Ivo den Bieman
-
Posts
4,034 -
Joined
-
Last visited
-
Days Won
5
Content Type
Profiles
Forums
Events
Store
Posts posted by Ivo den Bieman
-
-
Maurice Ross wouild be a deranged shout- he was terrible at Cowdenbeath. The Price / Weir combo a better bet for me.
0 -
27 minutes ago, O'Kelly Isley III said:
How does this rate on the Pink-O-Meter ? We're well known for raiding the Liquorice Allsorts box.
This one looks more like a Stabilo Boss fluorescent marker, a limited edition Turkish Delight, or a ham-fistedly discreet business card for a "gentlemans' club".
Still somehwat less saturated that the Fife genetically modified crustacean.
1 -
Think that's a decent appointment.
I get that Levein was a disaster as Scotland manager but he's a very good club coach. He's also a pleasant and friendly guy, having met him once or twice. He's a skilled wind up merchant which must be why so many mouth breathers hate him.
Andy Kirk's done a good job at Brechin City and it will be interesting to see them working in a more formal manner at St. Johnstone- Levein being an unpaid director of football at Glebe Park but the actual boss here is a changed dynamic. Kirk turned Brechin around from an unwatchable shambles to being a really good attacking side, with some good players. Levein was absolutely behind Max Kucheriavyi coming to Brechin and he's a gem of a wee player.
Will be dour and functional football for a while at McDiarmid but I am sure these two will steer the Saints clear of bother for the rest of this campaign. Sensible appointment IMO.
0 -
22 hours ago, doulikefish said:
Really good report but special mention to Andy McCarthy who got his shoulder popped back in after about 2 mins and played on until subbed in the 2nd half
Thanks for explaining that, I was standing on the opposite side of the park so other than registering the long stoppage couldn’t really see what was happening. I did think McCarthy quiet by his normal standards, that would explain it…fair play to him for carrying on.
21 hours ago, Beachcomber said:You've got a short memory
Come on now, our top was more diluted pomegranate juice or a fading old snooker ball compared to the Fifers’ marine distress flare. Your top is ‘shocking’ in every sense!
Thanks for kind comments about my report. One year I’ll do a book covering a game from all 42 league grounds but just don’t have time presently.
1 -
Took this in as trachling down the road to watch Montrose play on a council-owned "leisure facility" in Edinburgh didn't really appeal today.
For all the moaning and groaning I've seen recently about this being the worst Methilite farrago of cloggers, makeweights and never-quite-weres since the days of Jim "The Relegator" Moffat, I was expecting this to be far more comfortable for Peterhead. In fact, East Fife will have gone in at half time wondering how they were a goal behind, which was harsh on them. Then again, their flamingo-pink away top was harsh on the rest of us. It's a genuinely hideous retina-stinger of a garment, an oddball cross between at novelty 1970s bathroom mat, and the flyer for a lobster-themed happy hardcore party. Visible from Alpha Centauri without a telescope, the shirt is so luminous that it was actually reflected in the sky at sunset, three fingers of pink lingering behind the main stand at Balmoor. By then, however, the Fifers were done and dusted.
Their standout player for me was their on-loan winger Kieran Mitchell, wearing no. 16. Mitchell gave home right back Danny Strachan a torrid time in the first half, although in fairness Strachan gave as good as he got. He was not to blame for two moments of terrible carelessness at the back that a better side would have punished. First co-manager Ryan Strachan gave the ball away terribly which sent Mitchell scampering away, without result. In the second incident, Strachan had hurt himself and Mitchell got away from him. Bounding like a demented squirrel after a bouncing acorn, the wee man streaked into the box, but took too heavy a touch at precisely the wrong moment- allowing McKenzie in the home goal to gather more comfortably than he might have expected. These two incidents were the worst of a pretty flat first half from the league leaders, who seemed a yard too slow and lacking in creative ideas to break down an obdurate and well organised East Fife.
However- that moment came. Whilst East Fife passed and moved much more nicely than I'd been expecting, Peterhead can mix things up between patient build up and the long ball. A blooter from McKenzie found McAliister whose finely judged ball sent Shanks bursting clear of his opponent. Keeping half a yard ahead of the visiting defence, from about fifteen yards, just to the left of the penalty spot, he fired a powerful shot across Fleming and into the bottom right hand corner. 1-0.
Peterhead came out of what was no doubt a tetchy and shouty half-time de-brief and quickly imposed themselves on what was to prove a much more comfortable second half. Connor O'Keefe came into his own here. He's a fine player, really quick down the Peterhead left and must be a nightmare to play against when coming at you at full pelt. He'll either leave you flailing as he passes you in a streak of blue or, if you touch him, he'll crash to the ground and take a free kick. McAliister and Shanks might get the headlines but for me he's easily Peterhead's most dangerous player. On two or three occasions in the second half he simply left the East Fife defence for dead, or got clogged.
If McKenzie, making a few smart saves, was the busier of the keepers in the first half, he was a virtual spectator after the break as the ageing Allan Fleming found himself beseiged. Fleming made a few good stops and indulged in a bit of trademark cross-flapping but was finally beaten- and the game finished- when one of young substitute Ward's runs finally paid off. His deep cross from the left found Jordan Brown whose first effort was blocked by Fleming- the rebound was turned past the keeper who at that stage was collapsing, wrong footed, on the goal-line, like a Primark card table.
By then Peterhead were ringing the changes and bringing on youngsters as East Fife struggled to make an impact. The old cliché is that if you grind out the win whilst not playing very well you're likely to have a good season. On this evidence Peterhead will take a bit of shifting. Ryan Strachan and Jordon Brown, Buchan's Alan Curbishley & Steve Gritt, will hope for much more of the second half performance today, than the first half, in the weeks ahead. Peterhead started the game sluggish and complacent and were lucky that the opponent was a team low in confidence and missing many key players. If they start like that in the forthcoming fixtures against Dumbarton and Stenny then they'll pay a heavy price.
As for East Fife, I can see why the fans are frustrated. For this neutral your team looked much better than I'd been expecting. Fleming can still do a turn at this level although I'm guessing this will be his last senior season; the makeshift defence looked okay; Trouten is slowing down but can still dictate a game if the mood takes him (he faded in influence as he got frustrated in the second half); Mitchell is a handful, but is hampered by the lack of any genuine striking options. Not much point creating chances if there's nobody there to put them away. However, this is a team that could finish anywhere between 4th and 8th but genuinely don't think East Fife need fear the drop this season.
Not a bad game all told.
5 -
Yeah, Clyde to send a private helicopter to Tyneside to end Jack Ross' Newcastle hell
3 -
Hard fought win with a slice of good fortune by the looks of it.
It's great to see the team having turned a corner in recent weeks since McAllister left. This is the sort of game Montrose would have folded in earlier in the season, so fair play to the manager and the players for getting it together.
McAllister's departure looks to have worked out well for all parties- I see he scored again for Peterhead yesterday and reduced the barber-jacketed Werther's Original rustlers in the Forfar support to a bubbling mess.
1 -
Edinburgh City do look to be circling the drain unfortunately. Would be no surprise to seem them back in regional non league in a few years. Seems a pity after so many worked so hard to get the club in the league. However royally shafted by the city council who don't seem terribly interested in having a league club as a tenant. Hope some solutions can be found, it has been really great having the name back in the leagues.
I remember as a small kid in the early 80s seeing "Edinburgh City" in league historical records- usually bottom of the table every season in the thirties- and back then the name seemed as dead as St. Bernard's, Solway Star, and so on.
5 -
The length of the table between these sides & boy did it show today. Elgin this season are one of the poorest teams I’ve ever seen at this level.
McAliister’s & Shanks goal from open play were very nice and the sixth was a quick footed masterclass to seal the humiliation.
Peterhead are far from the finished article but the fact that they rested some of their key players after an hour shows how one sided the game was.
0 -
He was well liked and respected at Everton. Why on earth he went to FGR only he’ll be able to answer. They were as good as gone before he took the job.
Certainly won’t be dull! Worth a punt anyway. Think it’s a wee bit harsh to suggest this is a John Brown / Brogan / McVeigh type appointment.
1 -
Was at Formartine-Threave today. A seesaw game which Formartine were a bit lucky to edge 3-2. They were 2-0 up and cruising at half time but complacenecy set in and Threave pulled back the game to 2-2 with about 5 minutes left. Then a Euro 96 moment; Brotherston missed a great chance for Threave to win the tie, the home team broke away at pace and scored the winner.
Formartine looked lacklustre for much of this game and will need to do significantly better if they are to make any headway against higher quality opposition. Felt Threave put in a hard working and determined performance in the game and they were a little bit unlucky not to take the match to extra time. Ceetainly a lot for them to build on for their Wesy of Scotland league campaign.
Attendance, about 150.
0 -
Must-win for Montrose to keep the recent positive results and squad changes moving.
Fell a bit sorry for Edinburgh who seem in a desperate tail-spin, but we need just to win this professionally and move on.
0 -
Yep thought Bonnyrigg looked decent when I saw them at Forfar recently and this will be a tough ask for Peterhead. The Blue Toon have started slowly and many of their league games have had few goals so this would be an important opportunity for them to make a mark and start turning results in a more positive direction.
Bonnyrigg totally outpsyched Forfar and are very very streetwise and masters of shithousery and wind-ups- Peterhead will need to keep the heid if they are to have any chance.
0 -
Poor start to the season for Peterhead, not something I expected.
Relegation leaves a bit of a hangover but they’ll need to get over it quickly. The young co-managers talk a good game but results will need to shift for then soon.
0 -
Nairn St Ninian 0-4 Ardrossan Winton Rovers
A very comfortable win for a well drilled visiting team who turned in a controlled and commanding performance against poor opposition.
A few great goals scored for Winton- lovely move for the second and excellent free kick for the coup de gras a few minutes from time.
Nairn are a nice welcoming set up & hope things on the park improve for them. Attendance 55-60.
0 -
Well congratulations to the players & the manager today on a great result. We need another three points against Edinburgh after the international break, then hopefully keep pushing after an iffy start.
Will be more than happy with mid table this season.
0 -
Rory will have a nice swansong up the road at Peterhead & we’ll get some cash so the move works out for all.
Could never fault his effort even if at times he seemed a bit socially isolated within the team / squad. He often seemed frustrated and annoyed.
Well best of luck to him anyway I hope he does a turn for the Fishy Jailers. Should still have a fair bit to offer in League Two.
3 -
Sadly looks like they'll be rubbing shoulders with Lochgelly Albert and Harthill Royal at the bottom of the third division by 2025.
VoL were always early round cup stalwarts back in the day but now seem to be sinking faster that Chinese stocks.
0 -
Coleraine to be taken over by Americans in a £2m deal, aiming to go full time and "win the league by 2027"
0 -
Just now, Jacksgranda said:
3/ It seems to be you either have a strong Newry or a strong Warrenpoint, but not both, i think you may have commented on that yourself.
Yeah someone made that point in one of the Belfast papers a while ago. Wouldn't surprise me to see them both in the second tier next season.
0 -
What on earth is happening with Linfield's defence. Some absolute comedy goals given away to Carrick who look an unpredictable maverick side, capable of being excellent and terrible within the same game.
Early days but Crusaders look like they will push Linfield hard this season and Glentoran continue to get stronger.
No idea what's happened at Ballymena but they've been an absolute shambles in the games I've seen so far and clearly not a happy camp. I'm sure Glenavon will pick up after an unusually slow start for them. Newry looked quite appalling against Crusaders, too- miles off it. Would expect Newry, Dungannon, Ballymenato be the three strugglers this season.
Annagh United the early pace setters in the Championship ahead of Newington YC. The third tier intermediate kicked off with Limavady jitting 9 past hapless Banbridge Town. Sad to see Warrenpoint down there, always liked them as a club and the manager Barry Gray. Would expect them to be favourites to return to the second tier ASAP.
Always enjoy the NI league and this season looks like it will be a decent one across the divisions.
0 -
Hateful club that were enthusiastic backers of arsecheek B teams and made at least one undocumented attempt to franchise financially distressed SPFL teams to their own advantage.
The sooner they're flushed away into the nether regions of non league where they belong, the better. Horrible, horrible club.
4 -
1 minute ago, Dons_1988 said:
Sounds like a good move for brown, what’s in it for hibs?
This will undo him even if interested- a very important appointment coming up for Hibs- Broonie will be seen as a risk I suspect.
0 -
Scott Brown would be interesting given his history at Hibs.
He has done OK-ish at Fleetwood Town but now may be the time to move given that the chairman / owner just got a long stretch of bird for fraud.
Fleetwood had a decent cup run last year and a steady enough mid table finish. Not sure they will do anything other than decline the next few years.
He may not have enough experience for the Hbs board though and may want to try his luck somewhere else in England before coming home.
2
Players offering to fight supporters
in Scottish Championship General Chatter
Posted · Edited by Ivo den Bieman
A few season's ago Goole's captain entered the terraces for some shadow dancing and embarrassing windmilling fists with a fan. Was sacked immediately afterwards. No one comes out of this outside-the-chippy-scrap looking good.
The footage is completely ludicrous but the back story, revealed later, pretty sad- the player concerned was addicted to gambling and clearly extremely depressed at that time.