Football: Dalziel: My boys are not at the races.
AYR UNITED boss Gordon Dalziel wasn't prepared to gamble as his team geared up to go flat-out in their promotion race against Clyde this afternoon.Yesterday's Gold Cup at the local course forced the clash to be moved forward 24 hours but Daz barred his players from having a day at the races in a bid to keep them fully focused.
The pre-season promotion favourites have yet to hit top form and the Somerset Park gaffer wanted his troops to think about nothing but the Bully Wee's visit.
Gordon said: "I didn't fancy my guys going to the big meeting because it's vital that they concentrate on what is a crucial game.
"There are a lot of matches coming up and there's no hiding place for the players. So rather than going to the races I wanted them to save their legs and rest."
Sunday football is rare in the First Division and Dalziel hopes his men will respond to an extra day's training.
He said: "It was sensible to move the game rather than compete with the Gold Cup just down the road.
"It will be interesting to see the reaction of the fans.
"I had the players in for training yesterday morning. It's a different way of preparing for us but I'm sure we'll be ready."
Saturday is usually the boss's most stressful time as he endures a rollercoaster of emotions while watching his side in action.
But yesterday Daz took on the role of your average footie punter, though keen to stress he was still on duty.
Gordon said: "It was a good chance to take in a match for a change.
We've got Stranraer in the CIS Cup on Tuesday so I went to have a look at them against Forfar."
But before the Honest Men do battle on cup business they must see off Clyde to get back on the promotion trail.
Ayr were woefully off colour in midweek as they crashed to a shock 3-2 defeat at Arbroath and can't afford to let three more precious points slip away today.
Dalziel admitted: "I was disappointed with the Gayfield result but I was more angry with the performance.
"It was a poor effort but we just have to put it out of our minds and concentrate on the games ahead." United's form has been inconsistent but their cause hasn't been helped by a string of injuries.
The gaffer has been forced to do without his first choice back three of David Craig, Mark Campbell and Neil Duffy.
And other key men Brian McLaughlin and Pat McGinlay have also been sidelined.
Gordon said: "I've been disappointed with the inconsistency but a lot of that has been down to all the injuries that we have been forced to deal with.
"Not many teams in this division could manage to cope with the number of players we've had out
"And there are even a few in the SPL who would find it hard as well.
"Five men are missing who would be in the first team and that's a massive blow.
"You could maybe cope with one or two of them being out but when it all happens at once it's hard to deal with.
"An entire back three are on the sidelines and as a result of that we have been leaking goals we normally wouldn't concede."
But the Ayr boss still believes his squad should be strong enough to grind out a result against most teams in the division.
Daz said: "We should have enough quality to go away to Arbroath and get a result.
"But we have to stop those silly individual errors as they are really hurting the team.
"Even though we have a lot of injury worries the players I bring in should be capable of doing a job.
"We defended well against St Mirren so to go to Arbroath and give away three goals was a major disappointment."
Today, kick-off 3pm
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| Title Annotation: | Sport |
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| Publication: | Sunday Mail (Glasgow, Scotland) |
| Date: | Sep 23, 2001 |
| Words: | 659 |
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