Jim Jefferies on Thursday
Thursday, 2nd Oct 2014"We have a strong squad and squads are there for things that happen .....
Stirling Albion are newly promoted from League Two and their ambitions have to be consolidation of their place in League One. Jim Jefferies noted their moves in that direction:-
"They have brought in some experienced players who have played at a higher level. Weir had done well for them, Gordon and Darren Smith have impressed. On a free Saturday last season I watched Clyde play Stirling and they have one or two decent players.
"Every game is hard and we expect they will raise their game to play against us. The report I got on their match against Forfar was that they played really well, got to 2-0 up and should have had the game won but a wee bit of complacency let Stirling in for a 2-2 draw. Two late goals - so that's a warning that even if you get in front they are not going to lie down.
"We have to go to Forthbank and try and make it five wins out of six. We have tough games after that but if we can get the win it will set us up nicely for the games at Ayr, and then at home against Forfar and Morton.
"We need to put a marker against these three teams. If we come out of those three games at the top then it will be a pointer to show that we have it in us to do well."
Ryan Wallace is still out, Andy Geggan is still a doubt but Alex Whittle and Faissal El Bakhtaoui came through the U20s match on Tuesday night against Rangers. In training on Monday Ryan Thomson (above) has incurred a groin strain that may sideline him for four weeks and a big loss is Lewis Martin who travels to Lithuania with Scotland U19s for European Championship qualifiers. Nevertheless Jim Jefferies was philosophical:-
"We have a strong squad and squads are there for things that happen like injuries, suspension and in Lewis' case priority. It would have been nice if we could have flown him out on the Sunday. In these young teams not all of them are playing on a Saturday, it is only those that are playing first team football. Lewis is a regular in our team so it hurts us more."
New arrival Frenchman Sorel Chemin (below) would not be ruled out of the first team squad, it would all depend on injuries but his signing was really based on seeing how he could shape up at U20 level.
"He could be an option if we are down in numbers but Shaun Byrne is looking like getting back to his best, Ross Forbes has always great experience and ability. We have always said that we want competition in there."
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