Originally Posted by
jardi
Arrol I haven't had much time to post of late, - but I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw Jacob's lackadaisical attitude to the first penalty kick, - which I knew immediately he was going to miss! Taking just two steps backwards is a sure sign that you're too cocky, and both he and Tapping should have their arses kicked. Naysmith should kick his own arse for not naming Dobbie as the first penalty taker, - who ultimately showed us how it's done.
To be fair to Queens, they should have wrapped the match up long before the 90 minutes, but EK packed the defence and they'd obviously practiced penalties because they took 4 beauties. A worthwhile strategy because they got an extra point. Naysmith must make it a priority for all his players to practice pens from now on.
I was quite disgusted at Queens pre season matches; - why oh why do we insist in playing teams who are of lesser quality? The only way to improve your squad is to stretch them with for example a North East tour of Middlesborough, Sunderland and Newcastle, - followed by a match against our local rivals, - Carlisle, - not farting about against Annan and Stenhousemuir (which had to be cancelled due to the impending cup game)
Talking of stretching, - it was clear on Tuesday night that Queens had played a lot of small, one touch games and they ripped EK apart on many occasions, - but they hadn't had enough full pitch practice to really finish them off, - and instead they tried to walk the ball into the net. Don't get me wrong, - I'm an advocate of one touch football and close control, - but if that's all that you know, - you can't translate that into a match on a 100 x 50 metre pitch.
Taking your other points in order I'm very sorry indeed to see Christine depart, - as she was really good for Queens; - I'm also utterly dumbfounded at the impending departure of a QOS legend.
To bring back interest among local supporters, - you certainly don't do it by drawing 0-0 at home with a non league outfit, - and then have your senior players acting like they don't need to really bother when taking a penalty kick.
I know I've said it before and many disagree, but the Cup games are the most important matches for Queens; that's what gets people interested and brings people away from their TV's, - so we should be prioritising cup matches, not treating them with disdain.
One thing I'd like to see to bring youngsters back to Palmy is this:
For every home match, - I'd like to see the club invite a local team, one match Heston, the next Greystone, then Lochar, then a schools select(and so on) to provide 20 kids and the opposition team e.g. Dunfermline or Falkirk to do likewise.
The central portion of the pitch is then coned off with 5 a side goals at either end of the central line; when the teams come out to train 40 minutes or so before kick off, - they use their respective goals ( at either end of the full pitch), - but a couple of senior players from each squad takes it in turns to coach the kids for 5 to 8 minutes followed by another 4 and so on. In that way , the kids get a fantastic day out, and something that they will remember for the rest of their lives, - while the professionals get hands on coaching.
At half time the 5 a side goals are brought back from the side of the pitch and the cones replaced, - whereupon the Queens select side plays the opposition select side, with rolling subs so that every kid gets an opportunity to play. They play 7 minutes each way, - with the crowd cheering on their team, - finishing just before the resumption of the match.
Not only will it keep the crowd entertained, - but it should help to boost the attendance with hopefully, mums, dads, siblings, grandparents, aunts and uncles and friends of every child coming along from both teams to see their precious little one have a full coaching session and a match in front of a Championship crowd.
Certificates can be given to each child as a keep sake, - perhaps in the form of team sheets with the kids names printed on the back? That would be something that they would be very proud of receiving and it may entice others to get involved, a bit like the Blue Peter badge concept.
In terms of logistics; a few telephone calls to youth teams across the region to gauge interest and a bit of hands on from the 20's on the day, - who would move goals posts and act as referees and assisting with the coaching.
To me, that's a simple way of making the match day exciting for youngsters, providing them with a lasting memory and encouraging them to support their local team and bringing extra people to the match who might not normally bother.
Once we have the kids back on board, - then we can ask them and their parents to get involved with the Guid Nychburris float.
Is Naysmith good enough? - I'm not sure, - but he must be more positive and play his part in bringing people back to Palmerston.
That's enough for just now!