Management thoughts on the League Cup Final

Posted on Wednesday, May 25th, 2011

Mike says –

“Sam and I will leave all the “history making” stuff to others and concentrate on the job at hand tomorrow. Edinburgh University are a very good side and our players know it. They should have beaten us at Peffermill a couple of weeks back and both sets of players know it. With a defence built round Ally MacKinnon and Danny Main they are solid at the back and hard to break down. With Dan Ward and Colin Cameron they have pace in wide areas. With James Craigen pulling the strings in midfield they have as talented and creative a player as there is in East of Scotland football. And with Jack Beacher and Peder Beck-Friis up front they have both strength and a goal threat in them. Edinburgh University are a very good side.

Earlier in the season picking our team wasn’t easy. Sam and I were never sure if we’d picked the right eleven; whether we’d left the right players out; whether we’d got the balance correct. We’d go into games apprehensive about the team we’d decided on with our fingers crossed we’d got it right. In the last few weeks of the season Sam and I have been happy to get a team on the park. I’m not saying the team picked itself but lets say our choices were limited and once again they are for tomorrow. For Alex King, David Etale and Keith McLeod the season is long over although you may see at least one of them named on the bench for cosmetic reasons. Jonathan Seeley is unfortunately on Ward duty until 10.00pm and the availability of Omar Kader is in the lap of the “Ash” gods and his employers. “King” Omar may make it up from London but then again he may not.

We had a light session last night and although not 100% Chris Townsley and Jack Beezley will play at the Pennypitt. Kevin Sivewright was told by the Academy physio if it hadn’t been the last game of the season he shouldn’t play – he will. Now this all may sound doom and gloom and pessimistic but nothing could be further from the truth. As a team we’ve had to play 25 games since the beginning of March. That’s less than 3 months and some of these have been vital league games, some of them cup semi’s and some finals. We’ve had to do it without various very important players at times and the whole exercise has brought the squad closer together and sharpened their resolve.    

Tomorrow is the last game of a season and irrespective of the result at Prestonpans each and every player should be immensely proud of what they have achieved in a Spartan’s jersey over the last 10 months. Now the Player of the Year dinner on Friday would be a happier place if all the domestic East of Scotland trophies are on display. That is our aim and a very good Edinburgh University team have other ideas. I’m looking forward to a great game of football between two teams who play the game in the correct manner and spirit. Get yourself down to the Pennypitt.”

Mike