Management thoughts on yesterday at Muirhouse.

Posted on Sunday, January 31st, 2010

Mike says –

” I warned about “banana skins” on Friday but I didn’t realise how slippy it was going to be. Our players were down after the game with the timing and nature of the second equaliser but I told them Mike and I couldn’t fault them for effort. In the long run we can’t be sure if that was two points lost or a point gained. Strollers may be near the bottom of the league but they are a big strong team who play with a lot of heart and will upset more than Spartans before the season is out.

After dropping points I usually wake up on a Sunday agonising over the team selection or formation “what could I have done before and during the game to change the outcome?” but this morning was different. There was enough agony watching Andy Murray but the nagging question in the back of my head was “should I have allowed the game to go ahead?”. If either Keith Stewart or myself had not fancied it the referee would not have played the game. He even spoke to both managers at half-time and was willing to call a halt to proceedings. Were the conditions a leveller? did they help the underdog? I don’t know but Saturday afternoons are about a game of football and the ground though difficult wasn’t dangerous and I’m glad it went ahead. Some players handle adverse conditions better than others and it’s not always who you think will struggle or excel who actually do.  

There are many ups and downs in a league campaign and yesterday we lost our first league points away from home. After a shaky start the players have been on a magnificent run and Sam and I are both delighted with the skill and endeavour they have shown. Two points lost or one point gained?

Time will tell.”

Mike