BRAVE FRONT
Caldwell tries to toe the party line but it’s clear that all is not well amid takeover that’s tearing Partick Thistle apart...
NOT ideal. Those were the two words which were uttered more than once and belied the depth of Gary Caldwell’s concern.
Try as he might to toe the party line, aware as he is that there’s nothing to be gained by letting rip over Partick Thistle’s creeping boardroom crisis, the Firhill manager cannot ignore the blooming obvious.
A few weeks ago, the club had a multi-millionaire benefactor backing them to the hilt, with the promise of a new billionaire owner on the horizon.
Now the Thistle manager can’t even guarantee a team bus for away games, a fact surely not entirely unrelated to Euro-Millions winner Colin Weir refusing to invest one penny more following upheaval at directorial level.
Unless and until the potential takeover by Chien Lee goes through, then, things hardly look bright for a side desperate to return to the top flight.
Caldwell, who must somehow maintain focus for tonight’s visit of Championship title favourites Dundee United, initially said that he and the players had taken the decision not to take a bus to nearby Hamilton for their Betfred Cup clash.
But no explanation was offered for the same arrangements leaving players travelling by car to Alloa’s Indodrill Stadium for last weekend’s league opener.
It’s also understood there will not be a team bus for the trip to Greenock on August 23.
Asked how that would work from now on, Caldwell admitted: ‘I don’t know how many times we’ll not use the team bus.
‘Is it easier if we’ve got a team bus? Yes it is. But in the modern day we probably do too much for players and sometimes they have an easy life when things are put on a plate for them.
‘We want players at this club to make decisions, be responsible and accountable so if they have to drive a car to a stadium, then so be it. They will do it.
‘Ultimately it doesn’t affect the result. The performance last week (a 1-1 draw) wasn’t poor because we didn’t go to the game in a bus. The players know that and are responsible enough to take that on board.
‘And if it is for the foreseeable future, they are more than willing to do it as long as we get success on the pitch.
‘It’s not ideal, obviously, or every club in the country would do it. But if we have to do it, it’s not going to affect the players in as big a negative way as everyone thinks.’
Asked if scrapping bus hire was a decision forced by the need to cut costs, Caldwell said bluntly: ‘I don’t know.’
Always among the best of pros as a player, Caldwell is hardly going to start throwing a tantrum over factors he can’t control.
But neither can he offer castiron assurances to fans worried that the football budget for the season must be affected by Weir withdrawing his support — unless Lee steps in quickly to gain the 52-per-cent holding sought by his takeover vehicle.
Asked if the goalposts had been moved with regard to what he might spend this season, Caldwell added: ‘Not that I’m aware of.’
Alluding to David Beattie replacing Jacqui Low as chairman, the Thistle boss continued: ‘Obviously, the personnel (in the boardroom) has changed since I first came to the club but it has been business as usual for me.
‘My sole aim this week has been to win this next game.
‘I’m lucky to have been involved in board meetings here and the finances of this club — from what I can tell with my limited knowledge of balance sheets and numbers — are very good.
‘But that’s not my side and I can’t concern myself with that. I need to concentrate on making us successful and getting promoted.
‘So, from what I’ve seen, the finances are good but it’s not my responsibility to decide what that is. I just have to use it as best I can.’
Caldwell has not yet spoken to the chairman since this week’s revelations, noting: ‘The chief executive, Gerry Britton, has always been my daily point of contact.
‘We probably call, text and speak face to face with each other more than we do with our wives — there has always been great communication.
‘That (the takeover) doesn’t bother me because it’s only speculation at the moment.
‘If it happens, then I’m sure I’ll be told about it and I’ll deal with it then.’
Caldwell’s focus remains on winning promotion back to the Ladbrokes Premiership.
But, with United spending heavily and a number of other clubs arguably in stronger starting positions, he does need help from on high.
‘I think the current squad is fantastic. I haven’t had a problem with any of them since the first day of pre-season,’ he said.
‘Do we need more competition? Yes, we do. I believe in this group, believe that we can get a result.
‘But a season is a long haul and I would like to add more players. However, if I have to work with the ones here, then I’ll stick by them.
‘I’m confident that the group we have can go and do it. Will they need some help along the way? They possibly would.
‘But I think we have one of the best squads in the league who are capable of achieving what I came here for.
‘I’m not someone who came here to just stay in this league. I came here to win and be successful.
‘Last season obviously came with lots of challenges that I believe we have overcome.
‘Now I’m confident with the group of players we have that we can go on and be successful.’
Caldwell paid his own personal tribute to Weir, saying: ‘He’s been fantastic for this football club.
‘I’ve been to his house four or five times and seen him at the odd game — what he’s done in terms of financial support and what he’s set up is incredible and we’ll be forever indebted to him for that.’