Management thoughts on a 9 goal thriller (for the fans at least)

Posted on Saturday, November 5th, 2011

Mike says –

“Let’s face it, if we start games as we did today and sit off teams as we did Leith in the first half we’ll retain not one of the trophies sitting in the committee/board room at Ainslie Park this evening. I believe football is “played in the head” and I sensed all week what could happen if we weren’t mentally prepared. It sounds smart saying “I told you so” but I’d rather be smart than negligent, over confident and downright unprofessional as our 11 players were for the first half today (that might be a bit cruel on Kerr Dodds by the way). Our lot were warned on Tuesday, Thursday, on the web, in the programme and in the team talk before the game about starting on the front foot and not letting Leith settle into the game but it obviously fell on deaf ears.

Leith came to Ainslie Park and had a go. Their management team must be proud of the effort they showed and the ability they displayed. We were lucky they picked up a few injuries to key players and also that we had the experience of Donal Henretty and Danny O’Donnell as well as the undoubted skill of Jordan Finnie to introduce to the game. All our players obviously take credit for the fight they showed after the break but we were very lucky to pick up the 3 points today and everyone in the home dressing room was aware of that after the game.  

In football you have to prepare the same way for each and every game if you are to be successful. You have to give each and every team the same respect you would running out against Manchester United. Did our players learn a lesson today? Will they take it on board? The success of our season depends on it.”

Mike