Jags boss Ritchie reasonably happy at midway point
Jags boss Brian Ritchie has said he can see his side progressing week by week – and the comment has not gone unnoticed by other managers.
The Strathspey Thistle boss was commenting as the Highland League reached the midway point.
Not for the first time the Jags were left with a blank weekend. Cold weather meant that the Seafield pitch was frozen, leaving the side unable to turn out.
Ritchie said the most pleasing factor this season had been the club achieving their first away win ever in the Highland League at Turriff in August, and hearing from other managers that his side was improving.
He remarked: "When someone of Steve Paterson’s stature in football tells you he sees improvement you know you are going in the right direction."
Ritchie added: "I feel we are continuing to make progress. The lads are buying into the plan we have to play with.
"We need structure and to frustrate teams rather than chasing the ball all over the park.
"Our game at the moment is all about counter attack – we are not in a position to take the game to teams yet.
"Being in our current position it is hard to attract players with more experience to come on board.
"Unfortunately one or two members of our squad have again let us down by signing contracts at the start of the season and then deciding to pack it in without even talking to me.
"These players are going to look back in the years ahead and regret it, but at the moment they have let me, their teammates and most importantly themselves, down.
"Still we move forward as the work done behind the scenes in building a great wee ground is a great compliment to our sponsors, committee and supporters.
"We are very close to having all the required facilities in place for our SFA licence application.
"Hopefully on achieving this we’ll take the next step in trying to attract two or three players who will help improve the current squad we have."
However, the Jags boss said he had been frustrated by not being able to field the same team from one game to the next.
He said he was constantly having to change selection due to work commitments and injury.
"I realise every team is in the same boat, but because we have such a small squad it becomes a real problem."
The Strathspey Thistle away game to Fort William scheduled to be played this Saturday (January 19) will kick off at 2pm because of the damage to the floodlights at Claggan Park.