purestate

Fully agree. If Kelly was as still here, rooted to his line, we would have lost a couple of goals from their punts into the area plus a couple of through balls where Ox was well positioned to come out and collect/clear.

Anyone else think all the angst and psychodrama could be a false flag operation designed to form the plot/script/content of the first two episodes of a Netflix/Prime docusoap? 🤔😉

Without starting the whole “is Kelly any good” debate again it does seem as if there are promising keepers out there as genuine alternatives eg Teddy Sharman-Lowe just signed updated contract with Chelsea but likely to go out on loan.

Blaney had a very solid game both defensively and good passing offensively so went for him although given no option to vote for the Miller/Gent/Bair combo.

in such a tumultuous season there have been some fantastic goals scored - Spittal against Celtic of these to both recognise his contribution overall but mostly for the sublime turn by Miller. Both Nicholson’s and Theo’s goals today would be contenders.

Kelly had a number of decent saves, a bit of fancy footwork, and in a day where the wind was causing havoc with flight of the ball, his handling was secure. Blaney was solid as well and cracking strike for goal.

Has VAR disallowed it yet?

No doubt we’ll get an apology in umpteen weeks time about how it shouldn’t have been given. on the other hand do we believe if VAR wasn’t there it would be some other contrivance

Yes, and it’s the extra draws/games we didn’t lose that have us above StJ and RC and will likely make the difference in the final placings. I think there’s some in here who are probably happier we lost today rather than have another draw.

SK post match said they worked on covering the moves which led to Celtic goal and sounded pretty frustrated but he should know how immobile Butcher is, how McGinn is nowhere near as comfortable on left and general capability of players to play positions. I agree with others that Blaney should have replaced Casey which would have been less disruptive and then Butcher could have been a more defensive midfield option and Nicholson could have tried to play the Vale role.

If we can keep it tight in second half, say up to the 99th minute, we should at least get a draw

It’s a reasonable statement that we would likely struggle against Dundee Utd and probably Raith if games were played now. And if we were to finish in 11th it would surely mean that we were on an absymal run so whoever the Championship side is would likely have a chance. It’s just far more unlikely that all the teams immediately below and around us are ALL going to suddenly up their games enough that ALL of them overtake us now. Maybe mods could start a optimists/happy clappers vs pessimists/doomsquad week by week “playoff” debate 😉

I guess we’re all just going to have to find out together. I’m obviously a bit more optimistic that we’ll take enough points from those around us, especially after the split. I suspect neither of us want County to get enough of a new manager bounce to make a difference. Like him/loathe him Adam’s probably called County’s quality correctly and my take is Levein won’t add anything more than he has already to a poor StJ side.

Seriously, now I do think you are maybe being provocative for the sake of it. At this stage there is absolutely nothing to suggest Kettlewell and our squad won’t perform just as well or better than those around us. The Morton game is no more a definitive indicator on how all the rest of the season will go than the County game. RC aren’t looking for a permanent manager which shows how they are thinking and the “box office” tosser at Aberdeen is no long term solution for them either. A lot of clubs now limping towards the end of this season. I’d rather stick than twist thanks very much.

Totally agree. Also the keeper is probably the toughest position on the pitch. Any mistake is more than likely to result in a goal against or, at least, be amplified in fans eyes. Not sure if people saw Becker and van Dijk the other week - total train wreck from players on a totally different level - shit happens. It’s how pros react to adversity that matters and, in my eyes, most of our squad are doing their level best. Who knows it may not be good enough by the end of the season but I’m a glass 8/12ths full kind of guy.