Peterhead v Cove Rangers
Manager’s preview –
Peterhead kick-off 2022 with the visit of League 1 leaders Cove Rangers with Balmoor boss Jim McInally having selection problems of the right and wrong kind.
Jim explained: “I am really pleased that three of the four players we thought we have available again have made it and are added to the squad that lost narrowly at Montrose just before Christmas. Scott Brown, Simon Ferry and Andrew McCarthy have all trained twice this week and are good to go but unfortunately Grant Savoury will miss out.”
“With Josh Mulligan out through a combination of injury and suspension I will have to change the team around. So, on one hand, it is great to have the three boys back however on the other, the loss of two means that we still do not have a great deal of strength in depth.”
“My philosophy, as always, is to concentrate on what we have and that is what I have done ahead of the visit of a good Cove team. They are sitting very pretty at the top of the table and they are there for a reason, in fact they are there for a number of reasons.”
“They have a strong squad which is full of experienced players who can play good football and get stuck in and work hard if required. They have a couple of very good goalscorers, which always helps, so we know that we have to go about our work very diligently this afternoon.”
Cove boss Paul Hartley was linked with the vacant manager’s job at Kilmarnock this week and Jim said: “It is not a surprise Paul’s name was mentioned as his team are winning games. He has done a good job there and whilst Kilmarnock are in a higher league and are full-time, I know that both Paul and Cove are ambitious so I am not reading anything into that.”
As for his own said McInally said: “Montrose are a side who are bang in form and we pushed them all the way in our last game. In fact, we should have been winning at half-time. If we play like that again and turn pressure into chances and chances into goals, we can beat any team in this league including the one at the top of the league.”
Jim added: “Finally thank you to everyone who supported the club through 2021. It is appreciated by myself and the players. I know some people will be disappointed at not getting to the game today but I look forward to seeing you as soon as we can in 2022.”
Team news –
Skipper Scott Brown, player-coach Simon Ferry and midfielder Andrew McCarthy are all available however Ryan Conroy, Alan Cook, Gary Fraser and David Wilson remain out injured and Grant Savoury will miss out with a knee problem.
Josh Mulligan is side-lined through suspension however the on-loan Dundee midfielder would not have featured due to a knock.
Recently signed on-loan goalkeeper Sean Diamond is added as a direct replacement for Lenny Wilson who suffered a jaw injury in training this week.
Attending the game – This game is sold out and accordingly please do not attend Balmoor without a ticket.
Watching the game – https://peterheadfc.univtec.com/outside/login
