With Steven Canning out because of a hamstring injury, and Damiano Agostini doubtful after picking up a knee problem, Queen's don't enter this match in the best of shapes. However, James Allan is fit again, and his return should boost the goal threat from Queen's, both in terms of creating and finishing ( he has scored twice this season ). Allan is likely to replace Canning down the left. Darren Magee is back training: so far, he has not featured competitively for the club.
Albion Rovers proved impossible for Queen's to beat last season, with the most depressing result for us being a 3-0 mauling at Hampden on 9 March- that just 4 days after a 2-0 loss on a barely playable Cliftonhill pitch. Losing twice in that space of time to Rovers was almost intolerable, especially after being a bit unfortunate to lose both of the earlier season games 2-1. Rovers are, however, a good side, who have settled well under new boss Peter Hetherston and have picked up 13 points so far- just 2 behind leaders East Fife. A win is a must for Queen's, against a team who are considered local rivals by the support, who will undoubtedly be up for the game. The players will also have to be, and from the off: regularly conceding early goals must become a thing of the past for the Hampden side.
Queen's last win over Rovers came during the promotion run-in of 2000, on 18 March in Coatbridge. A large travelling support was present in the crowd of 531 and they saw Queen's win 3-0 thanks to two from Jim Brown and one from Mark Gallagher. Last win at Hampden came on 18 September 1999: 2-0. Jim Brown was on the scoresheet for the first time during his best ever season, and Frankie Carroll also netted. Speaking of Frankie, it's a shame that his footballing career appears to have gone down the tubes, as he certainly possessed talent.
The first ever meeting of Queen's Park and Albion Rovers took place on 15 November 1919 in a top-flight match in Coatbridge ( but at Rovers' former ground ). The Lanarkshire men claimed the honours, 2-0.
25 Sep Dundee United 4 Queen's Park 1- not disgraced
A 4-1 defeat, and the third loss in a row, but Queen's can be reasonably happy with a spirited display at Tannadice. Steven Canning's goal shortly before half-time gave the Spiders hope, but United killed the contest with two strikes midway through the second half. The defending at times was suspect, with Queen's being exposed for pace at times, but against a top-flight team that is expected and, in the main, accepted. Players like Danny Ferry, Willie Martin, Steven Fallon and Steven Moffat battled away for the Queen's cause, while Steven Canning showed that he has the ability- neat touches, good shooting- to cause most defences problems. But this game was never going to be more than an aside to the real show- the Third Division. Three points against Albion Rovers on Saturday at Hampden are a necessity.
Match report from Tannadice .
23 Sep Dundee United v. Queen's Park- another cup special from the Spiders?
So far this season, Queen's Park have reserved their best form for the cup competitions, having already reached the semi-finals of the Bell's Cup, having beaten two Second Division sides away from home to get there. It would be fantastic if they could repeat that form against United at Tannadice tomorrow in the League Cup, but it would seem unlikely. To reach this stage, Queen's beat East Stirling 1-0 at Hampden in the First Round, Willie Martin scoring a last minute winner.
For the big game, James Allan will struggle to be fit, while Steven Moffat is also a serious doubt. Both have been key players so far this season, and Queen's look noticeably weaker without them. United may well decide to field several younger players, but it shouldn't make that much difference: these players will be hungry to make their mark, even against a Third Division team.
United have twice won this competition, in 1979/80 ( 3-0 against Aberdeen, after a 0-0 draw ) and 1980/81 ( 3-0 against Dundee ). Both finals were played at Dens Park. In the first of their successful campaigns, United beat Queen's on the road, in the third round. The first leg on 26 September 1979 was watched by 939 at Hampden, with United winning 3-0. The second leg was a mere formality, with the home side winning 2-1 before a 4,000 crowd. This match was on 10th October.
Apart from the above tie, Queen's Park have only met Dundee United on one other occasion in the League Cup. It came in a sectional decider at Hampden on 29 August 1959. Queen's had won their first 3 games and were on the verge of a first ever quarter-final place, but United won easily, 4-0, to qualify at Queen's expense.
21 Sep Peterhead 3 Queen's Park 0
Another defeat, another failure to register a goal. It's now just 2 goals in 7 matches in the league for Queen's this season; an appalling statistic. Indeed, it's our worst start to a league campaign ever in terms of goalscoring. Peterhead were never in serious danger in this game after Iain Stewart opened the scoring in 3 minutes, following Queen's failure to stop Johnston from setting him up. The same player scored two in the final 10 minutes to seal Queen's fate. Twice the main goal threat from the home side was given far too much room and he finished clinically. The defending was sloppy from QP, and that's a major worry, as our defence has been our main asset in recent seasons. Stewart Jack had a goal disallowed, seemingly wrongly, for offside late on. Without Moffat, the defence lacked a leader, and if he's not back soon then our problems could multiply. The tactics at the back were changed as a result, with Sinclair and White joining Damiano Agostini in a back three, but it was not a success. Queen's lacked any great spark, with Canning only coming off the bench, instead of starting, as surely he would, ideally, have done. McCormack went with a largely defensive eleven, with Fallon and Gallagher asked to provide much of the wing play, and both are defenders. Of course, with James Allan and Chris Fisher out, Cowboy's options in these areas were not plentiful.They did not create much at all, and another season of bottom of the table gloom could well be upon us. Action must be taken soon, or we must get a break, if things are to improve. Certainly, things were worrying enough before injuries to key players mounted up, much as they did last season.Tuesday's game at Tannadice represents no more than a night out for the fans and the chance for the players to experience a game against SPL opposition. The league matters so much more, yet Queen's haven't shown that at all so far. Click here for line-ups.