With half the season gone I thought it would be a good time to update everybody on how things are progressing at the club.
On the playing side I am sure you can all see tangible signs of improvement, however, a cursory glance at the league table shows that we need to start turning these performances into wins and points on the board. As I have said before, the squad is currently imbalanced and I know Jack and James have been spending hours watching potential January recruits over the last month with a view to addressing that as soon as possible once the transfer window opens.
I think we are all aware what we need and rest assured we will do our utmost to bring in the players we need to help improve the team.
The biggest positive for me in the first half of the season has been the emergence of the group of Academy graduates who have blossomed into first team regulars in recent weeks. These young kids have been encouraged to go out and play attractive football and it's made a huge difference to the overall performance of the team. The style of football we are playing just now excites me and I now look forward to every game knowing we can compete with anyone in the division as was borne out by our display away from home against the league leaders on Christmas Eve.
The value of the Academy can never be under-estimated and the stature, confidence and skill of these players is a glowing testament to the work being done day in day out at Ralston by Allan McManus and his team.
The last half dozen or so games have had us all on the edge of our seats. It remains my belief that attractive, exciting football is what will get people coming back to football and through the turnstiles on a match day. This is how we want to develop this club going forward, with this ethos built in to every single side right throughout the Academy and into the first team. I think we now have the staff in place to achieve that goal and I am excited about the future ahead.
As a relatively new board we are trying our best to foster positive thinking around the whole football club. Negativity is self-destructive and whilst we won't get every decision right for everybody remember that we are all supporters too. We all want the best for the club and every decision we make is made with a view to making things better going forward.
The task of turning around our fortunes on the field is the primary focus right now, but rest assured we are working away on our overall longer term strategy of improving each and every aspect of the club's operations with a view to increasing our turnover, improving the match day experience for our supporters, enhancing the club's infrastructure and working within the local community to further cement the strong links we have to Paisley and the surrounding areas.
I have been greatly encouraged by the conversations I have had with supporters I've met at matches in and around the town in recent weeks, all of whom have been greatly supportive of what we are trying to achieve. Most understand that we cannot turn everything around overnight.
The repair work on the Academy buildings is well underway and I can now sleep easy at night knowing that we are not going to lose our first team down a hole in the canteen floor. You may think that is an exaggeration but believe me, it's not!
Due to financial restrictions and the fact that we still need to be able to use the facilities on a daily basis the work required will be carried out in phases over the next few years. Both Jack and I are comfortable with this and it will allow us to tweak the layout slightly as well to create a new room for match analysis.
I would also like to thank all of you who contribute towards SMiSA. It is amazing the difference it can make and the extra £2 a month you contribute has already allowed us to complete the raised platform for disabled supporters and now give Jack extra funds to bring another player in for the rest of the season. This additional funding is greatly appreciated.
Finally, it would be remiss of me not to mention once again the support we are receiving from the stands both home and away. It seems to be getting busier and noisier every week and I have no doubt you will rise to the occasion this week once again. The players all appreciate the positive support and believe me it really does help. Stick with us, be positive and encouraging at all times and hopefully 2017 will be a more memorable year for us all.
Wishing you and your families a very happy New Year when it comes and all the best for 2017. COYS!
