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That Livingston team were nowhere near as physical as they were last year. Think back to the league defeat (2-0?) early last season. Only Lithgow at the back and Dykes playing up front were up to that standard. Not so surprising really with Halkett, Gallagher and Menga moving on. Players such as Dunne and the same Gallagher dealt fine with the physical challenge in defence but I accept Scott did find it tough going up front against Lithgow. But players such as McMillan and Devine are certainly no more physical than the likes of Campbell and Tait. And to say our lack of physicality was the reason for not winning is way off the mark. Particularly in midfield. I put that down to players repeatedly making the crazy decision to try and run with the ball on a pitch that made that tactic virtually impossible. Illic, Campbell, Donnelly, Hylton and others won the ball in midfield then found it stuck between their feet as they tried to move forward, enabling lightweight players like Lawless and Souda to touch the ball away. Or fall down and claim a free kick. And although Barclay was strong on the ball, I would not rate him as overly physical, or Sibbald when he came on. Even though Seedorf did better the same problem happened once or twice. Same with Cole and Long. Running with the ball just did not work. After the first 10 minutes, most chances we created either came from long passes, set pieces. And getting in early crosses. Gallagher could/should have scored at least twice late on when we actually put the ball into the box. in short (in my opinion) we got our tactics wrong. And refused to change them. Much as it makes the eyes bleed, Livingston got their approach spot on given that surface. Lump the ball forward at every opportunity bypassing midfield wherever possible. Take no risks in defence. No passing the ball back and forward across the back line. Play the game in the opponents box. The exact opposite of the style we are set up to play. Even their throw ins followed that rule in the hope of winning the second ball. Passing back to their goalkeeper from half way so he to could plant the ball on our penalty spot. We have better football players than Livingston and our Manager clearly thought that superior ability would win the day. In the end, we have Gillespie to thank for escaping with a point. I’m not advocating Hoofball, far from it. I detest it. Watching it at Fir Park was soul destroying. But on that Livingston pitch is their really any other option for a team with our quality of players? Let’s keep the silky skills for surfaces that allow our talented players to strut their stuff. Vary our approach taking into account all circumstances....or at least change something mid match that isn’t working. Meantime a point away to Livingston is not a disaster or a reason for dismantling the side.

Talking of limits, any chance you can limit your output on here?

Drivel

Jury is very much out on Long. Way too early to make a definitive call on how good he is or isn't. I liked the look of him of him against Linfield in Belfast where he not only scored but looked willing to go out wide and drop deep to seek possession. Some important attributes in a lone striker. I didn't see much physicality though which did leave a nagging doubt. There's been a couple of times he's looked to be through and taken poor touches (Scott missed a couple of one-on-one's too in the League Cup remember) whether that's been through a lack of control, lack of sharpness physically or mentally, or even just shite surfaces that'll become evident the more he plays. I don't know if he'll come good but writing someone off at this stage as hopeless when amongst the 4 appearances he's made two have been as substitute and a start that lasted 8 seconds is buffoonery of the highest order.

We got a draw this time in game we lost in the equivalent away fixture last season. The last thing we need to do is build a team to counter Livi on an aberration of a pitch that we play on once or twice a season. As I said earlier, one of my biggest complaints about the Betfred structure is teams have to focus their preseason on winning 4 games against lower league opposition with no time to fully prepare for Premiership opponents. I can't imagine any of the new players have faced a team or a playing surface like this before. We need to get the current squad up to speed and playing to a style that suits them first. Then it can be tweaked and improved. There is no way that will happen in one game. If we bring in players with the aim to beat Livi one game a season, that would as stupid as it would be painful to watch.

I suspect no fee will be involved and the gentleman’s agreement you refer to will indeed be in place to let him move on

I’d like to see Sloth coming in for polworth next week. He’s got a little bit of presence about him, which we will badly lack Against a strong Celtic midfield. I thought yesterday’s match would’ve suited a long or cole type pace upfront with long balls and a turning defense critical on a shite pitch -no harm to Scott - whereas next week, I can see Scott being more suited. id also like to see seedorf come in for illic next week. Firstly, to me, he seems like a guy who favors bigger occasions and secondly because we will need outballs much more frequently. If we have money for a good quality striker, fantastic, preferably before next week. If we have money for two players, a defensive midfielder would be a welcome edition also.

The explanation is we are one of the few teams that regularly fills (or nearly fills) the away stand, so they want to milk us for a few more quid.