From the high of a comprehensive win at Airdrie to the low of a crushing defeat at Firhill – my first weeks with the club have been enlightening and emotional. They have also shown me how worthwhile it has been to become involved with so many good people.
But I cannot overemphasise my concern and dismay at the reports of hooliganism outside the stadium at Firhill. I hope that the police investigation gets to the root of the problem and finds that no Accies supporters were involved. I cannot believe that any true supporter would act in the way reported.
I believe that you learn more from adversity than success. You also learn more about people’s character. After Saturday’s defeat the reaction among the Accies directors and management was not “who do we blame”, but “what can we do to make things better”.
You don’t hear John Rankin complaining about a horrendous injury list, although he has one (and it is never wise to broadcast that in advance to opposing clubs), made worse by the bad knee injury sustained by Connor Smith at the end of the Thistle game. But the spirit in the camp prompted Dylan McGowan and Oli Shaw to return maybe prematurely from injury – and skipper Scott Martin to turn out after attending the birth of his second child.
It is appropriate also to give credit to the medical staff for their sterling work behind the scenes to get the injured players back on the pitch.
Nor will the manager complain in public about the severe punishment of individual errors against Partick Thistle which were completely out of character. No, the focus is fully on making things better.
Naturally the mood among supporters has been dampened by two defeats in a row. But I hope you will all share the attitude “what can we do to make things better”.
That’s easy – turn out in numbers and get behind the team!
Jock Brown
