By Gordon Thomson
March 13 2004
Airdrie play host to Hamilton on league business on Saturday after a weekend off due to the EURO2004 qualifiers. Last time out Sandy's team changed their style and the luck went with them. Can we avenge our August defeat at Accie's Ballast Stadium?
The break for the Scotland internationals couldn't have come at a worse time for Airdrie. The victory last time out against Berwick had 'watershed' written all over it. We turned the corner midway through that match. McGuire lit up the game with two fine goals, Ronald suddenly looked like a reliable player, the defence had a bit of pace about it, Vareille was in the mood, Marv was back, Harvey had a spring in his step. Of course, as always seems to happen, the wind was taken out the sails by forces outwith our control. Or sods law as it's better known. But what better way to come back than a local derby followed by a big cup game three days later. Sandy will want to ensure that Airdrie keep their eye firmly on the ball this week as far as the league game goes. Against Brechin last month it looked like the team had more than just half an eye on the Killie game. A win against Accies would see us rise to the top half of the league. We'll have to do it without an entire defence though as Brannigan, Vella and Sandy are injured, as is midfielder Lee Gardner. Accies turbulent spell hasn't slowed down lately. A five-one defeat at home to Stranraer last time out was miserable enough, but it was a sideshow for the boardroom shenanigans that saw their chairman and two directors ousted last week. Will that spur them on? I'm sure that considering all the factors Airdrie will resemble the team that did so well against Berwick, although with the threat of 'Big' Ally Graham (they have a wee Ally Graham too) Airdrie would rather have a big defender but they'll just have to cope otherwise. Alan Gow should be fit again. Gow, McKeown and Glancy scored in a closed door game against Queens Park last weekend. In 442 style I think we'll see McGeown in goals, Armstrong, Docherty (the new Brian McKeown?), McGowan and McVey in the backline, Marv should have the holding role in the midfield again, McGuire and Gow as the wide midfielders, and Harv as the attacking midfielder, with Ronald and Vareille continuing up front. I hope. Tuesday night should see us revert to the tried and trusted sweeper system against the SPL side who'll include former Airdrie goalie, Paul Gallacher. OK, so it was only a few games but he still played for us. A lot will depend on the form of new international striker, Steven Thomson. He's never really impressed in the past against us but he'll be full of confidence after his critical acclaim lauded on him this past week by the media. A hat load of goals against anyone would bolster his profile, so watch out Airdrie. Charlie Miller, Craig Easton and Jim McIntyre will provide some of our main headaches in that game. Utd will be out to impress managerial hopefuls Hegarty and Malpas who are in interim charge since Alex Smith's sacking and the failed Ian McCall attempt.