Marvin Bartley got exactly what he wanted from his Queen of the South side in their 3-2 win over Airdrie.
The manager called on his team to stop relying so much on Ruari Paton for goals and he got three different scorers in Saturday’s win at Palmerston.
Euan East, Lewis Gibson and Kieran McKechnie were all on the scoresheet as Queens moved to within seven points of the play-off places.
Marvin joked: “I hope they’ve not all wasted their goalscoring abilities!
“We’ve been speaking about it, we’ve had some frank meetings about it, the boys have worked hard on their finishing in training. We’ve worked on our wingers getting in at the back post so I was delighted for Lewis Gibson to get his goal through that happening.
“We’ve also spoken about second balls and Kieran hits a fantastic shot to score.”
The manager also praised the supporting cast in Saturday’s win as he directed the squad to their third win in five games.
He said: “I thought Euan East was fantastic today and Jack Brydon and him were good together and are forming a really good partnership. Dave McKay came on and he’s not had much first team football for a while and he was in there organising it.
“That’s what I need. Everyone has different roles. We can’t all be the stars of the show. Sometime you need backing dancers and someone has to get killed! We’ve all got a part to play in the journey.
“I was delighted for them and the boys coming off the bench and making us better and shoring us up.”
The match was a tense affair in the second half as Airdrie sought a late equaliser.
In previous games this season Queens may have dropped points but they held on.
Bartley said: “Character is the key word because it’s very difficult playing in those sorts of games when they throw everyone forward and you have to defend and you’re putting your head where the boots are flying.”
So is it easier playing in those games compared to watching from the sidelines?
The manager replied: “Playing definitely. I’d have been holding the ball in the corner and kicking people over if they ran past me. I’m limited on the sidelines. I’m pretty sure the boys want to give me grey hairs!
“We went through the whole rollercoaster today but it’d definitely be easier being out there.”
Overall it was a satisfactory day for the manager.
“I’m a perfectionist and I’m going to take this club where it needs to go. I’m very happy to win games but this is a club that needs to be setting high standards.”
