joewarkfanclub

Gonna be a good week at work!

Decent performance today. No more no less. Pretty even first half albeit we created the better chances and should have gone in at half time in front. Moore was excellent today but should have hit the target twice in that period and at least worked the keeper. Second half we stepped it up and were the better team by a distance. Well worthy of the 2 goal win. Perspective is required however as Killie were pretty poor at times in the 2nd half. Aniers turn and finish for the 2nd was worth the admission fee on its own. A baby step forward.

Vigurs. Much more positive and influential today. By no means perfect and still much more to give but a significant improvement on recent weeks.

Fairly even so far. Motherwell edging it on clearcut chances by about 4-1.

Will do. Meeting some Killie boys in the Brass and Granite for a few jars prematch. Beautiful crisp winters day down here on the Riviera. Wrap up well but bring yer shades!

Great Post. Just the kinda thing I was talking about but with bells on!

That would be a real shame. Was hoping that the housing market would pick up eventually and we could put together some community/business partnership to pull it off. Dont know the logistics of these things but it would be nice if we could show some ambition. Wont be anytime soon mind you. I should clarify, that I would always prefer us to play on grass and at Fir Park. Its just with our climate and an ageing stadium we will have to start planning for our future soon. A modern stadium with office/retail space generating income as many hours a day as possible would seem like the way to go.The pitch would have to be considered as part of the plan.

I quite like the idea of an artificial pitch but as mentioned earlier I think it should be tied in with a move to a new stadium at Ravenscraig. I think for a community based club like ourselves it would provide us with all the facilities we need and also open the club up to the community in the evenings. Make the club a real focal point of the community. I also think in recent seasons we have struggled through the winter months because we havent been able to play decent football on our pitch. Thinking particularly when McGhee was in charge. With the new artificial pitches that wouldnt be a problem. Incidentally, I really liked the look of Molde's stadium last night. 11,000 capacity. Looked a cracking venue. Accordinging to the commentary last night they are switching to astro too for next season.

Have to go to this one as its more or less a home game for me. However, will be going more in hope than expectation. We have to turn it around some time, dont we?

I can understand why this is being considered. However, it immediately makes the game less attractive for me. Ive never been to Cliftonhill and was looking forward to adding it to my list of league grounds visited. Much more "romance of the cup" attached to visiting the less familiar grounds. Still a larger crowd means much needed increased revenue for both clubs.

Some great football. The Rangers first goal looks like a well worked training ground move. The second wouldnt be a penalty today never mind back then with the likes of Forsyth Greig Millar and McVie on the pitch! Super finish from Wullie P. Like others have said, my first footballing hero. Only one thing really to say about this clip though.... What a hit from Bobby Watson!

Magic stuff from the goalmeister!

Thought we played some of our best football of the season against them at Tannadice. Apart from the crazy ten minutes after half time I thought we had the measure of them. They do have some exciting young players and the signing of Gomis could be good for them as he was an impressive player in his first spell with them. Would take a point but 3 points going into the International break would be massive again.

McManus Solid performance capped by a fine goal. Honorouble mention for Fraser Kerr. Has had some stick on here. Some deserved, some not. Thought he put in a good shift today.

Really poor game of football. Our passing and possession was atrocious but the team showed great character to grind out a result. No point disecting personal performances any further, its been done to death over recent weeks. The clean sheet was pleasing. Massive 3 points at the end of a really tough week.

BT Sports 2 Usual links should be available nearer time, First Row Sports / wiziwig etc.

Like Well 4 Europe, I think we do need to see a reaction after Wednesday, however, I would disagree that Wednesdays performance was insipid. It was a marked improvement on the St Johnstone game. There was much more desire and effort from the players. It was, however, still a little one paced and one dimensional. Im sure the players and manager ARE hurting after Wednesday. Both McCall and McManus have said as much. We have some strong characters in our dressing room. They know as well as the fans that Wednesday was one of the best chances many of them will ever have to get close to winning a cup. Im confident we WILL get a reaction against Hibs. Whether we get a win or not is another matter as there are too many variables involved, not least Fenlon resigning. As long as we see some evidence of lessons learned and some honest endeavour to try and get a result that will be enough for me. (A resounding victory and 3 points would be most welcome though!)

Well done lads. Great effort. Actually looks better in the photo than I expected. There were a lot of empty seats in the second section due to congestion at the turnstiles so I was worried that it might ruin the effect. Glad to see it didnt. The centrepiece is fantastic. Well done to the artist(s).

You are clearly a football visionary sir! Pretty much said exactly the same thing in the match thread.

I think the problem is that our signing policy over the summer didnt work out as planned and we have ended up with an unbalanced squad. However, in answer to the question, there is no magic wand. We cant afford to go and get anymore players so we need to get the best out of what we have. The manager needs to have a total rethink on formation and that may mean some of the new signings dont play. I think we have proved that Carswell Lasley and Lawson shouldnt all play together. At best it should be 2 from 3. For me Ainsworth should play every game just for his pace. Quite how you fit both Vigurs and McFadden into the team I have no idea. Id be tempted to try and replicate last seasons formation as follows Hollis or Neilsen Ramsden Hutch McManus Hammell Carswell Lasley Vigurs or McFadden Ainsworth Sutton Anier

Ramsden Another solid display from the big fella.

Some pretty damning posts so far which is understandable given the manner of the defeat and the fact we have been here before a number of times under the current manager. However, I thought tonights performance was a long way short of being our worst of the season against a very organised and resolute defence. Despite a rather strange starting line up (no apparent right midfield?) we DID start the better side. We DID score a perfectly good goal that was disallowed. After the red card (which was entirely merited IMO) we dominated possession and controlled the game effectively for almost the entire 90 minutes limiting Aberdeen to the odd breakaway. The substitution of Ainsworth for Lawson was the right one. You could be picky and suggest the manager should have made it before half time but hardly a shocker on his part leaving it until HT. I actually thought the second half started brightly and some of the criticism of Ainsworths crosses is IMO off the mark. I counted at least 3/4 in that period that flashed across the 6 yard box that big Higdon would have despatched with ease. For some reason our current strikeforce dont seem able or willing to gamble on the run across the defender to put themselves in the position to score. After that Aberdeen doubled up on Ainsworth and the balls out to him were too slow, so no surprise he found it difficult after that. I dont think any of these things are particularly the managers fault once the players take to the pitch however..... The game swung for me on the substitution of Anier who for me was our most influential player going forward. McHugh was just the wrong choice all day long. McFadden should have been given a run out at that point. Like others have said if he wasnt fit enough to throw on he shouldnt have been on the bench. This was only compounded by not having a last roll of the dice with a third substitution after gifting a poorly defended first goal. Cant really argue with the second goal. Thats the risk you take throwing everyone forward at the end. Overall a disappointing night which could and maybe should gave gone better. The manager will however need to sit down and have a long hard think as to how he brings some balance to this team. I still think we have good players but the tactics are not getting anywhere near the best out of them.

Suns out on the Ayrshire Riviera, think the rain might be passing thru'. Hope so anyway, dont mind the rain but wind kills a game of football everytime.

Any Ayrshire based fans looking for a lift tomorrow night. I Will be driving and leaving Irvine about 6pm. Space for 4.

Its a cup tie. A one off game. Nothing that has gone before matters. Whoever wants it more on the night will win. Lets hope the manager knows who he can trust to put in a performance.