Brechin boss Darren Dods is looking for Lady Luck to finally smile on his side when he goes head-to-head against the longest-serving manager in Scottish football, Forfar’s Dick Campbell.
Unlike the veteran Station Park gaffer, Dods is still very much in the early stages of his managerial career.
It has certainly been a tough apprenticeship so far with City rock bottom of League One having failed to secure a point from their five matches so far.
Brechin narrowly lost again last week at Stranraer with their miserable run of bad luck continuing when Ross Perry was injured in the warm-up and had to be replaced by Dods, who had been set to take a step back to concentrate fully on managing the side.
He may finally be able to do that today when he pits his wits against his former Forfar boss after bringing in defender David Bates from Raith Rovers on loan.
Dods said: “There were encouraging signs last week and we are making progress, albeit small steps.
“We are definitely not getting any luck though with Ross pulling up in the warm-up.
“However, we have brought in centre-half David Bates from Raith Rovers and he will play against Forfar and I will manage from the sidelines.
“Forfar are obviously at the top of the league while we are at the bottom but I know only too well as a player that a derby can be the game where your luck will change and hopefully that will be the case against Forfar although I know Dick will have them fired up for the game.”
Brechin will be without Perry along with fellow injury victims Dene Shields and Paul McLean, although the latter has returned to training and should be available for next week’s game at Peterhead.
Campbell’s brother and assistant manager Ian insists that while Forfar sit second top of the table, they will be taking absolutely nothing for granted against Brechin.
Earlier this week, the Loons drafted in keeper Scott Gallacher on loan from Hearts as cover for first-choice stopper Rab Douglas who has been struggling with a groin injury.
Forfar will also be boosted by the return from injury of skipper Gavin Swankie and Mark Baxter along with Kevin Nicoll who has been unavailable for the last fortnight with the Angus side looking to bounce back strongly after last week’s 4-0 defeat at home to high-flying Dunfermline.
Campbell said: “In fairness to Dunfermline, they were better than us although we had a few players missing.
“But that game is in the past now and we are looking forward to the derby against Brechin.
“There will definitely not be any complacency from us we have too much respect for Brechin and Dodsy.
“They are going through a tough spell but it is a hard place to go to and they will be up for it.
“However, we will look to get back to winning ways.”