Kmcalpin

Yes, it'll be a difficult game and common sense says that a draw will be a very good result indeed for us against what is Killie's finest team in decades. However if we don't win we can pretty much say goodbye to 6th place. Whilst 6th spot would be nice, 7th place would represent considerable progress over last season for me. So I guess there's mixed messages there.

According to the BBC, Alan Campbell will be fit, if required.

I don't think its quite so clear cut as that. There's also the option of moving Dunne into the middle and playing either Hendrie or Frear at left wing back. Given Robbo's comments about McHugh's importance in central midfield I can't see him moving the skipper back, moreso if Campbell is unavailable. I think most folk would agree that Killie seem to possess an absolutely outstanding midfield just now, maybe even the best in Scotland, and so we'll need to be very combative in that area.

I'm sure they will be. A lot will depend on who is fit and available on both sides. Cedric will be a big loss as will Peter Hartley. We don't know about Alan Campbell but he too could be a big loss, if not fit. Hopefully everyone else will be fit. All that said Charles Dunne is a decent central defender. Again the mix of players in midfield will be crucial and we have to get the balance right between being competitive and creative. Its a huge game for us and one I'd ideally want to win comfortably. Killie are close rivals, and whilst I have a soft spot for them, on this occasion, I want us to win, but not only that rub their noses in the Fir Park turf to help convince them we are the better team and will finish above them. Psychology has a big role to play in competitive sport. In reality though a narrow win is much more likely.

I very much doubt that Hearts will bring anything like 4,000 to the game.

Agree thats the least worse of the TV slots Iain. Its debatable whether we'll be any worse off or not; a finely balanced calculation if you like. On top of gate money we'll lose additional catering/programme/hospitality/half time draw cash. Our own crowd will be down by about 1,000/1,500 and Hearts will bring maybe 2,000/2,500 less. A lot depends on how much we make from TV - perhaps £30,000? From sporting perpsective, maybe the Aberdeen V Kilmarnock game is marginally the game of the round, but commercially our game is more attractive to TV "companies". Its the away supports that will be hit most and the BBC has rightly calculated that more Hearts fans will watch the game on TV than Killie fans. In such calculations, might is always right.

Media's tie of the round surely?

I think you can forget Russell Griffiths for next season.

Depending on prices and TV the tie might attract 8k - 8.5k fans

Aberdeen V Kilmarnock will be the media's tie of the round.

We have a hard home game against Aberdeen on the Wednesday before the tie. Hearts play on the Tuesday. Not good.

I can't agree with that. The 2 balls are usually put in a fridge or freezer.

Pretty much yes. Not shown on any publicly available footage. As an aside, I was pleased for young Davie Turnbull making his senior debut.

I think today's game proved why such statistics are totally meaningless. We picked up 2 yellow cards and Dundee picked up 1. In point of fact we should have picked up 1 red and 1 yellow and Dundee 2 yellows and 2 reds. There's lies, damned lies and statistics as the saying goes.

We thoroughly deserved our win and odd as it may seem we got few breaks. The lads put in a competent no frills shift and our finishing was marginally better than Dundee's. Although the defence looked solid, Robbo will be a trifle concerned at the chances we gave Dundee, and they passed up. Carson produced a great save; Dunne was terrific and I though Cadden, Tait and Main played well. Although Tanner gave us a bit extra in an attacking sense, we missed Campbell's competitiveness a little in midfield where Dundee just shaded it. Its proving a very good decision though to repel Celtic's unwanted advance for Carson isn't it? Despite media plaudits for playing good football Dundee were very physical and cynical and happy to resort to the high ball when it suited them. They tried to play from the back at times but just don't have the players to do it. Bobby Madden in the middle had an horrific game. Whilst Dundee fans and players alike were incensed that Ciftci wasn't red carded we can point to his failure to issue cards to Kusunga and Moussa. The former in particular lived a charmed life. Madden also incensed many of our more volatile fans for failing to send off the Dundee player who blatantly elbowed one of our players in the face off the ball and right in front of the dugouts. Possibly one of the worst decisions I've witnessed this season. That could have been a game changing call. It was also ludicrous to see Aurtenexte Borde fall to the deck, grab the ball with both hands and still not concede a foul. Overall a good away day and whilst Robbo and Keef will want a word with a few players they'll be happy with the outcome. To beat another Premiership side 2-0 away from home is not a bad result.

Given that the away team takes 33% of the gate does anyone audit the attendance figure?

Charles Dunne for me. Outstanding today.

Given that its not all ticket, the discount for season ticket holders and Well Society members isn't that big, and a lot of folk can't get to Fir Park during the week, I'd expect our support to number somewhere between 1,500 and 2,000 fans.

Just to complicate matters, Cedric is suspended for the upcoming Kilmarnock game.

Absolutely. Even the top sides have become far more physical and athletic although they have talent as well.

My prediction is ....Moussa to be yellow carded (if he plays).

At 6-3 he will be, if he plays. It depends how desperate Dundee are. However whilst some would like to see him play on Saturday you have to ask how fit he'll be.

A merited and importnat win last night. The first half was a bit turgid but for once we matched St Johnstone and held our own in a physical battle. In the second half we moved up a gear or two and proved that we have it in us to play some decent football on the deck. The new guys too are starting to get to know their teammates and that will only improve with game time. Great to see Alan Campbell notch another goal and Curtis Main looks a very astute signing. He's as strong as an ox, hard working, can hold the ball up and has an eye for goal. That was the poorest Saints side I've seen for a few years and only in terms of aggression did they match recent teams. Daily Record stats aside the are probably one of the dirtiest sides in the league. Late tackles, two footed tackles, leaving boots in...we saw it all last night. As others have commented Murray Davidson was in a class of his own. The referee was totally inconsistent and made numerous baffling decisions. Interesting to note that younger Saints fans are taking their current poor run very badly as they have been weaned on consistent top 6 success. Enough of them though. We played well as a team and young Alan Campbell was my MOTM. He tackled, competed, ran with the ball, passed and scored. Of late I think he's been a wee bit off the boil but not last night. Andy Rose put in a great shift and popped up here there and everywhere. Curtis Main is a real find. The defence was very solid and I thought Dunne had a great game. In some respects he's very like John Philliben with pace. Softy was an uncompromising defender who couldn't pass to save himself. Kipper and Aldred looked the part. Credit to the manageent team of Robbo and Keef.

Thats about it. Other teams trend to be more streetwise. Poor refereeing is also a factor. On Saturday Osman ought to have seen red but didn't. Last night St Johnstone were by far the dirtier team and could easily have picked up a red card and 4 yellows. Matty Willock's elbow on Campbell in front of the referee was astounding. A straight red.

I agree about how we play ie trying to play catch up. All the good teams though have players capable of mixing it and winning the battle first to allow them to play ie Scott Brown at Celtic. Lets not pretend he's in their team because of his footballing talent. you cite Mark McGhee - I can recall a quote from him to the effect that every team needs a player to "stand on heads"