Key players set to return for Thurso after 'mixed bag' of results so far
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Manager Michael Bremner accepts Thurso's position in the North Caledonian League "doesn't look good" but he is confident that the Vikings will soon begin climbing the table now that several key players are returning to the squad.
Thurso had an indifferent start to the 2021/22 campaign before improving after the midwinter break, and Bremner sees a similar pattern emerging this term.
They are in 11th place in the 13-team division, a point ahead of second-bottom Nairn County "A". But the Vikings' last outing, on December 10, brought a fine 2-0 victory in Orkney and Bremner hopes they can build on that result when the action resumes in January.
When asked to sum up the season so far, Bremner replied: “We've been good in some games, awful in some games, and not bad in other games. We've had a really mixed bag.
“I keep saying most weeks – when we've got a full team we look good, we're strong.
"Over in Orkney in our last game we had a good solid defence. Andy Hardwick was back and we had Grant Steven – a Highland League defence, really.
“When we've got that, the boys in front are a bit more positive and a bit more confident. It just kicks on everything.
“It was the same in the game where we drew [0-0] with Loch Ness at home – we're one of only two teams that have taken points off them. When we get everybody there, we are strong.
“The makings of it are in place – it's just a case of getting all the bodies there.
“The first half of the season has not been great but we're hoping we can push on. We've got loads of boys to come back in.
"Luke Manson, James McLean and Marc Macgregor are back training after injury. Allan Munro has missed quite a lot of the games but he is back.
“At the start of the season we were confident with what we had, but then obviously boys can't make it for different reasons and then injuries come so you're down to the bare bones.”
Bremner, who replaced Stevie Reid in November 2021, went on: “It's exactly the same as last year. Thurso had a horrendous start last season too.
"Maybe it's just a recurring theme that I'm going to have to try to sort out.
“We will try to get up the table as far as we can, and there is still one cup to play for, so hopefully we can get a run in it too.
“Our league position doesn't look good, but we know if we've got a full squad we can do some damage against a lot of the teams.
“We know it has not been good enough since the start of the season – all the players do too.
“After the Orkney game everybody was buzzing because we know what we can do. We're looking positive after that result, hopefully.”
Ryan Bain and Cameron Yuill have been sharing goalkeeper duties for Thurso this season as regular Asa Sinclair has had work commitments.
“Asa is coming back to training but he is taking more of a coaching role now – he is getting involved with that a wee bit more," Bremner explained.
"At the start of the season he was working every weekend. Now he's coming back. He will take the keepers for training but he will be available too.”
Thurso's next match is away to Golspie on January 7.
