hoobahabba

Surely to f**k there is a better Scottish RB than Ralston (that isn't injured/unavailable).

It wasn't just that Nouble was being played out of position. His levels dropped significantly after his injury. When he came to us after his loan spell in Arbroath, he was not only technically brilliant but an absolute monster physically. There was a noticeable drop off in his impact in the second half off the 22/23 season. Typified, as others have pointed out, by his limp performance in the game against Dundee United at Tannadice. Whether this was down to fitness or lack of commitment, I'm not sure. However, I think not wanting to risk injury and scupper a potential transfer was a big factor. Particularly when you look back at Martindale broadcasting our intention to sell him at every given opportunity in the season that followed. Similar story with Nicky Devlin at the end of his tenure. You can understand it from the player's point of view but it is frustrating as a fan. Unlike Devlin, Nouble didn't get his move. He looked way off it at the beginning of 23/24, even when he was being played up front. Still the odd moment of brilliance but nothing like the force he was when he came back from his loan spell. I will (as Davie loves to say) caveat this by acknowledging the fact that being more of a known quantity did not work in his favour in that nullifying his threat from open play became a priority for opposing defences. Additionally, the quality of the squad overall had deteriorated, particularly in terms of creativity, which meant he was carrying a heavier burden. However, I still feel that Nouble himself has to take most of the responsibility for his diminished performances. He just wasn't who he was before. Incidentally, I feel that what we got from Nouble when he first came back entirely justified Martindale's strategy of buying untested players and loaning them out. It pains me to hear the chronically overused "aye, that'll be him getting sent on loan to Abroath hur hur" patter on the Livi Facebook page given his initial success with us. Nothing against Nouble personally. Always seemed like a good guy. Just a bit disappointed to see how it panned out for him. I was convinced that he would go on to play at a much higher level. Had the talent required to do so. In fact, I would argue that he was a more naturally gifted player than Dykes. Just goes to highlight the necessity of consistent effort and application. Edit: Posted this before actually reading the article where he does admit responsibility for his performances. Quite balanced from him overall.

Wasn't at the game but it's a very pleasing result given what I've seen from the highlights (which are, by far, of the highest quality I've seen in this league so far). Raith looked the better team and should have had a penalty. There's a very obvious foul throw in the build-up to our goal and the shot which lead to the goal should have been comfortably saved. In the premiership, we were very rarely blessed with points from lucky moments so I am absolutely taking it.

0-0

Poor result. We weren’t great in the first half but should have had it out of sight at the beginning of the second in the period just after we scored. Ridiculous challenge from sole to give away the penalty. Morton were never in the game at that point. After they equalised, it was a pretty even contest up to the end. For all that folk don’t think he should be starting, we missed Shinnie after he went off. Much less control in the forward areas. I thought May looked like an upgrade on what we already have up front. That’s one of the few positives I’m taking. Morton are a team of grafters (apart from JET). They worked hard for the point and, ultimately, deserved it.

Anybody know why Muirhead and Montano are nowhere to be seen? Agree with comments re: Shinnie playing ahead of Green. Guess it means he’s playing in the Muirhead position?

Skilful but too slow for the Scottish game.

Congratulations Spartans. Your team did you proud today and you deserve to be in the next round of the competition. Best of luck!

Hard to judge the rest of the league as we are new to it and difficult to see how we'll match up. Having said that, I do think that Stephen Kelly is far too talented to be playing in the championship and still fairly young. He's got to be up there in terms of highest value players.

Second this. VAR completely fucks with your enjoyment of the game. Even when it works in your favour, the disconnect between what you think is happening and the outcome of somebody else dissecting a replay dampens the satisfaction.

Falkirk 3-1 Queen's Park Airdrie 1-2 Raith Rovers Accies 1-1 Ayr Livingston 2 -0 Dunfermline Partick Thistle 3-0 Morton

£12 million for Gilmour is a steal considering Oli Burke was sold to RB Leipzig for £13 million.

Thought we were quite comfortably better than Dunfermline today without really being at our best. Of the new signings, I thought Green and Clarke stood out. I like Robbie Muirhead so far. His all-round game is clearly a mixed bag but his set pieces were good and he gets himself into decent positions.

He was worse when we played 4 at the back. Exposed his lack of pace. You could be right and, fwiw, I think Ayr have a strong squad on paper. But I’ll stand by what I said originally - he is a gamble.

Possibly. If there is not already an established leader within the squad then he could be chosen. Certainly has the experience. However, I’m sure Brown will be aware of his track record with injuries so that might play into it as well.