Squad needs freshening up

By Graeme Dey

ARBROATH BOSS Jim Weir is planning to shake things up during the transfer window as he seeks to steer the Lichties away from the second division drop zone.

Weir is looking to make at least two signings and departures from Gayfield are also on the cards.

But he’ll have to wheel and deal after the winter weather cost Arbroath much-needed income from two festive games.

“The squad here needs freshening up,” said Weir yesterday. “Looking towards getting the club out of the position we are in at the moment and then next season I need to make changes.

“There’s a tremendous bunch of boys at the club but, as the results show, there’s something missing and I have to address that.

“I feel there are a few players operating in a comfort zone and that has to come to an end.

“We are particularly fragile at the back and I’m working hard to bring in a couple of new faces to try and improve things defensively.”

Weir had planned to advise the players he was prepared to let go of his decision at training in Perth on Saturday morning.

But that session had to be cancelled as the artificial surface adjacent to Mc- Diarmid Park was still out of commission.

He hopes to start the process this coming week, however.

Weir is also looking to clarify with their clubs whether the on-loan threesome of Kyle Faulds and Kenny McLean (both from St Mirren) and Danny Mackay (Kilmarnock), are required to return to home base.

“At least one of the boys will definitely be leaving and I’m in the process of finding out how we’re fixed with the others,” he said.

“If they are going back then it opens up the possibility of our making other loan signings.”