Frozen out

Chris Hanlon • Published 1 Feb 2010 14:00 0 Comments

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TOUGH LUCK: The pitch was deemed too hard to play on by the referee.

Cappielow succumbed to the unexpectedly low temperatures overnight on Friday, leading the referee to call the game against Airdrie United off after inspecting the pitch at around 11am on Saturday.

The covers were on the pitch overnight and Ton midfielder Erik Paartalu declared it "hard to believe" that the game was called off.

The Australian native says he woke on Saturday and despite seeing some frost fully expected the game to go ahead.

Paartalu said: "I woke up, saw some frost and thought 'Oh no, the game could be struggling here,' but when I saw the sun I thought it would definitely go ahead.

"We didn't find out until after 11am on Saturday, I didn't even know there was going to be a pitch inspection.

"All these cancellations stop us from building up momentum when we are starting to play better.

"It would have been a great time to play Airdrie as they had three games in a week. It would have been excellent to play them and get more points on the board."

"I picked up a wee ankle knock before the game against Celtic, which I was gutted to miss.

"But I am coming back to full fitness and was really looking forward to the game. It's very frustrating."

The prospect of a congested fixture list holds no fear for Paartalu.

He said: "We might have to be playing three games in a week later this season ourselves - but I think that could actually work to our advantage.

"If you are on good form and building momentum as a team you want to keep playing.

"All the cancellations this season are breaking our momentum and not letting us put a run together.

"Playing a lot of games in a row is certainly not a bad thing if you are in good form.

"It would seem to make sense to reschedule the game for this Saturday because it's Scottish Cup weekend and both ourselves and Airdrie are out of the cup."

Unless a fixture is rescheduled for Saturday, Ton will go three weeks without a competitive game, the next fixture being away to Queen of the South on Saturday February 13.

Paartalu said: "It's very frustrating for everyone after we have prepared all week - and for the fans too. It's especially annoying for me because I am just getting back to full fitness and really wanted to play.

"But the gaffer is very professional and organised about theses things.

"He will organise bounce games and keep us ticking over with our fitness in training.

"At first as a player it was a nice novelty to have a Saturday off but now it is just annoying because it has happened so many times and we just want to

play.

"Personally, I prefer to play twice a week. When you are playing Saturday and Tuesday your fitness is high and you can get some momentum going.

"No matter what the mangers try, training can get samey sometimes and playing games keeps you motivated and the training fresher.

"With the game being called off at such short notice we couldn't even book any other facilities to train.

"We just have to hope that it clears up a bit and we will get a good training session on Monday."

With the transfer window closing tonight, Paartalu backed Grady's attempts to get another striker in the squad.

He said: "I'm sure the gaffer has been doing some wheeling and dealing behind the scenes but no names have been mentioned in the dressing room - and that's the way it should be. Obviously with Brian Wake going we are down to three strikers now."

"I travel with Petey (Weatherson) and he was saying that he might score two in one game and one the next week but then not score for a few weeks and there needs to be someone else popping up with goals with a bit of consistency.

"Maybe that's what we have lacked a little bit, someone else to score regularly when Petey isn't.

"Iain Russell is coming back to full fitness and I would like to see him get a run of games.

"We played Clyde in a bounce game on Tuesday and he scored a hat-trick, so he definitely has goals in him.

"Maybe it's not that easy for the boss to attract players from higher leagues or other clubs because we are third bottom just now.

"I think in January it's harder to get players in and in the summer we could see a lot more movement.

"The boss is in no rush, he has his own plans and if nothing happens we just hope Petey keeps scoring and the rest of us will have to chip in as well.

"I think we are more solid at the back now. Maybe we haven't kept a lot of clean sheets, but I think we have looked more solid and consistent."

Paartalu also feels his own performances have become more consistent since Grady and McManus came in and gave his confidence a much-needed boost.

"I fell out of favour with the old manger but under James and Allan have been playing more regularly. It's great to know that they have faith in me.

"We usually play a 4-4-2 but my role differs from game to game. I'm more of a defensive midfielder.

"James and Allan have been clear that my role is to keep it simple, get some good tackles in and keep reading the game to stop opponents.

"However, if I'm playing alongside Neil, because he likes to sit, I do have licence to get forward a bit more.

"When I first came to the club I did struggle for consistency, but now I feel I'm not so up and down."

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