joewarkfanclub

Really interesting piece. Just goes to show how difficult it is to make it in senior football. Clearly our best youth team in many years and although a few got into our first team and are still playing at a decent level, only 3 would really be considered as having been really successful. A handy reference to have when we are having debates about pathways to the first team and whether managers are supportive of young players or not.

It is. But Id be holding him to a higher standard than myself, given I had lost my shit at several points during the game. Given the calls that have been given against us in recent weeks that are so obviously wrong, I find it difficult to be critical of him in that regard. But yes, I was mostly being supportive of him calling out the officials in the media.

This is the image VAR used to decide the offside. They have clearly drawn the red line on Casey's elbow. He cant be offside with that as you cant score with your elbow. The blue line, which goes through his shoulder is in line with the defenders foot and is the onside line. Ive no idea whether Casey was or was not offside. It was very close. But he cant be offside on the basis of the still they have used. Yet more evidence of absolute incompetence and why VAR should be binned. (I know it wont be).

Sorry, but Im with David on this one. Much rather have a manager that sticks up for our club in the media, regardless of how much it infuriates officials. We arent getting fair treatment anyway, so he might as well highlight it. Its not going to stop if he stays quiet. The more you highlight it, the more visible it becomes and the harder it becomes to ignore. At the very least we develop a seige mentality that gets us over the line in tough situations. PS I think we will take something from this game. At least a draw.

Harry Paton was the best player on the pitch first half. Was surprised when he was subbed off. Despite just coming back from injury he still looked ro have running left in him. Unlike TJ who was done after 69 minutes.

Id rather get beat 3-0 having a go as 3-0 just waiting for the inevitible. Of course there is a halfway house where if we get our defensive set up right and play on the break we can hurt them. But that requires Maswanhise and Kaleta both to play and be seviced appropriately. They are the only 2 in the team with the genuine pace to hurt Rangers. Get them into good areas with Stama in the middle and we can nick a goal or two.

I think we need to know the Well Society's proposals for getting their hands on the winning ticket! Surely they have one?

Re the alleged defensive midfielder. I saw someone over on P&B mention Jordan McGhee at Dundee. He isnt someone Ive paid particular attention to, but I spoke to a Dundee supporting mate who said he is one they would be hoping to extend as he can play a number of positions. Sounds like the kind of utility player that SK likes. Apparently he is from East Kilbride, so maybe looking to move closer to home?

Did I ever say how much I was in favour of external investment? Happy to support your nomination as Chairman! 😉😉😉

Phil O'Donnell Sunday 🧡❤️🧡

I think our problem yesterday was that the players needed to make any fist of the game cant play 2 games in 3 days at the moment. That being the case you prioritise one of them, and that has to be Rangers at home. I expect us to be more competitive on Sunday, albeit the result isnt a given as they also have better players than us. I agree with your general point though, that we need a more combative midfield if we want to surrender possession and defend our box adequately.

Maybe you should try some....😉

My prediction is as likely as any of the others and based on just about as much.....

I predict SK is abducted by aliens. Stevie Frail steps in and goes gung ho playing a 3-2-5 formation and we win 5-2. It is the way.

Not sure about that line up. But as Im not going Im happy to write this one off if we can take 3 points on Sunday! Of course every chance SK is a genius and I have no actual clue what Im talking about!

I think God is a pretty poor manager. Leaves his team to do as they please and then wonders whats gone wrong when they fuck it up. Personally, I wouldnt give him another transfer window!

The 1976 Scottish Cup Semi Final takes some beating. Kipre's red card in the 2017 League Cup Final is up there. But the worst refereeing decision Ive ever seen is the free kick against Alan Hutton in the Scotland v Italy game at Hampden in Nov 2007. If only Faddys hammys woulda stretched far enough it might not have been an issue!

We dont have enough referees for that. But a spell in the lower leagues to contemplate the circumstances and learn from his mistake wouldnt go amiss. Hopefully he will return better from the experience.

Merry Xmas Grizzly and all my fellow Steelmen / women / those who dont wish to be gendered! Not going to Parkhead so would prefer 3 points at home to Rangers on the 29th as a present! Im sure we can all drink to that! 🥃🥃🥃

Well that would seem to be a demotion. So maybe some action WAS taken, even if they wont say so publicly.

I could understand that logic if they played as a two. How does that work when Gordon plays in between them? Isnt he supposed to be the glue that holds things together?

With respect, no one said we would be a better team without him. He is our best player by a country mile. But we arent getting the best of him, mainly due to injuries in the squad, but also because we havent had a settled frontline or midfield. SK also had him playing an advanced role earlier in the season out of necessity. Thankfully thats now behind us. There is no doubting his quality and you can see that in his passing and dead balls. But there is no doubt he would excel even more if he had a fully functioning frontline in front of him.

I kinda agree with this. Ive not enjoyed watching Miller the same way I enjoyed watching Turnbull, albeit Miller probably has a higher ceiling now. I think its due to the circumstances you describe. Turnbull was the right player at the right time. With Miller, we can see he is a generational talent and needs to play. But I dont think we have got the best out of him or the team. Its why I hope we are able to keep him to the summer. With the players that are going to become available between now and end of season, I think he will be able to showcase his talents more fully.

Ive been quite perplexed by Hearts this season. Both Spittal and Dhanda were some of the top performers in the league last season and they didnt seem to have any plan as to how they were going to use them. Critchley looks like he is starting to get his head around what he has in the dressing room. Hopefully he hasnt quite got it worked out by 2nd January!

Apparently it was a pretty decent strike as well. Looks like he might be finding his feet at last.