Annan on the up after late show
I thought I would leave my blog to the last minute after receiving a little stick regarding last week's topic. I wrote about Spanish football and how exciting it is to watch - only for after my column had gone to press!
Surely that was still exciting though?
Anyway, you can't win them all I suppose.
I was hoping to talk about Liverpool's performance in their Champions League win but unfortunately I have been unable to see the game apart from the goals.
I did see the first half of their at the weekend and I was very impressed.
I thought United started very well and deserved their lead. Liverpool then came into the game and started to out pass United - something you don't see very often, especially at Old Trafford.
Due to our game against Cowdenbeath, I was unable to see the second half but Liverpool scored two great goals to win the game with a scoreline that suggests it was fairly comfortable.
United's defence looked particularly suspect at three of the goals and in particular . He was guilty of two uncharacteristic errors that cost his side on the day.
In my opinion, Vidic is one of, if not the best, centre half in the Premier League and I'm sure it will be months before we see any kind of mistake from him again.
As for United, I'm sure that was just a blip in what has been an incredible season for them so far and I wouldn't be surprised to see them complete a clean sweep.
The game at the weekend got me thinking about how massive it would be for these two to meet in the Champions League at some stage.
With all four English clubs still in the draw for the quarter finals it would be incredible for them all to avoid each other.
Potentially there are some great matches ahead and for that reason I'm really looking forward to Friday's draw. Surely it won't throw up Liverpool v Chelsea again?
On matters closer to home, the boys at Annan had a on Saturday against the league leaders.
I'll be honest and say that I didn't see anything other than a 1-1 draw as the second half was drawing to a close.
However, a late show from Dunbar and Storey saw us snatch all three points on a day when each of the top four sides lost.
Cowdenbeath have hit a little sticky patch just now when they looked odds on to win the championship. They had a good win on Tuesday night and they are a good enough side to turn the corner again and I'm sure they will be playing Second Division football again next season.
There weren't too many of their fans down at Galabank but I was amazed by the support they gave their team at the end of the match.
They followed the players over as they left the pitch and at first I thought there might be a bit of trouble.
They applauded every player and their manager off the park and all with words of encouragement and the confidence they had in them. Incredible, I thought but that's what supporting your team is all about.
I'm due to play my second game in 24 hours on Wednesday night. We had a friendly against Queen of the South on Tuesday and I volunteered to play for the reserves the following evening.
I only wish I had waited until after last night's game. I keep forgetting I'm getting on a bit.
To be fair though I was hoping that the manager might give me Thursday night off from training... I'm still waiting!
With my lack of match action recently I thought I would be better getting as many games under my belt as I can.
We are reaching the time of the season now where injuries and suspensions are starting to mount up and we are going to need the whole squad to get us through to the end of the campaign.
Hi there, I'm Chris Jardine, midfielder with Scottish Third Division side Annan Athletic. I hope, throughout the season, I can give you a good insight into life at the newest Scottish League club and maybe even a few laughs along the way.
Comment number 1.
At 18th Mar 2009, the_jerry wrote:Champions League draw will indeed be interesting, Surely Liverpool are the team nobody wants!! Thw huge win over United may have a negative consequence for Liverpool in the campions league as Man Utd will want revenge and will really be fired up for it!
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Comment number 2.
At 18th Mar 2009, CTP wrote:so, you're only two games off being in the promotion playoffs... is there some quiet optimism about being in the mix at the end of the season now?
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Comment number 3.
At 18th Mar 2009, The Dirty Tackle wrote:Another excellent blog Chris.
I've been keeping an eye out for Annan this season. With the team sitting mid-table of the third division and an Annan player topping the goalscoring charts, it really enforces the fact the third division should include relegation.
Teams like Annan prove their is a plethora of talent outside the flagging SFL.
Good luck for the season.
MOP13
www.manonplatform13.blogspot.com/
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Comment number 4.
At 18th Mar 2009, Wot Kuyt 'e did wrote:Well, I'm not looking forward to Liverpool v Chelsea AGAIN! And I'd rather we meet Man U in the Final, if we both get that far...
...and then there's Barca, who will NOT be the pushovers that Real were, despite their relative dip in form lately (to their standards).
But that's almost half the options, so there's a near-50% chance we'll get one of them.
No-one gets to this stage, however, without having a bit of quality & surprise potential about them. Atletico were hard enough for Liverpool to just draw with first time round; I guess I wouldn't mind missing them too, for familiarity's sake... and Bayern have shown they're also not only in it to make up the numbers.
That puts Arsenal and lesser-known quantity Villareal at the bottom of my list. And I think we are better against the devil we know than the devil we don't...
So bring on the Arsenal. :-)
Though I think we're going to get the boring Atletico re-match.
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Comment number 5.
At 18th Mar 2009, Rabster wrote:While I agree with #3 that relegation would be a good idea the 'pyramid' system is just not in place at the moment. Plus we have the oddity of the 'Juniors' some of whom could possibly survive in Division three. Scottish football is in a mess. Still, well done to Annan on their good season, hope you get back to playing first team football soon Chris.
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Comment number 6.
At 19th Mar 2009, Chris Jardine wrote:Camp6ell - you know I'm going to be very boring with this answer don't you ?! I played in the reserve game last night and a few of us were talking about the great position we are in at the moment but also how things can change very quickly.
You are correct when you say we aren't far off the play-offs and 2 victories could well take us there - but also 2 defeats could take us right back down again. It really is very tight and we need to take one game at a time and try not to look too far ahead.
As always I appreciate all the comments everyone so keep them coming.
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