Lichtie78

Don't want to take over the EF thread but the last 2 seasons have been absolutely grim and I imagine it has taken a lot of out Dick. So it would be nice if he could finish on a high somewhere. Not hard

Would love to see Dick & co pitch up at yous and do well. Deserves a better finish to his career than what's happened at us.

Billy Dodds is a p***k

Was busy all weekend and still seems surreal that he's no longer in charge. At the moment I think the last season and a half are still very fresh in our memories, but as time passes the seasons before that will live longer in the memory, and rightly so. Pretty lucky in that dicks reign has coincided with me and my mates all being early 20s and being able to spunk all our money following Arbroath around the country, making some incredible memories along the way. Not sure how, but I hope there is some way our appreciation is able to be shown to him. Love him or loath him, there's no denying that dick absolutely was one of a kind, and the last of a dying breed of football managers. To him, Pink and Youngy thanks very much for the memories.

Is there a match thread for Saturday?Definitely sense a bit of apathy amongst the support at the minute.

Stevie Wonder could've seen this happening to Stowe when we signed him. Should've just been loaned out to a League One club initially til Christmas.

Arbroath to benefit from the new coach bounce here. 4-0 AFC.

Bit of discourse regarding Balde and Dow on the match thread so thought I'd chuck in my opinions for a bit of debate. Balde was a breath of fresh air when he came in, bundles of energy but quickly became obvious he wasn't a defensive midfielder. I think his best position is probably 10, but he's going to suffer like those before him (Hilson, and Dow presently) because McKenna is going to play near enough every minute there. Playing him any deeper is a risk because his passing at times is pretty poor. Next couple of months before January could be a crossroads in his AFC career, because at his age he probably needs regular starts to iron out the creases in his game. Dow was another player who made a decent impact last season, simply by being a decent professional who knew what was expected of a player in the championship. As mentioned before, I think Dow's position is definitely in the role Mckenna currently occupies. He's neat and tidy but playing on the wing is not for him. He can't really go past a full back (although when he comes inside seems to try and beat boys for fun) and his G/A return must be near non existent since signing. Once Hammy is back I'd like to see Stewart return to RM (same G/A issue but he's a genuine out ball) and Dow used off the bench to either replace McKenna or sit a bit deeper when chasing a game for example and spraying the ball about.

I'd imagine we could match whatever Hylton gets offered elsewhere, and it'll be more a case that the full time (proper) lifestyle is the deal breaker for him.

Just seen that one of our pre-season trialists, Dayshonne Golding (aka man bun) has ended up in the highland league on loan from Cove.

Definitely a confidence issue - we make openings where normally you'd get a shot away, but instead overplay it and the chance passes. Hopefully comes with more positive results.

I think we've been too accommodating to away fans the last few seasons, and it's come to our own detriment. Another permanent segregation fence at the main road side corner flag would do fine, especially for games at this time of year.

I'd heard Charlie accies of Dundee were interested. But was just chatter after they played my mates team, not sure how much truth in it.

Ayr fans usually quite rowdy when they come up, be faf watching our "stewards" trying to deal with anything in the corner of the main stand. Missed last week and really looking forward to this tomorrow, feels like we are actually capable of scoring a couple of goals now. Home win hopefully to set me up for my football teams smoker afterwards

I think in the near future it needs to go to 2 smaller leagues. For teams like Arbroath Vics it's a really tough sell to the best amateur players to come and play junior where you have no chance of winning anything, and will take some absolute skuddings off the better teams. Not that appealing when you could stay amateur and play for leagues/cups.

David Gold will go down as one of my favourite Arbroath players I think. Hero of a guy

Agreed, the way some people are going on you'd think this kind of situation hasn't happened a million times before at clubs everywhere in the world. Player signs, doesn't fit in, moves on, nobody dies.

Mckenna is in squad for Saturday as per dicks interview in courier. Can't get link to work, but it's in one of the articles about Allan leaving

Scott Allan's football career is longer than just his time at Gayfield?

Watched highlights back from Saturday today, I reckon you put that performance in when you've got a few wins on the board already and you get something out of it. Just seemed to snatch at every chance we got, but definitely signs of encouragement there.

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Usually find when this happens it just means there is no segregation. Should be able to stand behind the goal you are shooting to in both halves.

Disappointed with you lads tonight, 2-0 up but never really looked in control. Crying out for a striker to link it all together. Thought bobby was way too deep first half, picking through balls has never been his game. Fair play to East Craigie though who battled back into it.

I would imagine Saturday will see the Vics biggest home crowd in a good while, with Bobby Linn and Lochee United coming to town and Arbroath restricted to 200 tickets away to QP. Unfortunately it seems likely it'll end up in an absolute hammering, I was at the 6-0 loss to Scone at the weekend and it was bleak. Tough trip to Kirrie for them tomorrow night as well.

Didn't look up to much here. Not particularly good at the back or going forward. But we were a shambles, and he did well for Stirling.