Queens got what they deserved yesterday: Queens Park deserved to win and Queen of the South deserved to lose.
There was a negative arrogance about QOS yesterday, - almost "a too big to fail" attitude from some of our players, - and I mentioned at half time to one or two folk that their problem was exactly that. They should have gone into the game treating Queens Park as though they were Celtic or Rangers, rather than a team of amateurs.
Their first goal was excellent; a beautiful curving cross which invited the header that it received. Their second was laziness in our defence, and McCrorie should have either caught or punched the ball rather than let it drift right across his box. It was his failure in dealing with that harmless cross that led to the poke in to gift the Spiders a 2-0 advantage.
I couldn't believe Johnstone's reaction in substituting McCarthy (unless he was injured) because it meant that all our aces were used up, and there was no surprise attacking option in the second half which would have had a psychological advantage on QP. Furthermore, young McCarthy's confidence will be well and truly shot, - when he was not the only person responsible for all the mistakes.
Stephen Dobbie was lucky not to have been booked or even sent off. He must learn to deal with his petulance in speaking back to the referee. He was flagged offside after the ref had played advantage, but Dickinson quite rightly brought play back for the free kick to Queens, - whereupon Dobbie picked up the ball and ran back to the referee to give him a mouthful, - which in itself was a bookable offence. To then hurl the ball down in frustration (after that extraordinary example from our captain) should have met with a yellow card.
The second half was a virtual non event, with only Murray gaining pass marks for keeping going.
'Disappointing' is putting it mildly and the magic of the cup has been stolen from us by a pretty ordinary side who simply rolled up their sleeves and worked much harder than QOS. We did the same against ICT and got what we deserved, - absolutely nothing.
With 99 travelling fans and several more in the main stand that's a home crowd of about 950, - and unless or until Queens start rolling up their sleeves, treating all other teams with respect, as well as the referee, and giving 100% right until the final whistle (like young Murrray did yesterday with that wonderful strike) then we will struggle to see many more turn out.
It is up to Johnstone to motivate his team to get their finger out, and the players to avenge the embarrassment of being knocked out of the main cup competition by an amateur team by focussing their attention on the league. It's a big ask, but one that is possible with a never say die attitude.
Mon the South
