Ayr United pledge to attack league leaders Queen of the South

Nov 23 2012 by Mike Wilson, Ayrshire Post

We’re coming to attack you. That’s the fighting message from Mark Roberts as Ayr head to runaway leaders Queen of the South on Saturday.

The United gaffer will stick with three up front and pledged: “The day I go to Palmerston and shut up shop, I’ll chuck it.

“No way are we going there feeling scared. We will be trying to win and will go with the same formation that has been working for us.”

Roberts concedes Queens are the best team in the league but wants Ayr ready to pounce should they stutter.

He said: “They are on a great run, are full-time and have beaten Rangers. They are the strongest in the league and rightly so.

“They have continuity from last year because a lot of that squad are still there, whereas we had a complete new look.

“But they have not yet had a blip, which they will have at some stage, and it is up to other teams to capitalise.”

Ayr have lost only once in eight games since going down 4-2 to Queens at Somerset in September. But they haven’t won in Dumfries in 10 years.

Ryan McStay, sent off in the 2-1 win over Stranraer, begins a two match ban but skipper John Robertson, who has missed the last two, will return which would allow Adam Hunter to push into midfield.

Roberts is also toying with a starting berth for teenager Aaron Wyllie who has impressed with his all-action style.

The Ayr boss is looking to extend the contracts of youngsters Robbie Crawford and Mark Shankland. Crawford, who has started the last nine games, has already caught the eye of English Championship teams, according to reports.

●Ship Inn bus for Palmerston leaves at 11.30am. Seats are £10 and £7 from 885766.

●McBookie.com think the title race is a foregone conclusion. QoS are just 1/5, with Ayr a distance back at 20/1.

Ayr are 5/1 to win at Palmerston, with Queens 4/9, draw 16/5. Michael Moffat is 7/1 to grab the first goal.