Strachan not letting up on his strikers to perform.

Having given Kevin Davies a public kick up the footy shorts to score some goals, Gordon Strachan put his powers of psychology (learned under Mr. Ferguson, no doubt) in Marians Pahars direction. "I am not going to allow Marian to relax which he has a tendency to do," Strachan said, shaking up Marians who was undoubtedly planning his summer hols and having a quick fag after training. "Marian has terrific talent," continued Gordon, "but he must learn to push himself more for his own benefit and that of the team. He has got the potential to get a lot better and I don't think he should be prepared to coast."

"My job is always to ask for more and it is his job to provide it. He must show us what he is capable of more often.
"That may sound like a criticism but overall I would have to say he has done very well this season."

As much as I hate any criticism levelled at my favourite Latvian, I've a feeling that Gordy's probably right. Marians has gone into big slumps before (although still looking like one of our best players) especially when he was playing out on the wing for Dave Jones. H's a class player and should be able to become a great attacking force for the club. A lot depends on his teammates supporting him from the centre of midfield though, and a few decent balls in from the flanks wouldn't hurt either.