Jags caretaker boss Brian Ritchie left fuming after Forres Mechanics hammering
Listen to Brian Ritchie's thoughts on his first game in charge since his return to the managerial role
Jags caretaker boss Brian Ritchie has laid into his side claiming too many of them strut around the pitching thinking they are Highland League players when they do not measure up.
Thistle had given a good account of themselves in the first half against Forres Mechanics only to sink without a trace after the break conceding six times in an 8-1 defeat.
Goals from Ben Barron and Dale Wood had the Cans 2-0 up inside half an hour before former Mechanics loanee Owen Loveland’s freak goal saw the deficit halved before the break.
But Ritchie, in his first game back in charge at the Grantown club since his appointment on an interim basis, was left hugely frustrated by a completely one-sided second 45.
Barron grabbed his second within 30 seconds of the restart, Shaun Morrison and Lee Fraser hit braces and an own goal rounded off the scoring and another day to forget for the strugglers.
Ritchie was fuming afterwards and described the club as a shambles on the pitch. “We had a competitive first half,” he said after the final whistle, “we got off to a bad start which seems to be the normal with Strathspey – we go to sleep and then it is an uphill battle.
“But the players really worked hard to get back into the game.
"They were told what to expect in the second half and fell totally asleep again and within six or seven minutes the match was gone.
“It is embarrassing for the boys – they can not manage a game. They need to make themselves difficult to get beat and set their stall out so the opposition has to think how to beat them rather than opening doors.
“I have had a right go at them in there. I’d say there are two or three of them who would man up but the rest need to have a right good look in the mirror because they strut about as if they are Highland League players – not in my book I’m afraid.”
Ritchie has made it clear he is not interested in the job long-term and said he would have no problems speaking his mind. The Grantown club has officially started advertising the vacant post this week.
He said the players need to wise up and realise what is involved to compete at this level.
“I demand high, high standards and I will have no qualms about playing boys from our community team who come and support Thistle home and away. I know that they would run through a brick wall for me. Some of the current boys have thrown in the towel a bit too early in the season for poor Charlie (Brown).
“I can see why he got into the situation he found himself. They would throw you under a bus to be honest....
“There needs to be a major discussion. I do not mix my words – I don’t believe in sitting here and just gloss over things. It’s a shambles and needs to be sorted.”
Any interested parties for the Strathspey Thistle hot set can contact club vice chairman Ian Anderson on 07876025538 or by email at strathspeythistlefc@highlandleague.com .
• The Strathy had hope to broadcast the interview with the article but we are currently having technical issues with the audio file.