Voice of Reason, 18th February

Feb 18 2011 Ayrshire Post (main ed)

DEFINING week of the season?

Most probably.

Both on and off the park, the last seven days have told us many things.

The smashing by Livingston underlined the importance of a squad game.

And make no mistake, Tuesday’s postponement at Brechin was a blessing.

I wrote last week that we cannot compete for the title when the player well is running dry.

And the blog-osphere reacted in style.

But the truth hurts, and on Saturday it was actions which spoke louder than anyone’s words.

There’s a lot to be applauded about keeping your financial house in order.

But surely some sort of balance has to be struck.

Or else the progress of this club will become a non-event.

nA CLASH of two former Ayr men this weekend.

And what an unlikely head to head this will be.

Sir Alex Ferguson takes on Steve Evans as Man Utd play Crawley in the FA Cup.

Ironically, two of the richest clubs in England.

Only one result on the cards, but the romantics will be out in force.

Nothing beats a cup cracker like this.

And no matter what happens, Ayr win. Beautiful.

nWHAT’S all this tosh about Wayne Rooney bagging goal of the season in the Manchester derby?

A fine overhead kick, the VoR is not disputing that.

But little more than a poor man’s Andy Rodgers effort.

Clearly the England centre forward had been watching coverage of our game against Sunnybank.

But his technique wasn’t a patch on the Ayr man.

And we don’t have to pay £250,000 a week for the honour.

nTHE junior game has waved farewell to one of its characters.

Larger than life in every sense of the word.

It can only be John Redmond.

Promotion in his day job means he has less time to devote to the Troon FC dugout.

Where anything but promotion was a possibility for the Portland Parkers.

Still, Redmond had the decency to leave them in good shape near the foot of the Ayrshire League.

But hopefully this won’t be the last we see of big Yogi.

One of the game’s good guys.

nNORMAL service resumed in betting corner.

The VoR and Allan Haggo forging ahead with solid pointage.

Whereas Iain Ferguson continues to curse every team in his path.

This time, poor old Liverpool felt his wrath.

To this week, and Haggo boldly punts for Man City 3, Notts County 0.

Fergie wisely puts the knackers on Forfar by taking them to beat Ayr 2-0.

The VoR says Aberdeen 2, Kilmarnock 1.