Lobey_Dosser

Fair bit of chat about the need for recruitment. Two players that were brought in to be integral to JBAs style of play are Just and Said and are presumably amongst the highest earners. I like the pair of them but both went missing on the big stage yesterday.

An excellent turnout but it didn’t feel like it from where I was sitting. If I was ever in doubt, I’d now fully support moving these games to Easter Road or Tynecastle.

Very disappointing performance and result. It only takes our game to be a fraction off for us to look powderpuff in attack and disjointed at the back. A lot of the narrative in the build-up was that the big pitch would be to our advantage. If anything it was the opposite, we weren’t able to move at pace whilst St Mirren quickly got from A to B. The likes of Just and Said were swallowed up by St Mirren’s powerful defence and midfield. Koutroumbis was afforded acres of space, St Mirren banking on him doing little with it. We only started to carry a threat once both Welsh and Slattery were on the pitch, the latter the only one capable of spreading the ball with a bit of quality. This does call into the question the starting lineup, I initially assumed both weren’t 100% fit. Good luck to St Mirren in the final. Robinson knows how to get a tune out his team in a semi and I wouldn’t mind him going one step further. Time for us to lick our wounds and sharpen up at both ends of the pitch.

First half an absolute joy to watch. The 2nd half the worst I’ve seen from us in the league this season. It’s a growing concern that we repeatedly don’t capitalise whilst on top and struggle to cope when momentum goes against us. For all the praise we have received for our play, we have assembled the most technically gifted squad we’ve had in years. Yet I can’t tell whether we’re more likely to win the cup or get relegated this season. Maybe it’ll be both.

Really impressed with what I’ve seen from Welsh so far.

Goalie has been a priority for me since JBA’s style of play become evident in the league cup opener against Clyde. Hopefully we are trying to move Ox on and bring in a quality replacement. That and an assured centre half top of my wishlist.

I think we could be looking at two of each, especially if one or two that have sat on the bench so far can find a club. I’d like a goalkeeper too but that’s maybe wishful thinking.

It’s a real struggle to separate the two fullbacks and Watt but I’l go for Johnny for his goal saving intervention at the end. Related to that, how fit do we look? Stark contrast to last season where we typically done after 60 mins. Whilst not in the conversation for motm, a mention for the captain. He recovered well from the sclaff and went on to be a driving force in the 2nd half with some real intelligent runs and passes.

Thoroughly enjoyed that in the end. Our powderpuff efforts at goal were frustrating but we cut through Rangers at ease and if we had a prime Theo in the team, we’d have won with a comfortable margin. Don’t want to get carried away as there are obvious weaknesses that need to be addressed but there is also obvious potential in our signings. St Mirren away will likely prove a sterner test but if we match today’s endeavour, we shouldn’t be far away from a result. Interesting few weeks ahead I suspect with incomings and outgoings.

That would be my take. Any offer would need to factor in how much his previous club are due but if we can make anything close to £500k profit on a player that is yet to prove his reliability, I think we’d be willing to make a deal happen. He’s presumably one of our top earners so freeing up his wages alone would let JBA find someone that is better suited to the system.

I’ve been really impressed by Watt so far but Tawanda’s clinical finishing deserves the motm award.

Fadinger and Watt the two standouts for me.

Agreed. As encouraging as some of our business felt last week, the spine of the team is obviously key to success and ours needs addressing. JBA did hint that he has to be patient in trying to acquire some of the players he wants. I think we will be pursuing a quality centre half, midfielder and possibly a goalkeeper. Striker probably depends on the perceived robustness of Stama.

JBA will definitely want his own man in defence, someone with the physical attributes that is also comfortable with the ball. Hopefully a commanding goalie is also on his radar.

I’m quite excited about this signing. Careful not to get carried away by a YouTube reel but when I watched Elijah’s the other night, it reminded me how I felt when Ojamaa was first mooted. The squad starting to take shape now. A proper left back, centre half, wee Al and possibly a goalie depending on Ox’s injury and we’ll be well on our way.