fizoxy Posted Sunday at 06:41 PM Report Share Posted Sunday at 06:41 PM Most people expected a bloodbath, it wasn't. Armstong pushing the celtic player for our goal was nice, that's the kind of shithouse we need. Thompson looked fine, and some nice touches for Dickson. Hard to gauge the new ones against that mob, but good to have it out of the way after a shite week. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuwell2 Posted Sunday at 06:47 PM Report Share Posted Sunday at 06:47 PM Strange game today, to still be in the game 2-1 down at 90 minutes hoping for just 1 chance, a bit of magic or luck or anything to get a draw was more than I expected and very welcoming but it still wasn’t a great performance so their 3rd goal didn’t leave me pissed off more meh, there you go. There were some good things about our performance that has me positive about the rest of the season but by feck the defence needs to get better at tracking players rather than passing them on to another player and moving away to cover another area. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
texanwellfan Posted Sunday at 07:00 PM Report Share Posted Sunday at 07:00 PM 13 minutes ago, Stuwell2 said: Strange game today, to still be in the game 2-1 down at 90 minutes hoping for just 1 chance, a bit of magic or luck or anything to get a draw was more than I expected and very welcoming but it still wasn’t a great performance so their 3rd goal didn’t leave me pissed off more meh, there you go. There were some good things about our performance that has me positive about the rest of the season but by feck the defence needs to get better at tracking players rather than passing them on to another player and moving away to cover another area. We are also terrible at the first basic rule of defense, close down the player with the ball!! Either that or we have decided that we start defending at the 18 yard line instead out around 30 yards. Similar issue with wide players where we give them too much space to fire balls into the box. we just look very disorganized defensively and don’t seem to go up and down the park as a team. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MelvinBragg Posted Sunday at 07:53 PM Report Share Posted Sunday at 07:53 PM It would be useful if Maswanhise could last ninety minutes... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
texanwellfan Posted Sunday at 07:57 PM Report Share Posted Sunday at 07:57 PM 4 minutes ago, MelvinBragg said: It would be useful if Maswanhise could last ninety minutes... If we don’t task him with chasing a lost cause among multiple defenders and long hopeful balls from his defenders I’m pretty sure he’d last 90 mins or at least a lot closer to it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joewarkfanclub Posted Sunday at 08:53 PM Report Share Posted Sunday at 08:53 PM Our workrate and effort out of possession is commendable. We kept our shape for the most part and the score wasnt humiliating. However, we have absolutely no quality and composure on the ball and provide virtually zero threat going forward. You cant provide any threat to the opposition with 18% of the ball and I refuse to believe the players arent capable of more as they have proved otherwise albeit sporadically already this season. I like Stevie Frail and he has spoken well this week. I also accept that ripping up the way we play against the best team in the league may have not been the smartest thing to do going into this game. But the result we got was so depressingly predictable and if he wont change things going forward he has no chance of being considered for the current vacancy. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grizzlyg Posted Sunday at 08:59 PM Report Share Posted Sunday at 08:59 PM 2 hours ago, mfc said: Aye that was embarrassing and exactly the type of act that there brainless support will lap up. Bit harsh.... best support in world remember 🤪🤪 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wellsince75 Posted Sunday at 09:18 PM Report Share Posted Sunday at 09:18 PM 14 minutes ago, joewarkfanclub said: Our workrate and effort out of possession is commendable. We kept our shape for the most part and the score wasnt humiliating. However, we have absolutely no quality and composure on the ball and provide virtually zero threat going forward. You cant provide any threat to the opposition with 18% of the ball and I refuse to believe the players arent capable of more as they have proved otherwise albeit sporadically already this season. I like Stevie Frail and he has spoken well this week. I also accept that ripping up the way we play against the best team in the league may have not been the smartest thing to do going into this game. But the result we got was so depressingly predictable and if he wont change things going forward he has no chance of being considered for the current vacancy. Agree that as a team we can offer a lot more . As a small example…….. we’ve lost our way defensively , early in season defensively we were strong with McGinn , Gordon and Casey. The back 3 now are SOD, Gordon and Blaney . It may sound subtle but Gordon is now left out to dry . I’m not clear what Casey has done to be dropped or why SOD is preferred to Balmer as a central defender . and that’s just in defence , wingbacks have a similar issue as does midfield . Overall we have more than enough quality to remain in top 6 but we need to get back to basics. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FirParkCornerExile Posted Sunday at 09:23 PM Report Share Posted Sunday at 09:23 PM 2 minutes ago, wellsince75 said: Agree that as a team we can offer a lot more . As a small example…….. we’ve lost our way defensively , early in season defensively we were strong with McGinn , Gordon and Casey. The back 3 now are SOD, Gordon and Blaney . It may sound subtle but Gordon is now left out to dry . I’m not clear what Casey has done to be dropped or why SOD is preferred to Balmer as a central defender . and that’s just in defence , wingbacks have a similar issue as does midfield . Overall we have more than enough quality to remain in top 6 but we need to get back to basics. Casey was pish that why he was dropped , absolutely shocking in the Cup tie at Perth. He's a bloody bombscare. I'd pack him on his way. Thats not to say what is left is much better. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wellsince75 Posted Sunday at 09:35 PM Report Share Posted Sunday at 09:35 PM 10 minutes ago, FirParkCornerExile said: Casey was pish that why he was dropped , absolutely shocking in the Cup tie at Perth. He's a bloody bombscare. I'd pack him on his way. Thats not to say what is left is much better. Appreciate he’s had some poor games . Personal view is when he’s played in left side he’s decent , if central or right he’s not as strong . add to that he and Blaney never pair up week . overall though my thoughts are we started the year strong in defence but have now reverted to playing SOD as a central defender which for me doesn’t work Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MFCL84 Posted Sunday at 10:43 PM Report Share Posted Sunday at 10:43 PM A bit of an improvement today, but still hugely frustrating. We were, amazingly, still in the game at 90 minutes, but for some reason didn't seem to think that we should or could take a risk in the final 10 mins or so try to win the ball and push for an unlikely point. Once again, a very passive performance from the midfield and defensive areas. Good debuts by Thomson and Armstrong. The other debutants didn't really have enough time to show much. Sparrow was our most effective midfield player. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kmcalpin Posted Sunday at 11:23 PM Report Share Posted Sunday at 11:23 PM 1 hour ago, wellsince75 said: overall though my thoughts are we started the year strong in defence but have now reverted to playing SOD as a central defender which for me doesn’t work Yes, SOD is never a central defender and Balmer, who was signed on a 2 year deal, must be poor if he can't get a game. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kmcalpin Posted Sunday at 11:57 PM Report Share Posted Sunday at 11:57 PM Well, we fulfilled the fixture, didn't pick up any cards and avoided a bleaching. Thats about it really. I wasn't expecting wholesale change in tactics but the ghost of Stuart Kettlewell haunted Fir Park. Stephen Frail proved that he was part of the old regime. Our line up looked like a 5-2-2-1 to me, with the hard working Ragnar Lothbrok ploughing a lone furrow up front. Our midfield was largely non existent setting up camp about 30 yards from our goal and giving the defence no protection. I'm not usually one to worry about possession stats but 19% really is low. A single shot on target on too. SOD looks lost in central defence and Kaletta didn't impress. Maybe because of injury, he didn't give 100%. Apart from being more talented, which goes without saying, Celtic were harder working and more physical than us. Ragnar impressed up front and I was happy for him to notch his first goal. However he had little service. Of the others Tom Sparrow looked the part in midfield before he was moved back; Dom Thompson looked lively at LWB; and Manwhanise looked lively. Neither of the 2 new lads had much of chance to impress. We move on and the sooner a new broom arrives the better. A pair of fresh eyes is badly needed. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
El Grew Posted Monday at 12:41 AM Report Share Posted Monday at 12:41 AM 5 hours ago, texanwellfan said: We are also terrible at the first basic rule of defense, close down the player with the ball!! Either that or we have decided that we start defending at the 18 yard line instead out around 30 yards. Similar issue with wide players where we give them too much space to fire balls into the box. we just look very disorganized defensively and don’t seem to go up and down the park as a team. It would help if we had a midfield! Sure the defence isn’t great but they get zero help from the midfield, which should be our first line of defence when the opposition have the ball. I don’t think central defenders should be asked to make tackles 30 yards from their own goal. That task falls to the midfield players but far too often they just funnel back on top of the defenders offering no or little protection. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteelmaninOZ Posted Monday at 01:42 AM Author Report Share Posted Monday at 01:42 AM Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
texanwellfan Posted Monday at 03:41 AM Report Share Posted Monday at 03:41 AM 2 hours ago, El Grew said: It would help if we had a midfield! Sure the defence isn’t great but they get zero help from the midfield, which should be our first line of defence when the opposition have the ball. I don’t think central defenders should be asked to make tackles 30 yards from their own goal. That task falls to the midfield players but far too often they just funnel back on top of the defenders offering no or little protection. Oh I totally agree. I wasn’t slagging the defenders. Our first line is the forwards to try and slow the opposition down while we organize defensive set up. Then if we decide to let them have space up ton30’yds from our goal then midfielders are the next line 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mccus28 Posted Monday at 08:36 AM Report Share Posted Monday at 08:36 AM These stats are bleak Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
couttsy Posted Monday at 08:46 AM Report Share Posted Monday at 08:46 AM 1 hour ago, mio said: Well it wasn’t great was it but it was a damn side better than I thought it would be. at least we put up a fight without really laying a glove on them. positives: Thompson did well, looks like a decent player and I was blown away how hard Armstrong worked all game and he put his only chance away really well. oh well…. I still think we have enough to stay mid table/ish even with the injuries, but I have always thought that. 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. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnstone Posted Monday at 09:24 AM Report Share Posted Monday at 09:24 AM 15 hours ago, Benson said: Quite concerning that we don't have any young homegrown talent that's ready to step up. Eh? Over the last few years we have had Johnston, Turnbull, Campbell, Hastie and now Miller and Wilson all playing for the first team and getting good moves to bigger clubs. We do a hell of a lot better than most teams in the league in promoting academy players. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richie Posted Monday at 09:29 AM Report Share Posted Monday at 09:29 AM Not to mention a load of them are out on loan. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joewarkfanclub Posted Monday at 10:34 AM Report Share Posted Monday at 10:34 AM 13 hours ago, wellsince75 said: Agree that as a team we can offer a lot more . As a small example…….. we’ve lost our way defensively , early in season defensively we were strong with McGinn , Gordon and Casey. The back 3 now are SOD, Gordon and Blaney . It may sound subtle but Gordon is now left out to dry . I’m not clear what Casey has done to be dropped or why SOD is preferred to Balmer as a central defender . and that’s just in defence , wingbacks have a similar issue as does midfield . Overall we have more than enough quality to remain in top 6 but we need to get back to basics. I think SOD and Blaney have been preferred in recent weeks to try and play a bit more football at the back. Previously we had Casey, Gordon and Balmer and the ball was getting shelled over the top of the midfield to strikers unable to deal with it. I understand why it was done, but it hasnt really worked. Our pass/possession rate hasnt improved and we look more fragile at the back than ever, mostly from cross balls. Our biggest problem all season has been midfield. We havent had the numbers due to injury and illness, and the ones left fit and available simply dont have the legs or ability to make five at the back work unless we push the wing backs high, which leaves us vulnerable at the back. Like KMcAlpin says, we need fresh eyes to look at the sqaud and find a solution that works vetter than what we have been doing. Otherwise we are going to passively slip into a relegation battle we currently look ill equipped to get out of. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joewarkfanclub Posted Monday at 10:40 AM Report Share Posted Monday at 10:40 AM 17 hours ago, FirParkCornerExile said: Casey was pish that why he was dropped , absolutely shocking in the Cup tie at Perth. He's a bloody bombscare. I'd pack him on his way. Thats not to say what is left is much better. Casey has made mistakes no doubt. But he hasnt made more this season than Blaney, SOD, Balmer or even Gordon. His attitude and commitment on the pitch can never be questioned and I think it is more likely that he has been left out for speaking his mind than his footballing ability. If he has indeed signed a PCA with Hearts that may also feed into it. But he isnt any poorer a player than the others on current form. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteelmaninOZ Posted Monday at 12:41 PM Author Report Share Posted Monday at 12:41 PM The new lad Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richie Posted Monday at 01:07 PM Report Share Posted Monday at 01:07 PM Armstong has a few good attributes from what I've seen so far. Is a nuisance, can win flick-ons, hold the ball up well. Also lays it off and finds passes. In the clip above, yesterday's goal was a fairly instinctive finish. Now, if you have a Maswanhise/Plange/Dickson running off him, it could be a good combo up top. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FirParkCornerExile Posted Monday at 01:15 PM Report Share Posted Monday at 01:15 PM 2 hours ago, joewarkfanclub said: Casey has made mistakes no doubt. But he hasnt made more this season than Blaney, SOD, Balmer or even Gordon. His attitude and commitment on the putch can never be questioned and I think it is more likely that he has been left out for speaking his mind than his footballing ability. If he has indeed signed a PCA with Hearts that may also feed into it. But he isnt any poorer a player than the others on current form. Oh believe me I get shot of the rest too. We don't ship the goals we do cos any of them are any great shakes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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