Kmcalpin

I was sorry to learn that John Boyle took unwell and collapsed at Fir Park this afternoon. Hopefully he's ok. Its great that he still takes an interest in us and I still have a lot of time for him. I met him on several occasions and he was always pleasant and approachable. Yes he made huge mistakes, but his heart was in the right place. Hopefully he'll be attending games again in the near future. As I say, I hope he's recovering and its nothing serious.

A much harder game than today's in prospect and I'll happily settle for a point, although 3 would be even better.

A great home crowd of about 7,300 today. Great atmosphere too once the team got going. Who said we couldn't increase attendances? Lots of new faces in our part of the POD. Long may that continue. That will boost income considerably and I hope that translates into a jump in season ticket sales. A jump in attendances brings problems though - increased traffic congestion for one. In the southern part of the POD there were big problems at half time with congestion in the stair well and small concourse. Fans making their way down to hospitality; others queuing for the kiosk; and yet others queuing for the loos resulted in human gridlock. Yes the POD is well past its sell by date and large crowds are causing potential safety issues. Lest I be accused of being a miserable sod, they are pleasant problems to have and shouldn't be blown out of context.

Some interesting asides from today's fixture. I thought that Nick Walsh had an ok game but made perhaps 3 odd decisions. No 1: For the penalty, I don't understand why the defender wasn't red carded. It was deliberate and nor reckless but violent. No 2: the incident when Said was yellow carded, rightly so. There was a bit of an altercation between him and an opponent. The opponent pushed or slapped him in the dial he he responded in kind. Why wasn't the defender yellow carded? No 3: he was in a 50/50 tussle with defender and just about to break free when he was cynically hauled down. Why was United awarded the free kick? A special mention to the United fans. What a miserable lot they are (a tongue in cheek generalistion I know). They maintained their well earned reputation by booing JT mecilessly; booing Elijah Just; booing the ref; booing Jim Goodwin; and booing their own players.

A comfortable and deserved win for us today although, as others have said, we weren't at our best. United came for a point and altered their approach to nullify us. It didn't work. Right from the off, they niggled and timewasted and JT in particular came in for for some special treatment. We looked to be wasteful but the penalty set us on our way. Having reviewed the highlights it was a stick on penalty. The United defender was stupid in the extreme and took his instructions just too far. I was surprised that a foursome of United players were allowed to harass the match officials during the VAR review. Our second came quickly and unexpectedly just after the break. Although the ball took a slight lucky deflection it made up for rotten luck at other times in the game. Thereafter, we were content to let United come at us and became a little complacent and sloppy. Still, the 3 points were safe. I thought that the long ball tactic was interesting. A novel idea that caused United problems, but the execution didn't quite match the principle. Over the peice, I thought that Slattery, Said and JT were our best performers on the day. Thor also looked good when he came on and has a nice touch for a big man.

Not according to United fans. Cheating plain and simple.

Presumably after all the Callum Slattery chat over the past week we won't see any playacting whatsoever in today's Premiership games?

I wasn't at the AGM this year, but have read a few online accounts. It does seem as though the Board is keeping its cards close to its chest, unlike in previous years. Some interesting points though about JBA's contract, the Lennon Miller deal and stadium issues. To address your point Parko, I've no idea what an open ended contract is and neither does anyone else outside of the Boardroom. A very curious turn of phrase.

Good point Parko. The AGM is probably worth a thread on its own, which I'll start.

Top six now confirmed thanks to Dundee United and Aberdeen drawing tonight.

Very true. Not everyone is driven solely by money.

They decide the fixtures and then cook up the reasons to justify them

The Ox joins Dunfermline on loan until the end of the season.

Yes, and I'll hold my hands up for raising it again. Journos will raise it especially as it happened against St Mirren. Its time to move on. These incidents are ten a penny and this one mustn't overshadow what a great performance it was. We took St Mirren apart and rubbed their noses in it, in their own back yard. Truth be told it could have been more. 5 different scorers and another shut out. It doesn't come much better than that. I had concerns pre match that, given our busy schedule, we might be running on empty but JBA managed that well and even had time to sub the much used and probably exhausted Paul McGinn. These results don't come around very often and we shouldn't let anything detract from that.

Last night's great result reminded me of a game I attended in September 1966 at the old Love Street ground, when we thrashed the Buddies 5-0, with Bobby Campbell scoring all 5. Deja Vu.

We have to be consistent to call out this form of cheating, for thats what it is. Slattery's behaviour last night was a particularly bad example, but our club needs to call it out without fear or favour, and whats more, do it in public irrespective of who the player is or who they play for. Should we go a step further, and if its our own player, suspend them for a game or whatever? But, if we simply highlight the actions of our own players they'll feel singled out and picked on. A danger though, is that if we take unilateral action, other clubs, managers and players will laugh up their sleeves at us and continue to practice this particular dark art. As I said, it needs strong consistent action from the SFA.

Agreed, San. Its a stick on red every day of the week. I recall Martyn Corrigan being yellow carded at East End Park for trying to trip a Dunfermline player. No contact was made, and the player didn't fall. The correct decision last night was a red card for King and a yellow for Slattery. Richard Tait, rightly won a foul at Easter Road but was then booked for simulation. Slattery's reaction was 100% wrong but we see this very same play acting week in week out. Other instances of it in last night's game. Much of it at the behest of managers...there I've said it. It needs dealt with by the authorities but we mustn't single out Slattery. He wasn't the first and he certainly won't be the last. Every example in every game needs called out. Incidentally, not all managers are as honest as JBA.

Great result against a team of hammerthrowers. What a night! Never saw it coming.

Also 3 goals at 30 secs a goal.

5 now and Thor is off the mark.

4 it is! YAAAASSS!

Oh yes. 4 please!

Hope we've got enough gas in our tank to keep up momentum.

Off he goes! No, VAR to his rescue.

TJ does the business from the spot!