grumpy

Again?

The highlights don't do justice to how dominant we were from the equaliser onwards (or at least that's how my ageing and drink fuddled mind remembers it) I also have a clear memory of one of our players chasing the ball to take a quick throw in late in extra time and the linesman kicking the ball away. (Just because I'm paranoid it doesn't mean they are not out to get me)

What happened against Berwick, so I can decide whether to go on Saturday or save myself £12.

My opinion, for what they are worth: Carson: misjudged one cross and only just got a finger tip to it which took it away from the attacker at the back post, he did then have the presence of mind to realise that he was the best positioned defender to chase down the loose ball and launched an attack that led, indirectly, to the opening goal. He looks like he is willing to come off his line and command his box, a pleasant change from our last few keepers. The back three: Kipre looks comfortable in possession and reads the game well, Heneghan was much improved from last week and Dunne looks quick and strong, there were a few mistakes and misjudgments in there and against better quality opposition these may be costly, but lets be sensible, if these guys were faultless every game they wouldn't be at Fir Park. Wing backs: Tait looks a lot more comfortable in the roll than Frear, but given that Tait is a defender being asked to play further forward and Frear is an attacker being asked to perform a more defensive roll then we shouldn't be too surprised. I would like to see Frear take on his man more often just to keep the defender guessing. Midfield: Cadden and Bigirimana looked very good, McHugh was outstanding, I felt last week that McHugh improved when Bigirimana was substituted and again yesterday when Bigi moved further forward, I think once they develop an understanding we could have a midfield to be feared this year. Tanner: Showed some nice touches and worked tirelessly the whole game, looked more comfortable when he moved wide later on but hopefully will be a good signing. Bowman: Hard worker, wins lots in the air and shows some nice touches when the ball is at his feet, whether he will be prolific in front of goal if (when) Moult goes I'm not sure, but certainly looks more of an asset this season than I thought he would be on last years displays. Subs: Fisher looks ok in an interchangeable with Bowman kind of a way. I haven't seen anything in Rose in either game to make me think he is an improvement on what we had last season but it is early days. Moult is Moult, we should make the most of him whilst he is here. All in all I'm cautiously optimistic for the season ahead, but then I'm a fully paid up member of the happy-clappy club.

Probably the easiest vote we'll have this season, McHugh by a country mile.

Voted for Kipre as I felt his performance was consistent throughout whereas I felt McHugh took a bit of time to reach the level that he showed second half. Carson did ok, although he had quite a quiet afternoon and it was good to see a 'Well keeper catch the ball beyond the penalty spot. Of the other new guys, Birigimani looked ok, I'll reserve judgement on Tanner and Fisher for now, I barely noticed that Rose was on the pitch. Honourable mention for Henegan, if anyone from the Rangers board is reading this then half a million will be the best money you will ever spend.

Yup.

And written by Craig Goldthorpe! Mmm, I wonder?

Whooooosh!

Or alternatively, Killie come and try and play football allowing us to hit on the counter, which could suit our style more than the games against Dundee and Ross County who just sat in and tried to frustrate us into submission (successfully)

I'm sorry if my comments came across as an attack on Samson's ability, I was merely giving my reason's as to why Skippy pipped him and Campbell for my man of the match vote. I'm not a big fan of using statistics to support an argument, but given that Samson was the keeper when we lost something like 17 goals in 4 games and has been the keeper for the last 4 games when we have conceded 4 goals, that would suggest that the players in front of him, and the way they have been organised, was quite a large contributing factor.

Agreed, I have still to see conclusive evidence as to whether the ball crossed the line or not. The cynic in me would love to know why the BBC are making no issue about ICT's blatantly offside equaliser.

Agreed, I was merely highlighting the only mistakes (that I noticed) made by Samson during the game. As (implied in another thread) I don't think Samson is the root of all our problems

As another fan of "A certain age", I wouldn't have Howard Samaroff anywhere near my list of worst 'Well keepers, in fact, if he hadn't been immediately renamed Howard Smirnoff I would barely remember him. John Gardner, on the other hand, still causes me to wake up in a cold sweat on a regular basis. Michael Fraser and Cammy Duncan would be well up my list though

If we only vote for players who don't make mistakes there won't be too many votes cast.

I voted for MacDonald in the end but only after quite a bit of internal debate, I nearly voted for Samson as, other than one weak punch in the first half and his poor positioning for the second goal, he did little wrong and produced two or three vital saves. Campbell had a pretty decent game but had a few dodgy moments, especially in the first half, but on balance did a lot more right than he did wrong. Honorable mentions for Cadden, Frear, Moult and Ainsworth. East side linesman had a blinder.

Sampling the local product in Jamaica?

Nah, he was my PE teacher at Dalziel circa 1978, barking mad, like most PE teachers, good guy though RIP.

OK I'll play too, Kirkwood Lawson.

Moult by a country mile.

I've been impressed every time I've seen him, except today, out of position a few times and a bit panicky at the end when we were defending too deeply. That could be a criticism of the entire back 4 today admittedly.

Moult (for obvious reasons). Honourable mentions to Cadden, Clay and Bowman.

I did think of Shuggie Sproat, in my opinion a comparable standard of keeper with Rennie, but Stuart was a hero of mine so I gave him the nod as second to McRae. I will admit to having forgotten about McCloy though, put it down to age.

I remember him having to deputise for an injured keeper on a few occasions, more exact details are long lost in the mists of time.

Thanks!!!! I've been trying for years to forget that McSkimming played for us at all.