‘I won’t compromise on tactics’ – Rovers boss

Nov 19 2008 by Colin Paterson, Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser

PAUL MARTIN has vowed not to compromise his footballing beliefs after Albion Rovers slumped at home to Annan.

The Cliftonhill boss insists his team will always play the game in the right way and not resort to hit-and-hope tactics as they chase a play-off spot.

Rovers struggled to get going against the Dumfriesshire men at the weekend, failed to build up any rhythm in attack and created little to trouble Annan keeper Craig Summersgill.

A playing surface which doesn’t lend itself to pacy, passing football might be at the root of Rovers’ inability to consistently pick up results at home but Martin insists he won’t change his tactics.

“We try to pass the ball, people can see us trying to build the play,” the manager told the Advertiser. “But is Cliftonhill conducive to that? We don’t want to see the players kick it long and chase it.

“I refuse to adapt. We have had plaudits in recent weeks for the way we have been playing so I won’t panic on the back of one defeat.

“We will continue to try to play football. If we didn’t, then that would be unkind to the quality players we have at this club who have been creating chances and doing well.”

He added: “I don’t think either team created many opportunities. It was an ugly game which probably suited Annan’s style of play.

“We were outfought in the first half but I felt we deserved something from the second half. A couple of our shots went astray when, in the past few weeks, they have been going in.

“It is a disappointing result given the way we have been playing but I always felt this would be a harder game than the ones we have had.”

Martin will be looking to put one over his former club at Dumbarton this weekend as Rovers travel west hoping to maintain their decent record on the road.

He said: “It is going to be a tough game for us and it will be interesting to go back there. The most important thing as far as I am concerned is getting a victory.”

Meanwhile, two of Rovers’ top prospects, Bobby Barr and Marc Pollock, have signed new contracts keeping them at Cliftonhill until the end of next season.

“This is great news for Rovers,” added Martin. “Both lads have done very well so far and have a lot of potential. They are the type of players we want at this club.”