PELE

Definitely would have been strangers to Albyn Park. Probably had to ask what colours Broxburn were wearing.

Are Smith and Hamilton prevented from playing by Hearts?

Broxburn could have won it with better finishing. Keeper a bit nervy though and almost gifted us a goal. Good to see Jordan Allan stay on his feet. Plenty of players would have dived for a penalty. Twice he could have hit the deck and probably got at least one penalty from the usual poor officials.

Too many of our team aren't willing or aren't confident enough to take players on. As soon as they see an opposition player, they turn back towards our goal and when we do move the ball forward it's just an aimless ball and is easy mopped up.

Unfortunately he looks like that most weeks. He is capable of much better, but looks like he is not interested. He should be strolling through a game like that.

I disagree about Taylor, but can't argue about the rest.

Miller is terrible every week. The boy who scored for Broxburn turned him inside out. He can't pass and he cant defend.

Well done to the keeper. Not easy coming into games like that unfamiliar with the rest of the team.

Today just highlights how we persist with hoofball and how we miss Hamilton. All Renton would have done is head the hoofball's to their defence. Would have made no difference. Although, I do think Renton is one of the few who puts in a decent cross. Taylor puts in loads of effort and should have scored instead of passing to Thomas. Allan gets no service. If we aren't going to give him the service, then don't play him.

Next Saturday.

If get that about not changing a winning team, but does that mean we will stick with the same team each week now even if we stop winning because it worked for a run of games. We were winning at the end of last season with Renton out. We have been poor in some of the games and I genuinely don't like having a moan at any players, but I don't think Renton and Miller are better than what is on the bench. Renton doesn't look fit either. I think Allan and Taylor on with Smith and Cox would link up well. Swann would link up with them as well, if not in defence. Although we would struggle to field them all at the same time. Also, I don't think Allan lacks confidence. He just lacks game time. He looks full of confidence. If anything, he is sometimes too eager and snaps at chances because he wants to score to get back in the team. All that said, I am still delighted that we are where we are just now. I just think we may miss the chance to kick on and become serious contenders.

I would put Renton and Miller on the bench and play Allan and Taylor and have Swann coming on for Buchanan. I wouldn't play Swann in defence. Or Swann coming on for Coxy sometimes and swap position with Taylor. Swann is much better driving forward taking players on. He is not great at defending.

Yeah. I get that, but we should be looking to push on while we have the players to do it. We have probably had a season's worth of penalties already and teams that do well tend to have front men banging in the goals. We are winning because our defence and keepers have been excellent. Even Bollan realises we are really poor at times in games.

Taylor, Allan and Swann need to be playing more in the first team. Also, Connelly need to be brought on from the bench in games.

If the half time kick about was anything to go by, get Toddy up front! Scored some peaches. Not up against any defenders, but great first time strikes.

Looked to me like:- Whyte, Valentine, Glass, Pyper, Pollock, Swann, Thomas, Easton, Taylor, Allan, Connelly. Subs: Buchanan on for Connelly. Barr and Mullen on for Easton and Thomas

Comfortable for us. Didn't think it would be, but could have been seven or eight. Kelty had a few chances and Gus Mitchinson blasted one of the top of the bar when he should have scored. Connelly looked sharp for us and him and Allan were swarming all over the place. If the first team pressed as well as we did tonight, we would romp the league. Connelly went off at half time after a knock to be replaced by Robbie Buchanan. Or should I say Robbie Bolt! I have never seen Buchanan move so fast. Maybe night-time football suits him better. If he played like that on Saturdays, he would be at a much higher level. Easton looked good in the middle. Barr and Mullen came on with about ten minutes remaining for Thomas and Easton. Swann looked excellent and was driving forward at every opportunity.

We used to do that. Sure it was a few quid extra for the stand. Think it was before the new stand existed though. That's what the turnstiles at the stand were for I think.

This will all be down to how strong a side either club fields. I suspect Kelty may field a stronger side and if so, I would make them favourites. However, we don't have a match for almost two weeks, so we may field a stronger than normal side. We will have to field some first team regulars, purely because we don't have a big enough squad to field a second string. Also, many of our fringe players are just school kids.

The only time the stand came to life was when a certain player got his marching orders. Sounded like the whole stand awoke, including the City fans. Can't think what they were chanting.

Mango and Hamilton rarely put a foot wrong and make a massive difference to the team and that allows others like Todd to get better and more confident.

Enjoy the trip to Berwick today. One I miss.

You can definitely change a winning team, especially if it needs changing in certain areas.

I am more than happy. I would take where we are now quite happily for a good few years. Given our resources, we are doing a great job. However, I think we can do even better with the right line up.

Agree. Miller is poor most of the time. He gives the ball away regularly and suddenly we are up against it. He also tends to switch the play from an attacking position to heading back towards our own goals. Our defence and keeper are making the difference. Mango is excellent at this level. We are frustrating the opposition more than anything. However, we look toothless upfront most of the time. We won't keep on getting penalties. It would be good to see fast skillful attacking players like Taylor, Allan and Smith all on at the same time and feeding off each other. I would also like to see Swann in the midfield area. If we are to challenge the top two, we need strikers scoring regularly. Saturday will be real test.