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Setting targets and taking flak from fans

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Chris Jardine | 16:20 UK time, Wednesday, 14 April 2010

Although Annan don't have too much left to play for we're well in to the business end of the season.

It's still mathematically possible for us to reach that final play-off spot but we're relying on some incredible results in these last few games for it to happen.

Livingston are suffering a little blip at the moment but they will wrap up the title eventually whereas Forfar and East Stirlingshire look like finishing second and third.

I've not looked at all of the remaining fixtures but I fancy Queen's Park to hold on to the final play-off position. Berwick Rangers are right in the mix and both Albion Rovers and Stranraer have games to play but it might just prove too much for them.

I read a little piece in the supporters' club news last week and it appeared that the fans were a little disappointed after the manager said that we hadn't thought about the play-offs.

Now I'm not actually sure what Harry's words were but I can assure everyone that has been our ambition since the start of the season - I just don't believe you go shouting from the rooftops about these things.

We have had various targets that we've set ourselves throughout the season and more often than not we've fallen way short but we keep things like that in the dressing room.

hegarty595.jpgOur latest target was to win our remaining four games of the season after our at the weekend. The manager came out in the paper and said so and so did the chairman and what do we do? We play Montrose at home three days later and can only muster playing against ten men for the majority of the match.

It's highly unlikely but not impossible for us to finish second bottom so I, for one, am delighted Harry has never boasted in public about finishing in the top four.

Talking about supporters, I've found it incredible some of the stick we've been given by fans of our opponents recently. Funnily enough it's been in our last two victories against Livingston and Montrose.

I'm not going to kid anyone on and tell you these were the prettiest victories you'll ever see but I thought we gave two very professional performances, against Livingston in particular.

In both games we got ourselves in front early on and I think we earned the right to sit back and become a compact unit and leave it up to sides to break us down. The way we set up was effective and we were quite entitled to play that way.

I'm sure every team goes out with the intention of scoring an early goal and getting a cushion, shifting the onus on to the other team - Livingston themselves have done it a right few times this season.

In the games immediately following those wins we've failed to get the early goals despite creating chances and have drawn blanks in our loss at Elgin and our draw with Montrose.

Both teams weathered the early storm and it's becoming a concern to Harry and Derek Townsley that we're struggling in a creative sense. A decision needs to be made whether the players are up to it next season or if others need to be brought in.

I'm going to finish this week with a couple of mentions.

First one goes to the four lads sitting at the table next to me and my partner, Laura in the on Saturday night. We were sitting having dinner and when Laura left for the toilet one came over to ask if I was, "that Chris Jardine off the ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ". Apparently they had been debating amongst themselves while the game was on!!! I tried to deny all knowledge but I think the beard gave me away.

Finally, Chris Hegarty and I had a wee spat late on in Tuesday's game and after a slight disagreement with the Montrose man, Heggy told me to, "put that in your blog". So although we shook hands and had a laugh together at the final whistle I've stuck to my word but decided to miss out the obscenities! All the best for the rest of the season Heggy...

Comments

  • Comment number 1.

    That honestly doesn't sound like Heggy at all... much!

    No mention of The Beast clobbering Gilly?

  • Comment number 2.

    Hegs is a good lad, just watch yer ankles when he is in the midfield! (you only have to look at his *shocking* record this year, only the 321 bookings and 6 red cards in 22 games.....)

    Wasnt there last night sadly (first time ive missed a trip to Annan) but you more than deserved it on Saturday, we were very poor and a decent wee finish Jardy, maybe that will go alongside your possible player of the year award!

    Gilfillan antagonising the opposition?? Surely not?!? Good player though, should be playing back at a higher level.

  • Comment number 3.

    Shame you missed out the obscenities that went on with you and Paul Hegarty.
    Just 3 games to go, it would have been good if Annan were still in with a chance of a play off place.
    Fans are voting on Saturday for player of the year you must be in with a shout. I hear that you and a couple of other players have not yet been offered a new contract yet. Perhaps Harry has got some new players lined up for next season.

  • Comment number 4.

    nev and gableendieman - I'm still not too sure about what happened between Gilly and Gemmell but I'm sure Gilly was completely innocent!! Hegs certainly is a good lad and it's normal for the 2 of us to have a wee blether during the game.

    marco44 - me in with a shout for player of the year? I'll believe that when I see it - I'll be doing my best to catch the eye on Saturday though! It would be nice to get an award from the fans but we'll wait and see what happens.
    With regards to the contracts, I know mine is up and a couple of the others only signed 1 year deals last Summer. I think Harry will be looking to bring in new players regardless of who is still at the club next season. We have been running with a very small squad in these last few months.

  • Comment number 5.

    Hi Chris.

    When your contract is up at the end of the season, come to Caley Thistle. Then you can blog on life in the SPL, which Leigh Griffiths would have been doing were it not for Dundee's complete and utter capitulation, which I find hysterical.

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