Lets begin with a look at the team

By Chris MacMillan
December 8 2004

By Chris MacMillan Date: 12/12/2001 Over the next few weeks Gordon and myself are going to be putting together a profile of the players involved with Airdrie Football Club

Team Photo   So to begin with here is a little review of the situation at Airdrie this season. I have taken the decision not to compare this seasons results with any others because there's no point looking back. Also all these stats and figures relate only to the league and does not include cup competitions Firstly the good news is we are sitting at the top of the league on 39 points five clear of Partick Thistle. We have scored 38 goals and let in only the paltry sum of 14. Closest in the goal scoring league is believe it or not is Inverness Caley Thistle who has scored 37 and fortunately for us have let in 32 showing that the big difference this season has been our absolutely fantastic defence. On the goals scored side of the equation Owen Coyle as we all know is top of the pile in both league and team having scored 14. Second in line comes the man who's biggest test may be just around the corner, with a game against his home team Kilmarnock, Mark Roberts has a healthy 8 goals. Third is Stewart Taylor on 4 goals, using his head seems to be a big part of his game but he has also scored some spectacular goals from just outside the penalty box. Our form has been some-what sporadic with a tendency for winning games, slipping in a few draws here and there. It has been a total surprise that only 1 loss has slipped it's way into the Airdrie equation. At home we have won 5 drew 3 and had our only loss. Away we've won 6 drew 3 and lost absolutely none. As stated in today's Advertiser no team has lost the league after reaching the half way mark on 39 points. We can only hope we will not be the first. Now to the bad points about AFC, our players have received a total of no red cards this season, does this sound like Airdrie? We have on the other hand received 27 yellow cards. Leading the way, with an eventual match ban as the prize, is Stewart Taylor he has 7, tying for second are Neil McFarlane and Craig McPherson with 4 each. The only other negative is the home attendances and the atmosphere at home; with an average gate of around 1400 it is somewhat below par for the team who is sitting op of the league. We all know the reasons for this and until the CVA is complete and we know where the future of the club lies many will not be returning. Let's hope the team keep up the great job there doing and watch out for the player reviews that will be appearing every Wednesday.