Win can make it a Merry Christmas for the Town

Town travel to The Dub to take on Queen’s University (kick-off 2pm) in what, thanks to two Cup games in December, is their last league game before Christmas.

“It’s a massive game for us,” admitted the boss, who saw his side slump to three successive defeats before a three week period without a match.

“It’s a game we’re looking forward to, having had the chance to regroup, work on things and try and get a few of the lads, who have been playing with knocks, back to fitness.”

With the possibility of the second bottom team facing relegation, Town are just four points above definite safety and Watson knows Saturday is a chance to get back up the table.

“We’re just above the teams at the very bottom now so it’s important that we get a few results as soon as possible to keep us away from trouble,” he said.

“This is the only league game we have between now and Christmas so it would be nice to get things up and running. That’s the aim for Saturday.”

“The sooner we can get some momentum going and the confidence up the better,” said boss Ryan Watson.

“The lads are more than capable of doing that on Saturday if they stick to their game.”

Last time out, Town were beaten 4-0 at Glebe Rangers and Watson was scathing in his reaction.

“It’s been a few weeks now but it hasn’t been forgotten yet,” he reiterated. “The players want to get back on track after that and they have worked very hard over the last couple of weeks. They’ve put in a lot of effort and have been taking things on board.”

Although there is a three week break between that match and the visit to Queen’s, Town’s injury worries aren’t over just yet.

“Matty McCartan and Ryan Evans are still out while Michael Ferguson, Mark Teggart and Glen Waddell are doubtful,” said Watson.

“I’m hoping the boys with knocks will be honest about how they are because playing with knocks doesn’t help them and we need to battle from now on, not least on Saturday.

“If we can win the battle, we have the quality that can finish it off. Ally Wilson hasn’t been getting many chances recently though. We need to provide those chances and at the other end, stop making those individual errors. We haven’t been helping ourselves.”

Watson has been doing his homework ahead of Saturday’s game but knows all will come down to his side’s display.

He said: “I watched their match last Saturday, when they were beaten 1-0. Any wee ideas you can get before the game is a start but, come Saturday afternoon, it will all be about how our boys play and what they can produce.

“Queens haven’t been on a good run either and are maybe lacking confidence as well. They’ve lost their last two and come Saturday evening, we’re hoping it will be three!”