Adam Frizzell says the Diamonds have what it takes to end the year on a high as he and his team-mates prepare for Saturday’s visit of Greenock Morton.

After an impressive November in which the club were unbeaten in five matches and progressed in two cup competitions, things have been much tougher in December with three consecutive defeats.

Ayr United inflicted the latest of these last weekend, beating Airdrie by a goal to nil despite an improved Diamonds performance.

Skipper Frizzell believes his side are close to turning things around.

“Obviously we were hurting on Saturday, just like the weeks before. I would say we probably didn’t deserve anything from the Dunfermline game, but the other two you can look and we’ve carved out chances.

“That was the message - obviously you’d worry if you weren’t creating those chances, and we’ve every confidence it’s going to turn for us. Hopefully that’s this weekend.”

With only two goals across this month’s three matches so far, it’s been a far cry from the free-scoring performances of last season which saw the Diamonds end the campaign with the country’s third-highest goal tally.

Although the side have stepped up a division, Frizzell says the striking quality is still there.

“I don’t think it’s any secret, when you look at last year - we’re capable, and we were doing it. We’re just going through a wee dry spell, it’s maybe a wee bit of confidence and one of them to go in for you, and then everyone gets a lift.

“As I say, I think it’s coming. The performances have been there, by and large. We’ll go and do the usual on Saturday and hopefully get the three points.

“Everyone’s in a positive mindframe, we can still go and end the year on a high with two victories and find ourselves back up there.”

That requires another good performance against a Morton side who have twice tasted defeat at the hands of the Diamonds this season - first thanks to ex-Ton player Lewis McGregor’s goal in September’s league tie, and again in November when a penalty shoot-out settled a keenly-fought SPFL Trust Trophy meeting.

Adam expects another close encounter with his hometown team.

“We’ve played them twice and it’s been a one-goal margin. It’s just the way the league is, there’s nothing really between anyone, in my opinion.

“We know what we’re facing on Saturday, we know we need to be on it, and I think we will - the training has been good. Last week it was excellent and it didn’t work out on Saturday, but the boys are all focused and we’re looking forward to it.

“Hopefully the fans come out for us on Saturday, and we’ll look to give them an early Christmas present!”

While Airdrie have lost each of their last three matches by a single goal, Morton have won theirs by the same margin - and Diamonds player-manager Rhys McCabe says it shows just how tight the cinch Championship can be.

“Good results probably breed a wee bit of confidence on their side, and likewise the opposite - but we know that every game in this league is tough, so it’s important that we don’t dwell on the negative side.

“We’ll make sure we get a good training week, and we’ll look to go and put it into practice and try to be a wee bit more exciting in the final third.

“We know that when we’re on our day, we can be a match for anyone in this division - but like I’ve said many times before, it’s about finding that level of consistency.”

The Diamonds boss is still without defender Cammy Ballantyne (groin) and midfielder Murray Aiken (ankle), but otherwise has a full squad to choose from.

Referee Willie Collum is in charge of his first Airdrie game this season.

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A minute’s applause will be held for former Airdrieonian Willie McCulloch prior to kick-off. We request that supporters take their seats in time to pay their respects.