Win2Win Racing
6th May 2009, 15:12
Our play-off dreams were ended on Saturday with defeat up at Stenhousemuir (http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/scot_div_1/8028058.stm).
We all had a good chat after the game and there was nothing but disappointment in that away dressing room.
I think all of us would hold our hands up and say that our performances have dipped these last few weeks (http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/a/annan_athletic/results/default.stm) and Saturday was no different.
We are a fairly fit team and I wouldn't say that was our problem, but over the last few games I think the players have certainly looked tired.
In my opinion we are now seeing how much more demanding the Third Division is compared to the East of Scotland.
Performances and work rate need to be at the maximum level in every game; this wasn't always the case in the EOS.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/chrisjardine/galabank.jpg
I read recently that Dumbarton (http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/d/dumbarton/default.stm) were using the facilities at Cameron House for a bit of relaxation during the title run-in.
I'm not sure about other teams but we have kept our training at the same level since the start of the season.
We have a hard night every Tuesday and a short and sharp session on a Thursday. Some of the boys, including myself, have been playing on a Wednesday night also.
This may not sound a lot but when you're playing at the level we are there is only a certain level of fitness you can reach.
I think we all expected the intensity of the training to have dropped by now but the manager obviously thought this approach would be of benefit to us all.
After our chat on Saturday this may be something that is looked at for next season. The head tennis was certainly a welcome release last night.
Our final league fixture sees us come up against the best team in the league this weekend.
Dumbarton will be presented with the league trophy after a thrilling end to the season.
It's never nice seeing teams celebrate on your own patch but I for one will be applauding them as I think they are a fantastic side and thoroughly deserve the title and the promotion that comes with it.
If they can keep the majority of their team together next season then they will more than hold their own in Division Two.
Our aim is now to finish as high as possible and we hope to spoil Dumbarton's party on Saturday. We have now dropped to sixth in the table and by Saturday tea-time we want that to be fifth.
The league table never lies and you finish where you deserve but it would be a real disappointment for us now if we finished as low as seventh.
The pressure is now off and we really should be able to go out and enjoy ourselves. It's set up very nicely for us to finish the season on a real high and give the supporters a performance to thank them for their support this season.
My wishes came true on Sunday when Preston sneaked into the play-off finals (http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_1/8015127.stm) with only minutes to spare.
I spoke to Barry Nicholson (http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/p/preston/7949003.stm) after the game and he was as high as a kite. It looks like Barry has came back from injury just at the right time and I'm keeping my fingers crossed for him that he plays his part in helping his side into the Premiership in his first season in England.
I can't help but feel sorry for Cardiff, though, and their supporters must be wondering if they will ever make the big league after the late collapse.
I've been overdue a testimonial for a couple of seasons now and if I'm still at the club next year it's my aim to get a big club to Annan.
After hearing Sir Alex Ferguson's comments last week I've finally settled on Manchester United.
Fergie was complaining about the size of dressing rooms at some clubs (http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/m/man_utd/8027551.stm) and how there should be certain regulations put in place regarding space.
How I would love to see his face and those of the superstars from Old Trafford as they try to cram themselves into the tiny facilities at Galabank!
More... (http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/chrisjardine/2009/05/weary_legs_at_annan_athletic.html)
We all had a good chat after the game and there was nothing but disappointment in that away dressing room.
I think all of us would hold our hands up and say that our performances have dipped these last few weeks (http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/a/annan_athletic/results/default.stm) and Saturday was no different.
We are a fairly fit team and I wouldn't say that was our problem, but over the last few games I think the players have certainly looked tired.
In my opinion we are now seeing how much more demanding the Third Division is compared to the East of Scotland.
Performances and work rate need to be at the maximum level in every game; this wasn't always the case in the EOS.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/chrisjardine/galabank.jpg
I read recently that Dumbarton (http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/d/dumbarton/default.stm) were using the facilities at Cameron House for a bit of relaxation during the title run-in.
I'm not sure about other teams but we have kept our training at the same level since the start of the season.
We have a hard night every Tuesday and a short and sharp session on a Thursday. Some of the boys, including myself, have been playing on a Wednesday night also.
This may not sound a lot but when you're playing at the level we are there is only a certain level of fitness you can reach.
I think we all expected the intensity of the training to have dropped by now but the manager obviously thought this approach would be of benefit to us all.
After our chat on Saturday this may be something that is looked at for next season. The head tennis was certainly a welcome release last night.
Our final league fixture sees us come up against the best team in the league this weekend.
Dumbarton will be presented with the league trophy after a thrilling end to the season.
It's never nice seeing teams celebrate on your own patch but I for one will be applauding them as I think they are a fantastic side and thoroughly deserve the title and the promotion that comes with it.
If they can keep the majority of their team together next season then they will more than hold their own in Division Two.
Our aim is now to finish as high as possible and we hope to spoil Dumbarton's party on Saturday. We have now dropped to sixth in the table and by Saturday tea-time we want that to be fifth.
The league table never lies and you finish where you deserve but it would be a real disappointment for us now if we finished as low as seventh.
The pressure is now off and we really should be able to go out and enjoy ourselves. It's set up very nicely for us to finish the season on a real high and give the supporters a performance to thank them for their support this season.
My wishes came true on Sunday when Preston sneaked into the play-off finals (http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_1/8015127.stm) with only minutes to spare.
I spoke to Barry Nicholson (http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/p/preston/7949003.stm) after the game and he was as high as a kite. It looks like Barry has came back from injury just at the right time and I'm keeping my fingers crossed for him that he plays his part in helping his side into the Premiership in his first season in England.
I can't help but feel sorry for Cardiff, though, and their supporters must be wondering if they will ever make the big league after the late collapse.
I've been overdue a testimonial for a couple of seasons now and if I'm still at the club next year it's my aim to get a big club to Annan.
After hearing Sir Alex Ferguson's comments last week I've finally settled on Manchester United.
Fergie was complaining about the size of dressing rooms at some clubs (http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/m/man_utd/8027551.stm) and how there should be certain regulations put in place regarding space.
How I would love to see his face and those of the superstars from Old Trafford as they try to cram themselves into the tiny facilities at Galabank!
More... (http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/chrisjardine/2009/05/weary_legs_at_annan_athletic.html)