Captain’s Log with Jim McAlister

Good afternoon, everyone. I hope you all had a great weekend – and that Saturday’s result helped in that regard!

I would just like to start by saying the support and encouragement given by you guys during the Ross County game was a huge factor in us achieving the desired result.

I really mean that. We have a young squad this season, and so it’s vitally important that you stay with us in matches, especially if we are having tough spells, and on Saturday you all did exactly that, so thank you.

As I mentioned in last week’s column, we went into the game off the back of a free weekend, which wasn’t ideal with Ross County having a good test at Easter Road.

As well as having very good footballers, County have coupled that with physical presence, and I thought we stood up to that challenge. Every player, to a man, rose to the occasion.

To respond so quickly after going behind shows the character we have as a group. That’s not to mention the fact we then went on to win the game, whilst also playing some good football.

The equalising goal was an absolutely fantastic strike from Tidser. We all know given space he can produce that type of magic, and the winner from Bob was equally as good in my eyes.

Firstly, there was a great knock down from Denny, and then to spin on your ‘weaker’ side and connect as sweetly as Bob did was top drawer. A goal worthy of winning any game.

The result saw us go joint top with Ayr United, who deserve a lot of credit for the start they have made to the season. Despite being newly promoted, they are beating teams well, adding a 4-1 win at the weekend.

As a squad, we have set up our own wee fantasy football league with 12 of the boys getting involved, which is a decent effort.

We are awarding a manager of the month, and August couldn’t have been any tighter. It went right to the death, with young Ben Armour pipping Tidser’s wee painter and decorator, Ross MacLean.

They both finished on the same points for the month, but Ben had the better final week and took the plaudits this time, so well done, Ben.

If he stays at the top even half as long as it takes big Gregory Buchanan to do his hair then we will have a real job shifting him.

A special mention must go to ’36-0 FC’ who made a valiant, late effort only to come up just short in the manager of the month stakes.

For the uninitiated, that is Arbroath diehard Kerr Waddell’s team. We’ll need to keep an eye on him. Bringing up the rear was Connor Bell. He will require a real turnaround in fortunes this coming month.

Switching from fantasy back to reality, we now go into two very tough away fixtures, against Partick Thistle and Dundee United.

We are close to a clean bill of health going into the game and this is crucial. We all saw the impact big Denny made coming off the bench last week and his return has been important.

He got another hour, and goal, under his belt in Monday’s reserve game against Hibs at Cappielow, and that will only benefit him and the team going forward.

We played Thistle in the Betfred Cup group stage last month and were unfortunate not to take the tie to penalties. We can, however, take confidence from our second-half display.

They are another team with quality throughout their squad but we will go to Firhill with our own game plan and hopefully come away with the points.

Enjoy the game at the weekend.

C’mon the Ton!

Jim

 

Image: Ross Cameron