Brown places a lot of trust in Archie Knox’s ability to prepare players for the start of the season but there is surely no possibility that we can have the same match sharpness as Breiðablik. The Icelanders have already played eleven league games and, just to make matters worse, they top their table thanks to the 26 goals scored, against 13 conceded. We have a big game ahead!
There is no criticism of the training regime intended in making these observations. The scheduling of league seasons across countries is not something that we can control and on this occasion our opponents have an advantage. It may be that the team has had as much physical preparation as time allowed but the evidence of the three friendlies suggests that we are still well short of the performance level that may be needed in the next fortnight.
Brown said after the game in Ayr that it was unlikely that any new player would be in place before the Europa League tie. In any event, a new signing would need to go through a few weeks training to get up to speed. As far as the trialists are concerned, the Spaniard Gazapo is no longer under consideration but Chris Shuker remains a possibility.
All that the fans can do is to turn up on Thursday and deliver wholehearted support for the team. It might be that a big home crowd cheering their every effort could send us into the second leg with a lead to defend.