Cowboy Q & A
October 2007
This question and answer session took place after the Montrose game on 20th October at Cliftonhill and was attended by a small band of Rovers supporters manager John McCormack [JM] and his assistant Paul Martin [PM] as well as chairman Frank Meade.
JM started by thanking the fans for attending and stated that he was of course disappointed at the result of the Montrose game and that all involved had been puting in . A fan said that the team deserved more from the game!
JM went on to say that the emphasis at the moment was on the back four which was especially annoying that the goals during the match were lost in the manner they were.
One fan asked why Kenny Wright had missed the match and JM explained he had sustained a hamstring injury, PM said missing a key man such as Wright hadn't helped. JM said the passing game Rovers used suffered as the final ball was disappointing.
Specific players were mentioned as being on the fringes of the team and it was explained by the manager the opportunities were given but not been taken sufficiently well to gain a start. He said that around 13 - 14 players had been the nucleus of the team and that players can come in and do well as at least one had do so recently.
Specific positions were also mentioned as perhaps being lacking but JM felt that an improvement was underway and that previously he'd had insufficient back up to allow for a change.
JM said that the players were the future of Albion Rovers and that mistakes on the training field were ok but not during matches. A fan asked where JM expected the club to be in a few years. The answer was "out of this division" but resources to enable him to bring in some experienced players were certainly desirable. JM went on to say the players sometimes could do with more confidence and that their youth was a factor, for instance the squad contained a solitary married man.
A fan remarked that PM & JM had limited resources at Queen's Park and had managed to well there so that there was hope. The management team agreed whilst pointing out the extensive youth system at Hampden and the superior facilities. PM pointed out that the first year in charge at Hampden had gone similarly to this season so far, ups and downs.
PM, JM and director Robert Watt all have knowledge of junior and juvenile football from where players have been signed but junior clubs can often pay better wages than Rovers can and that some teams were looking for fees of up to £5000. That would be outwith the financial parameters of the club.
Loans were mentioned but KM explained that these can have there own problems as teams want all of the players wages paid by the recipient club and these can run into several hundred pounds a week. Also when the loan period is up the player leaves and you're back to choosing a player you've dented the confidence in.
A fan asked about the club perhaps starting up a reserve side but JM pointed put that unfortunately the reserve league is no longer in operation. Then a fan expressed his opinion that the referee in the Montrose game had been awful, booking Rovers players much easier than the visitors. The management team freely voiced an opinion.
When asked their thoughts on the forthcoming Burntisland Shipyard Scottish Cup match JM said he'd watched them and that if Rovers play well he had confidence of progressing but he did say it was like a cup final for Burntisland. When asked if there was a large gap in quality between the teams PM quipped he'd tell us at 5pm after the game! JM cautioned that opposition such as Shipyard can play out of their skins on such occasions.
In answer to a question JM confirmed that John Gemmell outstanding one match suspension did not apply to the cup. When the tables were turned and JM asked for the fans view on things so far one (somewhat tongue in cheek) that more wins would have been helped.
Looking forward to the transfer window reopening in January JM said that there would be players moving in and out of Cliftonhill.
The questions then moved to off-field activities with Frank Meade being asked about the stadium situation. After saying that of course he couldn't go into detail for confidentiality reasons the chairman said that the club were actively in meaningful discussions with more than one party. He said that it was getting increasingly difficult to gain a safety certificate for Cliftonhill.
He went on to say that more progress had been made in the last two months than the last 15 months in total. The club A.G.M. is on the horizon once more, having been held in October/November in recent years.