“Ideally, we’d want to start with the same line-up as we had against Port Hill and make changes during the game if it allows.”
Spurr, who has been moved from attack to the heart of the defence, played well, alongside Liam Ryan, against Port Hill before leaving the field late in the second half.
“It wasn’t too serious,” Spurr said.
“But I could feel it tightening up, and thought it was better to come off rather than aggrevate it. I also didn’t want to get caught out and let the team down. The boys had worked hard to get a win.”
The Jags should be too strong for Taradale but Blair is not taking anything for granted.
“Taradale are a young side and, despite being bottom of the table, have some players who could cause us trouble.
“We seem to play well at home but we don’t want complacency to set in.
“Last week’s performance was one of our best of the season but it wasn’t perfect. We gave the ball away too much and should have taken our chances better, something we’ve been working on this week.
“If we play as we did last weekend but with better ball retention, the goals will come.”
Fijian Eliki Ravosai missed last weekend’s game, which opened the door for Max Mika to come in at rightback with regular righback Liam Ryan moving to centreback.
And such was Mika’s performance, he deservedly retains his place in the side.
“Max loves a good challenge,” Blair said.
“This is his first year playing in a back four and he has really stepped up.
“His ability to read the tackle and come away with possession is excellent.”
Heavy Equipment Gisborne United bounced back from a 5-1 loss to Napier Marist two weeks ago — when they had midfielder Josh Harris and sweeper Kieran Higham sent off — to beat Eskview 4-2 at Harry Barker Reserve.
Josh Adams was the star of the show with a hat-trick and he will once again be a key man when United travel south to play Havelock North Wanderers Seconds.
With competition leaders Napier City Rovers playing second-placed Port Hill United, this is a great opportunity for Gisborne United to draw level on points.
Like Thistle, United are strong at home. They hold the Challenge Cup, which goes on the line at every home game. Scoring goals has not been a problem; they have 50 to their credit.
But, and it’s a big but, United must stop leaking goals.
They have the worst defensive record of the top six teams, having conceded 33 in 14 matches.
Player-coach Corey Adams has tried several defensive combinations and with a game against second-bottom Havelock, who have conceded 61 goals, tomorrow could be a good time for a clean sheet.
