COWDENBEATH manager Gary Bollan feels that his squad and backroom team deserve the utmost praise for the way things have gone in the first quarter of the Ladbrokes League 2 campaign, but he underlined the point that no one need feel too content with the second top spot that the club currently occupies.

Cowden sit on 21 points from their nine games, one behind leaders Cove Rangers, which in fact is only one less than the entire campaign’s total from two seasons ago!

The manager observed that the team had achieved better than the target he had set them in August but he was quick to say that while it was all pleasing, nothing had really been achieved yet.

“I have to say that the lads are ahead of the target I set them at the start of the league programme and it is a credit to the players and the backroom team what they have done,” he said.

“However, nothing has been won yet, it is work in progress. The second quarter begins a week on Saturday and we have to set our stall out to maintain our standards and look to get more wins on the board and stay very much part of the top of the table scene.

“We have brought in better players, and it is making a difference, and the attitude has been excellent but we have to ensure that we keep that going.

“If we keep doing the right things and maintain our approach then we can reach the half-way stage in a very challenging position and that has to be the target.”

Mr Bollan is very happy with the way his team is defending as a unit and he added: “The players have responded excellently to what we have been asking them to do and it has made a difference to our performances.

“They have been defending in a well organised manner, with everyone playing a part in that and we must continue it in the weeks and months ahead.

“Our attacking play has also been a real team effort with the midfield and defenders always ready to assist the front two.

“As I said earlier the team has been working so hard and they have been earning the good results but we have to ensure that we keep everything going in the same way in the second quarter.”

On the injury front goalkeeper Kevin Dabrowski will be ready to resume on Monday October 28, after his jaw fracture, and midfielder Mikey Herd is back in training after his knee injury, while striker Ryan Connelly has been getting excellent pitch time at Broughty Athletic.

The second quarter of the Ladbrokes League 2 campaign starts on Saturday October 26 at Forthbank when Cowden are away to Stirling Albion.