CoF

That'll be McGhee managing in the 6th tier of English football with Eastbourne Borough. https://twitter.com/EBFCTheSports/status/1097807728465055744

That team deserve full credit tonight. St Mirren certainly weren't awful and had more than their share of pressure, particularly in the first half. I thought we mixed it up well - kept possession very well, played some nice counter attacking football at times and even the long balls were purposeful (particularly from Dunne who I think can actually pick a pass) - the two goals were absolutely wonderful. We seem to have a solid back 4 now and Gillespie has been absolutely steady. Frear and McHugh's coming were absolutely the right substitutions at the right time. Yet to see what McCormack is supposed to be contributing though. To think that not long ago we were chucking Sammon, Bowman, Main and Johnson on the pitch at the same time to try and score goals. What a difference a month makes.

I think that's something boards never get credit for, and something our frequently targeted chief exec will certainly never get credit for from some. It takes nerves to stick by a manager when the fans turn, and I'd say 90% of well fans I knew (including myself) were at that stage just a few weeks ago. I doubt these four wins will have rid Robinson of all his doubters, but it certainly looks like the right decision now. As an aside, being a club that isn't trigger happy can only enhance the quality of applicants in the future.

Nice to see attempts to change the style - and looks like we've finally got the balance of pace on the wings and dig / bit of skill through the middle of the park. Still rough round the edges but if these players are given the chance to continue to play together I can only see the football improve. Robinson does like a sweeping change so I'm not overly optimistic that'll happen. It's absolutely clear we're playing without a goalscorer up-front and only Robinson can be blamed for that. He's lucky we have players in other areas who are popping up with goals while we continue our search for the elusive goalscorer. I still maintain Danny Johnston might be that guy, but I'm not sure he's got the physicality to play the hold-up role Main is in. Regardless, full credit to the manager and players for 9 points from 9. To find ourselves 3 points from Livingstone in 7th after their 'remarkable' season so far suggests that we've been doing something decent.

A few food points made on the merits of keeping Robinson, however this one in particular I'm not so sure about. We've got a steady core home support of between probably 3400 - 4000 depending on how we are doing. We had 2900 odd home fans last night. I don't know the financial impact if that remained consistent, but the board must take that drop into consideration with everything else.

Oh aye, I actually meant to include Dunne - another defender so that's 8 solid signings.

Taking McCormack and Ariyibi out of the equation leaves 23 players, of which I'd say 7 have been solid signings (Kipre, Aldred, Hartley, Gillespie, Carson, Tanner, Rose), leaving 16 players who have drifted in and out the team with seriously inconsistent levels of performance. I think it's significant that of those 7, 3 are defenders and 2 are goalkeepers. We look absolutely clueless going forward and that's reflected perfectly in the players we sign.

Yeah, it's a load of absolute shite they've pulled from transfermarkt. Connor Sammon €350'000 Ryan Bowman €400'000 Trevor Carson €500'000

Interesting reading a lot of the criticism of Robinson and of the quality of the squad he's assembled. Each week I see our starting line-up and I always think on paper it's a team capable of putting a decent performance in. Every player has individual attributes to contribute positively, and we've seen every single player go through spells (some a few weeks, some a few months) where they have been very good. This leads me to believe Robinson and / or Lasley aren't getting the best out of the players. With the exception of Kipre and Moult, who were natural talents, most players have regressed under the current management. Main, Cadden, Campbell, Frear, Bigirimana, Aldred, Hartley and McHugh have all shown at some point that they are capable of far more than they are delivering. Get them at their best and that's a very strong base to work with. There's a lot I like about Robinson, and I'm sick of people downplaying last years achievements and yes, when we're signing from the level we do, inconsistency probably comes with the territory but I'd be interested to see what another manager could do with this current squad.

Bit of a freak set of circumstances in the first 20 but almost felt the injury to Dunne and McHugh typified our mentality this season. Happens to even the best of teams and players, but I wasn't surprised two of our players stuck the nut in each other in the middle of the pitch. This might seem harsh but that incident comes from poor communication and poor judgement in an area of the pitch where we weren't in danger.

+ still in the Scottish Cup. (winky face)

Don't think we can underestimate how good a result that was after the opening 11 minutes. Celtic did fuck all and could only scored when we had a man off the park. That was in part down to them being shite over-rated arseholes and us actually been very well organised at the back. I did struggle to see where even a half chance was going to come from, and Danny Johnstone is the only one I thought it could fall to and go in. Despite a quiet game, he's definitely got an instinct for goal. Also thought Sammon grew into the game and actually looked decent for half an hour.

Performance of the season by an absolute mile. Hopefully Robinson realises it's okay to mix it up now and then. We played some really nice football and looked confident passing it about. Night and day from last months performances. Turnbull was absolutely outstanding despite it actually being one of his quieter games. Grimshaw looks like a guy who just loves playing football. Mbulu slotted right in . Harsh on Bowman, but Johnson and Main will hopefully form a steady partnership. Johnson is definitely the more natural finisher out of the three of them and has a classiness about him the other to lack. Gorrin looks like an interesting player when he came on. Calm, composed and a few very clever passes. Where does McHugh fit in after today?

Absolutely. Also worth remembering what most assume his remit is this season: staying in the league and clearing a bit of debt through player sales. He achieved that and more last season so I think as long as he keeps beating the 3 teams in and around us he'll stay in a job. Strangely enough, I think off-field performance might be the tipping point for the board. If it looks like we're going to be going into the next few transfer windows without a player to sell for a decent amount they might consider his overall performance.

I don't think we can underestimate how much time those two cup finals have bought Robinson. I've got a wee feeling our own results aren't the most important thing - as long as there are at least two team considerably worse off than us in the league he'll be here.

What do folk think about Johnson? Start of the season he looks like a real asset. Quick to get shots away and more than capable of holding the ball up in tight areas. Surprised to see him only get limited game time now.

I wish I shared you optimism. I agree fully about needing to changing the plan vs the top teams, however Robinson has persevered with ineffective formations and tactics for months at a time against teams around us. He's self-assured and stubborn so it wouldn't surprise me at all if he only changed things around to play the bottom two and will now revert to his core game plan - big useless punts up the park. That said, he's a young, smart manager who is still learning the game so there is every chance he'll have changed his thinking in the last week.

Best attacking performance today for many months despite being played at right back.

A really enjoyable few days and you could see the teams confidence growing from Wednesday night. Two wins is something but to put in two good performances is what really gives me confidence for the rest of the season. We do however need more from our strikers if we're to get comfortable in the league. My biggest fear is that Robinson reverts back to previous tactics against the 'better' teams in the league - by that I mean every single team above us. All will be revealed on Sunday.

I sit in the Cooper and there's a lot of promising youngsters down the front who I think should be given the chance to take the step up to the East Stand. It's always a gamble and some might say they are too young but I think they'd bring that fearless energy only youth can bring. Also, being talked through the game by the older heads can only be good for their development. Unfortunately we know it will never happen with the current regime. Quite literally, jobs for the bois.

Two more than we currently have.

Last season was considered a huge success on and off the pitch and Robinson still has a lot of goodwill in the stands and, I imagine, in the boardroom. I'd be astonished if he was sacked if we lose the next two. What I imagine it would do however, is put him under some real scrutiny from the board, who might think for the first time that we are genuine relegation candidates. It would probably be the point where the clock starts ticking to turn it around.

Yep, unless he has some insight on why Lasley is a waste of time then it's an absolutely pointless article that offers nothing. Even the most nonsensical posters on here give more analysis.

Talking of fast players, Ross McCormack with an assist for...... Usain Bolt.

I think that's an important point when we are looking at the new signings. The core of last years squad are individually performing below what we know they can. I doubt we're getting the best out the new guys either.