United assistant seeking squad improvements
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GRAEME Mathieson says Turriff United's coaching team have been left with no option but to seek reinforcements after a dismal run of form.
The 7-0 hammering at the hands of Brora Rangers in the Highland League Cup is their fifth straight defeat, with 20 goals conceded in that time.
The assistant admits that although United's youngsters are still adjusting to the rough and tumble of Highland League football, they must learn from their mistakes quicker.
And both himself and manager Kris Hunter have identified targets to help stop the rut, after a string of defensive calamities.
Mathieson said: “[Saturday] was obviously really disappointing.
“For whatever reason just now, set pieces seems to be our achilles heel.
“Just about every game we are losing goals from corners or free-kicks and that is something that's we've had to sit down and address.
“We've had to had a think and we'll be looking to add to the squad and bring in players – probably defensively-minded players – who are more robust, and can deal with different kinds of situations.
“That's something we're working on just now.
“We didn't defend anywhere near as well as what we expect but I have to give credit to Brora, they were the best side we've faced all season.
“They showed a great hunger and desire all throughout the game.”
He added: “It is a young squad we have but they can only use that excuse of being young for so long.
“I think it is the case that we perhaps need to bring in one or two new faces, probably guys with a bit of experience behind them who can help pull us through.
“Right now we are on a dire run and we need to help ourselves get out of it.”
United make the short trip to Huntly on Wednesday for the rearranged tie in the last eight of the Aberdeenshire Shield and Mathieson insists the players must haul themselves out of the doldrums.
He continued: “We played Huntly a couple of Wednesdays ago and for good parts of the game, we competed really well and came away with nothing when we probably deserved more.
“I'd imagine the mood among some of the players might be quite low after Saturday but they have to pick themselves up and think that this is a chance to get themselves into a semi-final of a cup competition.
“But we need to cut out the mistakes we're making in games if we're to do that.”
