Scorries take on the league’s big spenders
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DESPITE not being a first-team regular this season, Shaun Sinclair is the only player who is guaranteed to be in the starting 11 for Wick Academy tomorrow.
The defender, whose appearances for the Scorries have been mostly confined to coming off the bench in the second half, is set to get the chance to prove himself against Formartine United at Harmsworth Park.
Manager Davie Kirkwood was furious at his side’s 4-3 defeat against Turriff United last weekend, describing it as the worst team performance of the season.
He was infuriated some players displayed the mentality of thinking they just had to show up to win the game and threatened to make up to 10 changes for the visit of Steve Paterson’s men.
But Kirkwood said Sinclair is the one member of the squad who has showed complete professionalism and wants other players to follow suit.
"Shaun has done nothing wrong in the games that he has played, but he’s been sitting on the sidelines in favour of Michael Steven who has been stronger this season," he said. "But he is a player who doesn’t complain and gets on with his job, he turns up to every training session, gives 100 per cent and you know what you get off him.
"That is the reliability I’m looking for – he gives whole heart to the cause and that’s what we need after a woeful performance on Saturday. I am being hard on the players, but for some of them to lay back and think that they are certain starters is an attitude which needs to be changed."
Academy went two up after only three minutes at The Haughs but were played out of the game by Turriff who scored a late winner five minutes from time.
Kirkwood doesn’t want to make any drastic choices after just one match, but said he will not tolerate a repeat of last Saturday’s laid-back attitude.
"There has been a consistency in the starting line-up, but the mentality they displayed really irritated me. This needs to be nipped in the bud and it was the quietest the bus has been in a long time.
"But that was a consolation as, if a defeat like didn’t hurt them, then there would be something seriously wrong."
James More is Wick’s only player missing through injury as Martin Gunn could be ready to make his first start since October after recovering from leg damage.
Formartine United were the clear favourites with the bookies to win this season’s Highland League after major investment into the squad with the likes of former Aberdeen players Derek Soutar and Andrew Bagshaw arriving at North Lodge.
But the big spenders have failed to live up to expectations, languishing in 13th place having played two games more than Wick.
Manager Paterson is expected to give new signing Hamish Munro his first start of the season after he joined the club this week from Buckie Thistle.
Secretary Martin Johnston admits the club already has one eye on next season and players in the squad will have to prove they are worthy of an extended contract.
"For the first time in Steve’s career, he has inherited a group of players which has been found wanting," he said.
"In our final 10 games, all squad members will be put under the microscope and we will consider who will still be here at the start of August. Hope and expectation are two different things, but we will be heading to Caithness expecting a result at a ground we traditionally do quite well at."
