Pressing for a first-team return
Hello to everyone once again, I hope you are all well.
Well it's not but I'm delighted to be writing this week's column on the team bus to , even if a little surprised.
I returned the manager's call on Monday afternoon only to hear him pounding the treadmill, would you believe?
Needless to say it was a quick conversation.
I got the arrangements and off I went to work a little chirpier than usual for the start of the working week.
while I was coming through my first full 90 minutes in what seemed like forever.
I picked the perfect day for it as a great performance from the reserves saw us run out 8-0 winners against local rivals St Cuthbert Wanderers.
Although I wasn't expecting it, I still felt a bit disappointed not to be with the first-team for the game against .
I had only played 20 minutes for the reserves and came through one full training session, but I wanted to be involved right away.
On Thursday night the manager pulled me to the side and asked how I was feeling.
I got a little buzz and said: "Aye fine gaffer, no problems I feel great."
That wee buzz quickly faded when he replied: "Great news but you're playing with the reserves. Try to get through 90 minutes without pulling up."
Ah well, that certainly sorted me out!
The bus journey to Forfar started well enough when Derek Townsley told me I had won this week's bonus ball.
Maybe this £2 per week I'm handing over isn't too bad after all. When the big man hands the money over I might just about be breaking even!
Unfortunately, the rest of the night didn't quite go to plan.
after what we thought were a couple of controversial decisions - including going down to 10 men after a red card for John MacBeth.
I would love to give you my take on the apparent 'soft' penalty we gave away, but it happened so quickly after half time that I didn't even have my waterproof's on in time and missed the incident.
After falling 2-0 behind we rallied a bit and young Ryan Adamson brought us back into the game.
We pressed hard for the final 10 minutes but couldn't quite manage an equaliser.
The manager vented his frustration after the game and then told the boys to go out for a warm-down.
"Boys I know it's a monsoon out there but I would like you to go out and get a little run and stretch," he said. "You'll feel the benefits."
Thankfully, Steven Sloan piped up and the boys did their warm-down in the cramped changing rooms. I've certainly never seen that before.
Back onto the bus and after an episode of Gavin and Stacey I had just about enough battery on my laptop to see how the evening's results had left the league table.
It should be an interesting last quarter to the season.
The journey home took a little longer due to the heavy snow and I quickly realised that I should have accepted the offer of swapping my 6.30am start at work the next morning!
I was hoping we would take more points than what we've managed from our last three fixtures.
After two defeats and a draw, our two home games coming up are even more important.
Although both and will be difficult opposition I think that with home advantage we need to be aiming for maximum points.
It's important we return to winning ways quickly and that needs to start on Saturday.
See you next week.
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 4th Mar 2009, GudFellaRudeBoy wrote:You gotta ask - what's the point of this blog!
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Comment number 2.
At 4th Mar 2009, GD wrote:What an insightful comment.
Maybe to get a look at the goings on in the lower reaches of the Scottish leagues? It doesn't all stop with Celtic and Rangers you know, there are another 40 teams in there. As a fan of a similarly small (and similarly coloured) team, I am grateful for any coverage the lower leagues get in Scotland. And Chris does a pretty decent job of providing such.
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Comment number 3.
At 4th Mar 2009, neilsmith29 wrote:To be honest, I agree. No real substance. Very boring.
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Comment number 4.
At 4th Mar 2009, wigtaz wrote:Reply to neilsmith and Gudefellarudeboy if ya don't like it to us all a favour and dont bother looking at it stick to yar big boys.
Well done Jards in getting back into the first team just hope we can pick up a few points from the next home games.
Keep up the good work on the blog and never mind those couple of dobers.
Should be up in April so looking forward to taking in the mighty black and golds
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Comment number 5.
At 4th Mar 2009, GODammitMAN92 wrote:I agree, if you don't like it don't read it. I don't really know much about the lower levels in the scottish league, and i doubt many people in england do, so it can help to generate interest that way, as well as letting people who already follow those teams have a useful insight into what its like to be a player there.
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Comment number 6.
At 4th Mar 2009, xPoppySwirlx wrote:How does this blog reveal any insight though? I'm all for promoting the lower divisions, especially if the monstrousity that is the SPL2 goes through. You have to think that this dull blog does not really do any favours for them all though!
It would be nice to see some of the blogger's thoughts on a current topic or other, to spark a debate about something other than the inadequances of the blog currently!
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Comment number 7.
At 4th Mar 2009, redandyellowarmy wrote:chris is an absolute legend - up there with the previously untouchable jose quitongo and sean kilgannon.
ever played against partick thistle chris???
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Comment number 8.
At 4th Mar 2009, CTP wrote:i like the blog. it's interesting to read how a part-time footballer goes about his week, how he struggles to get into the first team, the camaraderie of the team, and how they exist without the budget of man utd.
isn't this a much more interesting alternative to the same old flying 1st class, ferraris and champagne lifestyle of the latest pin-up in the premiership?
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Comment number 9.
At 4th Mar 2009, slaptonhatter_matt wrote:Anither good blog in my opinion. I have now adopted Annan as my Scottish team because of the blog. Kepp up the good work!
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Comment number 10.
At 4th Mar 2009, Rabster wrote:Chris,
I know your personal aim is getting back to first team football, but given what you have experienced thus far, what do you realistically hope for the team?
As a dispassionate observer I would say Annan have slotted in comfortably enough but promotion may be too much, too soon.
As a player do you ever think promotion can come too soon?
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Comment number 11.
At 5th Mar 2009, basamta wrote:OMG what a blog!
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Comment number 12.
At 5th Mar 2009, boomshakalak wrote:Jards - you the man, man! what a blog - keepin it real and fresh and shoutin out for the Scottish Football lower league reserve team massives!
respect
don't even look at the haters comments - they can jog on!
peace out.
boom!
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Comment number 13.
At 5th Mar 2009, ShhhMichael_Save_606 wrote:To be honest, i loved it!
I thought it was a very interesting read.
Definetly worth carrying on with it.
I look forward to your next one.
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Comment number 14.
At 5th Mar 2009, Chris Jardine wrote:Thanks again to everyone for the comments whether good or bad. Obviously I must do better!
Don't mind the negative comments at all but at least tell me what you would like to read like xPoppySwirlx - if you are looking for other subjects then you can see from my other blogs that I include this as well.
My blog is however, supposed to primarily give readers an insight into lower league football and that's what I will continue to do.
Rabster - I want my team to finish as high as possible but I can honestly say that the players have never mentioned the possibility of a play-off place.
Promotion can happen too soon for clubs but I'm not saying for a minute we don't want it. I think you could look at Gretna recently to say perhaps everything happened to quickly for them - but would the players that were involved in their rise to the SPL would swap it and the same applies to the fans?
redandyellowarmy - unfortunately I have only ever had the pleasure of playing against Partick Thistle at Youth level in the Glasgow Cup.
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Comment number 15.
At 5th Mar 2009, discoagogo wrote:Don't worry about the Chris-bashers Chris; i'm sure your a better blogger than them, that's why you get a nice '´óÏó´«Ã½ football Columist' on your user name and they don't. You're probably the most famous player in division 3 thanks to this blog, congratulations.
Keep up the good work balancing your career with interesting blogs, which not everyone can do; Ian Holloway failed at Leicester whilst writing blogs and i don't see him writing them this season.
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Comment number 16.
At 6th Mar 2009, GretnaPat wrote:Chris, I am a Gretna fan and in some ways I wouldn't swap the memories I have for anything, but then again, maybe I would. Maybe we'd still have a professional club! It's a toughie.
Anyway, at this stage of the season are you and the boys looking up the league or down?
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Comment number 17.
At 6th Mar 2009, Rabster wrote:Thanks for the candid reply Chris.
'My team' the once mighty, "Pars" have had several chances to be in pole position in Division 1 but they keep blowing it with horrible home form. I still urge them to win each week, (living in hope) yet deep down I wonder if we really are ready to be back in the SPL. Truth is, the league is so tight we are not certain of escaping relegation!
Anyway, I appreciate you taking the time to respond, cheers.
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Comment number 18.
At 6th Mar 2009, kevthered83 wrote:Good blog. Like a previous Blogger I too have adopted Annan as my Scottish Team now. That may change though if you dont beat Elgin tomorrow as I have that on my accumulator this week!!!
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Comment number 19.
At 8th Mar 2009, Newtonbully wrote:Hi Chris - made my first visit to Galabank yesterday for the Elgin match and was glad to see you got a brief appearance. I had seen neither Annan or Elgin in the 45 years I have been following British football so I thought the 100 mile round trip might be worthwhile. The family atmosphere was refreshing (I had witnessed some pretty unsavoury scenes at an English premiership match earlier in the week), the PA system was outstanding with a good selection of tunes, the pie and bovril were fine and the entertainment on the pitch was first class, especially in view of the conditions. All in all an excellent day out!
Good luck for the rest of the season.
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Comment number 20.
At 8th Mar 2009, Pat McGroin wrote:about tha 1st couple of commentz
put it this waiz
imagine david beckham writeing a blog
lol sad
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Comment number 21.
At 10th Mar 2009, fakefakeeyes wrote:20. At 7:54pm on 08 Mar 2009, ecosse1982 wrote:
about tha 1st couple of commentz
put it this waiz
imagine david beckham writeing a blog
lol sad
HAHAHAHAHA - imagine ecosse1982 composing a cohesive comment!
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A less interesting blog than usual Chris - but maybe just some truth that the Scottish Third isn't as glamourous as the top divisions.
Keep up the good work!
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