|
For those Pars fans not fortunate - or rich - enough to travel to Iceland, this Thursday's game will be the moment many Pars fans have waited a long long time for. A carnival atmosphere - similar to the cup final's celebrations - will take place culminating in Pars legend Jim Leishman leading the Pars team out for the match.
However, when the football takes centre stage, their is still a hell of a lot of work to be done in order for Davie Hay's men to progress to the First Round proper!
After the fright the Pars team got in the first leg in Iceland, it is vital that any complancency has been eradicated before Thursday night's match. At times, in the first leg, it looked as though the Pars were going to end up on the wrong side of a real hiding, only for Brewster and Skerla to complete a miraculous comeback and give the Pars two priceless away goals to take to Perth.
After a very poor start to the new season, the Pars will have to raise their game to a completely new level if they have any ambitions to be in the First Round draw on Friday!
The Pars defence - at times pedestrian in Iceland - will have to cope with the threat of the FH wingers who, at times, ran the Pars full backs - Byrne and Shields - ragged. With the furor surrounding Ritchie's refusal to sign a new contract it would appear as though captain Thomson will again replace the big Irishman and fill in at left-back - a position which he perfromed so well in against Aberdeen on Saturday.
The supposed selection of Darren Young in the centre of the park on Thursday will no doubt add steel to a Pars midfield so often bossed around by the Icelanders in the first leg.
However, it could be the Pars wingers that are integral to any Pars victory in Thursday night's fixture - especially due to Dempsey's poor start to the season and the lingering doubt over Barry Nicholson's fitness ahead of the match. With the majority, if not all, of the Pars chances against FH eminating from the wings, the Pars will need to successfully exploit this area once again in the search for goals.
However, no matter what formation or players the Davie Hay's side line up with on Thursday one aspect will be vital to the Pars achieving a much-needed victory... ditching the long-ball style which Hay has injected into the team!!!
If the Pars pass the ball on the ground in the way that only they can then they will create chances for the forwards, and when Brewster is provided with a guilt-edged chance he doesn't need a second one!
COME ON YE PARS!!!