Montrose boss George Shields is hoping that his players were given a ruthless streak on Christmas Day as a present – and that they bring it with them to today’s game with bottom of the table Elgin City.
The Gable Endies looked set to end a run of only one win in 10 games at promotion-seeking Albion Rovers last Saturday with a fine display, but chances came and went with the Links Park men left with only a point to show for their efforts.
Shields said: “It was a very good performance from us against a strong side and we know that we should have won.
“We created a lot of chances but failed to convert them and we need to be more ruthless in games going forward.
“Hopefully Santa has been good to the players and given them a clinical nature in front of goal.
“If we have that and play like we did against Albion then we have a good chance of seeing off Elgin.
“This would be a great game to win as it takes back onto the fringes of the promotion chase and at the same time opens up a bigger gap on Elgin.
“Their new manager Jim Weir will be looking to turn things around quickly, but if we can make him wait for another week that is fine by me.”
Garry Wood will return to action to help out up front after a ban and Michael Travis will play his third and final game as a trialist at the heart of the home defence.
Shields is keen for the former Livingston and Arbroath defender to stay for longer, although he is aware of interest from Forfar where Travis was also recently on trial.
Craig Bell and Stephen Robb are both out injured with recent signing Leszek Nowosielski unavailable to Shields.
Elgin hope to finally give debuts to the on-loan St Johnstone pair of Craig Thomson and Alex Gilchrist after two postponements in a row, with striker Shane Sutherland struggling with a back injury.