PAUL HARTLEY

As we move into the final third of the season, this afternoon offers up another huge challenge, but it’s one I feel sure the players are ready to meet.

It was disappointing last week at Dens. After the fine performance in the win over Partick Thistle, we had hoped to build on that, but it wasn’t to be, and defensive lapses once again cost us dear.

What made it more frustrating was the fact that we started well, and that for fifty minutes, the game plan had been working. Given how they like to play, we had gone out to limit and frustrate them, and the boys did a good job of that in the first half.

We then lost two quick goals, which can happen against quality sides in the Championship, and we should have responded better. You’re still in the game at that point, it’s how you react, and we need to have a better mentality and not get down on ourselves. Last Sunday, we didn’t show that positive mindset, and that’s something we’ll be talking to the players about, to reinforce that.

This afternoon’s game is massive, for both sides, and we are all well aware of the importance of a victory. If we can do that, it would be a real psychological boost, and although there’s still a long way to go, it would at least give us a cushion for the run-in.

Between now and the end of the season it is going to be all about getting those points on the board, and it won’t be pretty at times. We are going to need to be fully focused, roll the sleeves up, and work as hard as we can if we are to achieve what was always the goal this year, to remain in this division.

The players showed they can do it, both against Partick and for the first half against Dundee, and that’s the kind of application and desire we’re going to have to show. Maintaining that is going to be crucial in the weeks ahead.

We’re going to need that nice solid shape, while at the same time making sure that does not take away from what we’re trying to do further up the pitch. We’re going to have to be better at both ends, and that’s something we’ve been working hard on in training this week.

There are twelve fixtures left in the Championship and it’s a tough league in which every game is important, but given our situation, the two matches against Arbroath, and our trip to Hamilton at the start of April, will inevitably be in the spotlight.

They will be vital, but we’re going to have to perform every week if we’re to retain our status, starting this afternoon.

Enjoy the game!

Paul Hartley

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— Season 22/23 statistics

Prior to this season, we had never met today’s opponents Arbroath in a senior match, and the two encounters so far have provided positive outcomes for the team.

In the previous meeting here at Balmoral Stadium at the start of October, we earned an important victory with Connor Scully the twogoal hero.

The midfielder opened the scoring early in that match, getting on the end of a Max Johnston cross to head powerfully past Derek Gaston, and he doubled our advantage in the thirtyfourth minute, pouncing on to the rebound after the keeper had saved from Shay Logan.

Just over a month later, the side made the short trip to Gayfield and on an afternoon in which the low sun caused havoc for the players, we fell behind with just five minutes played thanks to Michael McKenna.

The home side looked set to snatch what would have been a vital three points, but with the game edging into stoppage time, Mitch Megginson cleverly laid the ball off and Blair Yule fired low into the corner of the net for his first goal of the campaign.

That draw helped maintain our advantage over Dick Campbell’s side, and despite a tough run in January, the players have maintained the four point gap as both sides look to wriggle clear of relegation concerns.

If the team can retain their unbeaten record against our Angus visitors, it might go a long way towards helping to keep Cove in the Championship this season.