joewarkfanclub

I presume so. No sign of Danzaki or Crankshaw either.

Which players has he not picked this time around that should be in the squad?

On the basis of this seasons form, does anyone on here really think Liam Kelly should be starting against Cyprus on Saturday? Im no fan of co-opting players who would rather play for another country, so I wouldnt have called up Gunn. But there is no way Id be starting Kelly. Personally Id have been begging David Marshall to come out of retirement until Gordon was fit again, but in the absence of that Zander Clarke deserves the nod before Liam. I dont think either are particularly high level international keepers, but you can only play the best you've got. It does raise serious questions though re the future of the Scotland no.1 spot.

As someone who has criticised KVV for his poor attitude and body language at times in the past, I have to give it to him yesterday. Asked to play the lone striker, which isnt his forte, there was no huffy petulance, just plenty of honest endeavour and plenty of class on the occasions he was on the ball. Great movement and finish for his goal and very unlucky with his effort in the second half which would have been sublime. I do hope that Obika or Mandron are fit enough to play alongside him next week, but if KVV can keep that positive mindset until the end of the season we will be just fine.

Not a surprising result or scoreline. With Obika out and Mandron obviously not fit enough to start, it was impossible to keep a settled 11 or formation / tactics to the previous 4 games. Despite that, I thought things worked well enough in the first half getting the early goal and its testament to the defence that Rangers never had a shot at goal until the free kick. So frustrating then, as Slattery didnt need to make the tackle in the first place and Kelly and the defensive wall combined to gift Tavernier his goal. It was clear we were struggling with an out ball though, and I felt Kettlewell should have changed something at half time to allow us better ball retention and to get up the park a bit more as it was obvious Rangers would make changes to give themselves a greater goal threat. Hard to criticise the first goal as it was a great early cross and Sakala does McGinn with some clever movement to create the space needed to get his header away. Good to see us come back though and get the equaliser, quickly followed by a great chance for KVV. The 3rd goal for me is the turning point and where we lose the game. It looks offside to me all day long, but I get the argument for perspective and narrowing of lines away from the camera, so given how close Max was to being offiside I guess we just have to take that one as both were very close in real time. The 4th goal again is great movement and skill to undo us and the game is probably over at that point, but the red card is a joke. Cantwell had been kicking Slattery and Goss all game without punishment, so hardly surprising he held a hand out to protect himself. The fact that Cantwell has gone down holding his face and has got a fellow pro sent off should be looked at. Just no need for it. Overall, not the worst performance with mitigating circumstances and shouldnt dent the confidence too much ahead of the games that really matter.

It was a great run and I really like him, but my first thought was "get back in position!" 😄😄😄

I dont have a problem with the rules for eligibility as long as the player selected has an affinity to Scotland and wants to play for the jersey. Unfortunately thats not the case with Gunn. He not only played for England up to U21 level, but he has turned down Scotland in the past, supports England and happily gloated at Scotland being eliminated from the Euros. I have no issue with him feeling English. But he should go play for England. I would have asked David Marshall to come out of retirement for these games. But in his absence Xander Clarke should get the nod as his form has been better than Kellys of late.

Preposterous nonsense! Theres no way you can say Turnbull is a poorer player now than when he left us. I agree he needs a move soon to ensure he doesnt stagnate, but gone backwards he has not.

C'mon MJC! You know it only works if you forecast us getting pumped! Go high! 😉

Probably not! 😄

This sounds a bit like inside information that none of the rest of us have. Not expecting any sources to be revealed but some context would be helpful. If Hammell the manager doesnt deserve the respect that Hammell the player does, it would be good to hear it. As for places of employment. In general, I would agree with you. But sport isnt like a normal place of employment. Ive never played at any decent level, but I still only know one way to play and thats to leave everything out on the park regardless of instruction or performance. Maybe Im just a stubborn bugger though and expect too much from guys Id swap places with in a heartbeat.

It really isnt. Look at his work rate since Kettlewell has come in. He is dropping deep, picking up balls, going out wide, running channels, finding space AND scoring goals. He CAN do it all. Now, some of that might be down to coaching, formations and man management, but his body language is entirely different at the moment and thats down to personal responsibility.

You are entitled to your opinion, as is everyone on here. But if you cant see the differences in KVV's performances when he is interested and when he isnt, then there's not much I can say. I will repeat again. Im not saying he doesnt have talent. Im not saying his goals arent invaluable to the team. Im not saying that his return this season isnt incredible given how poor we have been at times, or that I would have dropped him. Im also not saying he has been the only one. But seeing as this particualr debate is specifically about KVV, I dont see the point in expanding that here. But I am saying his attitude has left a lot to be desired for large parts of the season.

I wouldnt argue with any of that.

The difference in your attitude towards Hammell and KVV is mistifying to me. One is our post war record appearance holder and club legend. The other is a very talented but huffy manchild who conttributed to getting the former sacked due to his poor attitude. I would never have dropped KVV because without him we really didnt have goals in the team. And yes, the new formation does suit him better and is getting more out of him. Hammell, could have changed that but didnt. Thats on him. But as a senior pro, you can down tools like KVV did, or you can roll your sleeves up and give everything youve got, as he is now showing. Hammell is gone and no changing that. But you dont need to dance on his grave whilst glorifying a guy who may be a cult hero. But wont make it near our Hall of Fame.

Some cant see past the end of their nose 😉

Wasnt at the game, so wouldnt normally vote, but KVV deserves it for his brace. I was critical of his poor attitude and lack of effort (not his goal return!) at times under Hammell, but the last 4 games is the KVV we all know is in there. I know Obika takes a lot of the pressure off him work rate wise, but his willingness to drop deep, take the ball, or run channels, find space is night and day compared to before. Long may it continue.

I think we have to play a certain way just now to get points on the board and allow us to get some defenders fit again. I think if you get to the stage where Butcher is in midfield and we are still secure at the back then Kettlewell might have some more freedom to play different formations/players.

They were our "10man mirror image" until Saturday! 😄

Be difficult to give it to anyone else other that Postecoglu and he's got plenty!

I think its unravelling......

Feels like a very good appointment. Plenty of experience. Its amazing how quickly things can turn around in a couple of weeks. Need to make sure we dont lose on Saturday. Then we can look forward to the run in with more confidence.

Same as last week. A point is better for us than them and I take that right now. But it is a game we can win and should certainly be targetting it. Our record up there is decent and it will be nice for the players to get back on a decent grass pitch. Add in the Kettlewell / Spittal factor and I think we can get a positive result. Also MJC forecasts a comfortable defeat so hopefully his form in that regard continues! 😉

Im hoping that Kettlewell feels that there is unfinished business for him in Dingwalll and he will have the players super focused on getting a result. Spittal going back as an ex player hopefully adds to the mix just as our ex players always seem to!

I think the fact that QP are playing him through the middle will be helping him enormously. Whether he will ever be good enough for the Premiership remains to be seen. But it is nice to see him get a bit of respite. Hopefully he can use the time to regain his confidence and come back to us a better player.