Queen's chance to impress

Aug 8 2008 by Iain Pollock, Dumfries Standard Friday

QUEENS’ players have a UEFA Cup incentive to perform against Dunfermline tomorrow.

They will be looking to make an impression on the manager with an eye to Thursday’s home tie with Danish Super League side Nordsjaelland.

The Doonhamers made a disappointing start to the season with a 0-0 draw at home to Airdrie on Saturday.

Assistant boss Kenny Brannigan reckons too many players had an off-day against the defence-minded visitors.

He said: “It was disappointing for the supporters. We go and try our best in preparation. The summer has been good and results have been good.

“But there were so many players off the boil on Saturday, it might be because we changed the shape slightly. So many never played to their true potential.”

That said, Brannigan believes Queens could have won quite comfortably had they taken their chances.

He added: “We could have been two nil up at half-time and we had two good chances to score in the second half.

“They never created anything they just stopped us. We were disappointed ourselves and the players were even more disappointed to be fair.”

They will have the chance to make amends tomorrow and, perhaps, secure a place in the team for the club’s historic first game in European competition.

Captain Jim Thomson, who was sent off against Airdrie, is suspended, which will mean at least one change in personnel. Bob Harris is back in contention after injury, while both Jamie Adams and Neil Scally have returned to training.

There are few, if any, easy games in the Scottish First Division and Brannigan knows they face a tough test away to Dunfermline.

He said: “They have a good squad of players who are capable of competing with the best.

“I’m not sure who’s going to run away with it this season, it’s a really tough league.”

Chisholm was away in Denmark on Wednesday to spy on their UEFA Cup opponents and Brannigan goes out on Sunday to watch them.

The pair will keep their thoughts to themselves until they get together next week to compare notes and plan their strategy for Thursday’s match at Airdrie’s Excelsior Stadium.

The second leg takes place at Nordsjaelland on Tuesday, August 26, not August 28 as originally planned.

The change has led to rescheduling of Queens’ league match with Dundee. It was due to be played on Sunday, August 31, but has now been brought forward to the Saturday.

At least 500 Palmerston fans have snapped up tickets for the Euro adventure.

According to Queens’ spokesman Bill Goldie representatives of the Danish club are delighted with the response.

He said: “They have been very, very pleased with sales to Queens fans, but there’s still about 1,000 tickets available.”

Only about 100 supporters of the Danish club are expected to make the trip over this Thursday.