Largs Thistle assistant boss Arnie has urged everyone stick together as the club looks to the Scottish Cup to be the launchpad for their season.

It is a 2.30pm kick-off on Saturday at Barrfields against Blantyre Vics in a tricky looking fixture, and although there is a division apart, Vics won 6-1 against Maryhill on Saturday, and beat Largs in their last encounter in April.

Arnie, a.k.a Stuart Davidson, said: "This Scottish Cup encounter could be a game-changer this season.

"We want to get back to winning ways, and getting a win in the Scottish Cup could really kick-start things, and get that feeling back and make the boys realise that we are indeed a good team, and have players who are capable of a lot more.

"Our last win came against Dalry in the Ardagh Cup, and that is a long time to go without a win, so we want to change that on Saturday."

Recalling the last encounter with Blantyre, Stuart pointed out that Lanarkshire side were a good physical outfit: "It is important we compete first and foremost and win the battles. In a cup-tie, anything goes, the pace is quicker and we will be out to attack, fight our corner, and win the battle."

The midfield injuries continue with Gary Fleming still out, Grant Loftus absent due to a family commitment, and Jamie McDonald rated 50/50. Matt Bennett's wing play was missed against Buffs, but he has been carrying an groin strain in recent weeks.

Arnie added: "It is important that everyone sticks together - management, players and fans - as we attempt to come through this sticky patch. Some other teams have a rough patch at the middle of the season, and some at the end, we just want to get it out of our system!

"I am confident if we can all stick together we can get a wee run together."

Reflecting on the Kilwinning performance, Arnie said: "It was definitely an improvement on the Cumnock match, but the disappointing thing was that a bit of panic set in after Kilwinning equalised, and we conceded three times in a ten minute spell.

"When we lose a goal in this league, it is important to re-group, stick together and battle our way back into the game, instead we seemed to self-destruct.

"Again, we did have our chances against Kilwinning.

"It has been patchy in the league games so far, and it is when we are having our best parts of the match that we have to kill off the game. We had chances at 2-1 against Rob Roy, and plenty of opportunities against Hurlford, and we were simply not at the races against Cumnock - but there have been positives from most of the games, and it a question of being more consistent, and concentrate for the full 90 minutes.

"I believe our team is capable of doing that, and it is a case of making the players believe that too."