Montrose boss Stewart Petrie insists that today’s opponents Peterhead have dangerous players throughout their team, not just goal-scoring machine Rory McAllister.
The two sides meet this afternoon with the Gable Endies sitting proudly at the top of the League 2 table with the Blue Toon six points behind in second with two games in hand.
Petrie insists it is far too early in the season for anything to be decided just yet but he is fully aware of how tough the top-of-the-table clash will be.
McAllister has hit the back of the net 22 times already this season but Jim McInally’s Peterhead have other players who have played in the top tier such as Willie Gibson, Nicky Riley and Simon Ferry.
And the Links Park boss knows his side will have to be at their best to extend their unbeaten league run to 11 games, especially after losing a key player to injury in last week’s 1-0 win over Stirling Albion.
Petrie said: “It was a hard-fought victory with not a lot between the two teams at all.
“The only downside was the injury to Jamie Redman.
“He has broken his cheekbone which is a big blow for us and Jamie.
“It was just a clash of heads in the first half. He played the rest of the game with it and it wasn’t until midnight that he realised there was something wrong.
“He will probably be out for a minimum of six weeks. He obviously fractured his jaw earlier in the season. He had just come into great form for us so he has had no luck.
“We will definitely miss him against Peterhead but there are others waiting for their chance.”
Petrie added: “There is no getting away from the fact that it is second v first but it is just another game.
“Tuesday’s fixture with Cowdenbeath is just as vital.
“It is just like every home game and we will go and try to win it.
“I watched Peterhead down at Stirling Albion and I thought the other lad who played up front with Rory, Russell McLean, did really well.
“But they have quality all over the pitch, there is no question of that.
“Jim has assembled a right good squad there so we will have to be at our very best again to stop them scoring.”
Montrose have issued an appeal for the club’s fans to turn out in big numbers and Petrie acknowledged the impact the supporters are having.
He said: “They were unbelievable again down at Stirling Albion.
“We took down a really healthy crowd which was fantastic and they do make a difference.
“So it would be great if we can get a few more into the ground for the Peterhead game.”
