Brechin boss Barry Smith is looking for his players to make a positive start to their League 2 campaign against Annan today – and show the rest of the teams in the division that the Glebe is a venue to be feared this season.
The manager has overseen a major rebuilding job this summer following the club’s relegation at the end of the last campaign.
There had been steady signs of progress throughout last month’s Betfred campaign, culminating in Saturday’s draw with Stewart Petrie’s League 1 Montrose.
Now, Smith is hoping his players can go one step further and secure their first competitive win of the season against Annan today.
The Glebe gaffer said: “We know that we still have a bit to go but there were certainly good aspects of the game against Montrose, most importantly the character they showed to come back from 1-0 down to get a draw.
“There were some good bits of play so there were lots of positives to take from the game.
“Montrose have pretty much had a recognised team for the past two or three years, guys who have been there for that length of time.
“They are a strong unit and difficult to play against so it was a good test for the guys.
“It is down to league business now and while we obviously want to get off to a good start, the league isn’t won in August.
“But we do want a positive start and we just have to try to take three points on Saturday against Annan.
“We also want to make it difficult for teams to come to Brechin while also making sure our away form is good as well.
“But it is always good to start the season at home in front of your own fans.”
Although Brechin have just come down from a higher division, Smith is well aware there will be no easy games this season in League 2.
The newcomers from the Highland League, Cove Rangers have been installed as early firm favourites by the bookies to take the title while the likes of Edinburgh City, Stenhousemuir and today’s opponents are all tipped to do well.
Smith added: “We have to concentrate on what we do.
“We know it is a tough league but we just have to make sure we are getting the best out of the players we have.”
Smith though does not have his troubles to seek ahead of the Annan game with three players definitely missing while there is a doubt over another.
He added: “Ross Brown is suspended, Jamie Reid is out, Fionn McLeod Kay is out while Luke Watt is a doubt.
“We still have a wee bit of scope to bring players in but we don’t want to rush things just for the sake of getting people in.
“We are still waiting for the right people to become available.”
