Ayr United manager expects players to step up

Sep 25 2009 by Mike Wilson

PROVE YOU’RE GOOD ENOUGH

AYR boss Brian Reid has warned his struggling squad not to become detached at the foot of the league and blow the big chance they sweated for.

And he says changes will have to be made if the team keep shooting themselves in the foot.

Reid, who dismissed as speculation reports linking him with the vacant Morton manager’s job, is desperate to add new faces to bolster his wafer thin squad. But loan moves for two SPL players are still hanging in the balance.

Ayr, who entertain unbeaten Raith on Saturday, are second bottom, only heading Morton on goal difference.

Reid said: “I am not happy at where we find ourselves at the moment. I’ve a squad of 18 so there aren’t many options and the players need to step up to the plate.

“In an ideal world, I would like to bring in two or three players to even January to make us better and then I could mix the pack up.

“I don’t want us to become stranded. I know what I need but I don’t have a pot of gold. Maybe we could have a whip round to help me get the players I need.

“The players have to prove they are good enough to stay in the First Division. They worked very hard to get the chance so I don’t want them to throw it away.

“We need to defend better right through the team but if we keep making mistakes, then changes will have to be made.”

Reid was frustrated that he had to change his defence for the 2-1 defeat at leaders Ross County when Martyn Campbell called off through illness. Campbell was still under the weather and didn’t train on Monday but hopes to be OK for Saturday.

Reid said: “I am a great believer in having a settled back four but unfortunately, I have had to change it every week.”

Neil McGowan, who was sent off at Dingwall, is now banned for Saturday. Andy Aitken, who hasn’t played since the 2-0 defeat at Queen of the South on August 29, is still rated only 50:50.

Skipper Chris Aitken, who started on the bench against Ross County, made a big impact when he came on as a second-half sub. Reid hopes that, having taken him out of the firing line last weekend, Aitken will come back re-charged.

Raith, who pipped Ayr for the Second Division title, have been surprise packets this season and dangerman Gregory Tade scored a double as they crushed Morton 3-0. Good news for Ayr is that on-loan Argentinian striker Damian Casalinuovo has been recalled by Dundee United.

Ayr warmed up by playing Rangers under 21s in a bounce game at Murray Park on Monday. United, who included a couple of Academy youngsters, lost 3-0 but Reid hailed it a good test.

Meanwhile, the Somerset gaffer is playing down talk linking him with a return to Cappielow where he is held in high regard after two stints as a player.

Reid, who was sold by Morton to Rangers for £350,000, said: “It’s all speculation. My only concern is Ayr and I have no plans to go anywhere. As an ex-player, I will always be linked.

“I was a player there when chairman Dougie Rae was a director but I’m happy where I am.”