Elgin City captain Jon-Paul McGovern believes his side’s home form will be the basis of their hopes of challenging for League 2 promotion.
City have won all but one of their home league fixtures so far this season, and go into today’s game against Annan Athletic on the back of three successive victories at Borough Briggs.
Although manager Gavin Price has made efforts to improve on Elgin’s away form, veteran midfielder McGovern says they must retain their home fear factor.
McGovern said: “Throughout last season our home form was fantastic – we had one of the best home records and one of the worst away records.
“It’s something we have been trying to address and work on, but it still has to be somewhere that’s really hard to come and try to get a result.
“I don’t think anyone enjoys the journey, so it’s about cashing in on that and making sure we can get the points at home and do better away from home.
“It’s definitely important in our long term plan for being up at the top of the league and challenging.”
City have the chance to move above Annan with a victory, with the Galabank outfit currently in fourth place and ahead of Elgin on goal difference.
McGovern knows what to expect from today’s opponents, having played alongside Annan boss Peter Murphy during spells at Carlisle United and Ayr United, and the 38-year-old added: “Annan have had some great results this season and the manager has got them playing some good football.
“I know Peter Murphy personally through playing alongside him. He’s mentally tough and he has set up his team like that.
“They are very organised, full of legs and energy to get about the pitch with mostly a younger squad.
“It’s going to be a tough game but it’s definitely an added incentive that we can jump ahead of them in the league if we beat them.”
City netted late to secure a 1-1 draw in their last meeting with the Black and Golds at Galabank in August, and McGovern wants City to impose themselves on their visitors, adding: “We know what Annan are about but we will focus on ourselves and what we can bring to the game.
“We can play, and we are coming off two good wins – one against Whitehill Welfare in the Scottish Cup and one against Cowdenbeath in the league.
“We are going in with confidence but as we can see from all the results every week, everybody can beat everyone on the day.
“It’s just really about preparing right and making sure we get the result we are looking for.”
