JAG1970

Unless we play a lower league team in the cup… What was Ngwenya thinking to give away that penalty! We gifted them two goals. At least we rested some and provided some debuts … The real stuff begins on Tuesday

Disagree that Graham hasn’t looked tired. Probably his relentless determination that gives the impression he’s got plenty in the tank, but I suspect he’s not far off running on empty especially with 3 games in 8 days coming up (and hopefully more).

I might be wrong but I think we have 14 McCready Milne, Williams, OReilly, McBeth Bannigan, Stanway, McKenzie, Lyon Graham, Fitzpatrick, Robinson, Lawless, Diack Need at least one keeper (Mitchell deserves a contract extension IMO) but probably two since McCready doesn’t seem to have had any game time with Spartans. A right back assuming McMillan leaves, another centre forward and cover for our wingers. Then general cover/improvement! Something like Mitchell + 1 Milne, OReilly, McBeth, Williams + 2/3 Stanway, Bannigan + 2 Robinson, McKenzie, Lyon?, Fitzpatrick, Lawless + 2 Graham, Diack + 1 Doolan might offer extensions to others like Muirhead and might try to sign one of the loan players like McInroy But think this is for a new thread!

A photo drinking a beer in the Louden bar ought to secure any refs future in Scotland. …. 🤝. 😉

Thought the referee was very good, kept the game flowing even if he played the advantage once too often, but head and shoulders above the usual standard. What was the refs name? McBeth deservedly MoTM, a good signing.

Maybe it was simply looking to get the job done, but there were some very tired players out there (Fitzy again struggling after 70 mins or so). The prospect of two games a week in the playoffs will be a very tough one with a good few players out already. Because of this I’m doubtful of our chances of reaching the final but the way we’ve been defending recently (one conceded from open play in 7 games) we might just be able to sneak it. Regardless it’s been a success to finish third, and Doolan’s pre match interview suggests the club/board pitched a financial plan below that target.

No Milne or Stanway tomorrow unfortunately.

Looking to next season I see McInroy’s contract is up in the summer with Kilmarnock and wonder if Doolan will try and sign him. He might not be our most consistent player this season but his pass for the first goal yesterday was another example of his eye for a killer pass.

Doolan has certainly fixed that defence. Only 2 goals conceded in 6 games (only one from open play), and he’s certainly signed a player in McBeth. Great to see OReilly back today to give us more defensive options too. Milne deserved his MoTM but great to see us throw bodies on the line to keep a clean sheet. Add to that we destroyed them up front and nice to see Diack get a goal too. All round a great day with the playoffs now secured. Airdrie won’t be looking forward to seeing us again

Play the strongest team which means Robinson should start. £90k or thereabouts for finishing 3rd versus 4th?

The whole league setup is based on self interest of the bigger clubs and not what supporters actually want. Unless the supporters of those clubs pull back on their goodwill (spending) nothing will change.

A good result especially considering how many players were unavailable today. We’ve certainly tightened up defensively as a unit and McBeth is proving to be a good signing.

Don’t know if it was related to this but I recall that dirty little ****** kicking Ian Ross off the ball at Firhill. Of course the officials didn’t see it and he got away with it. Anyway, hopefully we can do to Raith R what we’ve failed to do so far this season.

Airdrie are on one heck of a run… something like 8 wins and 2 draws.. hitting form at the right time. Don’t know if tonight’s result makes it harder for us on Saturday at Kirkcaldy but hopefully Doolan has seen weaknesses that we can exploit (even without Lawless).

I like your 3-5-3 idea and playing with 12 players 😄 But yes a change of formation seems inevitable and will be interesting to see what Doolan does

Copying from other thread but adding a question Wishing him all the best in his recovery. A serious loss which will hamper us in any playoffs, we don’t really have an alternative. Are we allowed to sign a loan and play them in the playoffs? A long shot anyway since most clubs would presumably want their players to have time off ahead of pre season. And the difficulty of finding someone good enough (although Tiffoney would be ideal 😉). Suppose it gives another player within our own squad an opportunity but imagine Doolan will need to change the shape of the team for the remainder of the season.

Wishing him all the best in his recovery. A serious loss which will hamper us in any playoffs, we don’t really have an alternative.

Well done to BBG…. some folk were writing him off last season but he’s been brilliant for us again this season ( and the women’s team too) 🤚

We were quite passive in that second half and only put them under pressure after conceding. A little frustrating as we could have been 2 up at HT. Whether we were trying to win ugly in that second half or just out of steam or ideas., but our lack of alternatives off the bench when Lawless went off (and an off form Fitzy) was clear. Should we make the playoffs we need these guys on form. Don’t know if it was a penalty, maybe a lack of experience by McBeth. Having said that would have taken a point at 3pm! Beat Airdrie and 3rd should almost be secured

Pity as his scoring rate off the bench was pretty good. His loan period expires this season and his contract expires with Swindon at the same time. Only way he would be back at Firhill is if Doolan signs him up.

I might have missed it but I haven’t heard Doolan giving any update on Adeloye’s injury over the last 3 weeks. Is he out for the rest of the season and played his last game for us?

Must have heard you…. Posted minutes after your post. Hopefully we’re faster out the traps tomorrow

A brutal victory. Weird how our legs seemed to go immediately after they went down to 10 men, couldn’t string two passes together and retain possession. Fitzy taking the ball to the corner flag with 20 mins to go summed up our energy levels. The subs didn’t help. But we defended well despite giving away too many cheap fouls. And it’s 3 points and another clean sheet. Winning ugly is something we haven’t done for a long time.,

Indeed, I think we’d all like to see James succeed at Firhill. Perhaps still needs to work on the physical side of the game, and pressing and shutting down when we don’t have possession. But there’s a talent there to be nurtured. He’s got a great touch and an eye for goal. Perhaps our close season transfer activity may create more of a midfield balance to accommodate his potential

Good 3 points and first clean sheet in 11 league games… the last one being against Arbroath