Fixture Pile-up Theatens Play-Off Bid

Arbroath could pay a heavy price for postponed games over December and January.

The newly-announced list of re-arranged fixture means we play 7 games in the space of only 22 days between 23rd February and 15th March to clear the backlog

Manager John McGlashan was on record as saying (in the programme v Elgin) "I do not want to end up with a backlog of fixtures like this time last year. I remember we had a load of midweek games and our last one was against Dumbarton. I can clearly remember the players running out of steam ataq vital stage of the season. Sadly we lost the game 1-0 and there is no doubt that it played a huge part in deciding where the 3rd Division Championship ended up. We were trying to win every single match but it was a poor performance, because the players were dead beat. That is a situation I want to avoid this year"

Well brace yourselves because its worse this year (last year we had 3 re-arranged games but more widely spread), and packed into a short intense spell

To make the situation even more demanding, these re-arranged midweek games have to be fitted in around tough regular fixture games on the Saturday, including games against fellow play-off hopefuls Montrose at home and Stranraer away.

Even without injuries and suspensions, we may need every player in the squad.



It's a big ask for part-timers. The fans may have to be sympathetic

That revised late February-mid March 2008 fixture pile-up
Sat 23^rd February - Dumbarton v Arbroath (SHS) 3.00pm
Wed 27^th February - Arbroath v East Stirling (Gayfield) 7.45pm
   Sat 1st March - Arbroath v Montrose (Gayfield) 3.00pm
   Wed 5^th March - Arbroath v Dumbarton (Gayfield) 7.45pm
   Sat 8^th March - Stranraer v Arbroath (Stair Park) 3.00pm
   Tues 11^th March - Forfar Ath v Arbroath (Station Pk) 7.30pm
   Sat 15^th March - Arbroath v Stenhousemuir (Gayfield) 3.00pm