As 2009 came to a close we were on a dismal run of eight games without a win that included five consecutive defeats. We had started to slip down the table and there was talk of an impending relegation struggle in the stands. The change of management has delivered four wins and a draw in the league and we are now secure in fifth spot. The cup defeat in Inverness was the only blot in glorious January.
The wall stood firm
What magic formula did Craig and Archie use to work this transformation? The visible changes are obvious. They restored Craigan and Lasley to the team, ensured that Reynolds was not played out of position and settled on Sutton, Jutkiewicz and O'Brien to lead the attack. The style of football is more direct, more of a blend of passing and punting that would have been tolerated under Jim Gannon's leadership.
Although these changes were important the crucial difference remains unseen. We now have a happy workforce turning earning a living at Fir Park. Word from inside the club suggests that the atmosphere under the Phil O'Donnell stand has improved dramatically thanks to the influence of Brown and Knox. The productivity of any workforce rises if the employees are valued and there's no reason to suggest that football players are exempt from that rule.