lady-isobel-barnett

Think there's a fair possibility that we'll draw tomorrow. By that I don't mean both teams will play out a draw, just these sort of games tend to drift towards stalemate. The so very likely fact that this is the first of three games against each other kinda negates things. Maybe tho player bonuses will counter that and it'll be more a battle than I expect.

All true. Also for the integrity of our league there has to be significant advantage given to the team finishing second over the teams in the third and fourth places. Clearly there's not enough prize money in the kitty to do it on a purely monetary basis hence the additional games. Besides coming fourth in a tiny league of ten means that team is often likely to be only marginally above being classed as mid table. It shouldn't then be made any easier for that club to "get lucky". Anyway I'd much prefer it if we had larger normal sized leagues. Two up, two down automatically and play offs to decide if a third club could progress or not.

So sad to hear that Jags fan Willie Limond has passed away.https://www.glasgowtimes.co.uk/sport/national/24253546.former-british-commonwealth-boxing-champion-willie-limond-dies/ RIP, Willie

I reckon a more likely approach won't be to rest key players as such. More likely to prioritise those with niggling injuries etc. Players who would/could play if the outcome of the game was crucial but to the detriment of following matches. Last season's play offs were exceptional, but it's extremely difficult for a 3rd or 4th placed club to get promoted. Almost impossible without a workable squad. Put simply County or St Johnstone will most probably be able to call on all five subs, all of whom are regular 1st team players. Somehow to offer up a reasonable challenge we'd have to be able to come close to matching them.

Also got to mind that the players themselves are likely (almost certainly)to be incentivised to finish 3rd. So what may be preferable to our overall chances of promotion may not be necessarily preferable to the players. Gut feeling is we'll all be reading from the same hymn sheet against Airdrie. Not so sure after that.

Overhead conditions much the same as last week but far less football played today. Difference between playing on grass and plastic no doubt. Tho' we played better in the 2nd half think some of that down to shooting south to north looked preferable. A draw probably fair but under these conditions any team playing the better football could still easily lose the game. Fitzpatrick had two marking him all game but handled it well. On the other flank McMillan rarely pushed forward, presumably a tactical decision. Thought a goal likely to come from a set play, which were much harder to defend today. Raith had more of them so a wee bit of credit to our defending.

Again, and possibly less arithmetically, they could drop to 9th place. So maybe their next season status isn't quite so assured?

Jamie Mitchell

😀 Too true. Grand National Day and he was carrying top weight.

Does anyone here remember the last time we played at Starks Park on Grand National Day? Scenario.- Season 2004/05. Raith already relegated having previously accumulated only 13pts beat us 1-2, effectively relegating us as well. One person on here (let's call the poster, me) on leaving the ground spots three unselected regular team members sauntering back into Starks having forsaken our match for the lure of Aintree. This poster who lived a relatively short journey from Kirkcaldy and still irate at the result (and no doubt the world in general) too promptly posted observations on the then current Jags forum. Didn't foresee that some web lurcher from the Daily Record would pick up on this. By Monday said paper would deem such an incident worthy of headlining import. Looking forward to tomorrow's game in full knowledge that whatever the result I won't be on anything like the downer I was on 19 year ago.

A not unlikely possibility but it's still a case of playing someone out of position. My guess would be McInroy fills in for Stevie since he's also a leftie. Probably keep the current set up as the default start. Feel tho' we'll have to be adept at switching formations in game time. If O'Reilly is fit and on the bench then we could switch to a back three without too much upheaval.

Sad news. Gutted for the lad. Think we'd better change formation than play someone out of position. Our current set up is only really effective due to Stevie's ability.

Mentioned before that there's likely to be a player incentive based on finishing position. So I doubt we have to worry about taking the foot of the gas. Of course that also means the Club won't end up with the full £90K to go into the pot for next season.

I guess the reason for relatively fewer hat tricks these days could be down to increased substitutions. I'm sure I've seen a good few lads subbed when on two goals.

I agree and if we're still maintaining "McCall" style contracts the players will also be incentivised on a position ending scale of bonus. A downside to the play offs is there's bound to be different agendas and attitudes towards the final few games of the season. Do we go hell for leather for that £90K risking injury and fitness levels for the play offs? Whether a club finishes 3rd or 4th makes little difference to the chances of promotion. So there has to be a school of thought to rest key players, even if in doing so you're risking a sizable sum of money.