Cowdenbeath are on a fine run of form just now under Jimmy Nicholl and have given themselves a good chance of staying in Scotland’s second tier for a third season and striker Greg Stewart reckons that the spirit in their squad will guide them to safety.
Stewart said: “It has certainly been an up and down season for Cowdenbeath so far. At the start of the season it was a really tough going but that has been turned around and we are looking up the way now.”
The 23-year-old reckons that recent arrivals, Manager Jimmy Nicholl and long serving Kilmarnock player James Fowler, have helped turn things around with the Fifers take on 10 points from the last 12.
Stewart said: “There was only a small squad at the club and sometimes that lack of a challenge for a place can lead to players dipping out of form. However the manager has changed that around since he came in as he has brought in some new players and created that competition for places.
“We are unbeaten in 4 games with a great team spirit in place now.”
“We also have the experience of James in the squad since he joined from Kilmarnock on loan and he has been brilliant for us. He has played his entire career in the top flight and as we are a young team his knowledge has been great for us.”
It is not just one-sided with Stewart adding: “It is also been good for James to be here as he is playing every week and he is enjoying that. I do not think he had a lot of starts with Kilmarnock this season so it is great he is with us and doing that.”
“He just talks you through games. He comes through and trains with us and passes on hints and tips all the time so it is great to have someone with his experience here.”
The first green shoots of the Blue Brazil’s revival was seen back in December when they travelled to top of the table Dundee and won 2-1.”
Stewart said: “Winning at Dens Park was terrific and it got the new manager his first win. We knew it would be tough there as they had not been beaten at home and we had not won away all season. The manager probably surprised them by going with a 3-5-2 formation.”
“The boys took to that change really well as we are a side that have never had a problem going forward but can lose goals. He wanted us to tighten up and we are getting there.”
Since the Dundee win Cowdenbeath have played 9 games winning four, drawing two and losing three with Stewart seeing definite progress as he explained: “We have had two clean sheets in a row at home against Raith Rovers and Dundee and that is good going after losing a few games at Central Park. We are on a decent run and are now just 4 points off Raith who were in the top four not long ago.”
No-one at the club is settling for a Play-Off place as a possible route to survival this season with Stewart saying: “We are away to Livingston this weekend and if we can win that one we would be a point behind them. It is very tight in the Championship and it is not really a surprise as no-one wants to miss out on being in this league next season.”
“Rangers and Hearts could be in it and playing in the same league as them would be massive for Cowdenbeath.”
Stewart joined the club as a Second Division player and he has remained loyal to them despite the chance to go elsewhere in the summer.
“This is my fourth season here and I enjoy it,” said Stewart before adding: “I had a few options to go elsewhere at the end of last season. I wanted to stay in this league and despite having a couple of full time options, none were worth packing my job outside of football in for.”
I would love to be a full time player but it was too big a risk. I was with Hearts as a youngster and was released as they thought I was too small. It was just one of those things but I am happy to be a Cowdenbeath player.
It was Nicholl that took Stewart to the club from Syngenta Amateurs in 2010 and Stewart said: “When I heard that he was coming back I was delighted as he gave me a chance at this level in the first place.”
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choll has put his faith in Stewart and fellow front man Kane Hemmings to secure Cowdenbeath’s place in the Championship and between them they have scored 28 goals between them.
Stewart said: “Kane and I are doing well just now. Our playing styles have just clicked and that is fantastic for both of us. He is a great finisher and if you give him a chance he will score out 9 times out of 10. He is also very quick which helps me as I am not the quickest.”
“It is one of those partnerships that just works and it would be great if he can overcome the injury he got against Dundee and plays at Livingston.”
Hemmings has the higher hit rate with his strike partner saying: “I have scored 9 goals so far and I am happy with that as I am close to hitting the target of double figures I set at the start of the season. Hopefully I will pass my best ever total of 11 and get 15 by the end of this season. If I did that and we stayed up it would be a terrific season.”
As for this campaign being successful for the club Stewart said: “We have seen a big turnaround in our season already as at the start we were very flat and no-one really knew why but that has changed.”
“We have lost a few boys and brought a few in and now a few boys cannot get a start which is not surprising as we are on a good run. However there is no moaning. Sometimes people chip away and complain if they are not starting but that is not the case at Central Park just now.”
“Hopefully that spirit will take us to another three points this weekend.”
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