Thurso boss McKenna trying to ‘inject positivity’ after run of defeats
Manager Tom McKenna is still on the lookout for fresh faces to bolster the Thurso squad, admitting: “We knew it wasn’t going to be an overnight fix.”
The Vikings won away to Clachnacuddin “A” in their opening game of the North Caledonian League campaign but have suffered five defeats in a row since then, four in the league and one in the Football Times Cup.
Their latest outing ended in a 6-0 loss to St Duthus in Tain last weekend. Thurso will be aiming to get back on track when they face Bonar Bridge at the Dammies on Saturday.
McKenna was appointed in July after Thurso had ended up second bottom in each of the previous two seasons.
“It has been really difficult, I’m not going to deny that,” McKenna said. “We’ve tried to get new players in to support the boys that are already there.
“I knew it was going to be hard after seeing the last couple of years but there’s a lot of quality there. Through one thing or another we just can’t get the strongest players on the park.
“Every game up until now you’re chasing people to participate in the games on a Saturday.
“It’s not as though we’re just sitting back and accepting it. As a coaching group we’re constantly on the go, constantly speaking to people, trying to bring fresh faces in, but it has been a difficult challenge up until now.
“We knew it was going to take time. I do think there is quality within the squad – it’s just trying to complement that.”
Finn As-Chainey helped himself to a hat-trick for St Duthus on Saturday and Neil Moir scored twice, with Adrian Voigt also on target.
“I had them in the dressing room for about 15 or 20 minutes after the game – we had a good chat,” McKenna said.
“We knew it wasn’t going to be an overnight fix. I asked the lads for their general opinions and they gave me their thoughts.
“I’m trying to encourage them, I’m trying to motivate them, I’m trying to inject positivity within them.
“We’re all giving up so much time for this. It’s a sport we love – just go out there and make the most of the time you’ve got on that park, and enjoy it.”
Thurso are 10th in the table, a point behind Bonar.
North Caledonian League results: Bonar Bridge 3, Bunillidh Thistle 0; Clachnacuddin “A” 1, Fort William 5; Invergordon 0, Halkirk United 2; Inverness Athletic 1, Golspie Sutherland 2; Orkney 3, Alness United 1; St Duthus 6, Thurso 0.
Fixtures for Saturday, September 28 – North Caledonian League: Orkney v Halkirk United (12.45pm); Thurso v Bonar Bridge (2pm).
Football Times Cup, quarter-finals: Alness United v Clachnacuddin “A”; Bunillidh Thistle v Invergordon; Golspie Sutherland v St Duthus; Inverness Athletic v Fort William.
