Angry Black gets tough with flops

Oct 1 2008 by Colin Paterson, Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser

KENNY BLACK yesterday told his stuttering stars they are living on borrowed time.

The Airdrie United boss insists he is ready to wield the axe if performances don’t improve quickly.

Defeats to Clyde and Ross County either side of the club’s Co-operative Insurance Cup loss at Dundee United have left Black disappointed.

He told the Advertiser he won’t hesitate in making changes for this Saturday’s tough First Division trip to rejuvenated St Johnstone.

But the manager warned the players sitting on the sidelines they have do more to justify a place in the starting line-up.

“I am open-minded about team selection for this weekend,” Black said. “There’s no point having a squad if I am not going to utilise it.

“It is only fair to the lads who are patiently waiting for their chance that I try to accommodate them but I will have a look at things this week in training.

“The players in reserve haven’t done enough so far to get in the team but it is up to them now.

“They are sitting watching some of these performances so I have thrown down the gauntlet.”

He added: “After a bright opening, we are now in a situation where we aren’t doing so well which is obviously a concern.

“Some of the performances earlier in the season weren’t good but we were fortunate to pick up results.

“But now those performances are coming back to haunt us.

“We have experienced the highs of this division and now things aren’t so good.

“The players do know that this division is going to be cut-throat. They have to take an overall responsibility individually and hopefully that will be reflected collectively.

“St Johnstone are beginning to show the type of form that had people tipping them to do well this season so it will be a difficult game.”

TEAM NEWS: Flu victim Matt Hazley, who also has a back injury, and Simon Lynch (knee) are big doubts for the trip to McDiarmid Park.

l FORMER Celtic keeper Stewart Kerr has been appointed to the Diamonds’ backroom team on a full-time basis.

l THIS week’s Airdrie United lottery numbers are as follows: £800 draw - 14, 17 and 18. £300 draw - 5, 6 and 11.