YOU KNOW WHERE THE DOOR IS

Dec 19 2007 Ayrshire Post

GET tough Brian Reid has told Ayr United’s flops to shape up or ship out.

And he fired a stinging message to players who have chalked up five straight defeats when he told them: You know where the door is.

Boss Reid has already freed two players who have both returned to the juniors and he says others can follow if that’s what they want.

He hit out: “I only want players who are committed to the cause. Players who are not know where the door is.

“I would rather bring in kids than play players who are just hanging about and don’t really want to be here.”

Speculation persists over the future of Michael Moore who has missed the last three games and hasn’t scored since August 25.

The striker did some running on his own at training on Monday but it is unclear if he will be involved in Saturday’s weather threatened visit of Airdrie United.

Reid would only say: “There are issues to be sorted and I’m trying to do that. Time will tell.”

Alex Williams returns from suspension but Gareth Wardlaw has still another game of his two match ban to serve.

On loan Ryan Baldacchino, who missed the 3-0 defeat by Raith with a calf strain, is also poised to make his comeback.

But ankle victim David Hamilton has been joined on the sidelines by Martyn Campbell who broke down with a recurring calf injury just eight minutes into only his second comeback game in nine months.

Man of many clubs Colin Marshall, who came off the bench on Saturday, can make a third appearance as a trialist before the club has to make a decision on him.

Reid said: “He’s a confident boy who wants to get on the ball and I don’t think he gave it away once. He certainly didn’t do himself any harm.”

Also on the bench against Raith was 37-year-old assistant boss Scott MacKenzie and Reid says he would have no fears to play him in an emergency.

Reid said: “Scott is a very decent midfielder who can still play and wouldn’t look out of place. He is very experienced and joins in the training games and could play as a last resort.”

Ayr’s alarming slump of only one win in 11 games has left them tottering only two points above the relegation trapdoor.

But Reid vows to turn it around once he gets his own men in place.

He said: “I am on the phone constantly trying to bring in players and the Board are giving me a free rein to get in as many as I need. I will bring in players who are hungry for success. At the moment, it’s a transitional period but we’ll come out the other end.

“I have big plans to improve us and I am very confident that will happen.”

Ayr are also in action on Boxing Day when they play Queen’s Park at Hampden.

Honest Men Trust bus leaves the Auld Hoose at 1pm. Seats from 07748 797754.