We won't be shutting up shop against North Caley leaders, insists Thurso manager
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Thurso manager Scott Davidson is convinced there will be many twists and turns between now and the end of the North Caledonian League campaign, with leading teams liable to drop points against those currently around the foot of the table.
He was speaking ahead of Saturday's top versus bottom clash at King George V Park in Fortrose with the Vikings aiming to cause an upset against the champions and league leaders Loch Ness.
Davidson wants to see a solid defensive display from his team but is adamant they won't be looking to "shut up shop".
The Vikings were left idle for a second successive Saturday when their scheduled game against Fort William was called off because of burst water pipes in the Claggan Park changing rooms.
Thurso have played fewer games than any other club in the 12-team division and the immediate aim is to climb away from bottom spot.
“Obviously Loch Ness are a good side," Davidson said. "We'll be setting ourselves up in a way that we're going to be hard to beat, with a solid structure at the back. But we'll still have confidence in ourselves going forward to try and get an upset down there.
“Looking at the league positions of top versus bottom, they're obviously going to be looking at themselves as favourites for this game – but we'll by no means be going down there just to make up the numbers. We'll be trying to put in a good performance, score a couple of goals and make it hard for them.
“If it is going to be a game where they do get something from it, I still want us to go down there and compete and try and get a victory. We're not going to go down there to shut up shop by any means. I would never set a team out to be like that against anyone.
“They're obviously top of the league and they're a very attacking side. They were already a strong side last season and Sam Urquhart [ex-Buckie Thistle] is a very good addition to their squad.
“It'll be a tough game. Obviously we're bottom of the league at the moment, with however many games still in hand, but I would still say that on any given day anyone could still upset any other team.
“In years gone by there would be a couple of teams that were at a lower standard than everyone else in the league, but I believe that has changed now. Bonar have certainly shown that. They've changed things around and there's definitely not as big a gulf.
“I keep saying it to the boys – we train so well, we're just not getting that luck on a Saturday. It feels like I'm saying the same things every week.
"It is frustrating. We are playing good football – we're having good spells during the games. We're just not getting the rub of the green.”
As well as looking to move up the table, Davidson will be targeting a run in the second knockout competition of the season – the North Caledonian Cup.
“We've still got a cup to play for," he said. "We will try to concentrate on getting as far in that cup as we can.
"I think there will be many twists between now and the end of the season. You'll still see teams at the top dropping points, you'll see the likes of ourselves, Bonar and Alness picking up points from teams higher up.
"I still think it'll be tight at the bottom. I think there are three or four teams that all could potentially be in that battle around the bottom of the league.
“There is still plenty of time and still plenty of points to play for.”
Meanwhile, Thurso have boosted their midfield options by bringing in Conor Trueman from Halkirk United.
“That's another good signing so he'll be in contention for the squad on Saturday," Davidson said. "It's good to have competition for places."
On the injury front, Colin MacRae could be sidelined for most of the remainder of the season, while fellow defender Jordan Howden will be out until the new year.
Davidson said: “That has put us back a bit. They'll be a miss but it allows other boys to come in, hopefully, and stake a claim for a place.”
Central defender Grant Steven – formerly of Wick Academy – has been back in training and came off the bench in the 3-1 defeat at Alness at the end of last month.
“He is a guy with bags of Highland League experience," Davidson said. "He'll be pushing for a start on Saturday as well.”
North Caledonian League fixtures for Saturday, December 16: Alness United v Clachnacuddin "A"; Fort William v Golspie Sutherland; Halkirk United v Inverness Athletic (1pm); Invergordon v Bonar Bridge; Loch Ness v Thurso (1pm); Orkney v St Duthus.
