"Joe"

You'll probably be glad to hear that the print function is back in CM03/04

Anyway, nice story so far - even if you didn't try my challenge - keep it up

Brian of Nazareth

Cheers Joe, I knew about the print function by the way Glad you like the story - if only the results were as good

Before the Clyde game on the 16th and the return of Mr Wallace, Arbroathians had something to celebrate in that near rivals Montrose had sacked their manager John Sheran as the club lie 9th. If only we were anywhere near 9th spot. The rumour mill going round at the moment puts John Duncan as favourite to take over. I will have to check my training schedule as Darren Spink’s recurring groin injury strikes again. There’s another month out for the unfortunate lad. Looks like conscription could be returning to Scotland quicker than many might have imagined.

By the time the Clyde game arrived I’d lost Kenny McMillan as well. A weeks long injury with a groin problem. Another one. Either these people get a serious amount of action at home or my training’s screwing them up. I suspect it’s the latter. With Gow back in goal I’m given little choice over the line up. Forrest and Connaghan stay as centre halves, with McInally coming back as a left back and Paul at right. Andy Dow takes up an unfamiliar role for him behind the midfield 3. Cargill, Bowman and a welcome return for Paul Brownlie complete the midfield line up whilst Heenan lines up alongside Feroz.

For once the half went our way. We didn’t score but we ran the half, controlled the pace and had chances. We were aided to a degree by the dismissal of Pat Keogh in the 25th minute. We were in with a chance. The players at last knew and so did the crowd. The momentum continued in the second half as Feroz and Heenan both forced corners early on. In the final minute of the game we were awarded a free kick 23 yards out. McInally stepped up to take it. It was direct. It was struck firmly, hit the crossbar, bounced down on the line and cleared to safety. The final whistle blew. I was gutted. We had played our hearts out that afternoon with all our players showing nerves of steel. People chased down balls, supported each other and communication was certainly not a problem! It was the best we’ve played both defensively ad offensively and the crowd certainly appreciated it. Considering we had 10 people missing through suspension or injury this was a damn good display. Another point will help. We are still 14 points from safety but every little bit helps. With 3 away games in a row to come now, we are going to have work so darned hard – but you know – we replicate this again and we’ll be ok. The smiles on some of the faces was a refreshing lift.

The midweek action continued in Scotland as Celtic thrashed Motherwell in the League Cup quarter final 5-0. For us though Feroz was out for 2 months with a dislocated shoulder. I swear there’s a jinx. I’m currently searching through the moth eaten, cobweb strewn book case that adorns one wall in my tidy office for any books that may solve a mystery as this is unbearable.

As we travelled to Alloa, we had to stop to mend a puncture. Euan Graham stepped off to go the toilet, he ended the day in A&E with a dislocated shoulder. 2 months for him as well. Kenny McMillans return to training was timely. At least we now had exactly enough fully fit players to travel. But at 16 there was no room for injury. Swankie in for Feroz was the only change.

7 minutes in and there was a goal. Alloa scored through Robert Sloan’s firm header and we were in trouble again. Raising spirits became harder the worse our winless run went on. We failed to make any inroads at all into the game and the injury to sub Paul Farquharson in the 51st minute was typical. We never gained any momentum and soon lost the game completely. Today also saw the dismissal of Ayr manager Campbell Money. Ayr lie 8th with 17 points. With me still on 3 – I’d reckon they’re fairly safe.

The following week it was great to hear the words “I’m fit coach, ready to play” in my office! John McAulay will be available to me for the impossible trip to St. Mirren, as will Steve Florence, also recovered and Grant and McGlashan, no longer suspended. Of course no week is as good as that and Gary Bowman will be out for 2 months. Another dislocated shoulder injury and I’m considering hiring a P:I to look into the extra curricular activities of my players. There has to be some rational explanation as to why I’m reading sick notes from Jim Crosby every second day!

During the midweek, Rangers and Aberdeen flew the flag in Europe, with the Ibrox side defeating PSG 2-0, and Aberdeen suffering a heavy 4-0 loss against Sporting.

Against St. Mirren, Grant, Hinchcliffe, Ritchie and McGlashan all regained starting roles as I attempted to seek out that elusive win. St. Mirren have been playing some excellent solid football under John Coughlin. 10 minutes in and Heenan is crumpled in a heap on the floor, not a good sign. With a broken arm and a four week lay off I was ready to give in. On comes Gavin Swankie. 20 minutes later and after resisting some intense pressure Martin Cameron strikes against us once more. We crumbled. He scored 3 minutes later as well. McGlashan was then taken off on a stretcher a few minutes later to absolutely no-one’s surprise. In the second half we continued to struggle. Any attack we tried was broken down quickly or intercepted before it even had a chance. Our passing was sloppy and slow and disturbingly for once the passion was questionably absent. Dennis Connaghan was then unfairly dismissed again as our season lurched from one blow to another. I’ll appeal, fat lot that will do given the ignorance of the SFA. To complete another great day out, Greg Henslee picked up 2 bookings in as many minutes and we were down to 9 again.

One thing I’ve often learnt from other coaches is that no matter what the score, all you should care about is effort and commitment. If you try your hardest and don’t won then that’s ok. After 16 games I would like to contest that view. We are now 17 points from safety, and although we have not reached December, relegation seems a foregone conclusion. The words from the Herald from the moment I arrived returned to haunt me again. Another phrase also comes to mind. “Winners never quit, and Quitters never win, but those who never win and never quit are idiots.” Another comforting thought.


Results

Sat 02/11 Arbroath 2 Falkirk 3. Miller 1, McGlashan O.G 35, McGlashan s/o 56 , Forrest pen 60 Grant s/o 62 Heenan 66 Miller 90.
Sat 09/11 Ross County 4 Arbroath 0 McGarry 16, Dodds 21, Ferguson pen 31, McGarry 51
Sat 16/11 Arbroath Clyde Keogh s/o 25.
Sat 23/11 Alloa 1 Arbroath 0 Sloan 7
Sat 30/11 St. Mirren 2 Arbroath 0 Cameron 32, 36, Connaghan s/o78 Henslee s/o 90

Table after 16 games

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">TeamWDLFAGDPTS1. Falkirk11233218+14352. St. Mirren8443020+10283. Alloa8262318+5264. St. Johnstone7452819+9255. Queen of the South7452823+5256.ICT7362625+1247. Ross County6462325-2228. Ayr United6281825-7209. Clyde3671323-101510. Arbroath03131035-253</pre>

*Thanks to Euan for the tip *

Brian of Nazareth

December Review

So another winless month leaves us in serious trouble. Terry Christie Lee Miller and Derek Lyle picked up the awards again, and no Arbroathians involved I see. If only there were prizes for effort against the odds. Odds like the Scottish Football Association for example, who sent me another rejected appeal notification, something that helped fuel a feeble coal fire in the left hand corner of the room. And some fire too. Its purpose, I assume, is to heat up the room, which it fails miserably at, hence why I’m now having to wear my insulated fleece all day long as the cold winds arrive.

On the same day as the Scottish Cups get underway in various parts of the country so we take to the road to face Inverness Caledonian Thistle. Steve and Dave are amazingly optimistic at the moment, although I suspect a smokescreen for more worrying thoughts. Thoughts I too share. However that cannot be dwelt upon when it comes to the football field. We have to stay positive, hustle the ball, make those challenges and play in quickly up field down the wing.

A fairly desperate squad now sees 2 goalkeepers on the bench, such is the limitations available to us. A decent enough opening sees chances fall our way to Brownlie and Grant but sadly we are unable to capitalise and Ross Tokely’s goal on 40 minutes signals that inevitable decline. We continued to defend stoutly in the second half but never showed a hint of threatening their goal so eventually they settled for what they had and now I had to contend with players in tears as they walked off the field. It was a tough experience out there. You work so hard, you play as best you can and you continually get nothing. For the likes of Dirno and Swankie and other youngsters it certainly knocks your confidence.

The midweek gap, when we tried to focus on making sure we kept possession and cut out all those silly mistakes was helped slightly by Jim Gardner’s return to training, although Jim did advise me to go easy on him for now.

After a full week’s work on the ground we were entertaining Ayr at Gayfield. Time is running out on us now and a win is imperative. I still tell the lads I only care about 100% effort but they all know how vital every home game especially is to us. We only lost 2-1 at their place earlier this year so we can compete. Gow returned to goal, behind Dirno Ritchie, Forrest and McInally with McAulay Cargill McMillan and Gardner in midfield. Roddy Grant and Paul Brownlie paired together up front.

Our early hardwork was undone by James Grady’s strike in the 12th minute, condemning us to another game of catch-up. The players were certainly up for it but I had to order them to cool down as 4 players soon picked up yellow cards for questioning the ref’s decisions. The ref was right on all occasions which made it even more irritating. I know the players are desperate but it is easier with 11 men on the field. At half time – I switched Florence and McGlashan on for McInally and McMillan, who had picked up cards to try and instil some urgency about our side.
The result was immediate – James Grady scored again. 20 minutes later and he had a hat-trick picking up a loose ball from Andy Cargill. There’s no saving us now.

I was so frustrated by our efforts that game. We lacked everything. Effectiveness, talent, passing desire and intelligence. The players are miserable – which has knock on effects on their private lives and know I have angry wives or girlfriends or boyfriends asking why their partner is depressed. If ever I needed a challenge to prove to people I was a good coach this was it. Although now I’m planning life in division 2. I see no way of us winning a game this season if we continue in the same vein we are. Effort is given every week by some people, sadly not all. I’m tearing my hair out here.

By the following week’s game away to Queen of the South, who have already overwhelmed us twice this year, I at least had the services of John Cusick again who was fully recovered. Of course Roddy Grant and Innes Ritchie made sure there was an uneven trade on the injury front and they were out for 3 weeks and 10 days respectively.

I changed the side around once again, employing a cautious 4-5-1. Until we learnt to stop the ball going in our net, I saw no point in trying too hard to score at the other end. We’ve tried this season and been thrashed several times. Gow lined up behind a back 4 of Dirno Forrest McAulay and Florence with a midfield 5 of McGlashan, McMillan, Dow, Cargill and Gardner with Paul Brownlie the lone frontman.

It occurred to me while playing this game that of my starting eleven only one had scored this season and that was Forrest with one penalty. Swankie was on the bench and he had scored one as well. What a pathetic record that is. However in the first half I was impressed – we made it to the break 0-0 and I asked for more of the same in the second. Something blatantly ignored 2 minutes in as Derek Lyle volleyed home to give the home side the lead.

Steve Kirk yelled at the players to close down our opposition all the time and hit it long but I don’t think our words were listened to by anyone. All our players thought about was how poor they were – being so self critical at the training ground was so depressing and upsetting. I hadn’t seen a smile in a long time. No jokers, no positivity. Injuries and results had ripped through us like a demolition ball leaving a mess for me to try and pick up. Once Lyle had scored we tried to defend that. Trying to defend a 1-0 deficit – oh dear. With 15 minutes to go I simply yelled for them to push up and get a f*cking goal. Cargill then ranted one too many times and picked up another red card. Discipline in our side is so poor it’s untrue. John O’Neill then lobbed Gow to make it 2-0 after our players passed it straight to Queens. There’s only so many times I am prepared to bang my head against the panels of my desk. This was stupidity of the highest degree. Well I thought it was. That came 2 minutes later with McMillan’s decision to head butt O’Neill for celebrating. For the love of God Almighty why! Shaun Ferry soon made it 3-0 in the 89th minute before Peter Weatherson made it 4 30 seconds later. Gavin Swankie scored his second goal of the season to make him second highest goal scorer at the club and give the players a lift, if it can be called one, before we managed a second thanks to a penalty which Swankie won and converted. 4 goals in the last minute - not a bad spectacle for the onlookers.



Well we got 2 goals, pity we let in 4 really. It begs the question why wait until we have 9 men and 4 goals down before scoring – kind of the wrong time lads. Of course I knew Queens had let up at the end but even so I am still angry. Some of the lads managed to break into an ironic rendition of “We Are the Champions” for scoring twice, although that ended fairly quickly after I told them to shut the flying f*ck up and work out why they couldn’t have done it before. Heads were low and there was an eerie silence for the rest of the trip back.

HD

'mon Ayr :cool:

Brian of Nazareth

Grady - :death:

Getting up each day preparing for another game was getting all the more harder now. It was Christmas time, the time to be merry and all that bollocks. I’m fed up and trying to work out how to change this winless streak we are having. The Herald have gleefully been reporting our demise, something that has no doubt gone down well with Montrose, our close rivals in the third division.

Before the inevitable misery we were bound to suffer on boxing day against St. Johnstone, Cusick hurt his groin again and will be missing for 4 weeks. Darren Spink finally has a spell of availability. With Connaghan back we had a couple more options. However I let Steve pick the side to see if his ideas could help. He would bark out all the orders this match and make the changes he felt necessary. I was just going to observe from a distance.

We continued with the 4-5-1, with Hinchcliffe playing in goal, with Florence, Connaghan, Forrest, and McInally in defence, Swankie, McAulay Dow, Henslee and Gardner supporting Paul Brownlie up front. I was pleasantly surprised by how we dominated the first 40 minutes with chances a plenty for Brownlie – a man who clearly refuses to shoot unless he is actually on the goal line and Jim Gardner. The bubble of positivity and hopefulness was burst by Chris Hay’s goal in the 44th minute. Dejection sets in swift with this side and it took a while in the second half before we recovered but recover we did and impressively we levelled following good work by McAulay who set up a chance that Paul Brownlie could not miss! What the hell is it about playing St. Johnstone? Anyway we continued in the same verve afterwards and Brownlie should have put us ahead in the 65th minute but missed a shot. I thought we were going to be punished as usual, but it seems something has snapped in these players minds and in the 80th minute we had a goal. Paul Brownlie scored again from a corner! We were 2-1 up with 10 minutes to go! Could it be? Our first win of the season?

Well no. What my players fail to realise is that once 90 minutes has passed there is what is known as injury time – and it is crucial to concentrate here. We didn’t and Peter MacDonald levelled. I cried. The fans were literally in tears. They thought this was a gift from Lord Robert, a victory at last to celebrate and cherish for evermore but no. Like the last St. Johnstone fate struck a cruel cruel late blow and the players were numbed by it. Trying to console them and congratulate them fell on deaf ears. They had given everything and failed once more. It was devastating.

However know I was more optimistic for 2003. We had recorded no wins by the end of the calendar year but I was determined to get as many as possible in the second half. We had the ability – we just needed to think we could do it.

Results

Sat 07/12 ICT 1 Arbroath 0 Tokely 40.
Sat 14/12 Arbroath 0 Ayr 3. Grady 12, 46,66
Sat 21/12 Queen of South 4 Arbroath 2 Lyle 47, Cargill s/o 77 O’Neill 82, McMillan s/o 83 Ferry 89, Weatherson 89, Swankie 90 Swankie 90 pen
Thus 26/12 Arbroath 2 St. Johnstone 2. Hay 44 Brownlie 61, Brownlie 79 MacDonald 90.

Table after 20 games

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">TeamWDLFAGDPTS1. Falkirk14244023+17442. Alloa11273122+9353. Queen Sth10463828+10344. St. Mirren9563728+9325. St.Johnstone8663427+7306. ICT8573231+1297. Ayr8392632-6278. Ross County7583032-2269. Clyde46101832-142010. Arbroath04161445-314</pre>



[This message was edited by Brian of Nazareth on 09 October 2003 at 22:27.]

[This message was edited by Brian of Nazareth on 09 October 2003 at 22:28.]

[This message was edited by Brian of Nazareth on 09 October 2003 at 22:29.]

Brian of Nazareth

2003 – January Review

The whole Auld Lang Sine passed with little fuss. I was more concerned with Arbroath. The Declaration was sitting on my desk as I searched for some form of Divine inspiration. Never will the Scots be under the rule of the English it says. Well I’m attempting to help these Scots regain some pride for a savaged season. Surely that qualifies as something worthy of help? 22 points from safety. 7 wins and a draw would pull us level assuming Ross County and Clyde didn’t pick up any points then. We are more than half the season gone and we’ve registered precisely 4 points. If I wasn’t the manager I would have laughed.

The year arrived at least with the news that Ross Currie and Kevin Heenan would be available for our impossible trip to Falkirk, runaway league leaders on the 4th even if Greg Henslee was going to be out for 2 months. My inbox slowly piled up as letters or faxes from various footballing federations announced who was winning what and none of them surprised me. Few interested me. Of those that did it was still a little depressing. John O’Neill picked up the Player of the Month award whilst Lee Miller and Terry Christie continued their by now customary routines of accepting awards.

For the trip to Falkirk, Innes Ritchie replaced an injured Connaghan – injuries in this side again? Never! Andy Cargill replaced Henslee in midfield and once again Steve took control. We were playing the chasing game 111 seconds into the game after Lee Miller proved why he is picking awards up all the time. However at least this time we responded positively and closed down markers and didn’t give Falkirk too much time on the ball. Well that’s what we were doing until 5 minutes before the interval. Falling asleep is a serious no-no in football but it’s something afflicting my team quite severely at the moment and 2 goals from Colin Samuel and another for Lee Miller in 5 minutes destroyed us. Boy were there some red ears out in that dressing room. I was apoplectic with rage. Steve was kicking boots all over the place until I warned him of what could happen since the Beckham Ponce ruling had come into play 2 months ago. Nevertheless despite our blue words the battering continued in the second half and I was thankful there was only 1 further goal to come, a Kevin James header late on.

My Kingdom! My Kingdom! My Kingdom for a win! I am desperate well I have been for a few months now but we seriously run the risk of going through the entire season without registering a win – it is frankly a notion I refuse to tolerate.

Something that was genuinely pleasing was going into Ross County’s game with no further injuries. I suspect we’ll make up for that glaring omission sooner rather than later though. Either that or lucks changing and we’re about to go on a huge winning streak. I feel the latter is wishful thinking. An email from my friends at the SFA told me we would be facing Motherwell in the 3rd round of the Scottish Cup. Ah well at least we’ll be losing to a Premier Division side in that one.

McMillan replaced Andy Cargill in midfield as we walked out onto Gayfield against Ross County. It’s quite hard to differentiate why this is more of a must win game than all the others but with Ross County the side we need to catch, taking 3 points off them is a good idea. Amazingly we didn’t concede early and had much of the early possession again. Sadly though we were unable to convert any of the opportunities and we were level at the break. This time though we were positive in the dressing room. Paul showed some leadership with some encouraging words before we went all North American, huddled up and shouted 1! 2! 3! Arbroath!!

We set out a team on fire going for that win and the crowd sensed it. All we needed was a breakthrough. It arrived on 55 minutes. Kenny won the ball in the middle of the park and played in Paul Brownlie and our star striker finally decided to shoot early and it went in the net! We were a goal up and the crowd were ecstatic. Ross County were not as good as St. Johnstone. Now we had to concentrate like never before. I was sweating so hard with nerves on the touchline. I refused to make subs, and in the 76th minute Brownlie had rounded the keeper, and he was dribbling the ball right into the net. After many yells of “Hit it! He did. Yeeeeahhh.oooooooohhh! He missed. From 2 yards. The idiot. How do you miss an open goal from 2 yards when no one is pressuring you? The mind boggles.

The match continued though, but we were dominating as the match entered it’s final stages. I hoped the players needed no reminding how crucial this part of the game was. The clock ticked down. We had the ball. Then Ross County had the ball. And they attacked our goal in the 93rd minute of play.

Brian of Nazareth

My god no. Please not again I thought. Martin Wood exchanged passes with Shaun Kerr and he was through on goal. It was a simple finish. All he had to do was stroke it past Hinchcliffe to level it up. The ball left his feet and moved at pace towards the goal. Hinchcliffe dived to his right, as outstretched as he was. But the ball bounced over his fingertips. I gasped. Then I heard cheering. Bugger. Bloody buggering Arses! It had all gone wrong again! Then I opened my eyes and relaxed! It was our fans cheering. The keeper had the ball in his hands, I guess it must have hit the upright, but we were still leading 1-0 and that was what counted. Then Hinchcliffe kicked the ball long, and Callum Murray blew his whistle. The game was over. It had finished. Some players laughed. Some of them cried. All of them were tired. We had won our first game of season on Saturday 11th January 2003. A day to remember for everyone out there I’m sure. The relief was so evident. That was one big monkey on our backs! Now we could focus on moving up the table – or trying our bloody hardest to do so.

As I turned back towards the dressing room I caught a glimpse from John Christison. He was one happy man

Brian of Nazareth

The home clash with Alloa the following week couldn’t come soon enough for the lads who were all eager to add to their solitary victory gained this year. There was another injury trade to contend with though as Gavin Swankie twisted his knee, requiring a 3 week rest, while John Cusick inspired by our win declared himself fit ahead of schedule to be a part of the team against high flying Alloa.

Now I am under no allusions that Alloa are a much different prospect to Ross County. A draw here would be excellent. Heenan replaced Swankie in midfield. The first half was a tight affair and thankfully we managed to keep a clean sheet until half time. After the break the spirit continued and we started to control the game. Unfortunately we weren’t helped by a terrible ref who only warned Derek Ferguson for a dangerous two footed challenge whilst booking Forrest, Heenan and Gardner for the most innocuous challenges. Still we weren’t conceding and keeping the ball very well. Steve, Jake and I were all thoroughly impressed by our renewed optimism. We never found a goal in the end but we had gained another valuable point to make it a season best 2 game unbeaten stretch. We had doubled our seasons points tally in two games!

Brian of Nazareth

The final game in January was a cup competition. We were to face Motherwell in the third round. It is a game that frankly I care little for. I see it is a threat to the squad where our key players may get injured unnecessarily. I was going to bring in Farquharson for the game but sadly he was injured, as were Cargill and Gow. Tony Woodcock started behind Currie, Graham, Ritchie, Dirno. McGlashan Dow Spink McMillan and Gardner were in midfield behind Roddy Grant up front. ]

This afternoon’s tie was nothing more than a chance for those who haven’t played in a bit to get a game, and to see how far behind the higher tier we are. Roddy Grant became injured early on and Kevin Heenan was put on with the express instructions of not to get injured. We survived until the break all level and after half time we matched Motherwell very well in many areas to my clear satisfaction and suddenly I realised that maybe a stronger side might not have been so bad after all. It took an 87th minute strike from Scotland’s wonderkid striker James McFadden to dispose of us so I was certainly satisfied with our performance against a side also struggling at the bottom of the SPL.

That ended our competitive month in January and for reasons I hope are obvious I really was pleased with January. The Falkirk game was an aberration on an otherwise fine effort by the side. Gary Bowman’s return to full fitness was especially welcome given that Jim Gardner was out for a week after another pulled muscle. Jim Crosby again requested an assistant temporarily to help him out and I certainly tried to look for one but unsuccessfully for the time being. Kenny McMillans neck injury that would keep him out for 2 weeks was the only down point that ruined my quiet evening in at the office, appreciating my surroundings. My imagination did play tricks on my eyes though as I swear Lord Robert smiled upon me from that vast portrait.

Results

Sat 04/01 Falkirk 5 Arbroath 0 Miller 2, Samuel 40, Miller 41, Samuel 43, James 89.
Sat 11/01 Arbroath 1 Ross Country 0. Brownlie 53 !!!
Sat 18/01 Arbroath 0 Alloa 0
Sat 25/01 SC Motherwell 1 Arbroath McFadden 87

Table after 23 games

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre"> Team W D L F A GD Pts1. Falkirk 15 2 6 46 27 +19 472. Queen Sth 12 4 7 42 30 +12 403. Alloa 12 4 7 35 24 +11 404. St. Mirren 11 5 7 42 30 +12 38 5. ICT 10 5 8 41 34 +7 356. St. Johnstone 9 6 8 40 35 +5 337. Ayr 10 3 10 31 38 -7 338. Ross County 7 6 10 31 38 -7 339. Clyde 5 6 12 21 38 -17 2110. Arbroath 1 5 17 15 50 -35 8</pre>

[This message was edited by Brian of Nazareth on 18 November 2003 at 2:18.]

Brian of Nazareth

woohoo - a neat table

February Review

Fixtures:

Sat 01/02 H v St. Mirren, Sat 08/02 A v Clyde, Wed 12/02 H v ICT, Sat 15 /02 A v Ayr


As February approaches I’m only all too aware how vital our games are from here on end. If we fight like we have against Alloa and Ross County we have every chance of at least finishing above Clyde. Relegation still looks odds on to happen but until I officially receive the form telling me we’re relegated Arbroath will battle on. I’ve already had to turn down bids for Ross Currie and Euan Graham from Airdrie United and Clyde. Thankfully the close of the transfer window will end speculation in the Herald I’m about to lose my star players.

Martin Cameron, Lee miller and John Robertson of ICT picked up the respective awards for January. For the home clash with St. Mirren that opens February I’m returning to my full strength side as much as possible. Cusick is at right back, Florence at left, with Connaghan and Forrest at last reunited in the middle. Heenan Bowman Spink McAulay and Andy Dow are the midfielders supporting Paul Brownlie.

We have the taste for winning now! A superb start to the first half saw me hopeful of our chances this year. Kevin Heenan tucked away a 7th minute penalty for his 5th of the season, after McGowan had fouled Dow in the box and then to the crowds ecstatic delight Paul Brownlie finally successfully dribbled round a keeper and fired emphatically home to give us a 2-0 lead after only 15 minutes! The confidence was there and Brownlie was so close to making it 3-0 on 20 minutes but Ludovic Roy made a comfortable save. Then Brownlie struck the upright after 36 minutes from a free kick and on the half time whilst I almost thought it was through as Brownlie powered home a Gary Bowman centre but it was called offside. Now there was a dodgy decision if ever I saw one.

After the break St. Mirren came at us but we defended resolutely and on the hour mark McGowan was sent off for arguing with the ref. For once it was now numerically an advantage to us – or so I thought. Mark Roberts then proceeded to pull one back for the away side and nerves rang round Gayfield. You could feel the tension. However their sending off affected them and we controlled the game for a while. When I subbed Brownlie for Craig Feroz he received a standing ovation from the crowd. McGlashan replaced Bowman and Currie replaced Cusick in the 84th minute as I sought to save legs. Then the final whistle arrived quicker than I had imagined and we had secured a second victory! Gayfield was euphoric at this point as we celebrated passing the double figure milestone.

However I felt saddened by it for a reason. We had competed so well and taken fine goals but why take so long to show it? If truth be told our situation is dire and I would be surprised if we are still playing in this league next year. It was a shame but nevertheless it gave the side hope. Maybe – just maybe.

In midweek sadly we had our customary injury again as Gavin Swankie twisted his wrist making him a strong doubt for our trip to Clyde on Saturday. In the League Cup Semi Finals, Aberdeen were defeated by Celtic 2-0 and Kilmarnock convincingly beat Hearts 3-1. John McAulay and David McInally signed contract extensions on reduced wages, and Ross Currie extended his deal but took a £50 increase p/w on his pay. We’re still financial sound though which is good news. All three deals were due to expire in June this year. After a few days managerless bottom of the second division side Stranraer appointed Campbell Money as their new manager replacing Billy McClaren.

For the Clyde game I kept the same side more or less together as we now sought a vital point or 3 at Clyde, the next side above us in the league. It was important not to lose this match. The first half though did not go too well for us. Paul Shields gave Gordon Wallace a smile and Clyde a half time lead which we’d have to eradicate in the second half if we were to at least challenge for 9th spot in the league. Sadly Paul Shields second goal killed off our hopes with a second in the 55th minute and the side were down beat. They knew how important this game was. Sadly Steven Watson’s 76th minute header finished the game and I was furious. Maybe our future is a foregone conclusion but that is absolutely no excuse for defending like that so nonchalantly. Whatever league we are in next season the only thing I know is that some people may not be around at Arbroath much longer.

After the game John Christison expressed his anger in person to the squad at how they’d let a golden opportunity slip. I hope they take that on board. We are still a division one club. Ross County and Clyde are both on 27 points now – 16 points ahead with 11 matches remaining. A tall order maybe but I am going to make certain this battle goes right down as far as it can. There are no quitters at Arbroath. It seems another Declaration lesson is in order.