Kmcalpin

We were never going to achieve a clean sheet, but that wasn't down to him. . I didn't think Matty had much, if anything, to do to be fair. his distributiuon was generally very good although he did cause a couple of heartstopping moments. How would he cope against the hulking 6-4 central defenders and strikers he'd meet in the Premiership though?

Yes, we'll win but Peterheed will be stuffy opponents and we'll make it hard for ourselves. They'll likely net one at our place.

It was a double edged sword. Result wise definitely. Clyde are a middling league 2 side and whilst we have no god given right to beat them we really should be. Having watched the highlights, both goals we conceded were howlers and Clyde could've scored more. Preseason preparation wise it was a definite success. More gametime for the players and JBA got to see the players in competitive action being themselves. A chance too to put across his ideas. League Cup group games are about striking a balance between being competitive and getting gametime. We'll know if JBA got that right, once the group stage is over.

Like others, I think SOD's best days are definitely behind him and he's back up, at best. However he's an honest professional and a good ambassador for the club and doesn't deserve the type of abuse he received yesterday.

Understandably, after the frenetic pace of last week's arrivals, and yesterday's debacle in the sun, there's been more talk of the need for additional arrivals. Thats to be expected. However, JBA may also wish to loan out or mutual a few players he doesn't fancy to balance numbers. An interesting few weeks ahead.

I get that, but why play a right sided back on the left side and leave 2 left sided backs on the bench?

I wasn't at the game today today and so won't comment on specifics but the performance and result was a big let down. Whatever way you look at it, we should be beating a middling League 2 side. The League Cup is one of only 2 trophies that we have a realistic, if outside, chance of winning and we treat it like a pre season bounce game. I get the heat and the plastic pitch but it was exactly the same for Clyde, who couldn't even field a full bench. In terms of condition of the pitch, there should be rules in place to ensure a safe playable surface eg watering, but thats another issue. Our pre season was difficult for several reasons, but an extra bounce game would not have gone amiss. What happened to the 2nd game in the Netherlands which didn't take place? The players, of course are still adapting a new system. The starting line up was nothing short of weird and who knows the factors that lay behind that. Fitness obviously played a part. The game did highlight deficiencies in the squad, most of which we already knew about i.e. a very fragile defence. It will clearly help if we can ship out a few underperfomers, if only on loan.

There's limited scope for change. GK and central defence pick themselves because there's no-one else. If AP Stam isn't fit, the Sule has to start even although he hasn't played a full game, because there's no one else. There's scope to change the left back position and switch Koutroumbis to the right and shake up the midfield. A big improvement required.

Not 100% sure about GK but you're spot on about the other 3 positions.

An interesting comment. I couldn't make the game today so not quite sure what you mean. Are you saying that they played high balls over our defence or do mean that they drove straight through our midfield on the deck? If its the latter, that suggests big problems with our defensive midfield.

We really have pushed the boat out in the past few weeks, strengthening midfield and up front. That's great. However, I still worry that the defence will ship goals. I know there are issues there with the number of legacy players but JBA may still want to shake things up in that department.

I think you've hit the nail on the head.

From JBA's interview he expects to bring in one or two more. Time will tell. He's certainly being backed and seemingly exciting players being acquired. Great to see some pace being injected into our previously pedestrian squad.

Tiickets for Stenhousemuir can be bought from their website, although there's a link from ours. A bit confusing though as we can't buy seated tickets in the Norway Stand. Standing only I'm afraid. Hope you're not vertically challenged like me.

Another winger incoming?

That's my understanding too. He can play RB and central defence in a back 3, but primarily thats not why he was signed.

As far as defenders go, we now have 8 on the books, Of those 4 are out and out full/wing backs. Of the remaining 4, 2 (McGinn and McGhee) can play in central defence as part of back 3. If we go to 2 at the back then that leaves us with only 2 out and out central defenders, Balmer and Gordon. A tad tight methinks. Is Balmer a first choice pick?

Another central defender now please. We're getting spoilt. Happy with our new left sided signing. One more piece in the jigsaw.

I can't comment on Sule, but Apstam can't play on his own up front. When we do have to take route one, as we will have to on occasion, or want to convert set pieces we'll struggle as it stands. Corner kicks too? Our defence isn't the biggest either and there's no Dan Casey now to cause havoc at corners. Also useful to have a big target man if opponents defend deeply and we have rely on high balls into their box. As Texan says, it good to be able to deploy different attacking options.

We seem to be bringing in a bit of pace, which has been a lomg standing failing of ours. How many wingers do we have now? Just, Maswhanise, Ross and Nicholson?

A good signing and things are shaping up nicely. All hail Elijah. We still need some height and muscle up front though. That and a left back and hulking central defender and we're sorted.

I also emailed the club a month or two back about season ticket renewal and am still waiting on a response.

I'd ring the club for advice. However. I assume that when the turnstile operator scans your card they'll allow both you and your companion to enter.

Very sad news indeed.

Don't forget Willie McVie, Stewart McLaren and Vic Davidson.