GunnerBairn

I wonder if the two clubs involved in the Final would also have a say. If it was Falkirk v Raith, surely both clubs from a business sense would mutually opt for a stadium like Tynecastle to boost tickets sales, create a good atmosphere, and good PR for the competition.

What odds we can go unbeaten in the League this season? More Club history to be made would be absolutely legendary.

Clever bit of fixture re-arranging by the club. Montrose moved to 20th, after the Hamilton game. Which means if Cove beat Brora in the Scottish Cup, then the 10th becomes a free Saturday for us (Scottish Cup weekend). This gives the players two weeks rest & recovery before the Hamilton game which could all but settle it. Here’s hoping. Edit to add: Hamilton are playing Annan on 10th Feb.

Agreed, would avoid him. Still haven’t forgiven his part in throwing away the SC Final.

A few more pennies to play with due to the loans activity. Any two of GK, CB, CF would be good for loans in, finances permitting. Any chance of Rudden would be insanely good and give everyone a massive boost.

I can see us helping Tait thrive under McGlynn’s management. Hoping it’s a repeat of the Calvin Miller scenario where Morton fans weren’t too fussed about him leaving and he’s been outstanding since he arrived.

There was chat mooted on here about McGovern coming back on loan, which I’d think would be a great piece of business and give everyone a lift. On another topic about finances, how much money would winning the Challenge Cup final give us? I was told it was only financially worthwhile if you reached the final or won it.

Exactly this and seconded. Thanks for your voice of reason compared to bams from other teams not having a clue. There was no question that Bonnyrigg were far more comfortable on the turf than we were. I thought only Nizzy for us adapted well enough but the rest struggled with the conditions. Reminds of when we had Brockville as our own leveller, but not to be this time.

At the end of the day Barcelona would’ve struggled on that pitch, a cow field covered in mud, sand and divets! At one point in the second half, the ball bounced in front of Long in the box, hit a divet and changed direction. The unbeaten run had to end sometime, and I’m not too disappointed personally. The players have done us and the club proud and no one can take away the record breaking 26 unbeaten run - until the next run whenever that will be. I thought Nesbitt adapted to the pitch best for us but the rest struggled on the heavy pitch. We tried to match Bonnyrigg with the high ball / fast tempo approach, but Bonnyrigg looked more comfortable on their turf and won a lot of second balls. We certainly had chances to equalise and score a couple more in the 2nd half but shot over or wide when composure was needed. It wasn’t to be, but now we can focus everything on the league and maybe pick up a trophy in the challenge cup. The season’s not over by a long shot and keen to get back to league business.

Best bet is to get a home ticket and go incognito, I know some who have. That’s if Bonnyrigg are selling any tomorrow, so maybe phone ahead.

You’re not wrong there. Last time I saw Alfie in the middle of the 3 was away at Cove, they couldn’t handle him!

Been thinking about Bonnyrigg and Alfie could be another option up top. I know he had a stinker at the weekend but he could be a handful in that position, has he not played up front for Kelty? Maybe give him a chance to redeem and throw himself at a few defenders. Failing that Oliver would need to revert to his original position up top, dropping deep to link with the wingers.

Noticed that too re: the fans. We certainly stuck with the team even having gone 2-0 down, stayed supportive and positive. Wouldn’t have been the case in previous years but I think the team have earned a little ‘slack’ having gone 25 (now 26) unbeaten.

I’ve no doubt the players have an excellent working relationship with their ‘gaffer’. Today it just seemed like McGlynn made the changes out of professional respect for his fringe players, to give them that chance and platform to impress. Unfortunately, the gaffer’s gesture of goodwill collapsed, and came in a live high stakes League game where we are desperate for as many points on the board as possible. For me, the players and management, collectively, need to shoulder this brain fart of a game. The stakes are simply too high for the Club for internal sentimentality, and I’d wager they all know this now in the dressing room.

Dust settled for me now. I had high hopes when I saw Allan and Oliver up top today, how wrong I was. McGlynn clearly made a massive miscalculation in team selection and formation, and also completely underestimated Edinburgh’s team. In the same breath, the fringe players who started today also need to shoulder their share of responsibility. I was expecting those fringe players to clearly show what they can offer on the pitch with fire in their bellies - we got heehaw and an insipid performance from the them. This doesn’t bode well for those fringe players and makes McGlynn’s team selections easier going forward (providing LESSONS HAVE BEEN LEARNED from today’s debacle!). Keeping players like Allan, Alfie and Mackie on the bench can be done guilt free from a management viewpoint as they never showed up today. The regular first XI most certainly picks itself from this day forward. I can see McGlynn’s logic in wanting to rotate but he should have started with his strongest team to get well ahead in the game, before drip feeding the subs in to the game at an earlier stage, reducing the disruption. 5/6 changes to the starting 11 in one swoop is insanity and should never happen again. It was clear the players were confused on what to do first half and this emboldened Edinburgh further. In the players’ defence, and mentioned earlier, I was also in the stand and heard Spencer go absolutely tonto as he entered the changing room so the squad knew fine well about the clusterf**k. Second half we were bailed out by the recognised first teamers and thank fk for the gift of Calvin Miller, and thanks for bagging that pressure penalty. Made a crazy day that little worthwhile and unbeaten in 26. The thing that irks me most is the self-inflicted nature of it all, and so so unnecessary! But John McGlynn please don’t ever take a sledgehammer to a settled winning team like that again.

Just keep me away from those white dots.

I was neither here nor there with Airdrie for a while and I know the rivalry was a lot bigger during our Brockville days. Given recent League 1 seasons though, true to say, their fans liked to nip so I’m heading down the road to reciprocate.

I actually had Alloa on my list but replaced with Airdrie but it was a toss up. Must be something in it as our lists are quite similar anyway!

Just off the top of my head, in my experience, maybe Stenny / Shire / Stirling / Airdrie / Morton. (?) Would be interesting to see if any of my five match yours.

Would happily see McGlynn mix it up a little vs Bonnyrigg given MacIver and Shanley missing out. By mixing up I mean two up top, Allan alongside Oliver or Alfie?

I remember seeing the drawn up plans for it, a smaller stand which doubles as offices and changing room facilities for the astro behind. Looked good but very much on the back burner just now.

Obviously I’m still talking in fantasyland terms, but if it’s mathematically secured and we’re still unbeaten, the players would use that as a motivation tool until the end of season. The title of ‘Invincibles’ would be Bairns legend. Or perhaps it’s more cloud cuckooland.

That’s a statement not a question.

If we do go up, an optimistic aim would be to target 4th spot for a crack at the play offs, where anything can happen. To stay in the Championship would be a pessimistic aim. I think a double promotion as champions to the Premier is a big ask and maybe too much than we can manage at this stage. Hope for the best of course.

Hope MacIver’s injury isn’t too bad, he’s been crucial for us up top and a work horse. Shanley should be an able deputy upfront. I can see why McGlynn signed him as cover, since it wouldn’t disrupt our style of play using a like for like striker. Shanley looks physically bigger too and looks useful for sure.