Queens boss welcomes pressure

Oct 10 2008 by Craig Robertson, Dumfries Standard Friday

QUEENS gaffer Gordon Chisholm admits his side is under huge pressure perched at the top of the First Division.

“It’s a different kind of pressure at the top, but I’ll embrace pressure like that,” he said.

“When you are leading from the front, every game is a big game and the players want to be involved in big games.

“So there is pressure to have sucess, it’s nothing like the pressure you feel when you are fighting against relegation.

“Every team will be trying to knock us off the top now, we are a scalp and every team will raise their game against us.

“Can we handle it?

“We are not going to make any bold statements, there is still a long way to go but when you are top after nine games, you are there on merit.

“So if we can keep the squad together and avoid injuries and suspensions then I think we can.”

Queens soared to the top in spectacular style in a 6-1 rout of Livingston in Saturday’s top of the table clash.

It was one of the best games of football seen at Palmerston in a while.

Chisholm has had a few days to reflect on the result and says everyone in the squad and at the club has been lifted by it.

They played Annan in a friendly match last night and it will now be a case of getting minds focused on the next league game at Airdrie a week tomorrow when the players return to training on Monday.

Chisholm is full of praise for his Queens men but had special thanks for the fans.

He said: “I was really looking forward to that game against Livingston and I know the players were as well.

“The one big plus for us on Saturday was the support and considering what a horrible day it was for a top of the table clash, they turned out for us. They were so vocal throughout the game.

“We are building on what we achieved last year and they have been right behind us every step of the way

“And that’s important because if we are going to do anything, we have got to pull together in the same direction.

“These guys support our team not only when we are winning 6-1 but even when we went up to play the like of Ross County there was a strong support there.

“That deserves a wee special mention.

“The big crowds please the chairman in terms of the finances which allows me to strengthen the side.

“So I would like to say thank you from me and the players for that.”