I’LL DO IT MY WAY

Aug 29 2007 Ayrshire Post

BOSS Neil Watt has fired back at Ayr United’s snipers and told them: I’ll do it MY way.

The Somerset gaffer shoots down claims that Ayr’s style of play is built purely on brawn and power. And he insists they are looking to combine improved fitness levels with plenty of skill.

Berwick boss John Coughlin took a swipe at Ayr’s tactics, claiming they had muscled their way to a 4-0 win, the first league success of the season.

But Watt hit back: “My remit is to win games and get Ayr out of this division. I’ve got to look at whatever method is best to do that.

“We are a strong and fit team but I don’t like hearing other people talking about us being a big, strong, physical side as if that is all we are.

“We try to blend some good football with very good fitness levels. It’s all about playing to your strengths and on Saturday we scored two goals from corners and had another effort cleared off the line.”

Ayr are again set to be without key man Andy McLaren for Saturday’s visit of Alloa which is followed by a trip to Forfar in the Challenge Cup on Tuesday evening.

McLaren didn’t train on Monday evening and is still feeling the knee injury he sustained in the 2-2 draw at Brechin.

The temptation will be to stick with the same team that routed Berwick and saw the start of a lucrative strike partnership between Michael Moore and Alex Williams.

But Watt is playing his cards close to his chest and claimed no decisions have yet been made.

Moore scored his fifth goal in four games and linked up superbly with Williams who grabbed his first in Ayr colours.

And re-born Ryan Stevenson made it three in three games, capping a non stop midfield show by showing his new found nose for goal.

Dead ball specialist David Dunn set up two from text book corners while skipper Murray Henderson had a header cleared off the line from another of his flag kicks.

Watt insisted: “I don’t look on it as a kickstart but building on a very good week which saw us beat Hamilton and draw at Brechin.

“It was nice for the strikers to get goals. Moore is a proven scorer and got his 100th goal against Hamilton in the Challenge Cup.

“Williams is a completely different type of player. He’s a bit of a poacher but has pace so that causes teams problems. I thought the two linked well.”

Meanwhile, Watt is looking forward to welcoming old friend Allan Maitland to Somerset on Saturday.

The Alloa gaffer was manager at Maryhill Juniors when Watt was captain so the two go back a long way.

Watt said: “Allan is a lovely man and someone I have a lot of respect for.”

Watt will also renew old acquaintances when Ayr head to Forfar where he spent two years of his playing career.