Kmcalpin

John Chapman, a farmer by occupation, told me exactly the same thing. It bakes the soil.

In theory you're right although I suppose it depends on the definition of "asked"

I really think SK is on borrowed time and we are simply delaying the inevitable. Very few other clubs would retain a manager with a record of 4 points from 33. Most, though not all of us, would agree that his summer transfer dealings were poor. Why then should we expect his January dealings, if there are any, to be better? The team, not just 2 or 3 individuals, has lost form. That has to be down to the manager. He seems incapable of changing tactics or formations to turn things around and we are making the same errors month after month now. If there is to be a change then we have to do it soon, as any new appointee would want a full window to se what he could do in the market. I really cannot see a significant improvement in results in the next 2 games, or even beyond that..

Agreed. Did VAR overrule the ref yesterday? It seems to be the case that if 2 players are going for a ball at the same height and one gets caught, then the later of the two gets red carded. Paton may not even have seen McCowan steaming in from the side yesterday, as he was focused purely on the ball. He clearly thought that a yellow card was harsh.

On paper I agreed too, but on the field it soon became apparent that the actual formation was causing us serious problems. An out of touch Butcher was playing almost as part of a back 6, with a 2, possibly 3 man midfield and an isolated striker having to feed off long aerial balls. After an encouraging early goal, we sat back and packed our penalty box. Dundee were allowed to swarm all over us and were afforded as much time and space as they wanted. In short we were far too passive. Again we looked very narrow and Dundee took full advantage of space out wide. They knew our weaknesses. Dundee were no world beaters, but looked faster and better organised than us on the day. The team does have something though to come back a man down and snatch a late leveller, not for the first time. Our defending was abysmal and we looked disorganised. When out of possession we lost all shape. A lot of these weaknesses are down to the manager. Players who were playing well months ago are now playing poorly en masse. Thats down to the manager. All things told I reckon it was a point gained and not two lost - a sad indictment on how poorly we played. VAR spoiled today's game and provided plenty of talking points. Overall though, the ref had a good game considering he was rookie at this level. After having watched the highlights, I’m baffled as to why there was no VAR check for Dundee’s first. When the ball is lofted back in there are 3 Dundee players, including the scorer, clearly offside. Was there a very slight deflection? I can see now why Mugabi’s goal was scrutinised for fouling – maybe 50/50. Harry Paton’s red card -wrong. A yellow card, as originally awarded by the ref. He was going for the ball, which was at knee height, as was McCowan. Is it a case of who gets there first? A bizarre incident late on, when Boateng went down injured after being pulled back. He fell to the deck clutching his ankle to waste time, and was asked to leave to the field by the officials. He complied only to be blocked by Tony Docherty and pushed back on again. You couldn’t make it up.

Yes. We score then retreat into our own box with a 6 man defence and deep lying midfield. Despite that Dundee were easily able to play football unhindered in and around our box. Shocking formation. You'd think we were playing a top European side the respect we showed them.

I think SK has the next game against Ross County to save his job. Our current winless run is unacceptable on various levels. Late comebacks are simply papering over huge cracks.

No, it qualifies as being a deceitful plonker.

Presumably Dundee can't pick Ricky Lamie for this game?

A bit of transparency from the SFA wouldn't go amiss. Did they not use to publish details but this was deliberately stopped. Why?

It was very soft. A lot of jersey pulling goes on in the box and most instances are ignored.

Really can't complain about that draw.

Absolutely. VAR has changed very little. The issue is one of consistency or rather lack of.

Spot on. I'm looking for a minimum of 6 points here. Irrespective of Board action or inaction, SK's position needs to be clarified by the results. The worst possible outcome is an "adequate" return from these games i.e. something akin to a win and a draw or a win, or 3 draws. That just perpetuates uncertainty We need to enter the New Year as a unified, settled outfit and one with a clear idea of the way ahead.

A different mindset from yesterday will be required for this one. It'll be up to us to go out and force play, battle for possession and use the ball wisely. A huge test for SK. Not bothered in the least if we score an early goal so long as we score at least one more than Dundee. A 93rd minute opener for us would do nicely.

Great result today despite the best efforts of the officials. It wasn't their fault that Celtic didn't win. Credit to the team and management. Obika does offer something up front, if he can stay fit. Now for Dundee. That will be a different type of game.

Fair comment. Well done to SK and the players today. To snatch a very late draw after losing a late penalty says something. But we have several winnable home games coming up and we must win those. Otherwise today's great result will be all for nothing.

Yes probably a football forum is maybe not the place for this type of discussion. However we either continue with it or we don't. You can't have it both ways.

He was a striker before he signed but we "converted" him into a midfielder. Many of us expected him to bang in goals but that never happened. Another player at that time told me that he was arguably the most talented player on the training pitch but just couldn't translate that onto the pitch on a Saturday.

When SK first took over, he took our set up and tactics back to basics and kept it simple. Just what was needed at that time. It took rivals a bit by surprise and worked a treat. However they then began to work out ways to negate us and our form took a nosedive. Because of the type of player SK built his own squad around in the summer we became a one trick pony and he effectively backed himself into a corner. He's struggled badly to come up with a Plan B. That's where we are now.

Woolery, was mainly played on the wing, his correct position. He flattered to deceive and had no end product. Wilkinson looks limited but, has rarely, if ever, been played in his correct position of a central penalty box striker. Until he's been given a run of games in that position we can't make a fair comparison.

An unfair comparison. Conor Wilkinson is not a winger despite what SK thinks.

You're right. We'll leave it there.

It's a very fine line to tread. In my book, if someone wants to talk during a silence, whilst legal, is disrespectful but yes its their right to express their feelings. However if they start shouting then that is a very different matter. That's infringing on the rights of others. It's an attempt to force their views on others. That goes beyond freedom of speech.

Its perfectly legal, but whether or not its "ok" is an entirely different matter. I doubt very much if the club or most of our fans would roll out the red carpet for Neil Lennon. I'm being euphemistic.