Forfar’s Gary Bollan is Ladbrokes League 2 Manager of the Month

Forfar Athletic manager Gary Bollan praised his players as he was named the Ladbrokes League 2 Manager of the Month for August. And he admitted that a major squad revamp in the summer has played a big part in his side’s rejuvenation. 

Saturday’s win away to Annan means Forfar have five victories from as many games in Ladbrokes League 2, and their form is a far cry from where they found themselves last May.

Forfar were relegated from League 1 last season after managing just eight wins all season and finishing bottom of the table.

But Bollan insists the high turnover of players throughout the summer has helped dispel any hangover caused by the trauma of relegation.

A delighted and modest Bollan praised his impressive squad, before explaining his thoughts on why the Loons have made such an excellent start to the campaign.

Speaking exclusively to Ladbrokes News, he said: “It’s recognition for the whole club – for the effort that everybody’s put in.

“It’s a combined effort. The backroom staff have been great, and it’s the players who put the effort in on the park. We can help them in terms of getting them ready to go and play but as soon as they cross the white line it’s up to them.

“It’s not just down to me, it’s down to them – and the board of directors for helping us assemble the squad of players that we’ve got.

Explaining the importance of a happy dressing room, Bollan added: “We’ve had a big change in personnel and that’s probably been a help.

“We’ve changed the dynamics in the dressing room and changed the mentality, compared to what we had last season.

“We’ve got some really good players that have played at a higher level. We identified players early in the close season and we managed to get most of who we wanted so I’ve been really pleased. On top of that, they’ve gelled pretty well in a short space of time, which is really important as well.

“Last year, for a good bit of the season there was a negative mindset, and now the players we’ve brought in have changed all that and there’s a much more positive outlook on things at the moment.

“That stems from the management team, to the players, and it goes right through to boardroom level.

“They’ve been really supportive the whole way through, which has been a massive help. In the close season they were a real help and they’re still in the background trying to make sure we’re promoted at the end of the season.”

Forfar take on eighth-placed Stirling Albion at home on Saturday, and are 4/7 to make it six wins from six, whilst the draw is 31/10 and a shock away victory is priced at 15/4.

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