Home   Sport   Article

Jags boss Ryan Esson says no added pressure ahead of six-pointers with Wick





Ryan Esson on the touchline at Seafield Park.
Ryan Esson on the touchline at Seafield Park.

Boss Ryan Esson insists Strathspey Thistle will be placing no extra importance on this Saturday’s Highland League fixture against Wick Academy, despite the Jags potentially pulling their opponents within reach with a victory.

Going into the weekend, just five points separate Strathspey from Wick, but with the Jags having a game in hand a victory this weekend could be vital to their chances of finishing off the bottom of the division at the end of the season.

That said, Esson will not change his approach for what some may be calling a six-pointer, believing that his players’ will to win should be the same regardless of whether it is a team in the title race they are facing, or a side close to them in the table.

“It wouldn’t matter if this Saturday we were against Wick or Brechin, we need a win,” he stressed.

“We need to start climbing the table, and if we want to do that we need to start winning games – it doesn’t matter if we’re against a team close to us or at the top of the table.

“There’s no question of it anymore, we need to start putting results together. We’ve done really well since I came in, but we probably haven’t got the points that our performances have merited.

“Nothing will change for me just because it’s Wick. They may be only a few points ahead of us, but I’m not going to suddenly start trying harder because it’s Wick – no chance. It’s not in my make up to do that, I want to win every game.

“I don’t want the boys to have that attitude either. I want them to go into every game thinking they’ve got a real chance to win the game.

“It’s not like I will be putting any more pressure on the boys because this weekend it’s Wick, that’s not what I believe in whatsoever.

“We want teams to have to be the best they’ve ever been to beat us, we can’t let them have an easy game. That’s all I want really, and most times if you do that I think you’ll win.

“If you play to your best, and they’re not at their best, you will win the game. That’s just the way it is.”

Having watched the Scorries in action this season, Esson is well aware of the qualities that Strathspey’s opponents will bring to Seafield Park on Saturday.

Bearing in mind that Wick sit 15th in the standings, with only Rothes and Lossiemouth separating them from Strathspey at the foot of the table, Esson believes that Wick’s ability speaks to the level of the league as a whole.

“I expecting a battle in every game in this league,” he added.

“I watched Wick against Huntly, and they were well in that game. It went 2-2, and then they lost three late goals, but Wick’s second goal was an incredible bit of football – one of the best bits of football I’ve seen in the Highland League if I’m being honest.

“Any team can turn up at any time. Results have shown that. Teams have got results at places that make you wonder how that happened, but you’ve just got to be positive and go into every game thinking you can win it.

“That game between Wick and Huntly in particular, Grant Angus scored a worldy free kick as well, and he seems to be doing that a lot. He has scored 23 goals for the season, so there is quality in the league.

“There are no games where you go out thinking you will definitely win, or that the other team is a soft touch. You’ve just got to prepare the best you can, and then see who is available for the Saturday and go with what you know.”


Do you want to respond to this article? If so, click here to submit your thoughts and they may be published in print.



This site uses cookies. By continuing to browse the site you are agreeing to our use of cookies - Learn More