VIDEO NASTY

Nov 14 2007 Ayrshire Post

UPSET Ayr boss Brian Reid will order his team to watch a video nasty as he tries to cut out defensive blunders.

And he claims the two goals United conceded at Alloa would both have been avoided by proper defending.

Reid admitted he was stunned when he watched a re-run of the 2-1 defeat.

Now he will sit down his players and make them do the same at training on Wednesday evening.

Reid hit out: “The two goals we lost at Alloa were terrible from our point of view. At the first, we had seven players in the box to Alloa’s three yet the smallest man on the park still managed to get in a header.

“And it was the same at the second goal when Alloa got a free header from a corner.

“I felt we should have taken something from the game but the players switched off at crucial moments and that’s something we have to rectify.”

Reid promises no rest for his players this weekend despite a free day because of Scotland v Italy.

He’ll have the players in for training on Saturday morning while this week he was stepping up his search for new faces by taking in a couple of reserve games. Reid made two new signings last Friday and pitched them straight into action at Alloa.

Gretna winger Ryan Baldacchino, 26, has joined on a month’s loan while 18-year-old midfielder Alastair Woodburn steps up from the United Youth Academy.

Reid said: “Ryan hasn’t played many games recently because of injury but I was pleased with his contribution and feel he can be big player for us.

“As for Alastair, he is one for the future but might get his chance sooner than expected if he shows up well in training.

“He is only 18 but I was the same age when I made my debut for Morton in the First Division.

“If you are good enough, you are old enough and it’s a myth that players can be too young.

“Barcelona play them as young as 17 so if Alastair does well, I would have the confidence to play him.”

Ayr hope to get clearance from Gretna to play Baldacchino against Partick in the Scottish Cup a week on Saturday.

And the loan period could be extended if both parties agree.

Meanwhile, Reid admits his search to appoint an assistant manager is taking him longer than expected.

He said: “I want to make sure I get the right person. Having someone who can play as well would kill two birds with one stone but it’s not the be all and end all.

“Things are going back and forward at the moment and I’m hoping it can be resolved before the Partick game.”