Voice of Reason
Shooting from the lip
Wake Up Call
If David Hopkin needed any reminding about the size of task facing him at Ayr, Saturday brought that into sharp focus.
Some games can appear all too easy on paper.
And a home cup tie against a lower league side out on their feet was guilty of falling into that bracket.
But this season’s Ayr United have not earned the right to simply turn up and beat anyone.
Hence the need for Hopkin’s arrival in the first place.
And after the initial spur of positivity following his appointment, the new boss is learning some home truths about what is and is not at his disposal.
Let’s be clear, the end of this season cannot come quickly enough.
For so many reasons, it has been a nightmare to deal with.
And if Hopkin can nudge his squad over the line in time for a summer regroup, it is a case of job done.
None of this has to be pretty, it simply has to be effective.
Which leads on to the argument about style.
One charge laid against the‘new’Ayr is a so-called direct approach.
But Hopkin, who regularly screams at his players to“play”and“relax”when on the ball in midfield, is far from someone who wants the ball punted all day everyday.
What he does want is functional football.
And on the whole, Ayr have come on leaps and bounds in that regard since he walked through the door.
But players have to stand up and take some responsibility here.
Ayr face a massive few weeks in this club’s history.
The importance of which cannot be underestimated.
So much rides on the ability to remain in the Championship and build a new future under Hopkin.
Pivotal to the off field ambitions is success at this level.
So while we’re like most others in just wanting to write this season off, we cannot be in any doubt about how important these next few weeks are.
The trip to Arbroath on the 17th already looms large but Hopkin and his players have a chance to put themselves in a solid position before that journey.
The manager has demanded a response this week and I’m quite sure we’ll see it.
Points are a must from this week’s home double header and, just as important, players need to be putting their bodies on the line.
The cause demands it.