exiledjag

Another one yesssss.put the laces through it bfkllisnt

Williamson to Rudden yesssszd

Hope this isn't the kiss of death but like other Jags I like the look of this team. If we run out of steam we have McKenna to come on and help us repel any ariel bombardment! Champions elect

Airdrie will also go into the final two games v Cove and Falkirk reasonable well rested as they don't play tonight! Our win against them was important and will become huge if they do the business against Cove and or Falkirk! Of course all this is academic if we just put Falkirk to the sword tonight! I really don't know if I can cope with the stress of watching this game tonight. Ideally batter Falkirk in the first half 3-0 and sneak a goal in the second half 4-0 make our substitutions and play out time! That would make for a stress free pleasant evening!

Absolutely

I am in no doubt that tonight we can beat Falkirk and win the League! However I wouldn't be a Jag without having a couple of concerns! The implications for tiredness of our 3rd game in 6 days and our midfield injury crisis are my concerns. I don't doubt the form or willingness of the players to play for the jersey or the character of the team - Tuesday at Cove demonstrated that! But when the legs go, they go and there is nothing an individual can do about it. So this game for me falls into the category of we do our best to win but we must not lose. I will be delighted to win and be Champions but would not be unhappy going into the Montrose game still a point ahead (assumes Falkirk win their game in hand), well rested and everyone fit. By comparison Cove will be playing their 3rd (and final) game in 5 days on Saturday at home to Airdrie and next Tuesday Falkirk their 3rd game in 6 days away to Airdrie. Airdrie don't play tonight so will be well rested!

Agree about standard of play this season. Also have to qualify this by saying its only since the restart that, with the exception of O'Ware, we have had a full squad of fit players. We had at times 7/8 players out and I see on Pie and Bovril that Falkirk fans, in addition to verbally battering their recently sacked managers, are also bemoaning the fact they currently have 7 players not available for selection due to injury. It took a few games for our players to get up to match fitness during which we dropped points but we are still unbeaten since the restart. Some of our play in these games has been very good and the quality of the goals excellent. So while not glossing over the failures in the first half of the season we must also accept that there were mitigating factors. Let's focus on beating Falkirk, win the League, take time to rest and reflect, learn whatever lessons need to be learned and build a squad that can compete/ win the championship! But we do need to get behind the team right now!

Absolutely! I know an Airdrie supporter and he thinks their manager (Murray) should be sacked and the team is poor and will be as long as he is the manager. Strange game just proves no matter what you do - 1 defeat in 6- you can't please everybody!

I was going to post something like this but no need as this says it all. For the record previous fixtures show: - Montrose do well against Cove (2 wins) but not so well against Falkirk (2 defeats) - Airdrie on the other hand do well against Falkirk (2 wins) but not against Cove (draw & defeat) So there is still help there for us if we need it. Better if we just thump Falkirk on Thursday. Hope Graham (off injured tonight), Bannigan and Docherty are all fit to play. BTW we are now unbeaten since football resumed 6 wins and 4 draws - not bad!

Thank you, that's very encouraging for Thursday night and makes last Saturday's last 30 mins and why that happened a mystery

I didn't pay/watch the stream but made a second go fund donation a few days ago which collectively more than covers any money I would have spent attending or streaming all away game. Therefore I feel I can ask a question, without guilt, of any fan who did watch tonight's stream. My question is - was fitness a problem tonight the way it appeared to be in the last 30 minutes v Airdrie?

A very succinct summary of signing strategy. I agree with the above. I have been a supporter of McCall though I admit about a month ago I was starting to change my opinion. I think one of the reasons for supporting him was the fact that you could see he had an eye on the long term. Something missing from both his predecessors. However he also had an eye for the short term as well. So in this context my thinking about signing Megginson was based on the fact that in terms of strikers we have ATM no real replacement/cover should either Graham (33years) or Rudden(24years) get injured. It struck be that Megginson (28 years) would be a good addition to the squad as Graham will be winding down soon. I was though not aware of Megginson"s contractual or personal situation. I agree with you about Turner!

That's inspired me!

Agree with you about Morrison. A place in the squad could be available if Cardle is released! What about trying to sign Megganson as well! He is 28 years of age, a proven goalscorer and in his prime! With Graham & Rudden our two main strikers we need another proven striker good enough to fight for a spot in the team, provide cover etc and give us more tactical flexibility.

I was really concerned by the way we fell out of the game on Saturday in the last 30 minutes or so. This left me feeling very negative about the Cove game. I am however encouraged by the positive nature of the comments on this thread and especial by Y&R's remark that the Cove legs went in the last 20 minutes! I am not sure we will have a choice but with the 'legs' issue in mind I think Cove will come at us hard and try to do to us what we did to Airdrie. It might be an idea to let them do all the work (attack) , soak up the pressure and try to hit them on the break for the first hour. When their legs start to wilt go for broke in the final 20/30 minutes to win the game! However to do this we must not lose a goal and we must keep Megginson quiet. Any thoughts on actually man marking Megginskn - bound to result in a couple yellow cards or a red as I gather he might not respond well to man marking.

Yes time we gave Snedden some credit. It was impressive the way he came off his line into a 'crowded' area to punch the ball away to safety. It was clear from his body language that despite the presence of Forwards and Defenders nothing was stopping him getting to that ball. It's too early to compare him with the great Alan Rough but I thought at times during the second half he seemed very calm and unflappable - just like Rough! Sneddon deserves to play on Tuesday!

I think we all agree that all of the post-split games will be tough for all the teams. I missed the first half of the game but the stats and comments suggested we battered them! I thought we shaded the first 15 minutes of the second half and then we just fell out of the game, clearly fatigued! The manner in which we fell out of the game and whether we can recover and compete on Tuesday (and Thursday) concerns me. Any views, opinions on how PT Airdrie could out last us on Saturday would be welcome

Yes but if we draw with Cove and beat Falkirk then neither can reach 41. Hope we can find some energy and legs for Tuesday otherwise I suspect we will have to beat Falkirk and Montrose. Light training and lots of massage for the players also some time off. They are as fit and sharp as they need to be!

We tired badly in the last 30 minutes of the second half but still made a couple of chances for the 2nd goal. With the exception of hitting the post I don't recall Airdrie creating a clear cut chance like the one Docherty missed.

Perfect day. 3 points and Draw at Falkirk. Would have been great if docherty had scored but a great defensive display and for the first time in a long time a big slice of luck. Hope Bannigan is back for Tuesday and that Docherty is OK! Well done the Jags 5 in a row 13 goals 0 conceded and 15 points!

We are looking very tired. Going to be a long 25 minutes!

It would be funny. We would look like proper mugs and, given the League is so tight, it's not impossible this could happen Quite rightly the talk has been about the pressure on our opponents. For instance if Airdrie lose today that's kaput for them and if Falkirk and Cove draw or one loses it virtually rules them out. But if we lose today and then face a trip to Cove it could be curtains for us. We must not lose today! Thankfully the Airdrie attack which is good is up against one of the best defences while our attack which is very good is up against one of the weaker defences. This could be crucial. I hope though we, for once, start this game on the front foot!

The asteroid has been name 'the Jags' and its heading for the Championship to blow apart those devious back stabbers, for example, Dundee, Raith, QoS, Ayr and hopefully Ross County!

Being nervous about a game of football is a natural attribute for a Jags fan! It defies logic but it's part of our DNA! What are the facts? Well in the last 10 days we have learned how to win even when things weren't going our way (Dumbarton). We have two strikers who are scoring goals one of whom could be described as 'prolific', others are also scoring, and we are rock solid in defence! We are also well rested so should be able to go for Airdrie and try to kill this game off in the first half! I suspect I will be in a minority of one here but I feel the only area of concern is our midfield. Bannigan and Docherty are playing well but we still don't seem to dominate the middle of the park and especially against the better teams in the league - even Montrose (getting beat 5-0) looked just as good between the penalty boxes. This area will need to be strengthened for the Championship! Nevertheless ATM all the players are doing very well and if we stay focused (one game at a time) and lethal around the goal we will be OK.... Oh and avoid Barry Cook!

Thanks for pointing out my mistake. Either way the grey/dark blue top with white shorts and socks makes the team look quicker. I know this is an illusion but nevertheless it looks that way to me. Wonder if our opponents feel the same? I hope the club recognise the loyalty of our sponsors by agreeing favourable terms when we are back in the PL in the season after next!