Catweazles ring piece

They're Great !!! Cue Tony the Tiger Smiley

C.B. deserves credit where its due and is deserving of plaudits since his return to F.P. But yesterday his old failing of sticking by players to play out of position has came back and bit him in the arse. Come on Craig - Sutton isn't a midfielder - Gow isn't a target man - Forbes hasn't got the typical midfielders engine. Lets get back to basics in these situations and set up to play to our strenghts. These positional changes might not have made any difference on the day, but, it would have removed the doubt of what might have been and been placed purely as a bad day at the office. Lets kick on and learn from our mistakes.

No doubt about that mate. But, why do we not play players to their strenghts. Sutton - up front Gow - just behind the front players (l.h.s.) Hard enough with a small squad and injuries, but, the formation never sounded like working and we never rejiged the formation with the substitutions.

Nope

Sutton must come on at half time (up front with Blackman) with Gow off/moved back to left midfield or Forbes off. Doesn't look promising at the minute, but the team shape doesn't appear to be working. Hope C.B. and A.K. rejig things and give them a rocket at half time!

Sounds like we're having problems this early in the game. Need to get things sorted quickly or we are going to have nil points today.

That was always my thinking. A win - win situation. The annoying factor was I always believed we would splash the money to replace a left sided attacking player, I just hoped it would be before the euro match. Anyway, its done and dusted. I just hope the season pans out favourably and we don't look back saying, "what if!"

Really good signing IMO. If he creates similar performances as he did at Falkirk, he'll be loved at F.P. Pace, trickery and has the abilty to score goals (plus left sided)= money well spent. This rebalances the shape to the team and I'm sure he'll chip in with a few goals. Just hope any talk of being injury prone, prove to be incorrect. Really happy with this signing!! Well done C.B. / J.B. on this one. Hopefully we can push on for top 6 now.

Thank fuuckk that Charles Charlie Charles wasn't playing last week then. Nothing ever changes!!!!

Until the club/authorities allow either safe standing areas and/or organised areas for the choir etc. like abroad, the atmosphere at games is always going to be poor. All ticket also has an impact, as some groups may have been split around the stadium, diluting their exuberance. Remember not everyone is going to jump about and sing during the match. But remember, the other side of the coin from folk complaining about boring ba$tards not singing or creating an atmosphere, is some of our livelier supporters can have a negative impact on others match experience. As said many times before, designated areas would satisfy everyone in our support. Bring back the shed and Big Pie as the choir master. The big spazzi

IMO - C.B. & A.K. won't be around after this season, so lets all make the best of it. They might have stuck around and shaped the club, if the finances were in place to enable them, but unfortunately they have taken us as far as they could with the financial restraints. Interesting times ahead.

The money wasn't available.

I'm not considering players outside our wage structure. I'm not talking about spending loads of money. All I'm looking at is a player/players to replace outgoing players who can perform in certain positions. Attacking mobile midfielder preferrably LHS. I really like John Sutton. But, have him in the box, swing in crosses and he'll score goals. Have him in midfield and he will not get up and support crosses from a flying Humphrey. Finances needed to be spent for a player for our league campagne, never mind the last euro round. C.B. should have been supported to give him that extra leverage to progress to the money making stage. He didn't get the money and we are out. Diplomatic as the gaffer is, do you not think he is thinking along the same lines?

Aye, every other post in previous euro matches. Smart ar$e

That is the debate! The problem is, the draw was favourable and giving C.B. the support IMO would have carried us forward not only in Europe, but in the domestic competitions. We all know where our deficiencies lie since certain players moved on - we just haven't replaced them and have ultimately paid the price.

I posted this very subject before our first euro match and unfortunately, its sadly come back to bite us on the ar$e. I fully appreciate that finances are extremely tight,but, if C.B. and A.K. were given a bit more support on replacing the departing Coke, JOB, Lucas, I'm highly confident we would be sitting in the group section draw today. Not only that, but the financial return could have set the club in a healthy position over a 2/3/4 year period. All ifs and buts,I know. But a little extra quality would have carried us over the line. I honestly believe the management team would have argued this very case and fought tooth and nail for these extra finances. Mistake made? or financial prudence? I only hope C.B. and A.K. have the fight left in them to carry on with a reduced war chest. Thoughts?

Need to take the next chance soon or its game over.

Still do-able, but can't be sloppy at the back. Need to go big time at the 2 booked defenders - think we can really get at them, but need to take the next chance for sure. Always thought 2-1 after 90 mins. COME ON

Sorry to say, but, I also can't see us keeping a clean sheet on Thursday. Although C.B. initial tactic will be 1-0 (100% confident of that) IMO, I think it will be 2-1 after 90 minutes and I can only hope we score last to take the tie to ET. If this is the case, we should have a "noisy Fir Park" and the players should be on the front foot. If they score last to go into ET, the place will get nervous and flat and I really worry about that. £uck it........Darren Randolph's picture will be smiling on the back of the sports pages after a wonder performance. Group stages here we come.

Just can't see wily auld Brown, overly chasing this match on thursday. After all 1-0 is all we need. IMO he'll keep a shape to the team that sets up not to conceed and look to pick them off a set plays and maybe a wee big of magic from Murphy or Sutton if fit. IMO the midfield is the key to this match. Can't see Forbes starting this one, even although he has the potential to be the most creative. Just think his lack of pace will relegate him to the bench. Had a sneeky wee feeling Fitzy might come in to shore up the left flank or to be a man marker, but after someone mention Sutton dropping back to do this job, they could be right (if fit) The team and supporters need to be patient on thursday and not panic. So keep the heid everyone, all the best lads. P.S. As possibly the most important game financially in the clubs history, everyone needs to raise the roof and get behind the team. That includes the stewarding backing off and allowing an atmosphere.

Wouldn't be surprised to see Fitzy coming into contention after Jennings getting his red card. Maybe played today with an eye to Thursdays match? Anyway, can see Fitzy playing as a man marker against OB. C.B. will probably have a cautious game plan due to only requiring a 1-0 win and going for it last 15-20 if needed.

In total agreement again Lobey IMO the midfield is the crux of the problem - all similar types of players. No one player not deserving of selection in a midfield role, but all 3 together doesn't work. Forbes has the talent and skill to unlock defences, but the lack of speed deems him a bit of a luxury type player. I guess it all depends on how the team is set up! Still think the missing link to the team is a box to box player with a bit of pace. Preferably left sided. But without doubt IMO an attacking midfielder. The Sutton penalty incident was a close one although I've seen them given more times than not. The usual pundits commentry sided with the ref? not sure what they would say if it was The Old Firm!! Hibs second was 100% in off an arm, although with the amount of bodies in and around the goal area I believe it would be almost impossible for the officials to have a clear view. Maybe Browns philosophy of not arguing with official decisions, which obviously has rubbed off on the players, should be reviewed. I don't believe other teams wouldn't pressurise the officials to at least make them think about a. the decision or b. levelling out the equation with a softish decision. The game definately swung on a few incidents (official decisions and lack of lady luck) but think overall on the 2nd half performance, Hibs edged it. I'm sure decisions/luck will balance out over the coming weeks. And Finally - This Euro match is the biggest defining match we will play this season, no matter what C.B. says. He is fully aware that progression to the the group stage and the financial insentives are huge. The missing pieces of the jigsaw could be put in place, not only for this season, but the next couple. If anyone can.....C.B. can. All the best on thursday.

Controlled the 1st half, playing a high line and pressurising Hibs. Excellent performance (goal apart.) Sat too deep all of 2nd half, allowing Hibs to do what they do best - countering through midfield and up front at pace. Unfortunately, we couldn't live with that and if not for Randolph, the score line could have been worse. Some good performances and althought not a shocking performance - Hibs highlighted our ever present deficiencies. Lack of pace, when we're stretched. (Humphrey aside.) Areas still need addressed, but sure C.B. and A.K. will be analysing the video as we speak. Going to be a shut up shop type of match, come Thusday

One of Hammerfists quotes about Casagolda songs being sung on the official bus, was that he would hear them as he would be on it. (followed by ) Hammerfist = Miami Sound Machine- Goal Scoring Sensation- The One and Only ESTEBAN CASAGOLDA Sounds like a baddie in a Bond film Hope he disnae play like Mini Me

Total agree with your comments, Lobey. And don't bet against C.B. and A.K. being in the same boat either! Personally thought that progressing to this round would pave the way for players to be signed to possibly push for the lucrative group stages, not forgetting our SPL league position and cup runs. Disappointed that nothing has happened to date, but lets see what developes.