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Correct Dave, but looking at the tables there are 4 groups C,D, F and H where potentially the runners up can be better than us both points and goal difference. So we need 3 points on Tuesday to finish as group winners and be assured of progression and seeding in the last 16.

Apparently Ayr lost out on goal difference last year. I think if we got second in the group we would progress but be unseeded

If Morton win the group with 10 points on goal difference, we would need to be one of the 3 best runners up to progress - no?

A draw and a bonus point win would give us 10 points, Morton would have 7, with a game to play so they could get 10 points with a better GD than us and top the group. For us to finish on 10 may not be enough to get one of the 3 runner up spots and if we did we would not be seeded. So for ease of progress this is a must win game for us, 3 points, group winners and seeded in the last 16.

A penalty point would be fine for us as well no? We don't need to win this to progress. We just need a draw and to win the shoot out

I've had time to mull over this game. I reckon Morton will be quite happy to sit in and hit us on the break, after observing how we've struggled to break down League 1 and 2 sides. A point will do them just fine and allow them to finish top of the group. A Penalty shoot out would then be academic to them. Its absolutely critical that we score the first goal to entice them out.

Fans were great yesterday and if you read the Stenhousemuir match report it's actually very complimentary about our players - I personally think we need to give JBA time as it's game three and we still need new faces coming in. Just thinking out loud - not aimed at anyone

A well written and thoughtful post, I’m only quoting this part as I see it a different way. That 40% is a 66% increase of the squad that played in their previous games and although it’s all if, bits and maybes but if they had those players available earlier would they have been goalless and thumped? Comparing the two is not a valid comparison. As I said outwith that I broadly agree with most of what you said and I’m glad the fans were behind the team and not abusing SOD.

I'm not sure about this one. To some extent it'll depend on what JBA does regarding load balancing. Will he play his strongest team or is he still looking to get minutes into some of the players? I'd love a convincing performance and clear victory, but I reckon a score draw at 90 mins (2-2) and then the fun lottery of penalties.

There are actually quite a few part time footballers who train to be personal trainers. I've worked with a few in gyms and there's been a couple in the gym I've been a member of. I worked beside Adam Cummins at pure gym and at that point he was playing part time with Bangor. It makes sense as it's additional income and it's a career that obviously can carry on when they stop playing football. Pretty sure some clubs put players through sports science degrees as well

I agree. And the more frustrated Stam got the deeper he got. No surprise given the lack of quality coming from out wide or through the middle. Often in space and looking for the ball, but ignored. Wilson is just terrified to make a mistake so plays backwards more often than not. I lost count of the number of times he had acres of space in front of him but chickened out. Confidence seems totally shot. Although willing, Sparrow just cannot be relied upon. Defensively both are weak so not sure why they start. The only cutback that created a worthwhile chance first half was sclaffed wide by Maswanhise. Pity it did not fall to Stam as that might have got him up and running. I'm guessing Maswanhise will delight and frustrate us in equal portions throughout the season. My first game this season and I was looking forward to the bright new world I've been reading about. But, even allowing for the weather and the pitch, I was underwhelmed. Facing a team two divisions below us, who were goalless and thumped in their previous game, and who had only brought in 40% of their matchday squad the day before, I expected more. Not miracles but more. Sure we had lots of the ball but what's the point if you go nowhere with it? Eventually resorting to long distance shots that are easily blocked or saved. And I get that it's early days and Askou is still experimenting with players coming to terms with what he expects of them. I thought many looked hesitant and more often than not took the easy option. With the result that we spent most of the game overplaying in midfield. And we got off the hook when their player made a complete hash of their chance to equalise late on from a throw in that seemed to bamboozle our defence. Positives? It's a better watch than SK delivered. We won and kept a clean sheet with what looked like a second choice back four. Balmer and SOD did ok although under little pressure. Stenny's big striker did make it uncomfortable at times but with little threat. SOD scoring...just. Connolly also coped well with everything he was asked to deal with. Of the new recruits, I thought Fadinger looked busy and keen to get involved, trying to move us forward. We missed him when he went off. The fans backed the team to the end and SOD appeared to have an abuse free match. On to Morton who will provide a much sterner test. Improvement needed if we are to progress from the group. Looking forward to see how we perform against a team that might actually set out to win a match. Imrie will certainly have them fired up for a game they have to win. Cannot see them playing for penalties as far to much of a lottery. Hopefully we get a decent turnout who get right behind the team.

Agreed. I think Slattery would be better playing just behind a front two. Our midfield is too lightweight and will be easily bullied out of games in the league. I think we badly need a ball-winner to stiffen the midfield up and give it some bite.

The coaching has also improved in all levels of the game. The lower league teams are playing tactics you would never have seen 20 or 30 years ago.

The man the legend

I notice that too in the WOSL games I take in. With the explosion in gymnasiums and personal trainers and some of the bigger teams being into sports science in a big way the level is definitely improving in the lower leagues.

Was talking to a bloke at work( st mirren fan) he mentioned that part time players seem a lot fitter than back in the day and don't tire as quickly...bloody frustrating 🙄

I would say partly that and partly smaller teams are getting better coached and lower league managers are getting more tactically aware about how to set out their teams to frustrate the big boys.

From what I have witnessed from yesterday is AP was actually making decent runs into the box and in the box for the ball but the crossing and passing to him was utterly terrible. Really need to get working on this final ball it's pretty non existent right now.

There is only one way to shut the critics up and that's to turn in good performances...I don't get on anyone's back but he has been poor at times, since the get go if I'm honest....but here's hoping this is a new dawn.

Are you a betting man? You would be bankrupt by now tbf.

But the opposition didn't score or look like scoring. I mind the days when lower league teams would come out and have a go...more savvy now , but doesn't make for a great spectacle. Much the same as we do v Celtic.

I get what you're saying about modern possession based football, man city , I don't find easy yo watch. That being said, when its your own team doing it, it's ok to watch, if we can keep it like that v top teams, bring it on. Liverpool have the right balance but we can't compete with that.

I've probably said this a thousand times so excuse me but Slattery cannot play as a general midfielder. He could potentially be effective as an attacking midfielder, maybe in a 3-4-1-2 or something like that. But if you are putting him a four across the middle just no.

I think that just shows the decline in our top level. There used to be cup shocks. Now there aren't really because lower league clubs beat top level clubs all the time in both cup competitions. Non league clubs have beaten Top 5 clubs on multiple occasions in recent years. Our game at the top level has gone into massive decline, and no offense, but you are old enough to know that. 😆

According to the manager we'll hopefully have a few more faces by the start of the season. This team hopefully isn't the finished article