Craving the continental touch
I think I was living in hope rather than expectation when I suggested that Scotland would snatch a draw in Amsterdam at the weekend.
I can't comment too much on the performance but, of the thirty minutes I did see in a tiny pub in Auchterarder, there wasn't much to suggest we were even close to getting any kind of positive result.
Saying that, I'm sure I'm not the only one who can't quite fathom why was disallowed. Had that been given it just might have made the game a little bit interesting.
The thing that struck me was how much fitter, sharper, stronger and obviously more technically gifted the Dutch were than Scotland.
Now technically gifted I think we can all come to terms with as we knew this before a ball was kicked, but why is it that these teams seem to be such athletes compared to our players?
I can't remember too much emphasis on aspects such as diet, lifestyle or preparation when I was a young player trying to make it in the game.
I'm not sure how much our clubs look to the continent for ideas on coaching methods and development but if the opportunities are there we should be biting their hands off.
Although my weekend double didn't quite come off, the most important prediction for me and the boys at Galabank was spot on.
I'll admit, and I'm sure the manager would tell you the same, we weren't at our best but we managed to grind out .
The three points combined with other results and teams being idle meant we climbed up to third in the league; but I'm still not talking about the play-offs.
Once again it was a very enjoyable trip, made even better by the fact I managed to sneak into what I thought was the best room in the hotel.
That was until I saw the gaffer's palace. Honestly, this place really was like something from .
A few of us went round for a sneaky look while they were in the bar on Friday night only to find Messer's Jack and Hoolickin living the high life - so that's how they managed to win the quiz!
After a good night's sleep, I have to say the preparation was a little boring compared to our last trip to Elgin.
It's just not the same when you can't go to the pub to watch the football and then walk to the ground through Tesco's car park.
There were a few important players missing from the squad on Saturday, some with satisfactory reasoning and others not so much.
Dougie Calder had work commitments, Kevin Neilson was suspended and apparently Bob Campbell was suffering from Elginitis.
But, as for Graeme Bell; well he was missing due to an all-day birthday party for his girlfriend.
Now, first of all I can't believe he actually asked for the weekend off for this reason but secondly the manager allowed it!
Just a wee note for Belly: I missed the Elgin game on Saturday 22 November for my 30th birthday in Amsterdam, my next start was Wednesday 25 March!!!
Staying on the lighter side of things and Derek Townsley once again took charge of the quiz for the journey.
We didn't manage it on the way up due to the combination of the lads playing poker and Tom Short insisting on being up full blast.
Anyway, myself and Steven Sloan were a team and we ended up marking the answers from Aaron Muirhead and Ryan Adamson.
Question 18 read: "What club is situated closest to the River Mersey?" Sloany and I were as puzzled as each other to see the answer written as Middlesbrough.
Over to young Aaron who says, "Well there stadium is called The Riverside".
On finishing my column this morning, two stories have just broken in the press.
Apparently Alan Shearer has taken over as manager of Newcastle until the end of the season, while after a boozing session on their return from Holland.
I've just realised today's date and I really hope for Scotland's sake that this turns out to be a cracker of an .
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 1st Apr 2009, CTP wrote:by now you'll also have realised the story that just broke about ferguson and mcgregor answers the first part of your post...
anyway, looks like annan are steaming back into a playoff position after you returned to the first team. nice work.
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Comment number 2.
At 1st Apr 2009, Rabster wrote:As I do not have any form of 'subscription' TV (and anyway I work odd hours) I didn't catch the Scotland game live but saw the ahem, "highlights" on Sportscene. Scotland were outclassed, but by a pretty unimpressive team IMO. Simply based on that performance I wouldn't bet an RBS pound note on the Dutch winning in 2010. The disallowed "goal" was a shocking decision but I'm not sure it really changed the ultimate outcome. Scotland are at a very low ebb. Annan's brief visit to third place was short-lived, but there is always next season.
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Comment number 3.
At 1st Apr 2009, piorek wrote:The reason that Scottish football is in a mess is because of the attitude of Scottish players when they've 'made it' ( let's get bladdered, eat rubbish and don't continue to learn ) AND
the attitude instilled into young players ( run round like a headless chicken, win at all costs, if you can't beat him thump him ) AND
the SFA for their lack of innovation/facilities.
With regard to the SFA, children should not be playing competitive football until they are 14/15 years old. The early years should be learning skills and playing games.
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Comment number 4.
At 2nd Apr 2009, Scottishscouser wrote:The 'British,' usually English, attitude to all things Continental/ European stinks. One day, the nonsense that we are somehow different will be a thing of the past. Kids will not be running around a full size pitch at the age of 11, booting the ball 40 metres to each other, because it's the Brutish way! The win at all costs attitude has to change in youth football and there needs to be an emphasis on coaching kids on small pitches up until the age of 14/15. Only then will the home nations including England produce more technically gifted players.
Scotland can and does produce great players from time to time from a smaller population than England, if we can get our kids coached better then there's no reason we can't carry on producing more.
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Comment number 5.
At 4th Apr 2009, Rhinoswellies wrote:Following that answer about the club nearest the Mersey. Is Aaron Muirhead now known as Muiron Airhead?
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Comment number 6.
At 6th Apr 2009, Funk_Off wrote:Regarding the whole Ferguson and McGregor thing, I see the exodus of Backwards Barry as a glorious thing. Look at the drive Brown can give Scotland, when he bothers to do it, and Gordon's no slouch in goals, prefectly capable of doing the job. They were acting like 7 year olds and fully deserved everything they got.
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Comment number 7.
At 7th Apr 2009, dunion wrote:Another good article jardie and good to see you back on the pitch after too long a spell out. With the defence committing suicide this weekend we will need your defencive midfield skills all the more now - no pressure then!
In response to your thoughts on european skills I belive we still struggle in this country to convince kids (and more importantly parents) that a key to improving as a footballer must include other fitness training. All too often kids turn up for training having done no other fitness work all week and wonder why they struggle to last the full game.
Yes kids from europe are perhaps technically more gifted but they are also physically fitter and able to run all day. You just have to read about good coaches like Wenger to see the benefits of a structured physical approach.
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