weeyin

I posted this back in March in a different thread, but if anyone is in any doubt what our standing in the SP(F)L is since its inception and how we measure up, here it is again. We have been relegated twice. Been in the relegation spot twice, but saved due to reconstruction and the all-seater stadium rule. Finished one place above relegation 4 times and avoided relegation by winning a play-off once. Our combined average position is 6.97 (without adjusting for the fact some seasons were 10 team leagues and others 12) In 10 team leagues, our average position is 7.06 In 12 team leagues, our average position is 5 For stats junkies, our Median position is 7.5 and Mode is 8 (which means we have finished 8th more than any other position) Our position in Div 1 are not included in the stats. 75-76 4th from 10 (2 relegated) - Ian St John was the gaffer that season! 76-77 7th from 10 (2 relegated) 77-78 6th from 10 (2 relegated) 78-79 10th from 10 RELEGATED 79-80 6th in Div 1 80-81 5th in Div 1 81-82 1st in Div 1 82-83 8th from 10 (2 relegated) 83-84 10th from 10 RELEGATED 84-85 1st in Div 1 85-86 9th from 10 (saved from relegation by reconstruction) 86-87 8th from 12 (2 relegated) 87-88 8th from 12 (3 relegated) 88-89 9th from 10 (1 relegated) 89-90 6th from 10 (1 relegated) 90-91 6th from 10 (no relegation due to reconstruction) 91-92 10th from 12 (2 relegated) 92-93 9th from 12 (2 relegated) 93-94 3rd from 12 (3 relegated) 94-95 2nd from 10 (1 relegated, 1 play-off) 95-96 8th from 10 (2 relegated) 96-97 8th from 10 (1 relegated, 1 play-off) 97-98 9th from 10 (1 relegated) 98-99 7th from 10 (1 relegated) 99-00 4th from 10 (no relegation due to reconstruction) 00-01 8th from 12 (1 relegated) 01-02 11th from 12 (1 relegated) 02-03 12th from 12 (saved from relegation by Falkirk's stadium) 03-04 6th from 12 (1 relegated) 04-05 6th from 12 (1 relegated) 05-06 8th from 12 (1 relegated) 06-07 10th from 12 (1 relegated) 07-08 3rd from 12 (Gretna!) 08-09 7th from 12 (1 relegated) 09-10 5th from 12 (1 relegated) 10-11 6th from 12 (1 relegated) 11-12 3rd from 12 (1 relegated) 12-13 2nd from 12 (1 relegated) 13-14 2nd from 12 (2 relegated, 1 via play-off) 14-15 11th from 12 (won play off)

Anything but one up top for me. We don't have the midfield that can support that formation and it inevitably leads to the lone striker being isolated and chasing long balls and hopeful punts.

As frustrating as it is when Skippy does something like that, it's that part of his character that makes him a good player. Chippy, mouthy and in your face for 90 minutes is how he made his career. The bigger concern is the apparent gulf between our first choice strikers and our backups.

Totally agree about the strikers. Since the start of the season we have been largely struggling to take our chances. Injuries early on in the season plus Skippy taking his usual 2 months to get fit hasn't helped, but their errors tend to be judged less harshly than the defenders' even though they have the same cost.

And that is truly baffling as it's the easiest thing in the world for any defender to keep the "wrong footed" winger on the outside so he has to cross with his weaker foot.

As much as I like Pearson I wouldn't class him as creative mid. Although he is a bit more attacking, he's not a foot on the ball and pick a pass sort of player.

Thread.

Aye, as I mentioned in a different thread, our attack has suffered since we lost Marvin. Hopefully Frear can replace him and give us a bit more pace and width on the left. We have been missing a creative midfield influence since Nicky Law move on. That kind of player is much more difficult to replace.

He gets to the end of the season for me. If we sacked managers every time we play poorly against Rangers we'd need 3 or 4 managers a season How we have performed the last couple of seasons is about average for us in the SP(F)L. I'm disappointed with the overall form, but more encouraged by the young players we have brought through. We have missed Marvin more than I thought so hopefully the new winger will give us that extra dimension we are missing from last season.

Didn't even bother looking for a way to watch the game - knew exactly what to expect. Back in the days when we could beat Rangers (and in the playoff) we got results by playing our normal formation, having a go and letting them worry about us. If we just went all out at them every game we played in the last 20 years we couldn't possibly have ended up with less points than we actually did.

Hope the Well Bois are tuning up their "nah nah nah, na na na naaaaaa, Hey Jules" to add to their Beatles repertoire.

The saddest part is that, regardless of the rights or wrongs, in 2017 we still have to consider things like this in the context of sectarianism.

Losing late goals can also start creeping into your mentality in the last few minutes and panic ensues where a clear head is required. Good teams shut down games in the midfield and keep the ball (in the opponents half if possible). When doubt creeps in the tendency is to defend deeper and deeper which increases the chances of a lucky break, a mistake or a half chance being converted.

Cue the "boot tae the jules zak" jokes* *or maybe not

Any senior player that a manager has built up a relationship with over the years, I'd imagine.

I think there are a few "senior" professionals who don't train as often as others. Regardless, if someone comes in with an offer for Skippy, he's no different from any other player. Take the money and move on. Managers, player and agents play these games every window and its ridiculously pointless. I have no idea who they think they are fooling with their "no way we are selling, ridiculously low offer, seeing out his contract, improved offer not enough, bench him for being unsettled, reluctantly selling, goes with our best wishes" patter. We are all adults here. We get it. Sometimes we lose out from the game, sometimes we benefit (like with Porter or Coke). As for Skippy - when we he left the first time there was no dip in his performance as he ran down his contract. He doesn't seem like that kind of player.

If we do, I'd be amazed if he close to fit enough to last more than about 45 mins. Quite a gap to bridge.

Left winger, two and half years, small (I imagine) transfer fee - sounds like a perfect fit for our moneyball model. If he can perform at the same level could be a great signing.

McCarthy on loan? That would help solve our creative mid problem.

Changing Fir Park to all seated took half the atmosphere away. Sitting in seats that are too narrow, with no leg room and the acoustics of a tin roof while watching a game on a plastic pitch could kill it completely. You're right about Lego, though - most of those are much better than anything we could afford.

Well he also said McDonald was staying put - but you never know. When it comes to transfers, he doesn't give much away.

Out: goalkeeping coach to Northampton.

Mind games. At this stage of the season a day off here and there shouldn't affect their physical fitness, so the coaching staff is trying to clear their heads ready for doing them over on Saturday.

We could also have some healthy snacks in our Fruit Corner.

As long as the womenfolk are still barred. I mean, we have to draw the line somewhere. (I feel like in this internet age I need to put a smiley after this one to prevent a public witch hunt on social media - thanks Twitter!)