jakeyman

Back to trying to be Mr Positive, like some have said we did hit the woodwork on 4 occasions (5 if you include Jacobs penalty), it was perhaps just one of these nights where it wasn't going to be. We have now played 2 competitive games (ok against opposition from lower divisions) but we have only conceded one goal and that was a penalty. Teams from higher divisions are always going to have occasions when they lose lesser opposition. (who would have thought we would beat Aberdeen in a Scottish cup semi final.). Imo the new players have done nothing to suggest they are bad signings, granted Rooney's final delivery into the box could be better but can we condemn him after just a couple of games. I also think Tapping is far better player than Rankin. he is lot more forward thinking. If we can beat Hamilton (who only just beat East Kilbride in the last few minutes) then that should put us in a strong position to qualify for the second round. My main moan is the type of football we appear to be playing at the moment, it is not exciting to watch, as I said in a previous post I don't mind Queens losing (it comes with the territory) provided they have tried to entertain and have tried there hardest coming of at the end exhausted, and I think a lot of that is down to the manager rather the players.

At the start of every season for as long as I can remember, I have gone into every new season as Mr positive believing this will be our season, no matter what those around me may have thought. That is until this season. Following Queens for as many seasons as I have you learn to take the highs with the lows and accept that we will lose as many as we win. I learnt to accept this and as long as we attempted to play attractive football and came off looking as though we had tried our hardest (some games you can do this and it just isn't your day) then I was disappointed at losing but accepted it. At the moment however we are not playing attractive football and the players last night looked a little de motivated and argued amongst themselves, the team spirit that has often got us through games was missing. I will continue to go as that has what I have done most seasons for as long as I can remember but at the moment it is through no sense of enjoyment.

Just to look at it from a different perspective, why not try your youngsters in a game where the result doesn't matter. With the way leagues are now and the prize money depending on finishing position there is little or no chance to do so during the season. This way he gets a chance to see if they can step up and who knows discover a gem without any consequences (except perhaps to their confidence if they read some of the posters on here). There is little real point in playing full games with players you know are likely to start in a competitive game as you don't really learn anything. Friendlies are for experimenting.The manager will I hope know that they are unlikely to start many if any games but the three friendlies are chance to see if they are able to provide anything at all. Who knows if they don't he may be able use it as leverage with the board to get an extra player.

Queen of the South v Airdrie first round of this seasons Challenge cup. Ties to be played 15/16 August.

First qtr of season 2012/13 (Alan Johnstons season) P 9 W 7 D 2 L 0 F 20 A 4 Pts 23 this season P 7 W 5 D 2 L 0 F 14 A 4 Pts 17 7 goals without conceding against Dumbarton and Morton would make this a better first qtr. a big ask but bearing in mind this season is a division above that of 12/13 it is still a very good start no matter the results in the next 2 games considering we also made it to quarter finals of the league cup.

I don't really think we need to panic after one game and make to many (if any) changes. Skelton did say that in order to win we would have to be at our best and Rangers below par. Unfortunately neither of these happened.

Thanks SD. My comment regarding website wasn't meant as a criticism just a statement. Normally try and get along myself to the home games but unfortunately missed last night.

Does anyone know the team and scorers for Queens in last nights development league game? the official website seems to have given up reporting on them this year.

Development league game. Queens v Albion Rovers. 2 1 Queens half time eta: 2 1 final score

Nicky Clark joins Dunfermline on a 2 year deal. Teams up with Gavin Reilly again.

Stenhousemuir at home in the 3rd round of the Irn Bru Challenge cup

A good result tonight (assuming we win on Saturday) would be a draw or Edinburgh City win (I know it's a long shot). That would mean we would be guaranteed at least 5th place in 2nd teams league going into Saturdays game sling 4th or sbove slightly easier to achieve. In group A No one except Peterhead can reach 9 pts. In Group B St Johnstone play Stirling meaning one will finish with less than 9 pts and if tonight's game is a win for Edinburgh or a draw then Hamilton can no longer get 9 pts and even if St Mirren thrash Edinburgh they would then win the group as Ayr have played 4 games. Ayr have a GD of +3 same as ours so either way we would beat 2nd in that group on GD. A win for Alloa or a win on penalties against Raith or a Motherwell Stranraer draw on Saturday would mean we would qualify other 2 groups slightly more difficult. im sure SD will correct me if im wrong. come on Edinburgh City

Whilst on the subject of stats This seasons league games P W D L F A GD Pts Home 4 1 1 2 6 10 -4 4 Away 4 2 1 1 3 1 2 7 Last season first 8 league games P W D L F A GD Pts Home 4 2 1 1 4 4 0 7 Away 4 1 1 2 8 7 1 4 Almost identical except better away record this season rather than home and 3 less goals scored. Apologies lines are out of line once posted and unsure how to sort it but hopefully it still makes sense

I thought the development team looked good last night as has been said attacked at pace which is what the first team doesn't seem to do. I thought Coogans looked decent and Dickinson as did Tapping for the 20 mins he lasted. Also thought the No 7 on the left wing had a decent game and the two saves at the end by Armstrong we outstanding. Like Atkinson his distribution was quick and mostly accurate

0 0 half time

Bit concerned at discipline so far. Miller and Russell have 3 yellows in all competitions but worse than that Jacobs has 3 yellows in 4 league games (and in one of them he was subbed) halfway to a suspension already. Petrofac cup 4 yellows (2 matches) league cup 3 yellows (2 matches) league 11 yellows and 1 red (4 games)

Six games played and no one has scored against us in the first half. Any idea what the record is for this? Only 5 teams left in Scotland with a 100% league record and 8 teams in Scotland unbeaten in the league.

No one seems to mention the fact that Falkirk, Raith, Dumbarton and Alloa all lost to lower league teams. Wonder if they played fringe players? Although Rangers won a number of fringe players got starts so it wasn't just us.