The African

Indeed, and a happy, healthy and successful new year to you too. With a new year comes new hope so here’s a genuine wish for better things ahead.

Part of me thinks that this represents a game which will have little or no bearing on the rest of our season. Indeed,it could even be argued that a defeat would not be a bad result as the longer they think that they are still in with a chance of catching Celtic, the more likely they are not to drop points against our main rivals. Having said that, all logic and deep thinking put to one side, I hate them so a Motherwell win would be just what the doctor ordered ( I have the flu).

Indeed. A merry Christmas and a happy and successful new year to all on this forum and to everyone involved with the club. Who knows, 2023 could be our year?

Can I ask, in all seriousness, is this even remotely possible? I can see the need for radical change, I just don’t know if the players are available to achieve it through wheeling and dealing in the January transfer window.

Two nil up, the opposition down a man and we still contrive to blow two points. Yes, the manager could have done more, especially with proactive changes earlier in the game, but the players themselves need to take a long hard look at themselves. A lack of leadership and a lack of confidence may have a very telling impact on how our season works out. These guys need to realise that they are playing for their careers right now and that an unprofessional ten minutes has turned what could have been a very good night’s work into something that feels like a defeat. With a hiding at Ibrox up next, I really hope we see a reaction. And while I am at it, time for a few home truths. It is highly unlikely we will make significant signings in the January transfer window. The players we would like and think we require will either not be available or will be beyond our financial means.. We can blame Alexander all we like, and with some serious justification, but it isn’t going to add anything to our future performances this season. The only reason we are not already in a relegation or play off place is because a few other sides are equally mediocre. Hoping that that situation remains for the rest of the season is perhaps our best bet, but scarcely a proposition that inspires.

The difference in financial clout these days makes this sort of “fixture” beyond pointless. If it was a glorified training run then okay, but what did we really get out of it other than “ seeing how the other half lives”? The bigger picture, and perhaps the elephant in the room, is that fifty years ago we could play Spurs in a competitive match and beat them. Now we are lucky to go to their training ground and take a hiding off their reserves and age group players. The truth is that where we are, and where they are, is beyond poles apart. We are not playing the same game and to suggest otherwise is simply kidding ourselves. Furthermore, the rich will continue to get richer and the also rans will continue to scrabble for crumbs while the gap, on every level, widens. It is the way the system is set up and the money men and big clubs are quite happy with the situation. Is there a solution to this problem? Sadly no. The seismic changes required to bring about anything worthwhile won’t happen because of the combined power of vested interest in the status quo and greed. Football really is a mirror for society in general at present.

It wasn’t that bad, surely?

The kit itself really isn't my cup of tea, but fair play to the club for the initiative in supporting such a worthwhile cause.

You are quite right, and I apologise profusely. I really should know my plaice.

Am I correct in thinking Albert Kidd might have scored at least one of our goals? As for the interesting fish anecdote, sorry to be pedantic, but traditionally they smoke haddock in Arbroath so technically unlikely to be kippers. As you can guess, I am great fun at parties. With regard to the local neds, I used to live in Dundee in the late eighties, early nineties and there were tales of the Arbroath locals trying to mix it with folk from the local military base at Condor. Needless to say they came off second best against Royal Marine Commandos.

In the days before undersoil heating and plastic pitches, Arbroath were just about the only team who were guaranteed to have a playable surface, whatever the weather. The pitch is so close to the firth of Tay that it doesn’t freeze. As such, throughout the 1970s, you would get the Scotsport cameras there every couple of years because Arbroath v Stirling Albion (or whoever) was the only league game on in Scotland. While the pitch itself never freezes, the same cannot be said for supporters, so anyone planning a trip, please remember to dress accordingly.

I am putting that one down to predictive text and I am in the process of sacking my proofreader.

I seem to remember a cup tie at Garfield in the early eighties. I think we won four nil. Might be a little tougher this time as Dick Campbell has done a great job there. Still, someone different and an away day for our fans against someone we rarely play. Used to be a very tidy wee ground as well so worth a visit if you are into that sort of thing.

Easily done so don’t beat yourself up over it. I’d agree that there is no real comparison between the two in terms of ability, but Wright played his part as, under McLean, we made slow but steady progress from a side yoyoing between the premier and first divisions to one capable of challenging for silverware.

Are you getting your Brians mixed up? I cannot remember Brian Wright playing centre back, whereas Brian Martin flourished for us when wee Tommmy moved him from midfield to defence not long after he joined us from St Mirren.

A strange fixture in the context of the season, given our injuries, poor run of results and the impending break. It almost has the feeling of a free hit. If we win, then great result. If we lose, disappointment but the hard work that is required during the break and leading up to the January window remains and three points, one way or another, are not going to change that. Having said that, a win would be most welcome from a short term moral point of view, both for the players and fans, so COYW!

Undoubtedly gave us a false impressions of how we thought things would always be. Still, I consider self lucky to have had my early loyalty cemented by such classy players. When things are dire and we are on the wrong end of a series of results, playing so badly that you wonder where the next win or even goal is coming from, there is solace in wondering where the next hero is coming from. It may be fanciful, but perhaps the purpose of our club is to provide the opportunities for the next St John, Pettigrew or the next Bobby Graham.

Regarding Graham’s playing style and ability, I remember watching the World Cup with my late father and him comparing one of the stars on display with Graham. He remarked that the star player always looked like he had time on the ball because of his great first touch and control, and that his eye for a “slide rule” pass to put a teammate into a goal scoring position was very reminiscent of Graham at his best. The player in question was Carlos Valderrama.

We must be of a similar vintage. The early to mid seventies side with the likes of Wark, Graham, Pettigrew, McRae, Bobby Watson, were my childhood heroes. Graham is a worthy inductee and, looking at his career, the only question I can ask is did we let him go too early? Of course, back in those days you were classed as over the hill by the time you were thirty.

Tough place to go and get something. Hopefully the Hearts squad will struggle with their recent European exertions and we can take advantage. As it I, anything gained by full time tomorrow will be a bonus. I think it may be beyond us and would predict a home win by one or two goals.

If his recent form in Finland is indicative of a positive change in his goal scoring ability, then it might be worth a punt, but otherwise his record of around one goal in every five games is not what we are looking for.

Predictable outcome against a side with a budget and playing resources we can only ream of. Our season will not be defined by our results against the old firm. The manager is having to deal with issues within the squad which are not of his making. Issues, I might add, that have been evident for some time and which his predecessors failed to address. We need to be both patient and understanding as it is not possible for these problems to be fixed in an instant. I think there are genuine signs that we are heading in the right direction, and I genuinely believe that we will stay up this season. Hopefully this run of poor results will be arrested soon, and not become a self perpetuating spiral of negativity. We have a squad with some talent and it is up to them, with guidance from the coaching staff and support from the fans, to find a way to get us back on track. COYW!

I am loathe to say that this fixture represents an opportunity with nothing to lose, as this has been the situation for a number of years and we rarely, if ever, strike a blow against the Old Firm. Having said that, a professional attitude and performance and there is no reason we cannot achieve a result. What I really cannot stomach is the thought of another “beaten before a ball is kicked” performance where we just accept a hammering on their terms. I am not suggesting a gung-ho cavalry charge approach, though goodness knows, it would at least have offered some entertainment in previous fixtures of this type, but a visible plan to take them on and get something from the game would be nice.

Fair enough. The memory can play tricks on us all, and, as said, I was all over the place at the time.

I remember us getting a five nil win at Inverness in a televised game in November 2012. Sadly, I recall it because I completely forgot the game was on because my Dad had just passed away. I saw the fifth goal on tv when I went to visit one of his neighbours who had been watching the game.