Mike Lawson’s thoughts:-
Omar Kader praises the Spartans defence and talks about the experience of playing at Tynecastle:-
Archive for the ‘Manager’s Blog’ Category
South Challenge Cup – Post Match Interviews
Monday, May 2nd, 2011
Again, Dave Mackay of Leith FM has done us a huge favour by giving us permission to use his post-match interviews with Mike Lawson and two goal scorer Omar Kader after yesterdays final at Tynecastle.
Post-match Interview with Mike Lawson
Monday, March 28th, 2011
Dave Mackay of Leith FM caught up with co-manager Mike Lawson immediately after the Image Printers Cup victory yesterday. Many thanks again to Dave for providing us with the audio of this interview.
Management thoughts on our Cup Final win.
Monday, March 28th, 2011
Mike says -
“I had mixed emotions going into yesterday’s game. I was well aware of the clock change and even phoned Dean Hoskins to make sure he did then I turned up an hour early to pick Jack Beesley and his mum up. An hour later I met Jack and his mum at the right time and headed to St Mark’s Park not sure exactly what to route to take. On the way down I took a right turn I shouldn’t have (without knowing of course) and the Police stopped me and lightened my wallet of £30. What next I thought.
It was a strange start to the day and it was a strange game. First of all we knew how difficult it was going to be. Tynecastle have had some terrific results recently and we knew they would be well up for the game. St Mark’s Park was 100 times better than Saughton Enclosure, it was flat for a start, but the lack of rain made it a bit fiery. Both teams gave it everything in a high paced, nothing given game and it was always going to be about who took their chances. Over the piece I thought we had more attempts on goal than Tynecastle but on the day we’d forgotten our collective shooting boots.
As for the goals and non goal. We ball watched for the Tynie goal but from their perspective what a good goal it was and a great finish. Now every time a ball is about to be delivered from wide at either end experience has taught me to take a quick glance at the assistant referee. The flag went up as the ball sailed into the box and Wayne MacIntosh’s header was in vain. I was in no position to debate the call but was glad it was made. It was similar for our equaliser where we were in no position to see if Keith McLeod’s header had crossed the line but I looked at the far Assistant right away and he was heading for the half-way line. For the winning goal our players looked like they thought they were offside as Alex King half stopped and Ross Archibald appeared to just clip the ball back to the keeper (he probably tried to chip him). I knew the flag had never been raised and was berating Archie when I saw the keeper lay the ball down and retreat from it to give himself a run up. The rest they say is history but my overwhelming thoughts were “this isn’t the best way to win a cup final”.
We have more experience that Tynecastle and it helped us through. We had a lot of quality AND experience on the bench and that helped us through. On another day we might have scored 5 but as a team we weren’t at our best in front of goal. Our passing could have been better and the players know it. Now Tynecastle didn’t allow us time on the ball which didn’t help the flow to our game but the number of times when in position we didn’t hit the target on the day was poor.
In a competition where we won after extra-time at Gala in the first round, then after extra-time against Edinburgh University in the third round it was probably written that we would win our fifth game (and the final) after extra-time. We are relieved and delighted in equal measures to have won the Image Printers East of Scotland Qualifying Cup.”
Mike
Post match interviews from Ormiston game
Thursday, March 10th, 2011
Dave Mackay from Leith FM has again kindly supplied us with audio interviews from after last night’s game against Ormiston. First up is co-manager Mike Lawson reflecting on the game, Stewart Fowlie’s contribution to the club and the upcoming friendly against Manchester United.
Club stalwart and Spartans legend Stewart Fowlie also looked back on his 250 appearances for the club.
Management thoughts on a hard earned three points against Selkirk.
Wednesday, March 2nd, 2011
Mike says -
“I thought it was a good advert for East of Scotland football last night with Selkirk contributing greatly to an entertaining game played for 90 minutes at a fast and furious pace. Selkirk have good players and gave it their all in what was their second visit to the Academy in a few days. They are playing catch up having been told to replay two league games but I think they will pick up enough points to see them easily finish in the top half of the table.
We started very well as we did on Saturday and as the game unfolded I was left wondering how long we will be able to keep up that pace and spark about our play given the fixture pile up we face. Once again John Dodds made numerous great saves during the game but we found the net four time through four different players and could have scored a few more.
A special mention to young Jordan for his first “senior” goal. Not the most athletic of players it’s all the more surprising that at 17 years old he doesn’t look out of place on the big stage. The young man has two good feet, plays with his head up and has a football brain way beyond his years. He shows you don’t need to run around like a headless chicken to play the game. Well done young Scholesy.
Before I turn to Saturday and beyond I received a text from Robbie Manson last night unhappy that his 45 yard lob which bounced back off the bar for Beezer to cushion a header back to the keeper was given to Cloudie by both Craig I presume (Oops! Craig’s been on - it was Cameron) on this website and Grim on P&B. In the technical area we weren’t sure if it was meant or just another misplaced pass from our sitting midfield player but believe me Robbie, the players and management know it was your audacious chip – don’t worry yourself about it.
We have a very important league game with Preston on Saturday followed by a midweek King Cup game against Ormiston which is scheduled for next Wednesday . This is puzzling as we played last night (Tuesday) and play Whitehill in two weeks time also on a Tuesday. They are all at the Academy and we prefer midweek games on a Tuesday to give ourselves more time to prepare for the Saturday fixture. Jimmy Murray is querying the date for next week with the League secretary today and will try to get it changed to the same night as Barca v Arsenal. We all know what will be the better game that night.
We have Preston Athletic first this weekend and that is all we are concerning ourselves with for now. Omar will available and I’ll give an update on the game on Friday morning.”
Mike
Mike Lawson interview after victory at Preston
Wednesday, February 16th, 2011
After last night’s 5-2 win at the Pennypit, Spartans co-manager Mike Lawson shared his post match thoughts with Dave Mackay of Leith FM. Clip courtesy of Leith FM.
Management thoughts on Preston tomorrow.
Monday, February 14th, 2011
Mike says -
“Sam and I went through to Garscube at the weekend more concerned about tomorrows game against Preston than Glasgow University and the South of Scotland Challenge Cup. That is no lack of respect to the Glasgow students or the most important Cup we play for at our level (and one we hold) it just confirms that Sam and see our primary aim as retaining the Premier league trophy.
We left Omar (Kader) out as he’s unavailable tomorrow and took Towner (Chris Townsley), Gavin (Malin) and Cloudie (Keith McLeod) off as a precaution but also to keep them as fresh as possible. Despite our team selection and substitutions the team didn’t hit the standards they have set themselves over our last few games. The facts are we have lost our last 45 minutes of football 2-0 and we’ll have to do a lot better tomorrow.
Preston have lost their last three home games and maybe the bad weather and postponements will have let them re-group and come back fighting in the second half of the season. We never have it easy at the Pennypitt and expect another hard examination of our skills tomorrow evening. Stevie has more experience that any other EOS Premier divison manager outside this Spartans pensioner and he knows the game inside out. He and his team know there are still an awful lot of points to play for and they’ll be aiming to pick three up at our expense.
It’s a very big night for both clubs so let’s hope the rain stays off and a game of football is played.”
Mike
