Notman Urges Fans To Stick With The Team

Berwick Rangers midfielder Steven Notman has urged fans to stick with the team through the difficult period they are currently experiencing on the park.

Vice-captain Steven Notman has encouraged fans to get behind the team ahead of Saturday’s clash with Elgin City

The ‘Gers currently find themselves bottom of Scottish League Two with just four wins from 14 league games – while they also exited the Scottish Cup at the earliest possible stage.

And while Notman acknowledges the team’s form so far this season has been unacceptable, he hopes fans will continue to turn out in their numbers, starting this weekend at home to Elgin

“I think we all know that performances and results haven’t been anywhere near good enough from the start,” he said.

“We have a young side who don’t have a great deal of experience, so it’s vital we try and stay as positive as we possibly can, both as a team and as a club.

“Hopefully that will lead to the results starting to turn in our favour. We know it has to happen sooner than later and the support of our fans will only help us get there quicker.”

Expanding on what has went wrong for the ‘Gers so far, the club’s vice-captain admits: “We have conceded far to many goals. The ‘Goals Against’ column in the league table does not make for pretty reading.

“Having said that, we’re not scoring anywhere near enough, either. But we have to make ourselves harder to beat. By doing that, we’ll give ourselves a bigger chance of going on to win games.

“We have to cut out the silly mistakes at both ends. We realise that, and we know that whether it’s as a in defence or in attack, we need to be more unified.

“That’s what the first few weeks of John Coughlin’s return have been about. The gaffer has been working meticulously to implement that and ensure we’re well-organised.

“Ultimately, it comes down to hard work and a whole lot of character. That is what is needed get ourselves away from the bottom end of the table.”

Vice-captain Notman has been ever-present for the ‘Gers since his return from injury

It’s clear that John Coughlin and his team have been using game time to learn more about the character of their squad, with Notman revealing:

“A couple of the lads have been kept ticking over in Under 20’s games, and we’ve also had run outs against Haddington and Edinburgh City, though the latter was a bit of a write-off with the wind & rain.

“We’ve tried a few new things in those games and I’m sure it’s not only proved a valuable for players in keeping us sharp, but helped the management team to learn more about the team.”

Steven admits that he’d rather leave the game plan to the new boss and his coaches, but does admit that he sees areas where the players must take responsibility themselves if results are to improve:

“The gaffer has been there and seen it all before. We’re in safe hands in that respect.

“What I will say though, is that if we can begin starting taking the game to the other team and improving on the percentage of chances we convert, we’ll always have something to hold on to.

“On the other side of the coin, and as I’ve already said, we must cut out the mistakes and defend as a unit. That may be down to a lack of experience in the team, but I’ll let the boss be the judge of that.”

Notman admitted he’s delighted to see John Coughlin & Matt Kerr return to Shielfield

On the return of his former boss, Notman, who currently sits 17th in the list of all-time Berwick Rangers appearance-makers, admitted that he was more than happy to be reunited with the manager that guided him to his only League Two winners medal.

“It’s good to see him and Matty (Kerr) back at the club. Obviously the last time they were here, it was a positive and successful time for the club on the park.

“Since then though, I think we’ve underachieved. In the seven years I’ve been with the club since I think that, with the players we’ve had at Shielfield, we really should have been doing better.

“Not adding to the league medal I won here whilst on loan is my biggest disappointment in my time here. I’ll be doing all I can to make sure that changes, and I’m sure all of those around me will be doing the same.”