Montrose boss Stewart Petrie is looking his players to be right “at it” in this afternoon’s Angus derby with Forfar after a below-par performance in defeat last week at Stenhousemuir.
The Gable Endies travelled to face Colin McMenamin’s team in confident frame of mind after a thumping 5-2 win over Brechin the week previously.
However, they struggled to get out of first gear at Ochilview and there was no way back for Petrie’s men after they conceded the only goal of the game in the 68th minute.
Now, the Links Park boss is looking for a big improvement against a Forfar side who are six games unbeaten in the league, sitting in third place in the table.
Petrie said: “We were disappointed last week.
“We just never seemed to get going and the longer the game went you were thinking the first goal was going to be vital. Fair play to Stenny they got it and defended well after that.
“We just couldn’t break them down.
“We weren’t at it and if that’s the case you are not going to win games – it is as simple as that.
“We now have a derby which is a great game to bounce back into.
“Forfar are going great at the moment and have a right, good experienced team.
“So we know how difficult the game will be as they will arrive full of confidence.
“We will have to do a lot better than last week if we want to get anything out of the game.”
Petrie has made no secret of the fact that League 1 safety is the top priority for his team this season but he is refusing to put a figure on the points total that would confirm that target had been achieved.
He added: “No, we are just looking to pick up as many as we can.
“There will be stats out there on what figures mean you are safe but things can change.
“So we just have to keep making sure we are picking up points and that starts tomorrow.
“We are coming into a run of games against Forfar, Raith Rovers and then Airdrie.
“But there are no easy games and if you are not right on it, there is every chance you are not going to take anything out of the match so we need to make sure we are at it and it is a Montrose that we are used to seeing.”
The injured Martyn Fotheringham and Matty Allan are still out while a late decision will be made on Andrew Steeves who has a calf strain.
