Jim Chapman's view: Dumbarton FC v Annan Athletic and Albion Rovers games

Mar 27 2009 by Andy Galloway, Lennox Herald (main ed)

THERE is not a lot you can say about the Annan game. It is clear that there is a lack of belief about the players as they are a shadow of what they are capable of being.

Nobody else will feel sorry for them, as was explained again when we had a good chat after the game.

We have set ourselves such high standards that people will think the world is over, but we have to bounce back and there is a lot of football to be played.

We have dropped below the standards we have set and the players have to be admired for their honesty as they admitted to it after the game.

We have to look after ourselves and I'm actually frightened of the Jekyll and Hyde performances we are producing.

If we keep working hard we will get what we deserve.

We have a bounce game coming up during the spell out of action and that will allow players short of fitness to improve their condition.

Very disappointingly, we also got the basics wrong against Albion Rovers and the players have been left in no doubt that was unacceptable.

You earn the right to play football. We have tried to look after one or two players who are carrying knocks and are trying to get back to fitness.

Because of the heavy programme, we are having to give them competitive matches as you don't have time to wait for anybody.

We can't help but be frustrated because the players are capable of much more and they know that.

We don't put any player on the pitch who we don't think will do a job.

They have to realise that they must show urgency and fight before anything else, as their ability will always shine through after that.