Dick Campbell is ‘very, very optimistic’ he can kickstart Arbroath’s Championship survival bid after vowing to tackle critics head on.
Arbroath are currently in a three-way fight at the bottom with Hamilton and Cove Rangers after 16 games.
Campbell is still held in high esteem by a majority of the Red Lichties support after winning two league titles and taking them to within two points of the Scottish Premiership last term.
But Campbell knows how quickly football can turn and is honest about the need make a positive impact in the January transfer market.
Campbell, who celebrated his 69th birthday earlier this week, is currently Scottish football’s longest-serving manager.
And he is in no mood to give up without a fight.
“I’m very, very optimistic,” said Campbell, who travels to Fraserburgh on Scottish Cup duty this weekend.
“When I was at Forfar, we were third bottom on New Year’s Day but we ended up going up through the play-offs.
“I don’t see challenges in this game, only opportunities. We have an opportunity to reset and refresh and go again.
“At the moment we are 15 points off the play-offs – that’s another way of looking at things.
“I’m still enjoying it here. I’m not nearly enjoying it as much as last year but who would? Last year was incredible!
“Could you say never to be repeated? Possibly.
Dick Campbell: We haven’t had a break
“No-one is more realistic about this season than me. I was in seeing the chairman at the end of the season and said to him: ‘The big problem we have now is repeating this year.’
“I knew it would be tough. Recruitment is the ultimate in football management and I don’t think we’ve recruited well – I put my hands up there.
“But there are other factors that have hit us this year.
“Last year we played 31 of 36 league games with the same defence. I don’t think we’ve played the same defence twice this year.
“Tam O’Brien was the best defender in the league last year but has been injured and sent-off twice.
“Last year we had every single break going.
“But when you are bottom of the pile, you don’t get them.
“I don’t look at any stick I’m getting online. I won’t ever see it because I don’t have a computer.
“I’ve got no time for anyone who puts anything on a website.”
💡"and then there was light"
A new week, and a new upgrade for Gayfield Park.
New floodlights are being installed throughout the ground and we are striving to constantly improve on-and-off the pitch.
Never standing still. pic.twitter.com/QLc2YPm6Vo
— Arbroath FC (@ArbroathFC) August 8, 2022
“We’ve improved so much on and off the park over the last six years.
“Our dressing rooms are new, the dugouts are new, the stand has been upgraded, the entrance looks fabulous and our hospitality is thriving.
“We’ve gone from second bottom of League Two to the Championship and stayed here for four years.
“There is much to celebrate and we’ll all be smiling again soon.”
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