Queens boss says UEFA comeback is not impossible

Aug 22 2008 by John Ballard, Dumfries Standard Friday

DIFFICULT but not impossible is Gordon Chisholm’s verdict on Queens’ chances of pulling off a shock UEFA Cup comeback.

The Doonhamers travel to Denmark for Tuesday’s clash with FC Nordsjaelland trailing 2-1 on aggregate following last week’s defeat at Airdrie.

But the Palmerston boss is still keeping the European dream alive.

“The way I’m looking at things is that it’s half time and we are 2-1 down,” said Chisholm.

“I was disappointed with the way we conceded goals in the first leg but I don’t think this tie is done and dusted yet.

“We are going to go there and give it our best shot and hope we can do enough.”

A goal in the second minute of the first leg gave FC Nordsjaelland a dream start at Airdrie’s Excelsior stadium, but a Sean O’Connor header on 28 minutes brought Queens right back into the tie.

However, the game turned in the Danes’ favour when they regained the lead shortly after O’Connor’s leveller.

Chisholm said: “The conditions were not ideal and it was very disappointing to concede a goal in the second minute.

“My opinion of the game though is that it was one we could have won and I thought we created chances and should have come away with at least a draw, but that didn’t happen and we’ve got to be positive.”

The Doonhamers were supposed to be in league action away at Ross County tomorrow, but the fixture has been moved to Saturday October 25 due to Queens’ European commitments.

Following Sunday’s impressive 2-0 victory over Partick Thistle though Chisholm believes his team are travelling to Denmark in good form.

He said: “It was important for us to win that game at home, but it was a game we could have put to bed a bit earlier with the chances we had.

“Young Cammy Bell was excellent in goal and Stephen Dobbie scored a good goal, so our confidence is high at the moment.

“The only problem is we are conceding too many at the back but the strikers are getting the goals and I’ve got good options up front.

“At the moment I’ve got the problem of who to pick up front because they are all doing well, but that’s the kind of problem I’d like to have right across the park.”