Gray looks ahead to Roseburn tie

With Fountainbridge FC now over a third of the way through their maiden season in the Edinburgh Sunday Amateur League, head coach John Gray has a better idea his best team and a better knowledge of the players at his disposal. There has been a few changes to the side that was playing when the league campaign kicked off, and some newer players have become vital parts of the side such as Barry O'Donnell in goals and Lee Davidson in defence. When asked about his feelings on his current squad and if there are any players he has down first on the teamsheet Gray replied;
"I still think that the squad as a whole needs strengthening, look at the Stand game a few weeks ago as an example. We had a goalie in midfield and 2 defenders playing as wingers! It only takes 3 or 4 people either working or injured and the squad looks on the thin side. With regards to people being "first names" on the teamsheet, although I am likened to "The Special One" I don't have any "Untouchables" in the team. If ANYONE is not performing or is missing from several training sessions for no reason they will be dropped for the good of the team and morale of their fellow players."

So far this season Keith Alexander has been the main goal threat for The Bridge, chipping in with an impressive 11 goals in 10 competitive matches. But at the weekend David Robertson and Ian Fleming got themselves off the mark for the season - and Gray was asked if it was a relief to get some more players contributing on the goals front other than Keith
"I wouldn't say it was a relief, look at the work that Ian and Dave for example do during a game that isn't attack orientated. Barry has popped in a few goals from midfield and I have every confidence in Mark(Smith) doing the same before the season is over. If we can get 15 goals from the midfielders and say a dozen between Dave and Ian, then we should be okay for the season. As for not relying on Grandad to score, that's his job! It's not like he pops up at the back to make a clearance from a corner is it? That isn't his job, his job in games is to score and to set up his team-mates, and after his performances this season so far he is doing that to perfection. Although I still don't think he has scored a header yet, must be something to do with that flat-cap he wears..."

This weekend The Bridge travel to Roseburn to face Roseburn Athletic who currently sit bottom of the table, so it could be a good chance to get back to back wins for the first time this season. But Fountainbridge will know themselves from some games they have played this season against teams that underestimated them that taking anyone for granted is a danger at this level. So with Fountainbridge going into a game as favourites - probably for the first time - John was asked how he is feeling about the clash in Roseburn on Sunday;
"I really don't believe in the "favourites" tag for any team. Look at Hearts last night, they went into that game as total under-dogs yet ended up winning the game quite comfortably. We didn't really fancy our chances against Longstone earlier in the season but could have racked up 7 ot 8 against them on the night, so I will be looking at it as a good chance for a win, but we will start the game as though it was the recent cup game against Glensburgh for example - concentration is a must, and no stupid goals conceded early on."

It seems the 4-5-1 formation is becoming a trademark of John's management and it has been working very well for him and the team. When asked what he thinks makes this kind of setup work for Fountainbridge and what players fit in to this plan and make it tick so well Gray replied;
"In order to make the 4-5-1 work, you need to have a strong spine down the middle that is settled from week to week. We currently have that in Isaac(Ayiku), Barry(Fearn) and Keith - and then it's a case of picking the players to most suit and compliment these players. Take Chris Blyth or Kofi(Nyadu) at the back, they don't do anything fancy and clear the ball away from danger. In the middle of the park we have the strength and determination of Mark(Smith) & Wearey(Steven Weare) to help out Barry, and then further up field we have the tireless running of both Dave and Ian to help Keith. Ian for example is a reliable performer week in week out, and in the last two games Dave has come on leaps and bounds. We also have several great utility players who can step in and player a number of positions - with Jonny(Mackenzie), Cammo(Cameron Foley), and myself to a certain extent able to play at the back or in midfield. I was speaking to Keith the other day and I've only got right midfield and striker to go before I have played every position for the Bridge!"

And finally with the Fountainbridge squad growing ever bigger with the recent signings of Barry O'Donnell, Lee Davidson and Frenchman Anthony Serrand there is now a Liverpool-esque amount of players at The Bridge. When John was asked if he would ever consider a Rafa Benitez rotation policy week in week to keep things fresh, or if he prefered a more settled team, he replied;
"Not so sure about us having a Liverpool-esque squad, as I said in the first answer we could still do with another winger, an out and out centre forward, a really commanding centre back and maybe another central midfielder. So there is always room for more players, it's up to the players to prove to me in both training and matches that they are worthy or either starts or sub appearances. If they aren't fit enough or simply putting in a poor effort then they won't get stripped on match day - it's as simple as that. There isn't a single player at this club who will hold onto their place in the starting XI because of who they are, if they aren't pulling their weight or if they are taking things for granted then they will not get game time. As for rotation, I think it can be benifical in a longer league, and we could maybe have used it when we played 4 games in 9 days earlier in the season, but I don't see how leaving out players on form can help the club - however no-one is safe from the chop for this Sunday...."

Lets just hope the side that does take to the pitch at Roseburn on Sunday can make it two wins on the trot for the first time for Fountainbridge.