Frew boss: We'll give town a buzz

Published 25 Nov 2009 16:58 0 Comments

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Renfrew go into their Scottish Junior Cup third-round tie this weekend well rested after going without a game for three weeks, but manager Dougie Mitchell wants his team to pick up where they left off before the enforced break.

The weather has halted their impressive run, but Mitchell feels the club can build on the confidence gained from previous results against West Calder on Saturday.

He said: "Having no games since the November 7 is a wee bit of a disappointment, but there's nothing we can do.

"We were doing well and wanted to keep the run going but hopefully we can do that this weekend."

Dougie can at least take comfort in the fact that the bad weather has affected most teams and his opposition on Saturday are in the same position.

He said: "West Calder haven't had a game for a while either and our players are as fit as they can be. We've tried to get a friendly on astroturf but everyone is doing the same so it's been tough."

Mitchell also believes that the 5-1 win against Fraserburgh in the second round gave his players a huge boost and they are looking forward to the game.

He said: "It was a well-deserved win so without a shadow of a doubt we're confident.

"I'm optimistic we can get a victory and to know that we're still in the cup after Christmas would be great."

The cup game provides a distraction from the league, where Renfrew are lying in the relegation zone, but the manager gives credit to his players for going four games without a loss.

He said: "I have to give it to the players - they've worked so hard.

"Once they cross the line it's not about me, it's up to them.

"I've got all the faith in the world of their capabilities."

Mitchell believes that there is a definite game plan his team need to adopt. Dougie said: "We can't fall to defensive mistakes."

He added: "We have to play to a higher tempo than the opposition. "While we've been creating plenty of chances and, as the 5-1 score shows, putting them away, we must defend as a unit."

Just as he praises the whole team for improving results, the manager doesn't point fingers at individuals for getting into trouble in the first place.

He said: "A team always has to defend all over the pitch, right from the front, so no goal can be attributed to one defensive error.

"If we defend as a team and show a bit more caution then hopefully we can get a result."

So Renfrew are confident of carrying on their recent good performances, but Mitchell knows that the hard work will start once the team get back into league action.

He said: "Our biggest priority is to get out of the relegation zone.

"The league is always our bread and butter but if we can take confidence from a cup win into our fight in the league, and give the whole town a buzz, then that's what we want to do."

This article appeared in The Gazette 25 Nov 09

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