Johansson: Ton ready for Falkirk six-pointer
Manager Jonatan Johansson says that Saturday’s crunch Ladbrokes Championship clash against Falkirk is massive for the club as his side bid to come out on top in a six-pointer against the Bairns.
The Ton currently sit seventh in the table, two points above Ray McKinnon’s men and Queen of the South, and three ahead of bottom side Partick Thistle.
Just four points separate the Jags from Alloa Athletic in sixth, and with the situation so tight in the bottom half of the league, Johansson admits the Greenock men’s three remaining fixtures have become cup finals.
He said: “Tuesday was disappointing for the players because it was a good performance. The first half was really, really good and we really should have been three up with all the counter-attacking possibilities we had.
“So to lose a late goal like that was really hard to take. If you look back this season it’s these things that have been costing us and why we are where we are in the league.
“A lot of performances have been good but we have been losing goals to lack of concentration late in games, and during games, and that’s why we don’t have more points.
“We were devastated obviously but I said to them: ‘After we leave the dressing room we have to be positive and take the positivity from the performance’, because it’s a massive fight coming up on Saturday and in the last three games.
“We always expected things to be very tight in this league, and with only three games left, they all become ‘six pointers’. Sometimes tactics go out of the window and it becomes a cup final.
“They are at home, there will be a big crowd, and they will really go for it. We have to match that, to work harder than them, to be more aggressive than them and fight harder. These are the things it will come down to – it’s going to be a fight.”
Johansson says he has made a decision on whether or not to select Michael Tidser for the fixture this weekend and explained: “It’s a situation that arises often in today’s football, especially at this level.
“I can see why it’s a talking point because of the situation the clubs are in, fighting for the same thing, and because of the recent history between the clubs.
“It’s something I’ve taken into consideration and I’ve always had an open discussion with Michael. My mind is quite clear about it, but I’m not going to reveal what I’ll do until Saturday.”
In terms of other team news, the Ton boss added: “Denny Johnstone and Robert Thomson are obviously out for the season.
“Kerr Waddell has a hernia and Bob McHugh still isn’t ready following his broken foot. Chris Millar was on the bench on Tuesday and is doubtful for the weekend.”
Image: Gary Bradley
