Gretna like to name unchanged team

Last updated : 02 December 2004 By Oliver Gaywood

Alexander believes his players’ fears of being axed from a winning team has resulted in him naming an unchanged line-up for a run of ten matches.

The Gretna boss has not changed his starting line-up since they beat East Fife 5-1 on September 18 - and it’s resulted in a ten-match winning streak which has put them six points clear at the top.

He believes the get-tough policy he adopted when they lost 1-0 at Queen’s Park in August - their only league defeat this season - has provided a stark warning to his players that they will be dropped if they perform badly.

Alexander proved reputations count for nothing when he sensationally dropped captain Mick Galloway, who has since left the club, after criticising his performance at Hampden Park.

Gretna’s starting line-up for the last ten games has been: David Mathieson, Mark Birch, Jamie McQuilken, Bryan Gilfillan, Andy Aitken, Davie Irons, Ryan Baldacchino, Ryan McGuffie, Kenny Deuchar, David Bingham and Gavin Skelton