The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Bollan eyes first win as Nish draws on positives
CRUNCH GAME: Loons boss confident things can change for struggling Forfar
Forfar Athletic manager Gary Bollan has called for his players to “get their sleeves rolled up” and get the win at Cowdenbeath tonight that can kickstart their season.
Bollan was appointed back in December when the Station Park men slipped down the table under previous manager Dick Campbell – however, the former Livingston and Airdrie manager is still looking for his first win.
The Loons, who will be missing the injured Iain Campbell, went down 2-1 to Ayr on Saturday, but Bollan saw enough to be confident that things will change.
He said: “It was a decent hard working performance and the effort from the players deserved a point.
“We caused Ayr a few problems after we equalised but we are not getting any breaks at the moment. It is a frustrating time but we are looking to get things going. The game at Cowdenbeath is a big one and hopefully a real sleeves-rolled-up performance from everyone will get us the win we are after.”
Mark Baxter left the Loons yesterday due to increased work commitments.
The 30-year-old full-back, who has also played for St Johnstone and Cowdenbeath, joined the club from Arbroath in 2013 and has played more than 80 games for the Station Park outfit.
Cowden manager Colin Nish is looking for his players to take the positives from Saturday’s 3-2 defeat from Peterhead into tonight’s game.
A win for the Blue Brazil would open up a nine-point gap on the second-bottom Loons.
And despite not winning in seven games Nish is confident of taking three points.
The Central Park boss said: “We could have got something from a game against a side bang in form in very difficult conditions.
“We showed a lot of spirit to come back twice but unfortunately we could not do it a third time. We have been giving away goals at the start of halves and whilst that happened on Saturday we were actually unlucky.”
He added: “Since the turn of the year we have not done enough to win games. We are playing well but need to find that killer instinct to get over the finishing line. This game with Forfar was always going to be massive as is the one with Stenhousemuir at the weekend.
“If we win them both then our season takes on a different perspective as we are looking up and not down.
“The boys are giving everything they can to get points on board but we are just not getting a break but we have to keep our heads up.”
Goal keeper Al in Roman could keep his place after a fine debut, Kenny Adamson is a doubt after being injured against the Blue Toon while Kyle Miller and Liam Callaghan are definitely out.