Late Fitness Test for Roddy
The Bully Wee will host Ross County at Broadwood tomorrow in the third round of matches in the 2008-09 IRN-BRU First Division season.
Clyde boss John Brown spoke to the official website after training this afternoon:-
“Our performances have been decent so far but we need to start winning league games. We spoke as a group this morning about taking our chances and being more clinical in front of goal. We want to establish a good home record before we go on the road for two matches.”
At least five players will be missing from the squad tomorrow. Neil McGregor’s knee injury continues to keep him out and he will join Gary McSwegan (hamstring), Willie McLaren (ankle) and Marvyn Wilson (suspended) on the sidelines. Marc McCusker will play for the Under-19s on Sunday as he continues on the road to recovery but tomorrow has come too soon for the young forward.
Roddy MacLennan will also face a fitness test tomorrow morning to determine whether or not he can feature. John said:-
“I’m sure there will be a lot of knocks throughout the season because of how competitive the games are. I don’t want guys holding back either. We’ve been a bit unfortunate with some of the injuries we’ve picked up recently but it gives other players and younger guys a chance.”
Bomber was keen to praise the efforts of two of his new signings, who he feels the best is yet to come from:-
“Stuart Kettlewell and Alan Trouten will take time to fully adjust but their attitude has been fantastic. Coming from a division down and training a couple of days a week, it takes time to do that. I know their fitness is good and I know they’ve got the ability so it’s just about getting to know their team-mates and getting an understanding and that doesn’t happen overnight.
“I thought Stuart was one of our best players against Dundee and I have no fears that he will turn out to be a big player for the club in the coming seasons.”
John felt that there would also be a steady improvement in the team’s performances in the coming weeks:-
“As we approach the winter months we can see where we are placed in the league then and start to think about it. Dougie was saying that this time last year we were out both cups and being beat heavily – we’re holding our own this time and proving difficult to beat. The longer that goes on then the more victories will come.
“We’re continuing to work at bits of the team; getting an understanding between Pat Clarke and Scott Gemmill, working with Stuart and Ruari in midfield and getting Alan Trouten and Billy Gibson to link up on the right. It takes time and it might be another few weeks before we see the real fluency of the team. We’re not far away though.”
He concluded:-
“We’ve worked hard this week and the boys know that a win will push us up the league a bit, but we’ll have to match County who haven’t won a game yet and will be doubly determined to turn us over. By all accounts they like to get the ball down and pass it, similar to ourselves, so it should be an entertaining game.”
– The match has been classed as category ‘B’; click here for full admission and turnstile information.
– Don’t forget to pick up your copy of issue 2 of the Clyde View, this week with features on Dougie Bell, Marvyn Wilson and superfan Jimmy Thyne. Your 82-page matchday programme costs just £2.50.