couttsy

As most have said, thought we were by far the better team yesterday and if we had any kind of quality up front with Bair we’d surely have been walking away with the 3 points. Some horrific refereeing, particularly in the first half did us no favours, but Paton absolutely needs to take at least one of his two chances in the second half. There are encouraging signs but we have to get at least 4 points from the next two home games before we go to Aberdeen and Hearts, followed by Celtic at FP.

Agree with most, thought McGinn had a cracking game. Won just about every header he went for, was tidy on the deck, and was good going forward.

Market conditions 😂 Have any of our rivals managed to bring strikers in?

I think I’ve got firm grip, thanks. 🙂 I might be over simplifying, but I suspect we’re speaking to agents/clubs of 4/5, maybe more strikers to try and get deals done, and I, like everyone else expects we’ll bring 1 or 2 in before the window closes next week. My point was I hope we don’t regret not pushing a little hard or paying a little more to get one of those over the line prior to today. I also get that not all of the circumstances are within our control but if having 1 fit recognised striker (who’s quality is questionable), prior to playing one of your main relegation rivals away from home isn’t the time to make sure you push a deal over the line, then I think you’re taking a gamble.

Now a full 8 days since Arsenal recalled Mika and still no news on a forward coming in. Very very concerning particularly given when you consider Wilkinson was already away, we knew Obika was injury prone, and we must have known we were allowing Shaw to head back to his parent club i.e we should have already been identifying targets. Shocked we haven’t brought someone in before tomorrow’s trip to Perth given the importance of playing a team that will be one of our main rivals to avoid relegation. I was convinced we would bring someone yesterday or today. Big gamble to not have done. I sincerely hope Kettlewell has a couple of rabbits up his sleeve before the window closes.

I could see Mugabi up front if we’re chasing a game, as a last resort, throw the kitchen sink type approach, but if we ever start a game with him up front heads need to roll.

If reports are to be believe and Montgomery is out, I suspect we’ll see Gent moved back to LWB and Miller/Halliday/Nicholson (whoever is fittest) coming in. I’d bite your hand off for a point given the state we’re in with injuries and incomplete recruitment. Would love to know what the plan is if Bair gets injured at some point today/tomorrow!? Hope to hell we have one….. Next 3 are huge, could really be doing with taking 5/6 points minimum. Particularly when you look at how tough the 3 after that are (on paper at least).

Looks like a young Carl McHugh!

I see Dundee have reported allowed Cammy Kerr to find a new club. Always thought he played well against us, and in a position we need to strengthen at RB or RWB.

Wouldn’t be against starting a youngster with some pace. Although I suspect we’ll see Kelly, McGinn, Butcher, Mugabi, O’Donnell, Paton, Davor, Spittal, Gent, Bair, Obika in a 3-5-2. With Montgomery and Halliday getting debuts off the bench.

Mixed feelings about Halliday, after putting aside his great love for one particular club in our league. I think it’s good news, but not totally sure! He’s experienced and proven to be good enough in our league, on the flip side how fit is he and what’s his attitude going to be like. Seems to be carving out a good career in the media for himself (and I think he talks a lot of sense compared to most in the Scottish media), however is that now where his focus is rather than training and games? Suppose time will tell.

Interesting debate on where people think we need to strengthen. I tend to think we’ll be ok at centre half once Casey & Butcher are fit. A back 3 of those 2 and McGinn will do for me, then you have Blaney, Mugabi and SOD who can fill in when needed. I’d be looking for an imposing holding midfielder and/or one that goes box to box. Along with a RB/RWB in the Max J mold, and a pacy striker than can also play wide to give us options.

Strange one today, thought Gent played really well when at the game, however would seem strange to give him mom when his direct opponent scored twice! Went for Mike for another 2 assist, the first of which was a touch of class.

A win at last, thank god! Fair play to SK I thought the 3 up front was a mistake but we managed to get the ball forward early and put them under pressure in the first 20/25, and they just couldn't cope! Pleased for big Theo 2 goals (1 a cracker) and an assist! The boy always puts a shift in, so nice to see him get some reward. There’s no doubt we’re better at the back when McGinn plays, although I thought O’Donnell played well today as well, and I’m far from his biggest fan.

Yass! Not us handing out the gifts for a change!

Not a massive Slattery or Paton fan, but can’t help thinking that one of them instead of Shaw would give us much better balance.

Only 2 midfield players with one of them being Spittal, and 3 up front, I’m sure we’ve been here before and it didn’t work then, suspect it won’t work now either 😞 Hope to hell I’m wrong.

Great result for us, keeps Livi at arms length, and gives us the opportunity to go 7 clear of them at the weekend. Added bonus that we could also move above Saints and Ross County (assuming they lose at Tynecastle). Over to us to please actually win a game.

Absolutely bonkers this is still going ahead given the weather conditions fans are reportedly having/going to endure.

Yeh, I don’t think i postponement would be a bad thing for us. Allow us to focus all our prep and energy in making sure we win on Saturday.

Not confident going into this one I’m afraid. They’ve had a weeks rest compared to our couple of days, allied to the fact that they put 4 past us at Fir Park not so long ago. Would bite your hand off for a point to be honest. Saturday deffo going to be make or break with another draw not going to be enough.

Bloody hell that was tough watch yesterday. We essentially gift wrapped the game and gave it to them within 20 mins. Although I have to say again, the reaction in the 2nd half wasn’t that of a team that’s downed tools and accepted its fate. Rangers maybe took the foot off the gas, and we maybe got fortunate with the offside goals, but we battled away and pushed them back for long spells. I’m sure I wasn’t the only one thinking this could get embarrassing when the 2nd goal went in within 20 mins! Think someone said it before but it feels like we’re in some kind of holding pattern with SK, the team is clearly still behind him and we’re picking up a point here and there, but I think we all know it’s not enough. As others have said this week looks like make or break time. We need to beat Livi on Sat and potentially pick up a point or 2 away to Aberdeen/Hibs or even I admit it’s time for a change. I still think SK has what it takes to turn it around but he’s rapidly running out of time sadly. As and aside, and not one that’s been talked about a lot, but we’ve been very unlucky with injuries this season. At the start of the season we hardly had a fit striker, and for the last few games we’ve haven’t any of our first choice back 3 from last season fit. Add to that Miller getting a long term injury after nailing down his position in the team, and it’s all been very disruptive.

Kelly for me, made a couple of good saves in the 1st half, the one from Cantwell in particular. Surprised at the number of votes for Davor, thought he was very poor, particularly in the 1st half.

Yeh, couldn’t argue if he goes with the same again, however I don’t think there’s much doubt McGinn is generally better than O’Donnell on the right side of a 3. What will piss me off is if he moves Spencer back to LWB, O’Donnell to RWB and replaces Gent with McGinn (although I suspect that’s what he’ll do)

With McGinn fit again it’ll be interesting to see what Kettlewell’s selection at the back will look like. I assume Mugabi, Blaney and Spencer will all start, but which 2 from McGinn, O’Donnell and Gent will? For me it would be McGinn and Gent, however I suspect SK will be tempted to go back to McGinn and O’Donnell giving experience against Rangers as the main reason. With Butcher not likely fit enough yet, and Miller & Casey still out, I suspect the rest of the team will be exactly what we started with in Paisley with Slattery, Davor, Paton, Spittal and Biereth.