Annan chase elusive league win
It's a bit of an understatement to say that we have had a very poor start to the season.
The statistics of , , and with five conceded doesn't make for good reading.
We have put together a little cup run but I'm sure everyone at the club would gladly swap those victories for two league wins and six points on the board.
I know it's easy to say, and you may think I'm telling porkies but the dressing room remains positive and we are confident we will turn things around - and quickly.
I know the supporters are beginning to criticise the manager and players and that is their entitlement, but I urge them to stick with us and try and help us through this difficult period.
It will be a lot easier with them on our side I can assure you.
There are new players in the side and we have been trying to play a new formation that best suits the players we have at our disposal and it takes time for things to come together.
It is worrying that we have scored only one goal from open play in five games. It's not quite happened for us in forward areas as yet.
We've got ourselves in good positions to create chances but maybe the final decisions have been wrong.
The manager has been concentrating on our attacking options at training this week and I'm sure you'll see a couple of changes in both personnel and formation as we try to get our first points of the season at Elgin this weekend.
Ourselves and Elgin face the same long journey in the next two weeks, firstly in the league on Saturday and then in the quarter-final of the cup the following weekend.
It's certainly the draw we hoped for and I feel it gives us the best opportunity to reach the semi-final, but I'm sure our opponents thought's are almost identical.
I say 'almost' as I'm pretty sure they would have liked us travelling to their place on both occasions.
Similarly to ourselves, our Under 19 team has had a difficult introduction to the new season with a 10-1 defeat away at Montrose.
It's the young team's first season in the SFL league and they haven't really had long to get their team together.
I've not given him a mention yet but I'm sure, given time, my wee pal Euan Bryson will get a good squad together over the season and take the youth set-up forward and make it a success.
They have certainly received a welcome £7,500 sponsorship boost this week to aid their debut season in the Under-19 League.
The players and coaching staff finally received their new training kit for the season last week so we were all looking the part before training on Monday night.
I say before only because the training area was almost swamp-like and left us in a bit of a mess afterwards.
I must say I'm impressed with the kit the sponsors have supplied us with and if it stops David Cox and Scott Anson wearing their horrendous lycra gear then all the better.
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 26th Aug 2009, piorek wrote:Hi Chris
Surely it's a problem that you could end up bottom and have no consequences. So I was wondering what are your thoughts on a pyramidal league structure in Scotland.
Also, I see Spartans FC have entered a 2nd team into the Juniors. Wouldn't they be better having the 1st team in the Juniors as the East Juniors is probably a higher standard than the East Scotland. They would also get the chance to play in the Junior Cup.
Hope the results improve. See ya.
Complain about this comment (Comment number 1)
Comment number 2.
At 26th Aug 2009, Everholmone wrote:You're right every fan is entitled to their opinion and if moaning at the manager and players helps them justify their negative attitude then good for them.
It is early in the season and as Harry has made clear we have a relatively young team who are all individually gifted. They simply need time to click and their performance will improve. If you look at the results we have not been outclassed and perhaps we are getting our sticky patch out of the way early and will go on a rum soon.
If you look at the team we have had good showings from Lewis Sloan, Jack Steele and that new slimline Jardine so things are looking not too bad. Let's get behind Harry and give a bit of support rather than just moaning.
Complain about this comment (Comment number 2)
Comment number 3.
At 26th Aug 2009, Everholmone wrote:Steady Jardie I meant run not rum!!
Complain about this comment (Comment number 3)
Comment number 4.
At 27th Aug 2009, Kamuibln wrote:Hope Weekend your team Wins Greetz from germany
Complain about this comment (Comment number 4)
Comment number 5.
At 30th Aug 2009, Martin McKeeman wrote:I am not downhearted about the start to the season we have made. We have had a few decent performances and a good cup run that we can take positives from and hopefully take that form into our league games. I have no doubt that we will be once again pushing for a top 6 place which has surely got to be the target after last year.
Complain about this comment (Comment number 5)