Scott Walker Column

Published 10 Mar 2010 09:55 0 Comments

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THE game against Clyde could have gone either way but in the end I'm happy we got away with a point.

I thought the Bully Wee played pretty well and were a much improved side from the one we faced earlier in the season. But I wasn't surprised by their performance, you usually get a heart felt one from the side at the bottom.

Clyde may be propping up the table but they will take points off other teams in this league thanks to the signings they made in January.

As for the game on Saturday, I felt we had a lot of pressure in the game, especially in the second half, and if we had won it would have been deserved.

Often the bottom club crumble when they go a goal behind but Clyde's new additions have strengthened them and their manager has them playing well. At this stage of the season we are happy with a point. It keeps our run going and puts pressure on the other teams to keep performing.

I don't think we can afford to slip up in any games now, though, as it could cause us problems. We need a point or three in our remaining games if we are to win the title.

And I want to get my hands on that trophy this season after missing out at Ayr last year, and even though we did get promoted through the play-offs, it wasn't the same. Scottish football is different to down south in that they get medals for winning the play-offs, it's a big thing. Up here you get nothing to show for it.

Looking ahead to the weekend, it will be a tough game going to Stirling as they have also made some good signings, like Chris Aitken. He will score goals if he gets the chances.

Stirling, Cowdenbeath and Brechin are all in with a shout of winning this league - it's a four horse race.

My other subject this week is the standard of players produced in Scotland. We have no problem in turning out top class managers but why do we struggle when it comes to developing good players?

If Scotland can attract guys like Jose Mourinho to do some of their coaching badges here then surely we can do better on the pitch.

Talking to our youth coach - Hugh McCann - he has been to countries across Europe to see how football coaching is done and he told me players on the continent have more spacial awareness and get more time on the ball. In Scotland it is far too rushed and gung-ho.

When I was a full-time player it was the same thing week in and week out at training - there was no real planning or progression.

A lot of players need to be coached and set specific targets on improving aspects of their game. I recognise that might require more coaches and therefore investment, but that's what we need to do.

If you get your coaching badge you still have to be developing and tapping into every resource possible. Our guys should be going down to places like Liverpool and Manchester to watch managers like Alex Ferguson and David Moyes; that way our young players will benefit from more rounded coaches.

Next week, I'll give you my reaction to the Dumbarton and Stirling games and tell you why I think the SPL needs to be expanded.

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