Managers View - Airdrieonians 4:3 Stenhousemuir
6th August 2013
Jimmy Boyle believes Airdrieonians' response to going down to 10 men helped them reach the second round of the League Cup.
The Diamonds beat Stenhousemuir 4-3 at New Broomfield on Saturday – coming back from two goals down during a thrilling contest.
There was drama just before half-time with Airdrie's Chris O'Neil and Warriors defender Eddie Malone red-carded by referee Andrew Dallas for an off-the-ball clash.
But Boyle felt his team adjusted better to the decision.
He said: "We got it together and maybe the double sending-off has shaken things up a bit for us. We started to win more balls in the middle of the park and push forward.
"We created a lot more chances and to come in at the interval 3-2 up was fantastic. The second half was a bit scrappy and neither team passed the ball well at all.
"I thought we coped better with the red card. We wanted to be positive so played with three at the back while they stuck with a four.
"We wanted to keep the two players up and I think that, in the 15-minute spell before half-time, things really worked for us.
"We believe we have players who are both mentally and physically strong; they impose themselves on games. We have brought in strong characters and have some good experience."
Boyle feels his strike pairing of Jim Lister and Lewis Coult – together with the contribution of midfielder David Sinclair – is making a huge difference.
He added: "Jim and Lewis give our midfielders a chance to work off the mistakes they are forcing the defenders into making. We're trying to capitalise on that.
"And David will score plenty of goals; I expect him to get into double figures. I have no doubts about that. He is a good footballer."