All Activity

I would think thats likely. He has had to be patient for his minutes so far. But I really like him as a player. Hopefully he will seize the opportunity with both hands so TJ has to fight for his position when he gets back.

I think it says a lot that when we played without AP or Hendry against Hibs we didnt lose anything. We just put someone else in there to do the job and continued regardless. Albeit it was a very specific tactic to try and isolate Hanley and make sure we stopped them building anything. Again yesterday, Livvy tried something different to put us off our game, but we found a way to adjust and figured it out. The manager just continues to impress. I think we need to enjoy it while it lasts as he is clearly destined for bigger things.

AP is a bit of an odd one and to be fair to him has a goal ratio of 1:3 which isn't terrible. He's got decent pace, works hard and knows where the goals are. Although he's missed a few chances he's not regularly lurking enough in the penalty box. This is where the issue I think is, he's a penalty box striker who if we whip in loads of crosses etc into the box I'd wager he'll stick a few away BUT that's not how we're playing the game. I do think a confident AP with a certain type of play would work well for him but that's not how we're playing. Not can I see it working for Hendry. Sule maybe if he return but for now I could see us being more effective without either AP or Hendry.

Always a hard venue for us to pick up points. But Uniteds form has dropped off a fair bit, so I sense an opportunity to get something out of this and keep the run going. A point would be a good return. 3 points, and we will be making another statement. A full weeks rest and training should help. Lets do this.

A very satisfying result and to a slightly lesser extent, performance yesterday. It was very impressive how JBA managed to make so many personnel changes and the team still put in a performance. We've adopted a true squad game. We started off on the back foot with Livi changing their style to a hunting in packs, man marking game. They'd obviously been watching Falkirk closely, as we suspected they would. However, that didn't last, thanks in large part to Watt's impressive strike. Their overall possession stat of 42%, wasn't the worst we've seen from opponents. They also managed an impressive number of shots at goal, which will be of concern to JBA, but fortunately almost all were well off target. They also bettered our corner tally. As the game wore on we took control and some slick passing and fast breaks had many fans spilling their bovrils coffees. We also spurned a few chances, either when the cross was poor or when no-one was in position for them when a good un came in. The 3rd goal epitomised our day; a great build up from box to box. A real team goal. Had we won 6-1 then no-one could have taken umbrage at the injustice to Livvy. Satisfying to notch up another clean sheet. Some good individual performances. Callum Ward is suited to our system and whilst never under pressure, pulled off 2 great stops. SOD really came onto a game after a shaky start (we'll forgive him after enforced absence) and Koutroumbis was impressive. Just and Watt caught the eye and Fadinger must not be overlooked for the quiet work he did under pressure. For listeners to Sportsound, it was very satisfying to pick up 6 points in the one day after beating Dundee United as well. Presumably next week's game at Tannadice will be cancelled. 😁

I dont recall the header but take your word for it. My eyesight isnt what it used to be! I agree with the rest though. Even if Jens is happy with what Stama and Hendry do for the team, another striker in a different mould is a must in January. We cant keep relying on Maswanhises goals, espencially when he will be away to Afcon shortly. No idea if Sule would be that man or if he will even be fit by January, but it would be a lot to expect him to hit the ground running so Id be wanting us to have someone else in mind.

Some merit in this view. You'd hope that we're monitoring Welsh's position very carefully; not to secure him on a longer deal, of course, but in case Celtic decide to flog him to a Championship team down south. Its also possible bigger fish in the food chain are eyeing up other players like JT, Just or Watt. I still think we're short of a main striker up front. Stama is falling short of what we need and Hendry isn't the kind of player we need, bless him. His signing raised a few eyebrows at the time, as he's never been a true goalscorer.

The thing that impresses me is our energy levels. You always expect wee lulls in the game where the intensity drops and the oppsition gets a bit of a foothold in the game but that hasn't really happened to us (that I can remember anyway). A combination of having a decent squad at last , like for like subs when needed, a manager that is tactically aware and all that but we just look fitter all round. Suppose being on the streak we're on gives the players that extra spring in their step and the newfound positivity from the stands feeds into that. Great to be a Well fan right now.

Stama is definitely a team player and does link up play well at times. I do admit he is missing chances he shoukd do better with. The header he pulled out as he thought keeper was colliding with him. Hendry missed header was brutal. However.............we have leagues top scorer in TJ and we are getting goals from other areas so it's not a major concern for me at moment. I am loving this season and that 3rd goal was a pure joy to watch

We are a very, very good team...yesterday was another example of a match where we were almost in complete control for the duration.

If Stama suddenly comes good in his third season in 2026/27, I’ll happily eat my hat. But the writing’s been on the wall for a while now, and we’re clearly not getting the return on a three-year investment that most of us thought we would.

He also missed a header from a set piece just before half-time. Not as bad as Hendry’s missed header, but still one you’d expect him to at least get on target. His penalty return and overall effort are great, but like I keep saying, we need a proper number 9 to take the chances he keeps spurning. At the moment it doesn’t look like Stama or Hendry is that man. We’ll be fine though as we’ve got goals coming from across the team.

With the January transfer window only a few weeks away, is there really the need for us to get involved? I can only think of a couple of reasons we might want to bring in some new faces. Firstly, if we have some squad members going out the door and the manager thinks it is necessary to get in replacements. Secondly, if the manager is aware of players from Scandinavia who might be available because of their contracts ending and who would bolster our squad. I genuinely feel that there is no urgent requirement to tinker with the current squad. The general standard available in January is not always great and the desperation of others together with the limited supply of any quality tends to inflate prices. Continuing to work with what we already have is probably the prudent course of action. Longer term plans for improvement in the playing stock can wait for the summer.

Berthalona.

A wee trip to cauld Dundee a hard fought victory for the Steelmen. Will Stama score from open play or the penalty kick. Let’s do it! COYW

Charles-Cook, Said, Sparrow - who knows? Maybe Stuparević will make a surprise return.

Normally a hectic period of games like this would kill us with injuries and players running out of gas. But fantastically our players have waltzed thru it, due in no small way to JBA building a squad, versus a team, and making changes that allow players to rest/recover while still getting performances and results.

I’m assuming that a cook will fill in for JT when he’s at Afcon.

The way Stama's playing reminds me of the way Theo played in the first half of the season (but Theo only scored 4 goals during that period). The question is will he be capable of producing a second half of the season like Theo. He takes a good pen, though.

I'm not Wellfans biggest advicator in his views "initially" From Kettlewell to Stam he is proven right in the long haul usually. The problem I now have with Stam is 2fold - and as an optimist I hope he cant sort. 1. The ball bounces off him one foot every time it is played to him - we don't need someone necessarily that give more goals but what we do need is a striker is who can take the ball in and feed others. 2. If you listen closely to the coverage the commentator he says AP "was caught in his heels there" -a better aspect is finding someone who isn't Over to you AP or Wellfan let's see who is right in the long haul.

Johnny K for me. Thought he defended well and a threat going forward, especially second half. Also done great to cut out a Livingston break in the first. SOD came close. Great shift, few mistakes with throw ins apart, and nearly on the end of a chance late on. Special mention as well to Charles-Cook, who I think needs more minutes. Persisted all game and great assist for the 3rd.

I was a bit worried about this game beforehand and thought Livingston looked a really stuffy side at times to begin with. Good finish from Watt to go one up but not really comfortable until the second. Livingston had a few flurries at 2-0 but good move to seal it and could have been more late on. Most pleasing thing for me was the amount of changes we can make, taking account of the of the opposition, and no real drop off on performance. Positive result next week, home game against Dundee then the old squirm to end the year. Hoping for a good month and maybe a real special season. Onwards and upwards!

That third goal really was a thing of beauty. Passed all the way from our pen box. Is this really our team we are watching? A year ago it was dire turgid shite. We are Barcelona in comparison to that. I hope we can keep this going and get into Europe. Would love to see how this works in a Euro comp. Certainly different to what we have had before

I'm not having Stama's miss today as a sitter. He should have done better with it right enough but that's hardly a sitter. That Hendry header on the other hand.