Jags boss hopes that more homes fans can help them avoid any relegation play-off
Jags boss Ryan Esson is already suffering a headache with injuries and that is before the real fixture congestion really kicks in.
The Jags lost three players in a little over a week but still managed to get a good battling draw last time out at home to Nairn County.
Thistle were close to getting a home win but they eventually conceded after concerted pressure from the visitors with Scott Lisle netting in the 85th minute.
Esson now has a dilemma with Paul Brindle (calf), Steven MacDonald (groin) and Dylan Lawrence (hamstring) set to miss out tomorrow at home to Keith.
The Grantown club has been trying to get extra bodies through the door but that has proved almost impossible with the season entering its final third.
Whilst MacDonald and Brindle are expected to recover from minor knocks in the next week, Lawrence is set to miss the rest of the season with a serious hamstring injury.
Esson said: “This is the first week that we have had three games - and there we go, three injuries.
“I am trying to get players in but at this time of the season it is very challenging.”
He said unattached players tended to not be match fit as they have missed several months of football and other approaches had been rejected.
“We have to try and get some more bodies in with what is coming up.”
Brindle and MacDonald both suffered injuries in the 7-0 defeat away to league leaders Brora midweek.
But there was some good news with the point against Nairn meaning that the Jags moved off the bottom of the Highland League where they have been stuck for many months.
Rothes are now in the basement but not that Esson is taking much stock from that.
“It is nice for the fans but I do not really look at the table - I will do that at end of the season. I know it is a cliche but we still have 12 games to go.”
Esson joked there was another reason why he did not need to look: “Everyone seems to mention it.”
He continued: “We now need to keep on picking up points and we need wins.”
The gaffer believes that the fans have a big part to play in that.
“We are going to need everyone’s help including from the fans. They were good on Saturday and they were pretty noisy.
“We get around 300 to 400 spectators but image if we could get that number up to over 500 and the stands are more vociferous.
“We are all in it together. We know there are more supporters out there and it would be great if they came along to our homes games and gave us their backing.”
Attention now turns to this Saturday and Keith.
“We have a team for Saturday and some subs and we are still fighting,” said Esson.
“I want the team to be positive and go into the match on the frontfoot.
“Keith have had a couple of decent results in recent week so it is going to be tough and we will not under-estimate them.”