Strathspey Thistle to go back to basics in defence
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Strathspey Thistle manager Charlie Brown says he wants his team not to experience any more 'hidings' this season as he looks to make changes for tomorrow's Highland League clash at Inverurie Locos.
After exiting the Highland League Cup with a battling 1–0 first round defeat at Clachnacuddin last weekend, the Jags only have league matches to look forward to after being knocked out of all cup competitions this season.
Strathspey are second bottom of the Highland League, but are eight points ahead of Fort William, with the team which finishes last facing a play-off to stay in the division at the end of the season.
The Jags have the second worst defensive record in the division, conceding 61 goals in 16 games and have suffered heavy defeats.
Travelling to fourth place Inverurie who are challenging for the title, Brown says he is going to make changes to the team to prevent any more heavy defeats as they aim to avoid any fight against relegation at the closing stage of the campaign.
"We have no cup games left, but the league is the most important to us," said Brown.
"A good run in the cup is great for any team, but for us it is about staying in the league and climbing up the table.
"The players are there and they have the ability to pick up the points, and we have to pick up against the teams around us.
"After Inverurie, we have five games with teams around about us if that we have a good performance we can pick up points.
"But if you try to experiment too much you can end up at the wrong end of a hiding, which we have had a few of and we don't want any more of them.
"I am going to have make a few changes in personnel and positional, next week is the time to do that.
"We are sitting with a squad of 21 and are trying to tighten up at the back and stop crosses coming in."
Strathspey were knocked out of the Highland League Cup last Saturday due to Martin Callum's strike 15 minutes from time.
Stephen Rennie was sent off for Strathspey in the closing stages after picking up a second booking for throwing the ball at an opposition player.
Brown says his team didn't deserve to progress to the next round, saying they did not create enough chances in the game to merit it.
"We were under the cosh and they got the goal their play deserved," said Brown.
"We have to take that one on the chin. But we didn't look like scoring, we could have played another 90 minutes and not score which is the story of our season, apart from a couple of games."
