JUNIOR fans believing the McBookie.com Super Premier Division is a lot closer this season than the league table suggests may receive proof positive for their opinions from a couple of top v bottom encounters taking place tomorrow.

The often-voiced viewpoint which insists there is precious little to choose between the top flight dozen is put under the microscope by table-topping Pollok hosting the visit of third from bottom placed Shettleston at the same time as erstwhile frontrunners Rob Roy go head-to-head with second-bottom Petershill at Guys Meadow.

Not surprisingly the form book points towards a couple of home wins, however the Town players heading for Newlandsfield swear to being better than they have shown so far and are determined to get it right sooner rather than later according to their bustling frontman Scott Anson.

Last night he insisted: “Eight games without a win to our name is simply not good enough but it would be a major mistake to write us off as no-hopers against Pollok.

“It doesn’t come much tougher than taking on the league leaders in their own backyard but there is no lack of quality players in our dressing room and we are more than capable of going there and getting a result even though we haven’t exactly been doing ourselves justice up to now.

“Big decisions going against us, indiscipline and unsettling factors behind the scenes have all contributed to our slide but what better time to turn our season around.

“And this is not just fanciful thinking on my part because only three months have elapsed since our stock was considerably higher than Pollok’s and they were the team experiencing difficult times around the foot of the table.”

Transfer-listed duo Brian McEwan and Danny Boyle are unlikely to feature for the visitors despite work commitments ruling out Paul Martin and injury concerns surrounding the availability of Keigan Parker and Craig Halliday.

However, Anson reckons gaffer Hugh Kelly can still shuffle his cards to produce a winning hand.

He added: “Guts and character were the key factors that got us into the top Division and more of the same will stand us in good stead.”

Lok boss Tony McInally reports his players are in the best possible fettle for attempting to rack up a fifth Super Premier victory on the spin and a seventh in all competitions.

Macca revealed: “Everyone’s fit barring back-up goalkeeper Ryan Ward and the guys are champing at the bit and eager to to get back into action after high quality workouts in training over the past week.

“We could afford the luxury of leaving Gary Wild and Kevin Bradley on the sidelines while also resting Colin Williamson and Kieron McAleenan against Royal Albert last weekend in order to give game time to Mark Sideserf and Findlay Frye, but I’m now spoilt for choice in having all these players n my thoughts for Saturday’s clash.

“Shettleston can be tough battlers as we found out in three games against them last season but my players are playing at the top of their game and the prospect doesn’t frighten them in the slightest.”

The showdown between Rob Roy and Petershill takes on extra meaning for Rabs team boss Stewart Maxwell and vastly experienced full-back Paul Finnigan who are both former Peasy players.

Finny admitted: “You always want to do well against former teams so I don’t mind admitting to taking it harder than most when Petershill turfed us out of the Ardagh Glass Cup semi-finals earlier this season.

“Previously I had a more than decent record against them playing for Shotts but I don’t go overboard out of respect for the Petershill people and of course Willie Patterson … a former manager of mine at Rutherglen Glencairn.

“He steered his side to a terrific Scottish Cup result against Musselburgh Athletic and they will be confident and dangerous opponents coming off the back of such a huge victory.

“The gaffer Maxi and a few of my team-mates took in that game and came away very impressed so a cracking 90 minutes is in store.”

Taking in the cup tie proved fortunate for ex-Peasy favourite Maxi who also took a ribbing from supporters after winning £20 in the half-time raffle.

“I actually offered to give the money back in exchange for three points tomorrow but there was no takers,” he said earlier.

“All kidding aside, Petershill were deserved winners and will undoubtedly get a huge lift from their performance which no doubt means a massive test of our mettle tomorrow.

“Willie changed his side’s shape from earlier in the season by going for a very compact 4-4-2 and opting to play a lot of high balls for Michael Daly whose ability to win more than his fair share of aerial jousts allowed Chrissy Craig to gamble on running onto the second ball.

“Setting up to thwart that tactic can be difficult but it’s comforting to know we have big Danny Boyle at the heart of our defence as he is strong in the air himself and it promises to be a fascinating duel between him and Daly.”

Hoping for a Rabs slip up are the Gordon Burns steered Troon Juniors who can move into second top spot by returning with all three points from their Blair Park locking of horns with Hurlford United who are formidable on their day yet have already lost more league games than they did when finishing as last season’s title runners-up.

What was that about the West Region’s top flight being closer to call?