Peterhead forward Andy Rodgers admits his side will need a much-improved display if the Blue Toon are to get their promotion hopes back on track against Ayr United today.
The Buchan men were beaten 2-0 by League 1 leaders Stranraer last weekend, with Jim McInally’s men rarely troubling the Stair Park defence.
With top scorer Rory McAllister again missing through suspension, Rodgers is in line for his first start since a 5-0 defeat by Stranraer in October.
Rodgers knows his side will need to show more of a cutting edge against his former team Ayr at Balmoor.
He said: “We were pretty poor last weekend and probably as poor as we have been for a few weeks.
“There wasn’t a lot in the game but we didn’t really create anything. I’m not even sure if we had a shot on target which was disappointing.
“Stranraer are a well-organised side and hard to beat but we were disappointing with how we played going forward.
“We seemed pretty solid at the back. The goals we conceded were from a set-piece and a deflection, so although we weren’t great we were right in the game.”
After a poor start to the season, Ayr United appear to be heading in the right direction under Ian McCall, who took charge last month.
The Honest Men won 4-1 at Stirling Albion last weekend to move up to eighth position and Rodgers expects a difficult match.
He added: “It is usually the case when a new manager comes in the team gets a bit of a lift. That seems to be the case with Ayr United. They were in a position where they needed to start picking up results.
“He has brought four or five new players in so it will be a difficult match. We are at home and we fully expect to win the game. If we perform the way we can then we will win the game but it won’t be easy.”
Peterhead manager Jim McInally hopes bringing Rodgers back into the team will help get his side back on the goal trail.
He said: “Andy is a natural goalscorer and we need that in the team, so this weekend will be a chance for him.”
Captain Steven Noble returns after missing last weekend due to being best man at his brother’s wedding, while Jamie Stevenson has recovered from a hamstring strain.