FALKIRK defender Jackie McNamara insists there are no alarm bells ringing yet, despite the club's losing start to the new Clydesdale Bank Premier League campaign. Indeed he believes his new team will soon turn the corner.
After just missing out on a first-ever top-six berth last term, John Hughes' men had high hopes for this season, especially after a raft of experienced summer arrivals. But a lengthy injury list and poor form has cost them, and Saturday's defeat at
home to Inverness saw them slump to a fourth straight SPL loss.
Impressive 20-year-old Mark Stewart had given Hughes' charges a 60th-minute lead against the run of play, before defensive sloppiness handed Inverness the points. First Don Cowie capitalised on a loose ball at a corner to fire home and level, before substitute Dougie Imrie took advantage of more Falkirk uncertainty from a corner to lash in the winner five minutes from time.
Given Inverness's impressive display it was a justified three points, with Austrian goalkeeper Robert Olejnik thwarting them on four occasions in the first half.
McNamara, however, battling an injury himself, feels the Bairns will soon improve. He said: "I feel as though we should have taken something from the game, especially going one up. We rode our luck a wee bit in the first half and Bobby has had a few good saves.
"But it's sore to lose late and in the manner we lost the two goals. Just second balls and ricochets, it was very frustrating.
We're not downbeat just now, we've just got to keep believing and look forward to the next one.
"I think one win in the league and we'll turn the corner.
There is no panic at all, we'll panic at Christmas time if it's like that.
Inverness manager Craig Brewster praised a bright display from his young team, especially in the opening 45 minutes when they should have scored.
He said: "With that performance it told me everything (about the youngsters]. We could have maybe killed the game in the first half, but we didn't and got on with it, scoring two goals to win the game. I'm pleased, especially with the manner we played."
The full article contains 379 words and appears in The Scotsman newspaper.
