Peterhead entertain Montrose at Balmoor this afternoon and Blue Toon manager Jim McInally will urge his players to do ‘the right things’ against the Gable Endies. Jim explained: “Last weekend’s result and performance at Alloa was a sore one for everyone. We knew that when the players came in for training on Tuesday that they would be quiet. We could let things stay like that.” “We knew that we would get hard work from them but we also went into great detail over the need to stick together. We are a new team, and one that has not being able to settle due to injuries and suspension, and when you are on a run like we are on it is easy for heads to drop.” “The best response to all that is to bond and stick together on the pitch. Help each other out in difficult situations.” “The squad dynamics that were in place last season and for several seasons before that have all gone so new ones have to be put in place. There are more characters than ever now in the squad so that will come and the sooner, the better.” Jim added: “Confidence is low at the moment however that can change when players see their team-mates doing the right things and by that, I mean things like keeping possession, passing well and making themselves available.” “Against Alloa we did not do the right things and we were punished as we lost goals directly from not doing the right things. In simple terms if we had done the right things against Alloa we would not have lost the goals we would have.” “Montrose are again showing that they will be a major player in our league this season. They have not changed the core of their team over the past few seasons but have added quality in Sean Dillon, Michael Gardyne, Brad Lyons and Rory McAllister.” “They are coming to us in good form however I would like to think we are better placed with players to cause opponents problems than we have been all season despite having Hamish Ritchie, Russell McLean and Ola Adeyemo out injured.” “We have Conor O’Keefe and Ryan Dow available again which gives me options up front. Prince Annor Asare is beginning to give me a problem over starting him as he is getting fitter all the time. Chris Kisuka had a decent debut at Alloa and he is a player who will benefit from having someone up and around him.” “We also now have Ramez Hefzalla who is a talented boy. I would like to think that if we do the right things then we can give Montrose a lot to think about.” Finally, Jim said: “Tom Ritchie has come in from Aberdeen on loan and will take over from Jack Newman and I am delighted that what looked like a major challenge has been solved. It was disappointing when we got the news on Wednesday that Dundee United were taking Jack back, as he has been excellent for us, and I hope he goes on to star in their first team.” “We were going down several routes in terms of finding a new goalkeeper when it became apparent that Tom, who we had done our research on as we were keen on him during the summer, was becoming available.” “Our thanks go to Aberdeen for getting him here and if he does as well as Jack he will do very well indeed.”
Team news – Tom Ritchie will take over goalkeeping duties from Jack Newman with new midfield signing Ramez Hefzalla also in manager McInally’s squad. Conor O’Keefe is available after a two-match ban and Ryan Dow is fit enough to start after injury saw him restricted to the bench last weekend. Ewan Murray has been added to an already long injury list that includes Andrew McDonald, Andrew McCarthy, Hamish Ritchie, Russell McLean and Ola Adeyemo.
Attending the game – Peterhead FC do not operate a cash at turnstile facility. The club ticket office is located in the car park adjacent to main entrance at Balmoor Stadium. Ticket prices are as follows: GROUND Adult £15 Concessions £8 U13’s FOC (if accompanied by an adult) EAST & MAIN STANDS Adult £17 Concessions £10 U13’s £2 Match Programme – https://www.peterheadfc.org/match-day-programme/
