fenski

Huge game on Saturday now. Looking forward to it.

Just wasn't to be. Kept plugging away. One of these evenings - credit to Raith Rovers defence.

Very predictable

Kyle Turner starting for them.... Grrrrrr....

I think Fitzpatrick is a class apart. Has way more natural talent than Tiffoney. Unfair to expect a player like that to shine every game though. It's peaks and troughs at this level.

Stop trying to bring nuance in to the argument or acknowledge that sometimes people make decisions based on more than metrics, KPIs, measures, data or whatever you want to call it. Only a quantitative analysis is acceptable in Mr Jordanhill's view of the business world. I'm sure he has the same opinion on sporting performance. Dools should only be looking at the numbers to determine how to make the team win again. Data science for the win! I find it laughable (and exasperating) that someone would choose to argue these same points over and over, as if numeric analysis by itself is the sole arbiter in matters like this. An extremely simplistic take on things, or as others have suggested, a smokescreen to hide a personal beef behind. Time for forum break.

I didn't say you did. But you did imply Doolan doesn't know what he's doing recruitment wise. And I offered a list of extenuating circumstances for why recruitment last summer was not indicative of how it might be in the future. Assuming he stays in management I guess we'll find out one way or the other in the future. I have a suspicion that he won't though. Which is another subject entirely...

Perhaps 'transition season' implies acceptance that we are not likely to be promoted, perhaps even some acceptance that we are not ready to compete in the division above, recognising that sustainable improvements in performance takes time. So if we're accepting that, then the sooner we know conclusively we'll be in the Championship next year, the sooner plans for next season can be executed. Contracts extended, list of transfer targets identified etc, so we can mount a 'serious title challenge' next season. So no, I don't want another 'transition season'. I want to use this one, just this one, to ensure in whatever way that next season is not another 'transition season'. If we expect more of this season and sack management team, ask for board to step down, release players en masse, etc, then I think you're virtually guaranteeing another 'transition season'. I realise that this is a pointless argument to make to some - it will be perceived as weak and defeatist. Ho-hum...

He got the job mid-season, it was his first managerial role, the club was in a mess, his dad died, he had limited backroom staff, he was wholly occupied on managing the team into and through an extended set of play-offs games, he lost the services of arguably the club's four best players. There was uncertainty over budget/funds available. Then he had a shorter close season once he knew what division we'd be in, to sort out contracts for remaining players and recruit. How can you possibly conclude that Doolan doesn't know what he's doing recruitment wise based on last summer? There isn't a manager out there who gets recruitment 100% right. It is unfair not to take the context in to account.

Finishing 5th might actually work out better for us next season. Can begin the process of preparing for new campaign sooner, extending the right contracts early, etc. I know it sounds defeatist and would/should never be the target, but having certainty and more time can only be a good thing in terms of preparation.

My memory is so poor that I can't work out who the secret missing player is that Dools should do well to look at?

Very happy that I'm not ITK on matters such this. Just don't have the time or interest tbh. Some fans obviously a lot more engrossed in how the club is run than me. Which is a good thing I suppose in these days of fan ownership.

On other forums I participate in, this thread would have been closed pages ago. It appears to be one person who has specific issues with the running of the club (not commenting on whether these issues are justified or not). The points have been madeI multiple times. It is pointless to continue repeating them for endless pages in full public view. It is not a healthy debate with multiple contributors expressing a view. I appreciate that the approach to forum moderation here is very light, because of the time required to do otherwise. So not a criticism.

The BBC reported Aidan came off injured on Saturday. Assume Zander would come in to the frame if he's out for any length of time?

I assume those responsible for running the youth academy are aware of the general financial situation at the club, so will be looking for alternative funding sources for next year. I would've thought the nature of the youth academy (positive experience for young people etc) would mean that trusts and grants might be options? Here in Perth, the Gannochy Trust provides financial support to a lot of community and sports organisations. Having said that the club should provide financial support proportionate to benefits the club gets - academy players who make first team squad, development fees received when players are transferred etc.

Only justification for us signing Rudden would be to stop him playing elsewhere. Which is daft. Only thing I thought would happen is the departure of Mitchell. But maybe not, if he's injured.

Agree - hope they are identified and told to compensate for drum. However, assuming they are young too, I think a lifetime ban would be over the top - maybe banned for rest of season? Young people do stupid things and more often than not, they grow out of it.

Good signing. Although my first thought was as above - Neilson or another defender must be leaving.

Me and my son agree. Like the way he covers the pitch - must be hard work to defend against. He also combine well with Robinson.

Enjoyed that. Fitz, Banzo, Harry and Stevie all very good and all the subs did well. Would like to see Tomi get more minutes - he missed a couple of sitters today, but his mobility and overall forward play adds to the team IMO. Stevie's pass to Fitz for his goal was a corker - it's the sort of attacking variety we've been looking for. They have linked up well in the last couple of games. Only minor frustration was how we take goal-kicks. Why do we waste time pretending we're going to play out from the back, then reform to play long?

Not really wanting to get involved in the debate of Rovers budget vs ours, however I note that on the equivalent thread over on P&B, several contributors, including Rovers supporters comment on how well Ian Murray was backed by the new board given the players they recruited at the start of the season. I can't provide any data, however it appears to be generally accepted that their budget is at bigger end of scale. The main point for me is that there were several extenuating circumstances at play during the close season, therefore it is way too soon to pass judgement on Kris Doolan's recruitment abilities.

I think it's inevitable that other teams suss the Lawless, McMillan play. We need a bit more variety to our attacking plays and as was mentioned elsewhere, more threat through the centre - either a more creative 10, or by playing 2 up front. Would like a player to really make the 10 position their own. It has quite happened yet.

Ever the optimist, you have to bear in mind the context for our summer signings. Doolan had his hands full with the play-offs and didn't know what we needed until late on. McDonald and the likes were punts. As for this window, he's had more time to prepare, but decent established pros are thin on the ground in January. Likely to be loans and likes of McBeth.

It was wet and windy. A draw was a fair result.

Dowds is doing well because he's starting and getting a run in the team. He wouldn't get that if he came back, unless Graham is injured. Making an impact as a sub is almost a specialist role in the squad - something Danny Mullen did quite well.