Little change is expected v Pars

Roger Graham • Published 26 Feb 2010 14:00 0 Comments

Share this

POSITION SWITCH: Allan Jenkins is one possibility to move from centre to right midfield.

ASSUMING play takes place, Morton meet Dunfermline at Cappielow tomorrow determined to overturn two defeats against the Fifers so far this season.

In the corresponding fixture back in August in Greenock, Morton went down 2-0, while they suffered a 3-1 reverse at East End Park in October.

Everyone at Cappielow is bursting to get back in action, with so many games being postponed due to this especially frost-bound winter.

A lift seemed to be gained from the performance against Celtic in the Scottish Cup, in which the blue and white hoops lost 1-0 to their lofty Glasgow opponents. That was carried over into away performances against Raith Rovers and Queen of the South, maximum points being gained.

That last display, against Queens, was full of fighting spirit and it would be surprising if any changes, other than enforced ones, are made, though that may not necessarily be the case as manager James Grady outlines on the back page.

Definitely out of the starting line-up is Kevin Finlayson, who was sent off against Queens for two yellow card offences and has to serve a one-match ban. Also excluded is Kevin McKinlay, who came off the bench at Dumfries. He now has a two-match ban carrying over from his time in Ireland.

Otherwise everyone is fit and well, apart from Alex Walker, who in any case is on a loan spell with Brechin City.

There is a real desire in both camps to complete this game if possible, everyone becoming thoroughly fed up with the constant postponements and disruption of any continuity.

For Morton, with 10 home games in their final 15 fixtures, there is a definite eagerness to get on with the job in hand and build on those two consecutive away wins.

Dunfermline are equally intent on getting back in action after losing at home to second bottom Ayr last Saturday.

As a business, Morton are bound to lose money over the call-offs, for there is never the same turnout in midweek as there is on a Saturday.

The fans, too, must be gnashing what's left of their teeth. Saturdays just aren't the same without the footie.

The latest prognosis is that it will take a pretty severe thaw to get the ground playable.

One reader did point out that Greenock Wanderers Rugby Club have invariably been able to play at home when games are postponed at Cappielow.

One major factor there, of course, is that, unlike Cappielow, there are no stands at Fort Matilda which shade large areas of the ground.

If play does take place, Morton will probably bring in Neil MacFarlane and, perhaps, Erik Paartalu or Carlo Monti to their squad to cover for the suspended pair of Kevins.

There are several possible permutations in midfield, the simplest perhaps being either Paartalu, Michael Tidser or MacFarlane in centre midfield alongside the rejuvenated Stevie Masterton, Allan Jenkins moving wide right - or Jim McAlister switching to the right flank with Monti coming in on the left.

MacFarlane or Paartalu partnering Masterton would introduce a more defensive element rather than Tidser, and it all depends on what approach James Grady and Allan McManus feel is best to take.

One other possible option, if pace is a requirement on both sides of the pitch, would be to play Iain Russell wide right to balance Jim McAlister on the left and reintroduce Brian Graham up front alongside Peter Weatherson.

At this point, though, the main hope is simply to get a game on.

This article appeared in Greenock Telegraph 26 Feb 10

Return to the main index, get more from this section or browse our Sport archives.

Follow @greenocktele