Experienced centre-half Darren Dods is aiming to help Forfar get back to the top of League 1 when they take on Ayr United at Station Park.
The Loons lost pole position to Morton when they were held 3-3 at Brechin last Saturday but the former Hibs, St Johnstone, Inverness Caley Thistle, Dundee United and Falkirk stopper is sure that Dick Campbell’s side can bounce back.
Dods said: “We have had a stutter recently but overall our season has gone really well. We have not won in five games but we have had a tough run of fixtures, including Dunfermline away, Morton away and Cowdenbeath in the Scottish Cup.
“The first quarter of the season went very well and hopefully I will be saying that again at the end of this second quarter.”
The 39-year-old is in his second season with the Loons and is looking for them to improve on last season’s seventh-place.
He added: “We had a good squad last season but adding boys who were full-time in Dale Hilson, Stephen Husband, Danny Denholm and Derek Young gave that good squad a massive boost.
“When everyone is available there is real competition for places. We have had a few injuries recently but have remained a really competitive side and we have been in the top two for two months now so we are not that far away.
“Saturday’s game at Glebe Park was a bit of a rollercoaster. We started off with a sticky spell and found ourselves two goals down but got a goal just before half time that gave us a lift.
“The second half swung in our favour and we got 3-2 ahead but credit to Brechin as they got an equaliser after pressing us back. The game could have finished 4-3 to either side as we both just went for it.
“Ayr are also on a disappointing run but we know it will be tough to get the three points. They beat us 2-0 with two late goals in the third league game of the season. They were top of the table and flying then and they will be disappointed to have dropped down a few places.
“This is my second season at Forfar and I am enjoying being a part-time player nowadays. I was pleased when the manager included me in his plans for this season and I felt really fresh after pre-season. That may change now that we are into the dark nights of travelling and training but I still enjoy being a player.
“I coach at an Elite Level with a Football Performance School in Edinburgh and last year I went back to university to build on my HND in Sports Coaching. I am looking to get a Sports Science degree and I see my future in coaching and development.
“I believe that having both a footballing background and an academic qualification gives me an edge that some people may not have. Stuart McLaren came up from Loughborough University to take the Stirling Albion manager’s position and his post at Loughborough is an example of the type of job that is now available away from senior football.
“I don’t think I am ever going to be working far from football. I am still going strong in the game and want to keep it going.”
Craig Stewart
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