Kmcalpin

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.

The jury was already out on Robinson before his injury and many including myself concluded that he wasn't a goalscorer. The only decent main striker we seem to have on our books just now is Sule and he's never really been tested.

I think its more a case of converting very impressive possessions stats into a commensurate number of actual goals. As we've seen we sometimes struggle to score in games where we dominate the opposition.

Surely we're looking to bring in another striker next month along with a relief left back. Probably a few departures on the cards too maybe on loan, eg Stuparevic et al, to clear the decks a little.

John McGlynn appears to have us sussed out, will Martindale learn from his tactics? Hopefully Watt not out for too long.

A great result, if not performance. Falkirk are playing well but are benefitting from spades of good luck. Add to that a poor plastic surface which was deviously managed and we can be very satisfied tonight.

That practice should be outlawed.

As they have all season.

I think he was fit very briefly under JBA, with the emphasis on briefly. All we've been told is that he's out until after New Year, which could mean anything.

Well that's informed unbiased punditry - not. Why is he being employed?

Rossco at home.

Absolutely. If he was so minded to do so, David Gray could come on here and explain out tactics to a tee, as could other rival managers.

Very strange, as you suggest. Their attendances this season seem to vary between 7,176 (Livingston) and 7,652 (Rangers and Dundee). I'd guess they allocate about 600-700 seats to away fans.