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I've watched Ap Stam's goal over and over and will never tire of it. It wasn't just any old goal it was a real striker's goal, as they said on Kingdom FM. The lad can certainly finish. A venomous strike. A phrase I hate hearing when we're attacking is that it was a good strike but the keeper made a great save. That usually suggests to me that the finish wasn't quite 100%. Certainly not the case yesterday. Josef Bursik is a damned fine keeper but there was no way he was saving Ap Stam's effort. I'm looking forward to seeing more of his finishing!

A dominant goalkeeper makes a huge difference

SOD has played well this season, whilst yesterday was a poor performance by him some of the criticism feels a bit OTT.

With the nature of the news and media these days, and changes to the way our Police operate, its very, very difficult to get an informed and objective report on events, be they international, national or local. In such cases as this, its a known unknown. Most of us know very little, if anything, about what actually took place.

Thought we were poor in possession first half. Robinson was totally anonymous. I get that he and Stama were isolated but at least Stama was holding the ball up and trying to bring others into play. Robinson seems to take so long to get the ball under control and out of his feet that any chance that comes his way is gone. Id like to have some patience with him, but its difficult when other players come on and instantly offer more. Out of possession I thought we looked pretty solid. On the few occasikns Hibs did open is up Big Ox was immense. He seems to be growing in confidence and totally bossed his area. Quite refreshing! Second half was much better. I really like Sparrow. He gives us much more drive and athleticism in midfield. I feel like he has earned his chance to start as he offers something differen to Halliday and Davor. One of them has to go. The biggest difference though was when Watt and Ebiye came on. They offered more in their first 5 mins than Robinson did all game and for me both of them and Stama have to now be ahead of Robinson. Watt in particular is starting to look a lot fitter. Hopefully the staff will work him hard during the break and get him ready to start. Pleased for Stama to get his goal. He played well and deserved it. Wise of SK to take him off though and protect him when he is just back from injury. We dont want to risk him breaking down again. Overall, a great 3 points. Not sure we totally deserved it, but we took our chances and our keeper and defence did the rest. As always, there was plenty to pick holes in if you choose. McGinn and SODs both gave the ball away needlessly at times. SOD paid the penalty for his mistake. But they both otherwise had decent games. Particularly McGinn whose passing was incisive in the second half at least. Much for SK to mull over during the break. Not too many opportunities to tweak things prior to the semi final. He needs to get team selection right for that as its now looking like an eminently winnable game.

I wasn't at the game but watched the highlights. A good, but close, win at a difficult venue. What a finish from from Ap Stam from a very tight angle. I'm sure there's more to come from him. Disappointing to lose an avoidable goal so quickly through SOD'S dithering on the ball. What a throw from Balmer to set up a classy volleyed finish from Halliday. The Kettle is still boiling!

Miller deserves a lot if credit for the free kick too as it was weighted perfectly for AP to run onto. Easy to overhit those.

Should also add, I think that was Moses' best game for us despite not scoring.

Perfect summary of the game, player performances and the way it all panned out.

Please offer Ox new terms and on a longer deal the guy is so good that performance today some of those saves were top drawer. And I got to witness one of the things I wanted to see this season a Balmer bullet into the box and a goal!Magical. Good stuff hope it continues after the international break.

What a dumpster fire this thread has turned into 🤣

Iv got a big hacksaw in my toolbox if you want to make a start. Should be nearly done by next home game if you get an early start tomorrow.🪚🪚

Excellent post Stephen. I hope it stimulates informed long term discussion. This issue won't go away.

As the author I'm breaking my self imposed exile in the aftermath of Madwullie and Andy Patterson's passing. I didn't feel the need to do so when canvassing for votes in the recent WS election. It has saddened me to read how the thread has seemingly been hijacked for almost half it's content by talk of current bus routes in 2024 for a project that would not, even if given a green light, be a thing until the 2030's. Talk about running before you are even walking. Safe to say a stadium and any ancillary services within the footprint would be a draw for public transport provision, last time I looked First Bus is a commercial operation. There is also a rail line linking Wishaw and Carfin to the north of the site which may justify a station the same way Airbles got one 35 years ago. The most likely position before geotechnical surveys would be probably within 2km of Fir Park. If Dalziel plate mill does not last then I'd imagine the walk from the mini roundabout on Windmillhill Street near Crosshill Church would be less or commensurate to FP. More hassle if you live in Greenacres, less if you live in Jerviston. If you're looking at a move as how will it affect you personally opposed rather than how will it affect the club we collectively support then not only is it a bit short sighted but a little bit selfish. It's a document produced at it's core to provoke sensible and measured debate on where we are and where we could be going. The main things I hoped people would take is if a move actioned is a design that promotes atmosphere, the need for it to be used 24/7 both as an arena and in the other spaces within the building(s) and how due to the nature of our skewed league we could take advantage of that to our financial advantage and use the in part to finance it. We already have bowed to the sectarian pound with a skewed South/McLean stand after all, so we have previous. A new POD would involve that space currently offer unusable for 12-18 months, all significant matchday hospitality, rehoming the dressing rooms, offices, etc. It would not be allowed to alter much from the current floorplan or height due to planning laws. We would take a significant hit to do so. The Cooper is being assessed for a lift but probably it and the East/Hunter are OK with minor maintenance for 10-15 years. I was told the South faces a high six figure sum to fix it's issues and for a 30 year old structure you would expect that. Add all of these costs and disruption together, add in any land value (however not £6m as club accounts indicate) then you're on the way to putting a sizeable dent on a new home. A lot has been made of Brian's comments at the Q&A (not AGM) in early August where mintymac asked the question. I was at the meeting and you've got to give Brian's answer context, in the door a few months, no prior affiliation to the club or history, WS successfully beat off Erik .... at the time the subtext was let's all calm down and regroup. To commit at a fan Q&A to looking elsewhere would have been a nuclear bomb on both forums, facebook and twitter. The let's just plod on answer is one I would have given if CEO and asked the same question and I know 'Flow would have too (despite a preference to move).