Kmcalpin

9th, but I suspect you knew that. 3rd the season before that.

I should have added the usual caveat of not abusing anyone or cursing.

Duplicate post - please remove.

I agree in principle, but don't think we are reluctant to go long. Thats one of the biggest differences, for me, between JBA's team and AJ's team. We are now playing more long balls, irrespective of who is in the team.

Great post. Thats it for many - a relatively harmless way to let off pent up steam.

That was an important game for sure and a turning point. Celtic will prove to be a far sterner test and I won't judge AJ and his team too harshly if we don't win. I am looking for a good performance from us though and one which demonstrates progress over what we've seen so far. Probably the Kilmarnock game will be a better yardstick. The following Hearts game will also be a good indicator.

It will be a different kind of challenge to the ones we've faced recently. Celtic won't adopt a low block. However that means our team must show aggression, physicality and competitiveness. Are they capable of that? Also no free gifts please.

Yes, thats my fear too. If fans see a measure of progress both in terms of an entertaining playing style and results they'll stick with us. If they are more in line with last Tuesday and yesterday they'll drift away. Thats football though.

We've spent a fair wedge on players over the summer and AJ has had our largest war chest ever. Its not unreasonable to expect some return on that. I get though that new players take time to settle.

I agree that something isn't right just now, thats plain for all to see. Whilst there's no evidence of internal discontent, I did wonder if it was a possible factor in or explanation for some of our better/established players' form dropping off a cliff.

I think thats fair comment. The team does look devoid of confidence just now and that usually only occurs after a sustained run of poor results. Thats down to the management team to motivate them. Why are the players not fulfilling their potential? Maybe there's a range of reasons including new lads still settling in; players being asked to play differently from how they've done in the past; lack of onfield leadership; some individuals not being team players; and yet others not being as good as expected. Its up to the manager to man manage them. The comparison with last season is quite stark. Last year the mixed bag of players inherited by JBA surprisingly bought into his system quickly and you could see what quite clearly they were trying to do, albeit not very successfully in the early stages. This year, even with some continuity of personnel, we're struggling to see quite what they're trying to do. What exactly is our Plan A?

To be honest, I'm struggling to see how this season's approach is similar to last season's. Much more reliance on long high balls, and crosses into the box.

Never really thought about that, but you're right. On checking they are Norway's 2nd biggest team attendance wise and usually finish in the top 3. During his 2 full seasons there they finished 4th and 7th.

The time has now come for him to demonstrate his man management skills.

Just listened to his comments and they seem to be very much at odds with what folk are saying.

Thats fine and I get that, but many of us are not convinced by Matty Connelly.

This is where I'm at. I too have concerns but no more than that, at this stage. We should have expected performances to improve, even if only slightly, as the new players settle in and the manager gets his ideas across. We've spent a fair bit of cash (for us) on new blood but they're not performing so far; certainly as a team. What is concerning though is that decent players like Fadinger, Longelo and TJ have regressed - why? WE now have a 3 week international break for AJ to get his ideas across on the training pitch. He's now got to earn his corn. He didn't make any changes to the back line or defensive midfield today and that was a bold decision. It clearly did not work. Fans are fickle and starting to lose patience and we risk undoing a lot of the progress we made last season if we are not careful.

Well at the very least we were looking for a good performance today and we were nowhere near that standard. We started off the season well, despite a hectic opening to the season but have deteriorated since which is a puzzle and a concern. You would expect exactly the opposite as the new manager settles in and gets his ideas across.

A very bold team selection. AJ is doubling down. Thats fine so long as it goes well.

Not quite sure I get all the anti Vogt rhetoric on social media. The lad clearly has talent with pace to burn and was identified by JBA; in effect his signing. Yes, he's finding it difficult to make the step up but he needs time and coaching.

Agree with that Grizzly. Start Said and bring on Kanga or Vogt later on.

Red carded against Hearts.

Murray, Robertson and Hay will likely miss out and the SFA has asked that Besir not be selected. All others could be fit. Best to ignore these pre match rumours. Ross Hardie has been appointed as referee.

They don't hang about do they?

Agreed. There's a worrying lack of experience in the team and we're short of a right back. SOD's best days RB days may be over but surely he's a better option than Sparrow there? Our defence in the league this season has been poor and we need to shake things up in that department. Paul McGinn. At best months, but will he make the first team again?