Annan searching for the 'goal'den touch
The all-important Christmas schedule is well underway for clubs up and down the country and it's a great time for all football fans as the live games come thick and fast.
I mentioned at the beginning of the month just how important the next five fixtures were for Annan and although we've made a decent start in the two games that have already passed we're very disappointed to have taken only four points from a possible six.
We earned a good home on 5 December and followed that up with a against a Montrose side still searching for their first league victory of the season.
Saturday's match was without doubt a game of two halves where Montrose were the better side in the first period before we went on to dominate the second forty five minutes.
To say the manager wasn't best pleased with us at the interval is a bit of an understatement and I'm sure he could have given a run for its money!
As much as it's not nice to have your ears ringing during the half-time break it certainly did the trick and just like Arsenal did at Liverpool, we put in a much improved performance in the second half.
Unfortunately, we didn't have Glen Johnson playing against us or an Andrey Arshavin in our side to turn the draw into a victory.
I've just had a look at the league table and we're one of the lowest scorers in the division having managed only 13 goals and this is exactly where our problems lie.
We don't have a problem with our work-rate and fitness and we're still creating chances but we're continuing to miss good opportunities.
I suppose the real problems come when even the chances start to dry up but I have to admit to it being a bit of a worry and we're doing a lot of work to change our fortunes in front of goal.
My aim for the club at the start of the month was to take the lion's share of the points available in our games in December and our visit to Stranraer on 2 January.
Because of our dropped points at Montrose that might mean that we have to take four points from our next two home fixtures.
Livingston and Berwick Rangers are the next visitors to Galabank and that's enough to tell me that we face a very difficult job to get anything on the board.
Livi will be flying this weekend after their on Monday and we've still to register a victory against Berwick in the SFL.
I'm interested to see how Livi adapt to the conditions of our home ground. I was very complimentary to them after our defeat at Almondvale in October and tipped them for the title with a bit to spare and I still stand by that.
I'm hoping that we will be a different prospect on our own patch and can make it a lot more difficult for them in tight surroundings.
Galabank isn't exactly what they will be used to and they won't get the space and time we gave them in our last encounter. If we can add a finishing touch to our second half performance from last week then we might just pull off a wee shock.
Finally, we've organised a secret Santa amongst the boys this year and we pulled the names out of the hat at training on Monday night. I'm not exactly sure how secret it's going to be because I seen a lot of swapping going on along with some whispers.
I must say that I'm delighted with who I selected but I'm keeping the name close to my chest; I'm just not sure whether to get him slippers and a pipe or a walking stick!
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 16th Dec 2009, Craig wrote:To be fair this is a lot better than your previous blogs!
Merry Christmas!
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Comment number 2.
At 17th Dec 2009, Andrew wrote:Agree with the above.
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Comment number 3.
At 17th Dec 2009, Rabster wrote:Given the reasons for Livingston's demotion, it is not surprising they are a dominant force in your league. Best of luck with the next two fixtures, I suspect you will need it.
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Comment number 4.
At 17th Dec 2009, reetfreak888 wrote:chris, great blog mate,i hope that your side does well in the new year, i do not watch the spl, but i do look for annans score every week,if you ever need a striker to come grab you a goal,il head up from london and sink a few ha ha,have a good match at the weekend.
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Comment number 5.
At 17th Dec 2009, Chris Jardine wrote:Rabster - appreciate the comments as always - even when we don't get your vote of confidence!
Craig/Andrew - I was actually happier with last weeks blog than I was this week but there you go, it's all about opinions after all - the pressure is on next week!
reetfreak888 - how much to cover your expenses?!
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Comment number 6.
At 18th Dec 2009, gableendieman wrote:a funny old (i.e. bloody awful) game on Saturday. We have scored only 7 in 16 games this season and it is very tough to watch and be patronised by every team in the league in the build up about how we are "better" than bottom, sadly we are bottom for a reason.
You hit the woodwork a few times at the end and my heart was in mouth, only for Nicol to send it over form 3 yards out, about his 6th sitter this season.
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Comment number 7.
At 19th Dec 2009, Spl football wrote:Hi, i understand you are lacking in the goal scoring department Chris. I am delighted to inform you that i could offer my services as your number one striker. My cv consists of countless amounts of goal down at the five asides and a few 40 yard pearlers down at the local park, albeit with no goal keeper behind the sticks. I am a consistent scorer at five aside level against big over weight beer bellied tadgers. Id want to be your highest earner mind,services like these dont come cheap, and that means a free pie n bovril for every match i play and my bus fayre home. Id be at least 20 plus a season in your league so give your manager a wee pointer in my direction :) Cheers and goodluck
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