Cove Rangers boss Jim McIntyre reckons consistency is what separates the bottom three in the Championship from the rest of the league.
For several weeks there has been a decent gap separating Cove, Arbroath and Hamilton Accies, although the Aberdeen side have chipped that down to four points with recent results.
Cove were victorious last time out against Queen’s Park, courtesy of a Connor Scully double, and were it not for a defensive collapse against Accies the week previous their points tally could have been looking even healthier.
“I think that’s why the reason the three teams at the bottom are there,” said McIntyre. “We have all been inconsistent and not been able to put a run together.
“If you take Morton as an example, they’ve shown a great bit of form over the last five games and find themselves up the top of the table. That’s what consistency can do.
“All of the teams are striving for it because it’s such a tight league. We all take about it all the team, about the Championship being such a crazy league, and that’s because there isn’t too much between the squads.
“It comes from making good decisions. I’ve spoken a number of times about being better in both boxes and if you do that more consistently, you will pick up more points.”
As well as Scully, one man who caught the eye last week was goalkeeper Stuart McKenzie.
The experienced Cove stopper made a number of key saves to keep Queen’s Park at bay after earning a recall to the side, at the expense of Kyle Gourlay.
“It was a very impressive performance considering there’s no reserve team or reserve games for him to keep his match-fitness up,” added McIntyre. “He made a couple of good saves but the rest you would expect him to make.
“Any time you make a change, you are looking for a reaction from the person that is getting a go again. It’s important to note that Kyle made a number of important saves at the start of the season but like all players, there are dips in form.
“You have to be ready to step in and if you’re the one that’s on the sidelines, you have to be ready to stake your claim. Stuart did that.”
Cove take on Arbroath this afternoon at Gayfield, with the Red Lichties keen to eat away at the five-point gap between the two sides in the table.
“It’s been back to work this week and we’re going up against a direct opponent close to us,” said McIntyre. “Both teams know exactly what’s at stake.
“They want to draw us back closer to them and we want to push on and get closer to the teams above.”
Kyle McClelland continues to be out with an ankle problem while Evan Towler is 50-50 with a hamstring issue. Scott Ross is back available again.