Kmcalpin

I think Falkirk are big enough now that they don't need to concern themselves with away fans. Quite simply we're an unwanted distraction.

Thoroughly enjoyed yesterday's game, probably moreso than Tuesday's game against Hibs. We were up against 11 men for the duration of the match and playing the league leaders. We fully deserved our point but didn't quite do enough to warrant all 3. A good first half, shaky 25 minutes after the break and finished strongly. Make no mistake, Hearts had all the hallmarks of a proper Derek McInnes team. JBA got his tactics spot on in the first 45; McInnes reacted well at half time and JBA regained control with his late changes. We played well in the early stages but didn't create much and overelaborated. Unlucky to be denied an early goal by VAR again. A shoulder offside? I ask you. Neither clear nor obvious. Hearts started the second half well and had us pinned back for a good 20 minutes or so, but we didn't buckle. The highlight of the game for me was Callum Hendry's goal line clearance. In general though, our defence played well and Stephen Welsh was my MOTM. The midfield wasn't quite firing on all cylinders, but played well nonetheless. We finished strongly, but poor finishing allowed Schwolow that little, but all crucially important opportunity, to showcase his skills. Still, we created chances. I thought Kevin Clancy had a poor game and was outthought by Derek McInnes' charges. The crime count of 4 fouls and 2 bookings versus 14 fouls and 4 bookings tells its own story. Shankland should have received an early yellow for lifting his hand and smacking one of our players in the face; and Devlin should have received a second yellow. Lessons learned for us? We need to be more clinical up front and probably a goalscoring main striker should be on our shopping list. Callum Hendry and Ap Stam just don't do it for me. A missing piece in the jigsaw.

Agree that that it will be a very difficult game. Falkirk are a decent side whose style isn't bad although a tad overhyped. Their most impressive quality right now is the good luck that they're carrying. This season they've received at least one game changing 50/50 decision in their favour in most games. Right now, a draw would be a great result for us.

Just in front of us. No I don't think so. Didn't see one at any rate. I wonder what upset McInnes at full time. Didn't see or hear anything untoward.

A fair summing up but Devlin should never have seen the final whistle. He was very fortunate not to receive a 2nd yellow card. Referee bottled it.

South Stand capacity cut to 4,600. So about 6,339 Well fans. That's impressive.

Is it not about time we played St Mirren in Paisley again? No trip to Perth this time as the tractormen have been asked to leave the competition following their defeat to Cove Rangers.

Agreed. A few folk have experienced log in problems. Also the first place in the app many members would have looked would be subscription details and they're not available yet. In short it's a bit like the Queensferry Crossing. Announced it was finished before it actually was, for PR reasons. Still, it's a positive step forward.

Have many folk downloaded the Society app yet? I've done so, logged in and it works ok but my membership details are scant. Shown as 1950, whatever that means. No record of my subscriptions to date or monthly payments or how to amend them.

10,616 Sir.

I assumed that Iredale was subbed to avoid him being red carded. After JT gave him a roasting he simply went totally out of control and could have picked up 3 yellow cards in a crazy 15 minute spell. Part of our gameplan was to "deny them access to their best players" according to JBA.

How many of our current long term crocks did SK sign? Three?

Much has been made about Killie's injury list and how it impacted on their game yesterday. By my count, they had 5 players out with one returning to the bench. On the other hand, we had 8 players out. Ok, not all of ours would have been starters but... A common theme emerging about Kettlewell's training methods? Incidentally, I noticed a picture of Ap Stam taking the penalty. Just behind him there's a clear image of Said's jersey being pulled, presumably to prevent him from running in to follow up had the ball not gone in. In that scenario would a retake have been ordered via VAR or otherwise?

Thats just not going to happen. By comparison to our perma angry, vitriolic and vile hordes, Killie fans are decent, patient, civilised and courteous. They would never stoop so low as to criticise him. Aye right!

A very good result on the road although we did strike it very lucky given Killie's long injury list. Of late we've not picked up much at Rugby Park so this very satisfying. Going by the BBC stats (?) we do seem to have riled the ref with a few yellow cards. Good to see TJ notch a brace.

It'll be a tough game today on Killie's weed infested plastic pitch. They'll sit in and make it hard for us, no gifts at the back please. 1-1 draw.

A somewhat odd move no?

A bit strange. We all knew that something was up with Richard Foster and the wording of his exit seems a bit terse. That said, I'm pleased to see Jim Paterson land the post. I think he's been involved with the club for a wee while, if only unofficially. OTF will know the story. Always had a lot of time for Jim after seeing him sit with the fans at East End rather than using a complimentary ticket for their Main Stand.

We're not the getting the rub of the green at all from referees just now. Week in, week out these decisions are going against us. By contrast, Falkirk are getting all these decisions in their favour. Hopefully things will even themselves out in time.

Good post that echoes my own thoughts. A slow build up has been a feature of several games now; none moreso than against Falkirk and St Mirren. Typically, when opposition mount an attack, which breaks down, we start a counter attack as they race back but dither on the ball and in doing so miss that quick killer pass to the likes of Just, Manwhanise or Said who are racing into space. By the time they receive it, they are covered by 2 men. The ball is then recycled back and walking football is resumed. As you say, its not a bad game plan but isn't being executed properly. Will it ever be? Who knows.

Welsh is 6-3, if I'm correct. Taken at face value, he would have provided height, experience and ability on the ball.

Yes, the defence was largely ignored in the summer rebuild and that has come back to bite us in the a**e. I'm pretty sure Weeyin will agree. That said, some players were still under contract and you can't simply ship them out. For all our midfield prowess, we lack steel there and leadership is missing. Perhaps the unfortunate Jordan McGhee was signed to fulfill that role. We lack back up for Longelo and that baffles me. First choice right back and 2 new central defenders? Welsh is just on loan; Gordon doesn't seem to fit with our new possession based system and can be rash; and finally McGinn's best days are behind him. He's fine in a back 3 but struggles physically as part of a central pair. Goalkeeper is another issue. I'm struggling to find many positives from Saturday but yes, our performance will have shown JBA our weaknesses on the big stage and when under pressure. Whilst St Mirren certainly benefitted from some good luck, they managed to breach our defence with worrying ease. The question is what business we can realistically do come January. Its a notoriously difficult window. I suspect some players will need to be shipped out eg Halliday and Balmer, if possible, to clear some space.

A huge game for us to prove that yesterday was simply an unfortunate aberration. Jimmy Teleen will surely have been observing yesterday's proceedings with interest. We've beaten them twice already but we need to tweak the system somewhat to keep them guessing.

Personalities aside, this is where I'm at. I didn't enjoy the football under Alexander and Kettlewell at all. Likewise, I haven't totally bought into JBA's philosophy and I remain to be convinced. At times, the walking football style is a turn off, although I can thole it if its interspersed with sudden bursts of aggression and pace, with some end product. IMHO there's been an OTT love in with it, but thats absolutely fine as its good to see positivity about the club. Like you I'd like to see more punch and steel. I'd settle for a happy medium. I'm not against JBA's style of play; it might succeed but it might not. Time will tell.

I agree with much of that, but the jury is still out for me as to whether the change in style will work. For me the $64 m question is whether we can successfully recruit the type and calibre of players we need to complete the jigsaw. As others have said, we need a reliable keeper who can also play sweeper; a right back; a physical but talented central defender (for this season) and a more robust but effective goal scoring striker. This may already be in hand, I don't know. Although we have some cash in the bank, it may not be easy to recruit these types. If we can, and we retain our better players, then our new system will succeed. If not, it will fail. For me the whole atmosphere at Hampden yesterday was flat and our support muted. In large part that was down to onfield proceedings. I sincerely hope that many won't lose faith but yesterday was huge let down that won't be forgotten in a hurry.