Topic Originator: wee eck
Date: Wed 19 Mar 09:19
The background role of John Colquhoun, explained by Cook to be an advisor to Park Bench, has been key in the transfer market. As a head coach, rather than an old-school manager, Tidser was expected to simply work with the new faces and make improvements on the training pitch. Many signings were lacking match fitness and most were short of experience, not only of the Scottish game but also first team football. All – barring teenager Keith Bray, who was loaned straight back to Inverness Caley Thistle – were given an opportunity. But few, beyond Stevens and Jeremiah Chilokoa-Mullen, impressed in a struggling team.
Tidser’s reign did get off to a flying start. Just a few hours after his appointment, despite not being expected to take the team, he decided to get his hands dirty straight away. And, after one training session, he sat in the dugout for the 3-0 victory over Stenhousemuir in the Scottish Cup. It proved to be one of only three wins in 11 games in charge, and one of three games when they found the net.
By the end of his short reign, the former Morton midfielder had used 25 players, whilst sending the likes of Taylor Sutherland, Sam Fisher, Sam Young, Dapo Mebude and Craig Wighton out on loan. Most will question whether the arrivals were any better than those who departed.The 3-0 defeat to bottom side Airdrie in Tidser’s first league game in charge was a worrying sign. The goals conceded exposed the passing style he was trying to implement. But the hope was individual mistakes would diminish as players became more used to the new regime.
Subsequent cup losses to Livingston, in the SPFL Trust Trophy semi-final, and Aberdeen, in the Scottish Cup, were no disgrace. And goalless draws with Queen’s Park and Livingston hinted at a solid foundation being built. However, being edged out 1-0 by Hamilton Accies in a game that would have eased relegation worries was a blow – and the fans made their feelings known at the dreary display. Disillusioned with McPake’s attempts to get his team to play out from the back, some supporters railed against Tidser’s adherence to a similar philosophy. It was an approach that was further hampered by a dire East End Park pitch.
Losing games whilst continuing to knock the ball across the back four – albeit, Tidser would argue, with an underlying purpose – failed to find backing from the stands.
Post Edited (Wed 19 Mar 09:25)
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