Apparently, Steven Moffat will be missing from the Queen's Park team for a while yet, despite having recovered from his fractured ankle. He sustained a new injury some time last week and that will keep him out for longer than first thought. Willie Martin is still not felt to be fit enough to play, and the injury-prone Craig Taggart will also not be involved against East Fife tomorrow.
27 Feb Queen's Park v. East Fife - league leaders come to town
The next two weeks should certainly liven up the proceedings of the season for all Queen's Park supporters. No, we're not talking about the first two matches of the newly formed official supporters team, but rather the fact that first leaders East Fife, then second placed Morton, visit Hampden. With Queen's having reserved their finest displays this season for matches against the more demanding opposition, we could yet have a big say in the destination of this season's championship trophy. On the final day, Queen's must travel to Bayview, and with an all-ticket sellout crowd likely we're in for another memorable end to the season.
But back to Saturday's game, and Richard Sinclair, having fulfilled his suspension on the steep slopes of the Links Park terracing, could be involved again. However, it's unlikely that he will allowed to replace the rugged, no-nonsense defensive play of Jamie White. Willie Martin has now recovered from his operation to remove his appendix, and can't be far off a return to the team. Steven Moffat and Craig Taggart are also both close to full fitness again. One player who may drop out is David Menelaws, who struggled to cope last week with the pace of the game on his debut. But then, he needs games, so Kenny Brannigan may decide to stick with him. Menelaws, I feel, is one player who will be able to hit a few goals for Queen's Park if given a run in the side.
Another home game after a three week gap will undoubtedly please John Gemmell, who has scored 8 goals in his last 6 matches at Hampden. The youngster has been in confident mood lately, and although he was anonymous last Saturday, he remains our chief goal threat. Two players who have to start giving of more to the team are Danny Ferry and Steven Canning; Danny was sharper last week than in other recent games, however Steven has appeared a little lacklustre since his return from injury. Perhaps a more attacking role would suit him better, with fellow left-sided player David McCallum switching to wing-back? But McCallum has been quietly bedding into the team, and was one of the better Queen's Park players against Montrose. It's obvious that Brannigan intends for him to have a key role in the side, and being his first outfield signing will certainly give him more chances than some others might receive. On the basis of his performances so far, he will have earned them.
Queen's Park's last Hampden victory over East Fife came on 11 April 2000, in what was a key match in the promotion chase for both clubs. This was in the midst of one of the club's most glorious ever months, and we won 1-0, with Paul Walker scoring the goal. The full team was as follows: Inglis, Sinclair, Borland, Caven, Martin, MacFarlane, Connell, Whelan, Gallagher, Carroll, Walker. It's a sign of the never ending fluctuation at Hampden that only two of those players on that occasion are still with the club today, just 30 months later. Damiano Agostini, in fact, was in the East Fife team that night.