Queen's Park's focus on developing young talent remains the cornerstone of their project despite a 2-0 home defeat to Ayr United last Friday. The result leaves the Spiders ninth in the Scottish Championship standings with four points from seven games, having lost their last two matches. The team has a goal difference of minus eight, having scored only three times while conceding eleven.
Scott Martin opened the scoring for the visitors after 35 minutes, with Jamie Landers adding a second just after the hour mark. The loss at Lesser Hampden means Queen's Park's recent form reads two losses, a win, a draw, and another loss. Manager Sean Crighton, however, is unwavering in his belief that the club's long-term strategy is the correct one. "One thing we've got here is a great training centre," Crighton said.
Building a young squad
Crighton continues to build his team around emerging players, a policy that continues even after the closure of the club's formal academy program. The aim is clear: to help players progress to higher levels of senior football. This season, young Ross McLean has been described as a 'manager's dream' for his adaptability, while Tyrece McDonnell made 26 appearances last term. The integration of co-operation loan players from Rangers, like Aiden McCallion and Lewis Stewart, has also been a positive step.
Midfielder Scott Martin praised the impact these young additions have made, noting the significant step up in physicality and pace from youth football to the Championship. The squad is admittedly 'youngish', but the belief within the camp is growing. A goalless draw away to Partick Thistle in late August served as a turning point, proving to the group they can compete at this level.
The development pipeline
The club's leadership prioritises player advancement, and several prospects have recently moved on to top-flight clubs. Josh Fowler joined St Johnstone, Seb Drozd moved to Partick Thistle, and Henry Fieldson signed for St Mirren. These departures validate the development model, even as the first team seeks greater consistency on the pitch. Queen's Park have scored just three league goals this season while conceding eleven, a record they will need to improve quickly. The immediate challenge is to turn around a form that has seen them accumulate just 4 points from a possible 21, with a goal difference of minus eight.
Their next opportunity comes with a trip to face Arbroath on 25 September, a key fixtures in their schedule. Ayr United manager Gary Naysmith had urged his side to "do everything we can" to secure their first league win since the opening day, and they delivered at Lesser Hampden. For Queen's Park, the immediate task is to halt their slide and turn promising performances into points, starting with that match against Arbroath.
First reported at suaragarut.id
