Velvet Donkey

I agree, Gillespie was great. A strange situation as a QP fan, but to have Longridge, Slater, McGlinchey and Baynham unused on the bench, and Carrol not in the squad, shows the strength we have. Not sure if anyone watches the excellent Through the Turnstiles thing. Last night suggesting we are riding our luck, and a 'Frankenstein' team of individuals with no system, not as well organised as Stenny. This is an understandable comment, but a bit lazy in my view. As lazy as the Gretna comparisons. As a full-time squad with the quality we have, we are quite rightly considered title favourites, but we have conceded one goal in seven games and taken 19 points out of 21. I'm also seeing a team that work very hard for each other, playing to their strengths and setting up according to the game, and efficiently changing it mid-game. Perhaps what you would expect from a full-time team of galacticos, but today was a good example of a great team spirit. A very hard game next week, and plenty time for slip-ups and the 'I-told-you-so's', but I can't fault McKinnon so far.

I think Doyle must play him on.

Brechin very much a free hit at the moment unfortunately. All the same QP starting to gel fully as a squad. With Slater and Grant out today, and Murray yet to feature, everyone looking very sharp now, and Quitongo unplayable in parts. I wasn't convinced with Lyon at first, but last few games he's got up to speed and looks very effective. Carrol my MOTM for last three games now.

Any word on Craig Slater? My only worry going into this was picking up injuries. Especially Slater.

Can't really agree. As a Spiders fan I thought the commentators were knowledgeable, engaging and relevant. It's always an easy moan for away fans. I also thought we played ok and limited QoS to not very much at all. Yes we were slack defending, but we were under more pressure from Elgin and Stranraer, and the finishing was the difference. Grant Gillespie has been great for us, but this wasn't his best game.

Peter Grant immense once again, and Slater real quality. McGlinchey too looks a great addition. It's clear the team can press for long periods, but risky when we switch to defending so deep. I thought the commentary was very good. You can forgive them for missing Kane Hester going in studs up. I didn't notice first time, but the ref was right in top of it. Elgin maybe a better team than last season? Liked Spark, Dingwall and Hester, and Smart seems to be more effective. I used to go to BB a lot, and the fans are sound. There are exceptions of course.

I've heard a few comments that suggest we have a thin squad. I'm a bit puzzled by that as I'm liking what McKinnon has done to create quality competition in every position. Yes McHugh has been quiet but that's the way with strikers, he will come good, but it might take a fight for his starting position. We could have a bench which includes McHugh, Longridge, Lyon, MacLean, Quitongo, Paterson, Bell. That's not squad players in League 2.

Wasn't convincing, but a really important three points. The last fifteen minutes is maybe where we will pick up wins. Muir superb again.

Good first twenty minutes, but we've struggled since, and Wullie Muir keeping us in it. The stream is slightly better than nothing, but I need a paracetamol for the second half.

email them at stranraerfclive@gmail.com, they will send a link. Worked for me after the same error

Yes encouraging to see some quality control and passing, goals and chances. Rovers looked awful in the first twenty but ended the match more competitive. Baynham is really effective and deserved his goals, also good to see Slater back, assured in the centre of the park. The streaming, coverage and commentary was first class.

I know we're expected to play everyone off the park, but it's still a point away from home to a dangerous side. We clearly have some very decent talent, but we seem to be not there yet in committing to attack from midfield. All seems to come through Tommy Robson. Not sure that's Darren Lyons best position, and we could do with selecting a different dead ball man. I do think Galt should be starting though. Until he's match fit and can stop leaking possession I think Longridge would make a good impact sub. Both Galt and Longridge can turn matches, but start the in-form player. I like what I've seen of Lee Kilday, and Muir, Grant and Gillespie have been consistently solid. Baynham and McHugh work hard but they're not getting much to feed off. Liked the look of the trialist too. We're not going to nil-nil our way to the title, so hopefully it starts to click by next weekend!

Encouraging so far. A lot more organised and assured on the ball. Good to see Andy Ritchie!

Thistle are really a Championship side. Full-time, on form, and strengthened from last season. We did well to limit them to very few chances or even crosses into the box (bar all the corners which we defended very well). I understand the expectation is high, but this is an entirely new team with two or three games together, and I'm not expecting any results in this group. Having said that, we lacked composure in midfield. We were organised off the ball but wasteful on the ball. I can't remember who lost possession for the second goal, but it was rubbish, and summed up our lack of sharpness. I don't care how we do in this competition, but hope that today and Tuesday gives us the preparation we need for next Saturday.

He had developed into a very effective defender for us, but picked up a nasty injury not long after that game, and never made it back to be in contention for a place when McKinnon took over. Binos with an impressive squad now, and looked good against Arbroath. Good goal from Ryan.

I thought Airdrie looked tidy and very sharp, and effectively pressed us on the ball. Great to get worthwhile preparation for next weekend, and encouraged by the quality of the streaming.

This is worth a watch. Good informed discussion of League 2 prospects for the season. The League 1 version is good too. Otherwise beyond here and twitter stuff it's pretty grim for lower league coverage. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u6BWCu1Fr4o

Both very promising, and should do well in Div 1. I'd have liked to have retained them at QP.

We're still waiting for Trouten too.

Fast, direct, exciting to watch. Better than league 1.

A more effective player than both Josh Peters and Lewis Hawke IMO. Great pace and commitment. Would rather he was safely out of this league, but wish him all the best.

Any word of the construction contract at Lesser? I would have hoped that the tender selection and contract agreement will have progressed, as well as the detailed design stage. The actual site works don't seem to be huge, and now not hampered by the Euros. Hoping we won't be too far off schedule.

Sal did allude to adding to his total 'next year'.

I don't think it's a given that the ethos of the club is discarded. The cold facts are that, had we remained amateur, the risk of dropping out the league multiply each year. If that is what you are prepared to accept, then fair enough, but all the good coaching, youth system, opportunities to play etc get less and less prestigious and relevant. We're lucky to have the means to try to compete at a higher level and still maintain the values we are known for, and any club would want that. I don't think anyone at the club or support I'm aware of are at all arrogant over this, but we're certainly not better than anyone else just because we're Queen's Park. I hope you do come back btw.

What about Clyde?