Coughlin: ‘We’re looking more resilient’

Manager John Coughlin heaped the praise on his defence after last night’s 3-0 victory over Arbroath, noting his belief that the whole team’s increased resilience has helped them to three consecutive clean sheets.

“I’m as happy with the clean sheet as I am with the three points. When I came here we were conceeding far too many goals, our goal difference was all over the place. Now we’re slowly but surely looking like a team who is a bit more reslient.

“At the minute, we’re playing with a back three and we have four very good centre halves vying for those positions.

“We’ve used the squad tonight, I knew we needed fresh legs after Hampden and I think it shows the players that I’ve got the confidence in the squad – I know I can use every one of the lads and it doesn’t weaken the side.”

On the game itself, Coughlin admitted he was relieved to hear the half-time whistle:

“We started to keep the ball a little too long and didn’t pass it partciularly well, and I thought that allowed them to build a little momentum – they looked to me as though they could have got back into the game at that time.

“Thankfully we saw it to half-time and we could alter the tactics to try play possession football to limit their chances.”

Coughlin also discusses the omissions of Steven Notman and Brian Martin from the starting line-up, Robert Wilson’s impressive return, selection issues for this Saturday’s home clash with Stirling Albion and Darren Lavery’s shift up top.

Highlights can also be viewed now over on our BRFC TV page. An interview with goalscorer Blair Henderson will also be uploaded tomorrow morning!