grumpy

I'm going to show my age and vote for either of Ian Clinging's double against Thistle in about 1980, both very similar in that he picked up the ball just outside our box dribbled it 60 or 70 yards past half the Thistle team and knocked it past the keeper from the edge of the Thistle box. Sadly no youtube to confirm my memories (or more likely show me up for an addled old fool)

I wasn't at the '76 semi-final because it was the Easter holidays and my parents had dragged me off to a concentration, sorry holiday, camp in North Wales, no internet etc in those days, all we had was a BBC mid-week sports program presented by Harry Carpenter starting at 10 o'clock. He introduces the program by saying the 'Well are 2-0 up and we then get an hour of boxing, at 11 he closed the program with the full time score. it wasn't till I got back to school the next Monday and my mates revealed the true horror of what had happened. I still don't know whether that year or the Airdrie semi the year before (I was at both those games) was worst, but I do know that, even though it's 40 plus years on, I wouldn't piss on Derek Johnstone if he was on fire.

I think the best description of our performance yesterday was efficient, how much of that is down to how much better organised we seem to be this year and how much was down to how poor Thistle were is open to debate. The inclusion of Hartley seems to have turned our back three into a very solid defensive outfit although, it probably helps them that the work rate of Campbell and McHugh ensured that Thistle rarely threatened them, Carson cold have worn slippers yesterday and still kept a clean sheet. Midfield going forward we were arguably still too reliant on Cadden's energy although Tanner grabbed his chance with both hands yesterday which gives the management team more food for thought and Bowman is turning into a very important cog in the machine, who would have thought that last season. It was by no means a flawless performance, Dunne and, to a lesser extent, McHugh, need to practice their passing skills and Moult is drifting too wide too often but, given where we were last March these are minor quibbles. It's good to see a team playing for themselves and the manager, look at Fisher's face when Tanner is celebrating his goal and you can see how 'together' the squad is. One final thing, I was disappointed the highlights didn't show Cerny's challenge on Bowman, from the Cooper stand it seemed a clear goal scoring opportunity, and given some of the decisions we have already suffered from this year, I'm not sure why the referee decided to only issue a yellow card, not that it mattered much 'cos we were totally dominant.

I voted for Tanner, for the first time he looked like the player I thought he might be. No failures today, Tait, Kipre, Hartley, Campbell and Bowman were all under consideration but I'm sticking with Tanner.

Unfortunately we couldn't scale the heights of Thursday and most of the team looked slightly jaded. A close call between Campbell and Hartley with , IMO, Campbell just shading it.

Might as well, we'll get loads of bookings no matter what the challenges are like.

Good shout

That's it in a nutshell for me, I can forgive all the honest mistakes the team will make, as long as they are giving their best effort and I don't think anyone will argue that we are seeing a team that is playing for themselves, each other, the manager and us.

************Cliche alert********** The most important game is the next one. That said, before last night getting to the semi-final was my priority, of course, now that we are there, I'm getting greedy

I have no idea where to start, that was as good a performance as I've seen at F P in many a year. From the first minute to the last and from player one through to eleven we were superb. We chased, harried and harassed them from the first seconds of the game and didn't let up even after the third goal when the result was assured, there will be a lot of tired legs today. Carson dealt with everything he needed to, which wasn't much because our defence, superbly marshalled by Hartley, hardly gave them a sniff. The midfield totally bossed the game, Rose and McHugh had, arguably, their best games of the season, Cadden and Tait did everything we could expect and more and as for young Campbell, wow, just wow. Bowman and Moult tortured their back line and I hope and suspect that they will improve further as their understanding grows. As for Aberdeen, 3-0 flattered them, I hardly noticed that the much vaunted May was on the park (I hope McInness feels a bit of a fud after his comments about not being too bothered about not getting Moult because they ended up with May ), Shinnie did ok and Christie looks a decent player but shouldn't be available for Sunday, his assault on Tait looked even worse in the highlights than it did in real time. Only downsides are 1. Watching the game means I couldn't listen to Gordon and Miller on the radio, I suspect that would have been very entertaining. & 2. I'm heading off to France for a short break for my wedding anniversary early on Saturday 21st so I hope I can find a pub to watch the semi-final.

One of those games when there should be a "whole team" option. In its absence I voted for Hartley as he is the kind of player we have been missing for years, assured at the back, reads the game well, a natural leader and a goal threat to boot. Honourable mentions for Hammell, Rose, Campbell, McHugh, Bowman and, of course, Louis.

Fair enough

Your location is listed as Strathaven, are you walking to Fir Park...............Backwards?

Carson, Kipre, Hartley, Bowman, and for the second half, Hammell and Bigiramani all deserve special mention, but Campbell absolutely strolled it.

Very poor first half with probably only Carson, Kipre, Hartley and Campbell getting pass marks. Second half was night and day, Hammell and Bigi made a difference when they came on and we were all over them until the Hartley substitution, Grimshaw did well but it was looking like a nervy finish until the penalty. Some very good performances all round but Campbell was an absolute stand out. As for Bobby Madden!

Mr Robinson's quote on the website says "It’s a very good piece of business for the football club both now and potentially in the future" That's the only thing I've seen, but certainly suggests a similar arrangement to Marvin J

I totally agree, in fact last season, when relegation was looming large, my fear wasn't playing in in that division (I had reconciled myself to the prospect and was actually looking forward to it) but the financial difficulties that may have ensued. Finishing bottom can actually be entertaining itself, one of my favourite seasons was the one immediately after administration, 6-1 Hearts anyone?

I do! Or to put it another way, FHW

I use the Null vote option for all games I don't attend. If you don't vote, each time you visit the thread, the voting options are there and so if you want to see the current standings you need to click the view results tab (or whatever its called) I'm far too lazy to do that every time

Again?

The highlights don't do justice to how dominant we were from the equaliser onwards (or at least that's how my ageing and drink fuddled mind remembers it) I also have a clear memory of one of our players chasing the ball to take a quick throw in late in extra time and the linesman kicking the ball away. (Just because I'm paranoid it doesn't mean they are not out to get me)

What happened against Berwick, so I can decide whether to go on Saturday or save myself £12.

My opinion, for what they are worth: Carson: misjudged one cross and only just got a finger tip to it which took it away from the attacker at the back post, he did then have the presence of mind to realise that he was the best positioned defender to chase down the loose ball and launched an attack that led, indirectly, to the opening goal. He looks like he is willing to come off his line and command his box, a pleasant change from our last few keepers. The back three: Kipre looks comfortable in possession and reads the game well, Heneghan was much improved from last week and Dunne looks quick and strong, there were a few mistakes and misjudgments in there and against better quality opposition these may be costly, but lets be sensible, if these guys were faultless every game they wouldn't be at Fir Park. Wing backs: Tait looks a lot more comfortable in the roll than Frear, but given that Tait is a defender being asked to play further forward and Frear is an attacker being asked to perform a more defensive roll then we shouldn't be too surprised. I would like to see Frear take on his man more often just to keep the defender guessing. Midfield: Cadden and Bigirimana looked very good, McHugh was outstanding, I felt last week that McHugh improved when Bigirimana was substituted and again yesterday when Bigi moved further forward, I think once they develop an understanding we could have a midfield to be feared this year. Tanner: Showed some nice touches and worked tirelessly the whole game, looked more comfortable when he moved wide later on but hopefully will be a good signing. Bowman: Hard worker, wins lots in the air and shows some nice touches when the ball is at his feet, whether he will be prolific in front of goal if (when) Moult goes I'm not sure, but certainly looks more of an asset this season than I thought he would be on last years displays. Subs: Fisher looks ok in an interchangeable with Bowman kind of a way. I haven't seen anything in Rose in either game to make me think he is an improvement on what we had last season but it is early days. Moult is Moult, we should make the most of him whilst he is here. All in all I'm cautiously optimistic for the season ahead, but then I'm a fully paid up member of the happy-clappy club.

Probably the easiest vote we'll have this season, McHugh by a country mile.

Voted for Kipre as I felt his performance was consistent throughout whereas I felt McHugh took a bit of time to reach the level that he showed second half. Carson did ok, although he had quite a quiet afternoon and it was good to see a 'Well keeper catch the ball beyond the penalty spot. Of the other new guys, Birigimani looked ok, I'll reserve judgement on Tanner and Fisher for now, I barely noticed that Rose was on the pitch. Honourable mention for Henegan, if anyone from the Rangers board is reading this then half a million will be the best money you will ever spend.