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dennyc: "And Killie might have had to change their half time game plan which was working a treat." Quite right: get your "substitute retalition" in first and take the initiative. That's something for SK to ponder for future games if he is to improve as a manager.

That's what gets me. Given how agitated SK was getting and the heated discussions he was having with SF, I think he was concerned. And he must have felt the growing anxiety in the Stands. But despite being the only person with the real power to alter things, he did nothing until Killie scored and the referee also took a hand. An earlier change might not have worked, but had he acted earlier at least we would not have been relying on lady luck or Killie misses. And Killie might have had to change their half time game plan which was working a treat.

The momentum against Killie had clearly changed but it was not just an immediate reaction to us scoring. We were comfortable for the 30 minutes after the goal up to half time. In the second half everyone in the ground could sense the equalising goal coming and the Killie players certainly did. My issue is that, despite that momentum switch, SK did nothing to alter the flow of the match until after Killie got the goal they deserved. Had he acted earlier maybe we could have regained control and gone on to win the match. Evidenced by the impact Maswanhise had when he came on and gave Killie something different to think about. Even with us a man down. As you say, we are well placed in the League and SK deserves credit for that. But, how much better placed could we be if he was a bit more pro active. If he is not happy with the way momentum has switched or the fact we are falling deeper and deeper against his instructions, he has the power to try and change things. But he appears reluctant to do so until the inevitable happens.

The problem was that his first substitution was a negative one by bringing on Davor for Halliday. That shows you are looking to hold what you have and gives McInnes carte blanche with his attacking substitutions. Sparrow for Paton was fine. But the other sub shoulda been Maswanhise so McInnes had to keep an eye on the back door. This isnt hindsight either, as me and my mate both said the same at the time when we could see the direction of travel. Its one of my big bug bears with SK (who I still wholeheartedly support) but he need to learn from his mistakes, and in game management is still a big minus for me at the moment.

I think the 2 major points fall on the shoulders of SK and as a generalization, are…. 1. The squad we have is best suited to attacking football, so let’s play more attacking football. 2. We need to be using subs earlier and do like for like. Less confusion, maintain our organization, shape and energy. Despite what I say above, I’m in the “keep SK camp” even with his shortcomings. I’m hoping at some point he will finally break the mold and realize that you can win games and take fine margins out of the equation, by playing attacking football and that subs need to happen before mistakes or tiredness cause us problems.

I get most of that and I agree. However we don't have the squad to shitfest games, especially at home. We don't have physical, trench warfare type players that the likes of Killie, St Mirren, Dundee United or Ross County do. Don't get me wrong, you can overdo that quality. As with many things its getting the balance right. My ambition in football is simple and modest just go out and win games, by whatever legal means. Yes, I like expansive football too, but its not achievable at our level whilst picking up points. SK's overly cautious defensive tactics were a talking point amongst those around us on Friday evening. Not for the first time we take a slender single goal lead in the first half then sit in and invite the opposition to do their worst. Thats fine if you're 2 or preferrably 3 goals up. We've seen the pattern played out on Friday night oft before. The midfielders sit deep on the edge of our box or even in it. The 2 wing backs are left exposed - Killie hit the by line with alarming ease; they rained in crosses from only 30 yards out. Our keeper is going through a bad spell with aerial balls, and the central defence isn't exactly watertight in the air. When we managed to clear the ball to the 30/40 yard mark our lightweight midfield was clearly instructed to remain in situ and not move out with the inevitable result. Even when we randomly pack the box with 9/10/11 players the opposition still find plenty of space to test the exposed Oxborough (forced into the highest number of saves in the Premiership). Just look at Polwarth's goal on Friday - all the time and space in the world to pick his spot. I get that injuries and tiredness eg Paton and Halliday play a factor but we really do need to up our game considerably during spells when defending and not in possession. I do wonder if 2 banks of 4 midfielders & defenders, with instructions to halt the attackers at the 40 yard mark would be more effective. Either way, if we must persist with defensive shitfest tactics during games then we need to bring in players with more physical/abrasive attributes; adjust our formation accordingly and be more proactive with substitutions

When VAR first came in I used to get annoyed if a decision went against us and loved to see the disappointment on the faces of the oposition when it went against them. A bit of excitement and drama like the novelty of a new toy Months later I'm just annoyed permanently with it and would gladly toss it in the bin and I'm sure 99% of fans feel the same. The novelty has well and truly worn off.

This game is exactly why the pint of Bailey’s was invented.

At least the ref's horror show had deflected away from our terrible performance. Lennon has been poor for weeks now and I assume its because he has been given the captains armband. If you really think about it, he is a kid and should not have that pressure thrust on him. He is a top talent and the quicker he gets out of this league the better!!!!!

Absolutely bizarre stuff from the refereeing/var team tonight. Giving the red card is one thing...but having the ability to 'have another look' and then double down, is quite another. Totally baffling stuff and another black mark against VAR for me... Less said about Killies penalty appeal, the better. Again, what are the VAR folk looking at? On the game, we looked jaded, well off it and didn't really ever control the game at all. A point is a decent outcome

Wasn't sure where to post this but I was at calendar signing tonight getting one signed for our best pals son. I know we give them pelters at times but what a great bunch of lads we have. All so pleasant and took time to speak to everyone. I even got a few selfies but avoided saying I was grizzly just incase...🤣

Dean Cornelius scores winner for Harrogate in fa cup tonight