Elgin City defender Matthew Cooper insists the Black and Whites remain firmly on course for their target of a League 2 promotion play-off place this season.
City fell to a 2-0 defeat by Annan Athletic last weekend, which leaves them three points adrift of the fourth-placed Galabank outfit ahead of today’s home game against Cowdenbeath.
Although Cooper is frustrated by his side’s inconsistency this term, he feels Gavin Price’s side is well equipped for the task of regaining their place in the top four in the second half of the campaign.
Cooper said: “We have been a bit inconsistent so far and dropped points we should not have.
“We are still right in among the play-offs though, which has to be the main aim this season, and we want to make sure we are up there at the end of the season.
“There is still plenty quality in the squad, even with a few of the boys leaving. We’ve had to deal with injuries and suspensions all season, so when everyone is available we have more than enough to go on a good run of form.”
Today’s opponents have the opportunity to draw level with Elgin with a victory at Borough Briggs, however Cooper insists the Moray outfit are only looking up the table despite last week’s setback, with the 24-year-old adding: “This is another massive game, with Cowdenbeath only three points behind us. We need to make sure we get the right result to keep us in among the pack.
“We know it’s always going to be a battle against Cowdenbeath, they make you work hard for anything out of the game so we will need to be at our best for the three points.
“The Annan game was a tough one to take as we need to pick up points from the teams around us. We were well in the game, but we had the penalty save and then the sending off which went against us, and they were clinical at the end of the break while we were trying to equalise.”
City face Premiership side Hibernian in a glamour Scottish Cup fourth round tie at Easter Road next weekend, however Cooper is looking no further than today’s visit of the Blue Brazil, adding:
“That is firmly in the back of the boys’ minds for now. This week’s preparation has all been for this weekend’s game and the only focus is on bouncing back from last weekend’s defeat to Annan.”