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<title>
Chris Jardine
 - 
BBC Sport blog editor
</title>
<link>https://nontonwae.pages.dev/blogs/chrisjardine/</link>
<description>Hi there, I&apos;m Chris Jardine, midfielder with Scottish Third Division side Annan Athletic. I hope, throughout the season, I can give you a good insight into life at the newest Scottish League club and maybe even a few laughs along the way.
Here are some tips on taking part and our house rules.</description>
<language>en</language>
<copyright>Copyright 2011</copyright>
<lastBuildDate>Wed, 21 Apr 2010 14:53:58 +0000</lastBuildDate>
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	<title>Another season beckons with Annan</title>
	<description><![CDATA[<p>Well, the call finally came for yours truly to follow the manager in to his office for a word after our weekend win over Stranraer.  </p>

<p>After <a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/scot_div_1/8624023.stm">nearly throwing away a three goal lead to Stranraer</a> I was a bit apprehensive about what to expect but thankfully it went the way I wanted and it looks like I will be spending another year with Annan Athletic.</p>

<p>Although nothing has been signed and finances haven't been mentioned the manager wants me to stay and it's where I want to be so that's good enough for me.</p>]]><![CDATA[<p><span class="mt-enclosure mt-enclosure-image" style="display: inline;"><img alt="harry_cairney_595.jpg" src="https://nontonwae.pages.dev/blogs/chrisjardine/harry_cairney_595.jpg" width="595" height="335" class="mt-image-none" style="" /></span>Personally, this season has gone well for me in terms of starting games and I've been fairly pleased with my performances in the majority of those matches.  </p>

<p>When speaking with the manager on Saturday we spoke about the differences in my performances between last season and this one and we agreed that I have adapted my game to put myself in with a shout of playing every week.  </p>

<p>While others may disagree, I think I'm not too bad a footballer; by that I mean I can control and pass a ball, but there are other aspects I've had to work harder on to be able to compete regularly with other players in this division. </p>

<p>But let's not fool ourselves and say that our league is the prettiest to watch.  </p>

<p>You have to work hard, make tackles and do the dirty stuff before you can get the ball down and play in most games.  </p>

<p>I've hopefully shown the manager I can do that side of things and this has gone a long way in getting me back in front of the other good players we've got at the club.  </p>

<p>I know how quickly things can change and I'm not taking anything at all for granted.</p>

<p>A few of us travelled to Stirling University on Tuesday night where we beat East Stirlingshire in a reserve game that means we have just about won our section. </p>

<p>We've possibly got the smallest squad in our division and it's a testament to everyone that's come in and played that we've done so well in the reserves this year.  </p>

<p>I'm not sure how many teams take it seriously but in the early part of the season it was great for me and it's important for those that aren't involved in the first team to get some game time and hopefully impress the manager.  </p>

<p>We've had a few trialists coming in at various parts of the season and more recently some of the under-19 squad have been involved so the results have shown that everyone has come in and played their part.</p>

<p>They were needed on Tuesday night too, as there were only seven of us that travelled from the squad on Saturday - and only two of those boys had told the manager they were unavailable, so I'm looking forward to hearing the excuses at training on Thursday night.</p>

<p>I'll allow big Kevin Neilson the night off as he has apparently fractured his cheekbone in a work accident, but Derek Townsley is certainly in for some stick.  </p>

<p>Degsy couldn't find his boots after the game on Saturday and we all received a text from Harry asking us to check our bags.  </p>

<p>Well the big man turned up to Galabank for the game on Tuesday night, had another look for his boots, couldn't find them so he went home.</p>

<p>I quickly checked the results from our league after the game and they couldn't have gone any better for us, if we're to finish higher than last season. </p>

<p>Although we might need a result here and there to go for us we can still manage fifth position which would be a fantastic achievement after the ups and downs of the season.</p>

<p>The victories for Queens Park and Forfar meant we stay ahead of Stranraer and remain only three points behind Albion Rovers.  </p>

<p>When it gets to this stage of the season you hope that other teams are looking forward to their holidays and after our poor finish last season we're determined to finish strongly this time round, so we're still hopeful of climbing further up the table.</p>

<p>I see it finishing as it currently stands in the play-off positions and I would just about say that's a fair reflection on the season so far.  </p>

<p>Even though we defeated Queens Park in our first game of the season this year, some of the football they played was great to watch (I was on the bench at that time) and I felt they would be a force to be reckoned with.  </p>

<p>That being said I'll disappoint their fans once more by saying that I hope they're still in the third division next season so I can enjoy my trips to Hampden another couple of times.</p>

<p>I hope the fans know it's nothing personal, but I enjoy playing against them, and, let's face it - who doesn't enjoy playing at the National Stadium?</p>

<p>They always look like they enjoy themselves down at Galabank anyway.</p>]]></description>
         <dc:creator>BBC Sport blog editor 
BBC Sport blog editor
</dc:creator>
	<link>https://nontonwae.pages.dev/blogs/chrisjardine/2010/04/well_the_call_finally_came.html</link>
	<guid>https://nontonwae.pages.dev/blogs/chrisjardine/2010/04/well_the_call_finally_came.html</guid>
	<category>Football</category>
	<pubDate>Wed, 21 Apr 2010 14:53:58 +0000</pubDate>
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