lady-isobel-barnett

I thought a throwaway line in the ET last week rather suggested Archie & Rowson are in McCall's plans. Don't think it really matters what our views on the individual merits of Robbo or Archie. McCall would probably want to keep both on but equally probably can't justify that due to financial restraint. We really have to see the bigger picture re departures of other defenders before we could guess as to which one is more likelier to be kept on. For instance if Boyle leaves and is replaced by an inexperienced left back then keeping Archie would make a lot of sense. If Paton goes then retaining Robbo, as we've seen in the last two games, could be wiser . Just because we're more likely to have spare right sided players than left sided I'd imagine Robertson the more likely to leave than Archie.

Sure ther wasn't a bunch of them?

Always a bridie's maid never a bridie

Didn't think at the time Graham's barge in on Fox was that reckless. Film seems to back that up. I'd like to see us give a bit more attention to opponent goalies especially at corners. Doubt too if Donnelly hadn't checked his run he'd have scored. Feel it was the predictability that angered fans. Btw Donnelly was far from alone with his lack of direction. Two players that otherwise had fine games (Rowson & McGowan) missed up on shooting oportunities on quite a few occasions.

Willingly admit that I got that wrong. Visibility is indeed impaired. Because of the poorish crowds each time I've been down the front of the allocated area. The view there is fine. Still that's three games and we haven't lost a goal! So at least it's a lucky stand .

Donnelly was also the last Jags player to score at E End Pk. The real irony tho' is that that goal was scored by Sid digging deep and running direct at the Pars defence. I don't expect to see Donnelly featuring much between now and the end of the season. If he does I suspect it'll be down to an injury/suspension crisis rather than tactical.

I wasn't aware my argument against artificial pitches was anything to do with sentiment. I have to concede that my main objection is perhaps subjective and I couldn't put forward any objections that aren't based on either my observations or that from other fans or those strongly connected with clubs who have or have had plastic pitches. I also concede that most of the plus points HJ puts forward are valid, especially from an economic viewpoint, but I don't appreciate my opinion being ignored or ridiculed as sentiment. Further to that I'd like to know from those in favour of SFL level artificial pitches matches they've seen, rather than just anecdotal, that have been enhanced by playing on an artificial surface.

I doubt even those who have questioned the value of Donnelly have ever been critical of his close control. Up until yesterday at least when even that aspect of his game was appalling. I'd rather see Sid bow out more auspiciously but we're now at a time of the season where we should be bringing in the youngsters. Up until recently I could see a case for playing Donnelly alongside the likes of Campbell, Fraser & MacBeth. His style has always been to bring others into play but on yesterday's evidence even that's gone. Having been to Forthbank on Tuesday as well it's good to see a few players stick in two decent performances in a row. None more so than Robbo & Balatoni. Also, altho' it was in any case offside, Fox's save early on was brilliant. He had a few good stops yesterday but I thought that early save easily the pick of the bunch.

Firstly I had one too many sherries last night and on reflection if we installed a plastic pitch at Firhill I'd maybe still continue buying a season ticket. I'm assuming that if we did it was because we were forced into it financially. I've watched quite a bit of football on plastic and I find it a bit "false". Maybe it's the bounce of the ball or the tackling but I feel the entertainment level is substantially lower. This is an opinion shared with an Accies mate and I hear Mulraney at Alloa concedes this as well, tho' the commercial benefits in his opinion dictates the choice of surface. As I posted elsewhere I liken the difference in grass and plastic pitches to watching golf played over links or parkland. Oh, and I've no connection to the popular beat combo you mention. Thrilled and honoured nonetheless to hear of this

We're probably in near agreement. My view tho' is if we've to cut our budget then someone has to leave. In fact that's a given and regardless who leaves we could be a weaker side. Just feel that losing Paton won't be as bad as losing other players.

great photos as always, Jim .

Do you happen to know that Paton has signed a pre contract elsewhere? Certainly something I'm unaware of. Personally I can't see Paton playing regularly in the SPL and, tho' I feel he's been a good player for us and don't particularly want to lose him, he's shown next to nothing in the learning stakes.

In the great debate if pressed I'd favour Tom H as opposed to stolenscone. I thought we were clearly the better side in the 1st half and in the 2nd half it was largely evens stevens. Imo a draw was a fair enough result. Entertaining game for a goalless draw.

I doubt if I'd continue to buy a season ticket if Firhill had a plastic pitch. In fact that's probably an understatement. Better phrased to say I'd only pay at the gate now and again for big games. I've absolutely no interest in watching Ist Division football played on that surface.

Sorry, but that's silly.

I usually find your guesses accurate, 1JL, but correct me if I'm wrong but McCall usually surprises you with the one selection. On that basis I'll say either Flannigan or Erskine won't start and McGowan, despite his midweek exertions, will start instead. Also for what it's worth, and I can be accused of splitting hairs, but I'd have thought Balatoni will play as sweeper with Willie K playing at right centre back.

Must admit to liking the Main Stand. Think it's a cracking place to watch football. That opinion is maybe enhanced because lately we've won one, drawn one and not lost a goal when we've been in there. Rather think we'll be in the poorest of the three places they stick us. ie what I suppose is called the North Stand. Even in there you can queue for a pie and still watch the match at the same time so it's not that bad.

Hey! Less of that or we could fall out.

Don't believe many will argue that Doolan hasn't stepped into the role Buchanan was supposed to play admirably. If it works out I'd see this Stewart fella more as a replacement for the support role Doolan used to play when Buchanan was an automatic choice.

Certainly know where you're coming from. Don't think we've had an up an' at 'em type captain since Danny Lennon. We've had a few lead by example players (eg Robbo & Rowson of the present squad) but they're more of the quietly go about things types. I think the best we can hope for next season is a continuance of the good example senior player (if still about Archie as club captain and Rowson stand in captain) and hope we get in a noisier senior player. Hardie & Lilley have been mentioned as possible successors to McNamara & Donnelly and unlike the latter couple they're well noted for a less laid back approach in the leadership stakes. I wouldn't be at all surprised if in the not too distant future Willie Kinniburgh was our captain. As often as not good team captains were once daft players on the park. Willie is evidently highly popular but he also shows signs of a real will to win attitude.

What's Mary Marquis up to these days?

In leagues of 16 there would be 6 less games than at present so I don't feel the "lots of meaningless league games" is a legitimate argument against. To supplement the loss of league games a return to mini league (teams of 5 playing home & away) set up in the League Cup (regionalised or not) would ensure 19 home games against the present 18 (or 19 if your team is drawn at home in the League Cup). I'm of course coming from the anything but the current repetitive 4+ times a season stable. You don't need to go back more than 36 hours to see the effects of the the status quo league system when only 651 folk turned up at Forthbank for the 3rd time this season and the 5th match between the clubs in 6 months.

McCall in tonight's ET I interpreted that as he wants to retain Rowson & Archie.

The only people Dundee are sticking two fingers up to by using trialists are the guys they released thus breaking their contracts. Once again it's the hapless SFL, a bunch of halfwits, completely at fault. Firstly they didn't have regulations in place to deal with Dundee's administration. That was despite the prior warnings from situations at Livingston & Gretna. Now they don't even have regulations in place to deal with trialists. Feel miffed by all means about Dundee playing the system but you should really target your anger at this totally inept organisation that is supposed to run our game.