couttsy

Looks like we’re in the minority mate, but I agree with all of that!

Although it was brief, we started with a back 4 last week, Sparrow was pushed up wide on the right until the red card (not that it did us much good)

For what its worth Id go with a 4-2-3-1, similar formation to what we started with at Rugby Park last week, but with a few changes! OX back in goals, despite making a big error against the same opposition at Tynecastle earlier this season. Miller playing deeper to get him on the ball more, the older legs of O’Donnell & Halliday on the bench to try and get a bit of energy about us. OX Kaleta, Balmer, Casey, Thomson Miller, Andrews Sparrow, Slattery, Maswanhise Armstrong

My god we were poor yesterday, but given we were down to 10 men after 26 mins it’s really hard to judge the players on that. I believe the club owe it to their supporters to make a stand this week on what when on with the officiating yesterday. Both red cards are ridiculous decisions. Anyone who’s played football knows the 1st ones not a red, added to that how did the Killie player get away without even a yellow for the 2 handed push into Balmer chest?! Did the ref just completely forget that happened after he went to the screen? The 2nd red is even more ridiculous, what the hell was the linesman doing/saying to the ref given he’s 2/3 yards away and looking right at it?! Thomson is actually pulled onto Armstrong. Then he goes to the screen and changes it from a red to a yellow. The only yellow that should have been given was to Armstrong for the initial foul and the shirt pull. Then we have the 4th official manhandling Thomson to try and get him away from the Killie sub/up the tunnel. Since when was it acceptable for officials to touch players?! Some of us will have spent a small fortune (£27 is mental) travelling down to that game yesterday, which was completely ruined by an incompetent official. Total waste of all our time and money. We’ve now had 3 red cards against Killie, one overturned by VAR, one overturned on appeal and one that should be overturned this week. Couldn’t make it up!

Not far off what I’d go with, but suspect we’ll see 4 changes from that! Balcome, O’Donnell, Sparrow & Andrews instead of Ox, Balmer, Kaleta & Maswanhise. Would bite your hand off for a point (as long as Celtic win!)

I thought Balcome played well yesterday, including one fantastic save in the 2nd half. I’d go Balcome, Koutroumbis, Thomson, Balmer, Gordon, Casey. Miller, Slattery, Paton/Sparrow, Maswanhise, Armstrong. Although really concerned about where the goals are coming from looking at our forward options.

Thought we were much better yesterday despite the defeat, anyone that was Tynecastle, Rugby Park, Easter Road and/or McDiarmid Park last month surely has to agree (despite the fact we avoided defeat at RP). I also thought we were very unlucky not to get a point, and all the stats seem to back that up. Just couldnt create a clear cut chance in the last 30 mins when we were well on top. That being said we still have some big issues and clearly need to start picking up points asap. Surely after that yesterday SOD needs to be benched, getting to the point where he’s costing us on average a goal a game with his poor defending. Think Halliday is the other one I’d drop to try and get more legs in the middle of the park, but will be interesting to see what Wimmer does.

Ok, my guess/what I would play: Balcome Balmer Gordon Casey Sparrow Paton Miller Slattery Wilson Maswanhise Armstrong

Ross Tierney scoring the winner and getting man of the match for Bohemians vs Shamrock Rovers. Pity we didn’t give him enough time to adjust and break through, thought he had something about him.

Strange game yesterday in that I actually thought for the most part we were the better team, despite losing 3-0, bizarre! Clearly our defending was poor in moments, SOD in particular, although not exclusively! Midfield looked much better with Miller & Slattery in there. Toothless up front with Watt and Armstrong doing a similar job but neither looking like they’ll get us the goals to keep us up. Desperately in need of some energy and pace in the team, was amazed Maswanhise wasnt brought on at HT. For the next couple I can’t help but feel that bringing in Casey, Paton and Maswanhise for the old guard of SOD, Halliday & Watt (who can’t play at the weekend anyway) would make us tougher to beat and give us more energy and pace. Praying we’ll have just enough to finished 10th but it’s going to be very tight I fear.

Wee bit more optimistic seeing that team news with Slattery and Miller starting, but I’d much rather have Casey & Maswanhise than O’Donnell & Watt. Can’t believe we’ve brought in all these strikers and we’re still relying on Watt to start! Assuming it’s a 5-3-2 with Sparrow at RWB.

Great post, agree with everything here. We should have enough to stay out of trouble, but a lot rests on the new manger getting the best out of them, and Miller getting fit soon given how poor our midfield options are without him. A little surprised we didn’t bring in another midfielder late in the window. I’m assuming Stama is out for a while given the fact we’ve brought 3 strikers in this window, but you’ve missed him out! Pity as I felt he was just coming onto a game pre his injury!

Pretty well my thoughts, performance and score line better than I expected. Thompson did well against Kuhn given he’s probably been the best player in the country so far this season. Armstrong worked his socks off and looks like he could be good for us when we get a bit more support to him. Midfield still a massive concern, not convinced any of our options bar Miller are good enough! Sparrow did well but looks like he might be more suited to that right wing back role.

Pretty similar to my thoughts over the last few weeks. We’ve been struggling to get any shots on target never mind score goals. Before last Saturdays game at Perth we were 11/1 to finish in the bottom 2, I suspect by Sunday evening those odds will have halved. I think Saints are just too far back (thankfully) but unless we get a competent manager and/or Miller/AP back soon I would keep the play off dates free in your diary, unfortunately.

Another end of game interview where he takes no responsibility at all. I’m almost done with him. For me he gets the Ross C home game (assuming we lose next week), lose that and we should make a change.

6 away games since Boxing Day, only scored 2 goals, 0 from open play, and only 1 point from 18. Heading for the play offs unless we get Miller and Stamatopolis back soon.

6 points off the play off place, with Celtic to come next week. Unless we get Miller, Stamp etc back soon I’d be surprised if we avoid 2nd bottom.

Just heard it myself. Not really in the Kettlewell in or Kettlewell out squad, but unbelievable this is our 5th away game in 23 days, so £125 ish per adult plus travel, food, etc, and our manager has nothing to say to the fans. Unbelievable…

Maybe or could be Kaleta at LWB, think he’s played him there before. I’m all for moving away from the back 5, but having a returning/slow Gordon and Blaney as the 2 centre half’s is more than a little concerning if thats how we line up!

I think so, but…… Could be SOD at right centre half and Nicholson RWB

I can again see both sides of the Kettlewell debate. Whilst we’re exceptionally poor at the moment, we’ve also been so unlucky with injuries this season, particularly to important players. To be missing the full spine of the team yesterday in Ox, Gordon, Miller and Stama, it’s little surprise we’re struggling to get results. On the flip side, and as many are saying, we’re so poor to watch and don’t really look like we have a plan for when we have the ball. Allied to that we keep trying things that have failed previously. If we can ever get McGinn, Gordon & Casey on the pitch together with Miller, Andrews, Maswanhise and Stama we have the makings of a decent team. Until that happens it’s going to be a tough watch and trying to grind out a result or two. I get the feeling Sat is massive for SK to keep the silent majority of the support onside, lose to a team that have won 4 games out of 22 and go out the cup I fear will see the majority turn on him.

SOD starting and no Gordon or Casey, worried, very worried.

What an utterly depressing performance, still trying to get over the fact I paid £27 to watch that. How we escaped with a point tonight beggars belief! 4-0 would have been a fair reflection on how it played out, we were completely and utterly outplayed in every department. If we start at Easter Road on Sat with 5 defenders, 3 forwards and only 2 in the middle I fear our luck will well and truly run out. Allowing the opposition to have 60/70% possession will eventually catch up with you, just a matter of time before your luck runs out.

Deffo. A bit surprised some would let him go, I think he's been a great signing on the whole. I'd keep McGinn, Casey & Paton. Wouldn't lose any sleep if any of the rest left.

Went for Gordon, thought he had a cracking game, not to mention his goal! Might need to see it on TV, but thought Ox should have done better at the Killie goal.