Kmcalpin

Hopefully, Stephen Welsh will be passed fit for Saturday. Concussion rules seem to be: 1) a graduated return to play protocol means that the player involved can't return to full training or match action for 7 days. 2) A more severe concussion would see a player ruled out for longer Source: Dundee Courier.

Having being victimised by security at Tannadice myself before, I'd like to to hear the Block E lads' version of events before arriving at any conclusion.

Its been like that for days with no correction. Typical BBC. Maybe its time someone sued them...oh wait.

The fact that he landed the Kilmarnock gig, probably meant that any compensation we agreed to fork out came to an end. Killie's parting cash is none of our concern.

Dundee likely to be without Ryan Astley, adding to their defensive woes.

A friend texted me with an account of the Ball Boys incident. They were placing balls near the corner flags to stop us taking quick bykicks. JBA sent Tom Sparrow to move them in line with the 6 yard box. The Ball Boys then kept moving them back. Pathetic gamesmanship from Jim Goodwin. Thanks Ian. Although I wasn't at the game nor at Falkirk, the referees should have stepped in and nipped this practice in the bud. Its downright cheating. This and "selective" watering of plastic pitches should be subject to a code of conduct issued by the authorities to stamp this kind of thing out. Its bringing the game into disrepute.

Not a crunch game in the true sense, but an important one nonetheless if we're serious about a top 6 challenge. Dundee hasn't got the best defensive record in the league; in fact its joint worst with Livingston. However thats only a factor if we can pressurise them and get the ball into their box. JT will be absent as might Stephen Welsh. Two potentially big losses. Hopefully, JBA will pick a more adventurous defence.

This is where JBA earns his corn, like every other manager. John McGlynn and Jim Goodwin changed their game to negate us but in doing so sacrificed their own game, although the media won't say that. Its now up to JBA to tweak our own approach to counteract that. And, so it goes on... Yes, it was a more cautious team selection and presumably JBA got it very slightly wrong.

What exactly happened at these games?

Yes, I think we will make it, but I've watched the Well for too many years now to take anything for granted. We can't afford to rest on our laurels. Today proved that we are still blunt up top even though we are one of the league's top galscorers. We've drawn quite a few games in which we dominated possession buit couldn't put the ball in the net.

Not a great result but not a bad one. It still keeps us in the hunt for a top 6 place. If we want to achieve that though we need to convert draws into wins and source a striker next month. Draws on the road are fine as long as you win the home games.

As a generalisation, typical of United fans.

Yes, a lot of our defensive success can be attributed to denying the opposition possession near our box. Ward is a good fit for our system. Like Grizzly though, I'm not 100% convinced of his reliability at cross balls. As Big Mal once said "The greatest crime in football is to make your goalkeeper do any work at all".

At the end of his latest interview, JBA stated that there were one or two players who will need to move on in the next window. Andy Halliday and Kofi Balmer anyone?

There were allegations of abuse, but nothing to substantiate them. I hadn't heard about threats - thats another level. His case is undermined somewhat by his treatment of match officials ie Saturday. I doubt he was red carded for wishing the official a merry Christmas.

A boyhood hero of mine. A tough wee stiker who could mix it. When he left to go to Glasgow, I thought the world would come to an end. It didn't though. Although only 5-9 in height he was great in the air. RIP Dixie.

I doubt if Zimbabwe will qualify for the latter stages of the tournament, as Egypt and South Africa are considerbaly stronger. Angola is also above Zimbabwe in the rankings. So, I'd guess he'll be back by New Year's day.

Financially, I'd say yes. Numbers wise probably one more if thats JBA's wish. However, there are a large number of complicating factors. I suspect there will some outgoings and maybe one return (Ewan Wilson, who hasn't set the heather on fire at Kirkcaldy). We might also receive bids for some players and Welsh's position isn't 100% guaranteed. So its a bit unclear at the moment. We also have the prospect of long term absentees like Nicholson, Robinson, Stuparevic, Sule and McGhee to consider. Some of those could be punted out on loan. Potential outgoings? Rumours of Aston Oxborough being unsettled; Kofi Balmer, Andy Halliday, Esapa Osong. Loans for Luca Ross and Dylan Wells (whatever happened to him?) I don't think we need or will do a massive amount of business next month; more of a tidying up/fine tuning exercise.

A very satisfying result and to a slightly lesser extent, performance yesterday. It was very impressive how JBA managed to make so many personnel changes and the team still put in a performance. We've adopted a true squad game. We started off on the back foot with Livi changing their style to a hunting in packs, man marking game. They'd obviously been watching Falkirk closely, as we suspected they would. However, that didn't last, thanks in large part to Watt's impressive strike. Their overall possession stat of 42%, wasn't the worst we've seen from opponents. They also managed an impressive number of shots at goal, which will be of concern to JBA, but fortunately almost all were well off target. They also bettered our corner tally. As the game wore on we took control and some slick passing and fast breaks had many fans spilling their bovrils coffees. We also spurned a few chances, either when the cross was poor or when no-one was in position for them when a good un came in. The 3rd goal epitomised our day; a great build up from box to box. A real team goal. Had we won 6-1 then no-one could have taken umbrage at the injustice to Livvy. Satisfying to notch up another clean sheet. Some good individual performances. Callum Ward is suited to our system and whilst never under pressure, pulled off 2 great stops. SOD really came onto a game after a shaky start (we'll forgive him after enforced absence) and Koutroumbis was impressive. Just and Watt caught the eye and Fadinger must not be overlooked for the quiet work he did under pressure. For listeners to Sportsound, it was very satisfying to pick up 6 points in the one day after beating Dundee United as well. Presumably next week's game at Tannadice will be cancelled. 😁

Some merit in this view. You'd hope that we're monitoring Welsh's position very carefully; not to secure him on a longer deal, of course, but in case Celtic decide to flog him to a Championship team down south. Its also possible bigger fish in the food chain are eyeing up other players like JT, Just or Watt. I still think we're short of a main striker up front. Stama is falling short of what we need and Hendry isn't the kind of player we need, bless him. His signing raised a few eyebrows at the time, as he's never been a true goalscorer.

I can't possibly believe that. Anyways, welcome back San. You've been missed of late. Your posts are always worth reading.

Yes, he did, implying VAR got it wrong. BBC also suggesting same. Really?

Leopard doesn't change its spots.

Alexander Selkirk if you don't mind.

Probably why Dougie Imrie left.