Every game is a tough one

Last weekend's defeat to Elgin burst a perceptible bubble of optimism spreading following a good run after our lousy start. Both Lichtie manager and fans were maybe starting to look ahead to going on a run (see quotes from last week's Herald).

Yet all the evidence is that this is a tight league, with remarkably little difference among the sides and every game needs to be treated with utter respect and application. Or we risk battling against relegation rather than for a playoff spot... and another poor result or two and we could be bottom of the pile.

I think we've shown some potential but I'd rather Arbroath follow the classic cliche - taking one game at a time, and moving mountains to get a result each time


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I'm not sure there was a bubble to burst. Those of us who were at Brora realised that we aren't setting the heather on fire and Elgin would be a tough test. From the video, both goals at Elgin looked offside but we were well beaten. There are no runaway favourites in our league, but at least a couple of very shaky outfits. We have a strong squad with plenty of quality and experience. I expect us to be up amongst the playoffs in the Spring.

I think there was a bubble with all the pre-season wins over Exeter etc; and the hype about some players and their performance in the respective games.At the moment I am not yet convinced with the manager and players that we have and no doubt this will bring the the usual rounds of criticism.Only time will tell and by the end of January we should be in a better position to judge when we see who the manager brings in and discards.