just have to keep encouraging these lads to get back to their early season form.

“Our strikers also have to start finding the net again, as we have lost too many games by the odd goal.

“I thought we had turned the corner against Stenhousemuir but we showed weakness again against Forfar.

“We are showing a lack of self belief in that we are not picking the right options in the final third.

“Things need to start clicking again.”

Hugh Davidson is doubtful and will undergo a late fitness test, but Weir should have everybody else available.

Dumbarton caretaker Jim Clark brings back Martin Canning but both David Craig and David McFarlane are struggling against Montrose.

Station Park will undergo a pitch inspection this morning ahead of Albion Rovers visit to Forfar.

It is hoped that the milder weather forecast for overnight will lift any doubt about the game going ahead.

Sky Blues gaffer Jim Moffat is looking for his team to continue the momentum which has seen the Loons defeat Arbroath and Montrose in their last three games.

He said, “We have had two great wins and performed well against East Fife.

“The players have recognised that working hard brings its rewards and are prepared to earn it.

“They showed that they could come back into a game against Arbroath and against Montrose they were able to hold on to a lead.

“I am asking for more of the same in the three home games coming up.

“Albion Rovers have an experienced manager and they have shown that they can score goals, netting 10 goals in their last two games.

“Confidence is high in the camp and we will try to build on our last three displays.”

Moffat will be aided in his quest with the return of Stephen McNally and John Ovenstone are available for selection following suspension.

“They are a welcome additions,” Moffat continued. “Mark Allison and Michele Lombardi are back in training but unfortunately our reserve game this week was cancelled so they lack match fitness.

“Thankfully our injury problems are coming to an end. It’s nice to have the choice, although the players who have come in have not let me down.”

Albion are missing Brian Smith, Ciaran Donnelly and Michael McGowan and manager John McCormack commented, “Anyone who wants entertainment should watch us as we are scoring goals. But we need to stop losing them as well.”