Scott Walker column

Published 3 Feb 2010 12:16 0 Comments

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Wasps player Scott Walker in action

ARBROATH came to Recreation Park on Saturday determined to frustrate us, but our quality eventually showed and we secured a vital win.

With the game between Cowdenbeath and Stirling postponed, the lads knew a win would take us above the Binos into second place - that was a massive incentive.

Despite the winning goal not coming until deep into injury time, I felt it was only a matter of time before we scored. And thankfully, in Bryan Prunty, we have a top class goalscorer, and he was on hand to make it two goals in two games since his arrival with the winning strike.

Prunty could prove to be the difference between us winning this league or making the promotion play-offs this season.

It wasn't an easy game because the visitors came with a game plan to sit in and hit on the break - and after they were reduced to 10 men they sat even deeper, which made our task that more difficult.

A moment of brilliance, though, from Prunty proved to be the difference. His injury time winner was a massive boost for the club. It's the first time we have scored that late on too this season, which shows our mental strength and will to win is good.

The spirit in the squad is really good right now, and the more the players think and believe we can win this league the better.

Allan Maitland told the lads after the win at Stenhousemuir that we have an opportunity to win the league - we're only a point behind the leaders, and we have the potential to stake a real claim if we can go on a good run of results, so why not?

I think we have the best squad of players in the division, our bench is strong, they are all first team players. Yes, there is lots still to play for, but we must go for it.

The next two games will be huge for us. First up, we travel north to Brechin on Saturday, and playing them on their narrow pitch will be a real challenge. Then Cowdenbeath come to our patch. They have a good work ethic, but we will go into both of these games looking for maximum points.

My other subject for discussion this week is whether clubs in this country should ground share or amalgamate.

As a football fan, if I wanted to watch my team, it wouldn't matter to me if it was a shared stadium. It would be beneficial for Scottish clubs, especially those that are struggling financially. With bills halved, clubs would be able to attract better players because they would have more disposable income.

As for teams amalgamating, though, I can't really see that happening. If the Dundee clubs combined to become Dundee City, for example, the manager would be forced to get rid of a raft of players - I can't see that being popular.

But there definitely needs to be a shake-up of Scottish football.

Ground sharing, summer football and an expanded SPL are all ways our game could move forward.

There are always plenty of good ideas around, but some at the SFA are still stuck in their ways, and not prepared to let the game develop. The association is crying out for fresh ideas and young minds. It's like jobs for the boys at the moment.

Next week, I'll give my reaction to the Brechin game, and with John Terry making the headlines for all the wrong reasons, I'll tell you what I think about players personal lives affecting their prospects for club and country.

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