After a difficult start to the season Chris Anderson knows things must be better from Vale, however he is confident that will happen when the squad is at full strength.

Defeats in the last week to Gretna 2008 and Edusport Academy leave the Vale with only one win from five league matches and they are second bottom in the table, above only managerless Hawick Royal Albert. However, the defeats have come in three tough away matches and at home to last season’s champions East Kilbride.

To make things harder many of these matches have been played with a depleted squad, with as many as nine players missing for some of them. Anderson admits that the team have not met his expectations so far but is adamant that the lack of players has been a mitigating factor, and he believes that results will improve when he has his full squad available to him.

He said: “It’s no secret we have had a difficult start to the season and not played anywhere near the level that I expect us to.

“You can put that down to any number of things however it’s clear that when we have a full quota of player in the match day squad we perform better.

“Hopefully now the holiday season is over and injuries are easing up we can begin our climb up the league.”

One man in particular who will make a welcome return is club captain James Elliot. The centre half is an influential member of Anderson’s team and has had no luck with injuries over the last year.

“I would like to say a special mention to our returning captain James Elliot.

“Anyone who has spent time out the game can relate to how frustrating it can be and after nine long months it’s great to see our captain smiling and ready to play”, added the manager.

Two goals from the penalty spot have helped summer signing Jordan Finnie settle in at the Vale, although his new team-mates have also had their part to play.

The striker made the move from Civil Service Strollers in the summer and after finding the net from the spot in the first match of pre-season against Peebles Rovers, he has accepted the opportunity twice more in competitive matches.

Adapting to life at a new club can be fraught with difficulty as a player gets to grip with new surroundings and trying to gel with different personnel. It can be doubly tough for a striker as they are judged on goals and so are often keen to get off the mark quickly.

For that reason Finnie is glad that he was able to do quickly at his new club. Speaking ahead of tommorow’s trip to Annan to face Edusport Academy, he said: “I think for any striker the most challenging thing is actually getting that first goal, especially at a new club, so the penalties have definitely helped.

“It’s always good to score a goal whether it be a penalty or not.

“I’ve loved it since I came in. Everyone has been brilliant with me personally, obviously it takes time to get to know everyone and how they play. But I’ve known Ando for a while and I know how he wants to play and the types of players he wants at the club so I’m looking forward to seeing how we do this season.”

The only two defeats on Finnie’s Vale record have come against highly rated teams in East Kilbride and Stirling University. Wins against Edinburgh University and Preston Athletic as well as an unbeaten pre-season have boosted morale, and the striker is happy with how things have been going on the park, adding: “Given the teams we have played with the amount of boys that are lucky enough to be away on holiday or missing through injury the boys who have played have done brilliant.”

Attentions now turn to the league’s new boys in Edusport Academy. They will be a bit of an unknown quality to the Vale squad having never faced them before, but have had a solid start since earning promotion from the South of Scotland League.

Last weekends comfortable 4-0 win over Hawick Royal Albert and an opening day point shared with Gala Fairydean Rovers has them on four points from four games. Finnie is ready for a hard encounter, but not for the travelling involved.

“I’m sure it will be a tough game, every game at this level is tough. I’m just not looking forward to the two hour car journey”, he said.

 

As he prepares for the first cup game of the season, Chris Anderson is adamant that his team must do better in knockout competitions.

Vale take on Preston Athletic today in the Qualifying Cup having struggled to make an impact in any of the cups last season, including being hammered by East Kilbride in the Scottish and knocked out of the Qualifying Cup by East of Scotland Heriot Watt University.

Eight players were missing against EK last weekend and Preston will arrive at Victoria Park to find a squad still short of full strength. However Anderson still wants them to set out their intentions for better fortunes in the cups. He said: “Last year we didn’t do well enough in the cup competitions and our goal is to improve in all competitions this time out.

“We are still in the early stages of the season and with a number of players missing we find ourselves not quite at full strength.

“Our captain James Elliot is still injured and a few weeks away and we are also missing the experience of Andy Martin who we hope can make a return in the near future.

“Once everyone is fit and healthy it will be up to the players to stake a claim for a starting place.”

He also took time to discuss the latest addition to his squad, Kerr Allan. Despite his red card in the victory over Edinburgh University there are high hopes for what Allan can add to the team.

“We are delighted to announce the signing of Kerr Allan. I have known Kerr for a few years now and he has been a player I was keen to work with.

“Not only is he a talented player but more importantly he possesses a great attitude and willingness to improve”, added Anderson.

Chris Anderson has vowed that his players will be up for the fight tomorrow, despite the fact that no-one will believe his depleted side can pull off a shock.

Last season’s runaway champions East Kilbride are the visitors to Victoria Park, after beating their hosts three times last season including a 9-1 thumping in the Scottish Cup. They have also started this campaign well enough, beating Dalbeattie Star 1-0 on the opening day before drawing with ambitious BSC Glasgow.

To make the task at hand even more difficult Anderson will have eight members of his squad unavailable but he will still demand that those players that are on the pitch give it everything in a bid to match EK.

He said: “Today’s game is our biggest challenge of the season so far. Not only are we playing the champions and an excellent side but we are also missing almost a full side due to holidays and injuries.

“It’s a free hit for us as nobody will give us a fighting chance. However I expect us to push them all the way.”

With so many missing out there will be opportunity for some others to step up and stake their claim for a place in the starting line-up in future.

“Keeping a large squad happy is a manager’s toughest task, however it’s never been so evident how much we need everyone”, added Anderson.

James Elliot, Andy Martin, Jason Stevens, Steven Lynch, Shaun Stevens, Craig McBride, Alex Imlah, Ewan Saunderson are the players he will have to do with out. The Victoria Park clash kicks off at 3pm tomorrow.