timlichtie

We’ve been relegation fodder for most of this season due to the squad we started with. The January window was never going to yield signings likely to turn things round. The last 2 games we’ve been unlucky to lose by the odd goal. I can see commitment and progress. We need to get to the end of the season and take stock. I understand that Macintosh has an option to leave at the end of the season. He should be a priority to sign. Great today.

There is bound to be a big turnover of players in the summer, but that’s overdue. It’s worth bearing in mind that the boys who want to move on will be playing to impress any likely future club. Players like Jay will want his goals per game looking decent.

That really wouldn’t make sense for him. He has a good job as an electrician I believe. Staying part time and likely playing in L1 I would surely suit him much better.

I really hope that Ricky Little will want to continue with the Lichties next season. He has been an inspiration. His full blooded performances in recent games is typical of his attitude throughout his time at Gayfield. Sad to see some of the nasty, spiteful comments about club officials. I’ve nothing but praise for all those guys who have given so much of their time and effort to build the club we now have.

McIntyre inherited an absolute mess. 12 games is nothing like long enough to sort it out. The Club would look ridiculous if it didn’t give him the summer transfer window and at least a couple of months more to make some progress.

A narrow 1 nil defeat by a full time team at the top end of the league. I honestly thought there were plenty of positives today and we could easily have got a result. We more than matched Thistle in the first half but clearly lost confidence when we went behind. Second half was disappointing. I still think there was plenty of effort particularly from Ricky in defence. We simply lacked the quality and fitness in midfield and attack. I actually thought Walker did ok when he came on. Murray is starting to look decent. I don’t see any point or likelihood of management change this year so I’ll back Jim McIntyre to turn this round.

If we can sort out our defending, ideally with Gaston back in goal then it could be an entertaining game. 3 all.

Yesterday’s thumping was what I was fearing week in week out when we got promoted. Absolutely no delusions whatsoever. For a large part of the last 5 seasons we ground out results based on the incredible performance of the trio, Gaston, Little and ToB. This season our luck has run out with injuries and, to an extent, age. It happens.

I’m sure it was Innes who made a great run from the right wing today and hit the post. Maybe we will see more of that in the future. I would be in favour of having him and Mark Stowe next season.

There is absolutely no way we can judge the new management team on their games so far. The players who have returned are far from match fit and have barely played together. I didn’t see any lack of effort today, just some awful defending. We are almost certainly bound for League 1. Once we have rebuilt this summer then I’ll be critical if we’re struggling at Xmas.

I think Jim McIntyre has come across really well in his interviews so far. His approach is totally different to what we’ve been used to. Despite some heavy defeats he’s been pretty calm and measured. I’ve heard good things about his assistant too. I suspect they won’t be too concerned about the prospect of some of our established players moving on. The squad needs a total rebuild from the successful group of 2 seasons ago. The fact that no one could seriously name a current Arbroath player who might step up a level or be poached by a rival illustrates where we are.

Never seen an Arbroath defence make so many absolute blunders.

The win on Friday was more about the mind game than the physical performance. It was the attitude from Ricky, Gats and Mikey McKenna that picked us up and kept the youngsters going. If we’re playing League 1 next season then these are the guys you want at the core of your team.

The Bellrock does great spicy fish and masala fish if you fancy something different.

Sorry, I’ll rephrase. I absolutely believe that ToB has a hand injury. I’m just astonished that it’s stopping him from playing and might end his season. When do we get a change of luck?

The QP highlights are not for those of a nervous disposition. Both Teale and Boruc clearly struggling without an experienced central defender in the second half. I can’t believe ToB is out with a hand injury. I heard that it might be his season over. Really?

A farcical defence last night and, as Simon has outlined, no out ball. Reilly did remarkably well but without a striker in support was totally isolated. Macintosh did well when he came on and made a difference. Our best striker isn’t being played and no explanation offered. What is going on?

Not a lot of quality on show but Reilly looks the business. If he stays fit, his direct running will get goals and assists for others. Bird or MacIntosh have to play alongside him to make it happen. Mikey might also get back amongst the goals.

There’s just a chance that the youngsters we’ve brought in recently can make an impact on the Hampden pitch. Jim McIntyre will have a much better idea of his best eleven after Saturday’s game. ToB apparently has a broken finger. Whether that can be strapped to allow him to play is unclear. Hammy’s injury didn’t sound serious but we’ll have to see.

In our 3 week lay off I watched a bit of Junior football. There are boys in that level who are definitely better than some we have recently brought in. There will have to be a massive rebuild in the summer whatever happens with our league status. We have very few signed beyond this season or likely to be resigned. I suspect that Jim is already eyeing up some good part timers from the lower tiers.

A baffling startling eleven. Can we please, please improve the communication between management and fans about the state of the squad. Like every Lichtie fan I know, I am totally fed up of the secrecy surrounding our players and their availability. No ToB, Bird or MacIntosh in the starting eleven for mystery reasons. Robinson has been hopeless. A left sided striker, he’s had gilt edged chances on his left foot in the last 2 games and totally fluffed them. Give me Turan any day.

Some good young talent in the squad now. Teale, McKinnon and Reilly. The shame is that we don’t seem able to sign this level of talent on proper contracts. They’ll all be gone in the summer. I’m not sure how we overcome this problem.

Great description. Every club has them.

I’m sure that Jim McIntyre learned a lot about his squad yesterday. Playing one up front was getting us nowhere. Macintosh had a decent go but Robinson was ineffective in the second half. Bird must surely be injured. I would actually prefer to see Turan ahead of Robinson. McKinnon definitely improved our competitiveness in midfield and gave some good attacking guile. He should start. Teale looks like a real find.

I thought Teale was excellent. Very composed, lots of pace and good positional sense. Probably our best player. McKinnon was also good. That’s 2 good youngsters to lift our season.