Fearchar

Lawless is coming in for some unjustified criticism here. It seemed obvious that ICT had planned to snuff out any danger from him: as soon as he had possession, three of their players pounced on him. Williams, behind him, was generally no help, as he seemed to be in a dwam while on the park. Only when Robinson came on did Lawless get an outball or someone sharp enough to combine with him. Before then, his only outball was across the park to Milne, which slowed any movement forward.

Milne posted missing for their goal. Williams at right back much too slow.

A poor show by ICT on tickets today (Friday). To purchase online, you need to register (why?), but after doing so, it refused to accept either of the two cards I tried with. On to plan B - phoning the ticket office. Only a message to say there would be no answer. It really is about time that the league sorted out the pantomime of inconsistent ticket prices, conditions and sales. Of course there is an incentive to ICT to make tickets unavailable beforehand: they get £2 more on the day. As for who is entitled to concessions...that's a closely guarded secret of each club. All ticket prices should remain the same for as long as they are on sale, and the definitions for payment should be the same for the same level, even if clubs feel their ticket prices should vary from other clubs'.

Out of likes but completely agree: it is unprofessional if you are in charge of strategy not to seek out the best view. (At megabuck levels, players are intelligent enough to be allowed to work it out for themselves.)

McBeth just on for Bannigan. At least it proves that Doolan doesn't depend on this forum for his information. 😄 Raith Rovers now losing to Queen's Park.

Inconsistency includes impressive saves as well as poor errors. McMillan has been reported as responsible for putting the ball into the net, but who should be controlling the box?

5. An inconsistent goalkeeper discomfits any defence.

What you mean is that we're really playing a 2-3-5 formation. There's a reason that it was dropped from every level of football in the past.

A goalkeeper incapable of controlling the penalty box or direct his defence, always liable to lose a ball shot low or at the near post. A defence all ajitter because of the goalkeeper behind them and not working together either on the flanks or in the centre. What seemed like a random selection in midfield. The only real mystery is why the opposition opted for the long ball so often to bother to cut them out. Up front, Graham isn't mobile enough to wander away from the penalty box. Lawless and Fitzpatrick are capable, but told to stay out on the wing to be shepherded into inconsequence. They were the only players to threaten to score or to set up a shot - from inside the penalty box. As we keep using fullbacks as buckshee wingers we lose impetus by being shepherded away from goalscoring areas (3 players on Fitzpatrick when he's in possession) and leave our defence exposed to countering on our wings. Success in football is built on secure defences. We'll remain also-rans (Dingwall repeatedly, anyone?) for as long as goalscoring is put before that.

A shot in at the near post again.

We are in dire need of a goalkeeper that defenders have confidence in.

If Mitchell, for whatever reason, isn't up to scratch between the sticks, then the priority has to be a reliable goalkeer. A defence can be built to cope with a poor goalkeeper, but not an inconsistent one. Sneddon's slips eat at any confidence among defenders.

That was the most drookit game I've seen since we were playing Gretna.

Weren't we, though? I thought that was the point of bringing Robinson in - to give the other team a man advantage.

This may be more serious than any other event: if a player needed a medical check afterwards despite being given permission to carry on during the game, we could enter an era when any blow to the head results in immediately removing the player, even if there is no apparent injury according to the medical staff present.

The thing that has impressed me about Williams is his ability to steal the ball from opponents. Could he be the defensive midfielder that is needed? As a player used to defending, he might fulfil this role.

New owner bounce?

Yup. 2 goals conceded at the near post is poor for any goalkeeper.

Out of likes, but yes - we're facing at least two clubs with much bigger financial backing (one of them tonight's opposition), yet we're well in the running for a playoff position.

Poor from Sneddon and Milne, who left position repeatedly, giving room to RR again and again on their right wing.

Isn't calling them "Raith" like calling us "Partick"?

How can the same team manage to dominate in the first half and then give the ball away, stand well off their opponents, concede a goal and just about throw the game away in the second half. Was it something in the halftime drinks or talk?

On this form, it's difficult to see Milne gaining the left back position from Williams.

According to the BBC, we've had just 2 shots on target: shockingly wasteful when we've threatened in their box. Our defending is sloppy, too, allowing them far too much room to play.

Tbf, nobody wanting to understand a game should be in a dugout: the vision is too restricted. It's amazing that all managers don't watch from a higher vantage point and relay instructions to the dugout. (Phone, walkie-talkie, wifi, even a runner - why not?) Without modern communications, Brian Clough opted to sit in the stand.