Elgin City manager Gavin Price is hoping his Jekyll and Hyde side can find the form required to win what is fast becoming a keenly contested race play-off race in League 2.
The Black and Whites dropped out of the top four following a 2-0 loss at Queen’s Park last weekend and the contrast from the fantastic display in the 3-0 home win against league leaders Cove Rangers the previous weekend was not lost on the City boss who watched his side go from one of the best displays to one of their worst in the space of seven days.
He said: “I don’t think we played how we have been since the turn of the year and it one of our flattest displays of the season at Queen’s Park.
“The conditions made it difficult for both teams but Queen’s Park handled it better than we did and it means we have to respond against Cowdenbeath.
“We have an opportunity to get into the top four and it’s important we bounce back with a victory.”
City have had an indifferent home campaign so far, winning just five of their 12 games at Borough Briggs and Price knows improving results in front of their home support will be crucial in determining the club’s play-off fate.
He said: “Our home form has been inconsistent but our last game was one of our best performances of the season. We have just got to get back out there and replicate it.
“When we play well, play football, and create opportunities we are handful for any side and we can cause any team problems.”
With Cove and Edinburgh City well clear of the chasing pack at the top of the division, the side which finishes runners-up will be in the play-offs, leaving just two spots available for the rest of the hopefuls to claim.
With just four points separating third placed Cowdenbeath and Stirling Albion in sixth, Price knows the margin for error is slim in the remaining games.
He said: “There are a number of teams in and about the play-offs and that is why this game is so important for us. If we want to make sure we are going to challenge for the top four then we have our chance against Cowdenbeath.
“We know if we beat them we will move above them. They have a couple of games in hand on us but it will put a little bit more pressure on them to get results in those games.
“Every point is going to be so important in the 11 remaining games we have left.”
Shane Sutherland is the only absentee for Elgin as he recovers from a hamstring strain he suffered in the win against Cove two weeks ago.