DAVIE ANDERSON is the kind of level-headed footballer who speaks his mind so when he says Kilbirnie Ladeside are making strides under Stevie Swift then he deserves a hearing.

For the club who finished third top of the Super Premier Division pile last season to be sitting with just two points and without a win to their name after five league outings is not to the liking of their success craving supporting legions who are more than a tad unhappy with this perceived lack of progress.

Midfield playmaker Anderson shares these frustrations but is adamant there are better times just around the corner … or indeed at Meadow Park tomorrow when the Blasties go toe-to-toe with fierce rivals Auchinleck Talbot in the Ardagh Glass League Cup Final.

The 33-year-old admitted: “For sure results have not been to anyone’s liking but we as a group of players are feeling the pain more than most and are determined to get our season back on track.

“I don’t want to sound as if I’m making excuses, however a horrendous run of injuries has affected us badly and we have struggled to find any consistency with the constant chopping and changing of our team.

“Hopefully our bad spell is now behind us and we can start to play as we can starting against Talbot who we fully expect to be as competitive as ever on Sunday in trying to hustle us out of playing our normal passing game.

“We beat them in both league matches last season and probably rode our luck in doing so but that’s not to say we cannot come good again particularly as we have more or less the same group of players still at the club.

“That’s the message our gaffer Stevie Swift has been stressing all week in doing his bit psychologically to get the camp to come together and every one of us thinks it’s doable.”

Ball-winning stopper Mick O’Byrne is ruled out with damaged knee ligaments and Anderson, who makes up Kilbirnie’s engine room alongside Davie Green, was thought to be an injury doubt himself after limping off in last Saturday’s 2-1 defeat by Kilwinning Rangers.

“Nothing more than a bit of cramp because it was my first game in weeks,” revealed the former Queen's Park ace whose ability to retain possession is crucial to Kilbirnie’s hopes of confounding bookmakers odds rating Auchinleck as overwhelming favourites to come out on top.

Team boss Swift whose No.2 Mark Cameron departed the Valefield scene last week, was playing his cards close to his chest, however he owned up to being a lot happier with the hand he’s been dealt ahead of tomorrow’s showpiece finale.

Last night he insisted: “People on the outside aren’t always in possession of the full facts so they are always going to doubt you given our run of poor results and I’d be lying to say our recent form is acceptable.

“It’s not ... but I firmly believe we have good players and most of all a good team who just need a rub of the green to sort themselves out and get back to attaining the same playing standards as last time out.

“It helps considerably to have Davie Anderson back fit as his influence has been badly missed and he’ll be better for the run out against Kilwinning last week.

“A further boost comes from Ryan Haxton being available again after suspension and having just big Mick as a non-starter means we’re arguably in the best shape we’ve been since the season got underway.

“And that’s probably just as well because it doesn’t come much bigger than a Cup Final against an Auchinleck side that has been the benchmark for Junior football for as long as I can remember yet I truly believe we have it in us to beat them on the day.”

His selection hand remained a secret, however one cannot help but think Ian Gray looks a stick-on to partner one-time Celtic signing Staunton in central defence, while the twin striking jerseys will be disputed by Martin Grehan, Stevie Meechan and Adam Forde.

They are proven goalscorers, however it’s in the wide areas where Swifty may have a couple of potential aces to tuck up his sleeve in Eddie McTernan and ex-Junior Scotland winger Ciaran McElroy.

He added: “We have a number players capable of being match-winners if they play to their capabilities but all too often this season they have fallen short of where we want them to be.

“But earlier this week we had a frank clear the air dressing room discussion and as far as I’m concerned the season starts afresh on Sunday for each and every player on the books.

“Talbot are worthy finalists just like ourselves and I firmly believe there’s little to choose between the teams so the cup will go to the guys who turn up on the day … my money’s on it being us.”

TODAY'S FIXTURES

(Kick-offs 2pm unless stated)

McBookie.com Super Premier Division: Glenafton v Beith, Pollok v Arthurlie, Rob Roy v Hurlford Utd, Troon v Largs Thistle, Cumnock v Kilwinning Rangers.

McBookie.com Super First Division: Girvan v Clydebank, Blantyre Vics v Irvine Meadow, Irvine Vics v Kilsyth Rangers, Renfrew v Shettleston, Yoker Athletic v Maryhill, Shotts Bon Accord v Rutherglen Glencairn, Petershill v Cumbernauld Utd.

McBookie.com Central First Division: Larkhall Thistle v Lesmahagow, Bellshill Athletic v Forth Wanderers, Cambuslang Rangers v Johnstone Burgh, Neilston v St Roch's Thorniewood Utd v Wishaw, Benburb v Greenock, Vale of Clyde v Rossvale.

McBookie.com Central Second Division: Newmains Utd v East Kilbride Thistle, Dunipace v Royal Albert, Port Glasgow v Vale of Leven, Carluke Rovers v Lanark Utd, Ashfield v Gartcairn, Glasgow Perthshire v St Anthony's.

McBookie.com Ayrshire District League: Saltcoats Vics v Muirkirk, Whitletts Vics v Maybole, Darvel v Annbank Utd, Dalry Thistle v Ardeer Thistle, Craigmark v Kello Rovers, Lugar Boswell v Ardrossan Winton Rovers.

TOMORROW'S FIXTURE

(Kick-off 2pm)

Ardagh Glass Sectional League Cup Final: Auchinleck Talbot v Kilbirnie Ladeside (Meadow Park).