Raith Against The Machine

Would need to see it again, but I don't know where Kieran MacDonald had gone. Silly of Hendry to take the risk with so little cover behind him. We'd been relatively comfortable in possession up to that point, but only really creating the one chance. Interesting to see how the game changes now. You'd think Caley's confidence would take a wee boost and they might get a better grip on the midfield.

This so spot on. It's like he's been given the transcript of a full match commentary and he's just delivering it with enthusiasm but without understanding.

The quality on the stream is odd. It's not bad but it's like someone's taken modern footage and run it through a filter to try and make the game appear like it's on analogue telly in the early 90s.

This c**t's like listening to a Pathé newsreel. "Last time out at the Caledonian Stadium, the Caley Jags squashed the Bosch!"

Absolutely buzzing to find out how this clown is going to pronounce Tumilty.

Looks like our strongest possible eleven, barring Vaughan (and possibly Davidson, although I suspect Musonda is well on the path to ousting him). Nice to see a full bench, too. Three strikers in the matchday squad! Our cup runneth over.

If we could have a really good Championship season without your mob just being that little bit better, that'd be great.

Could be worse. He could be rocking the Stevie Crawford baldy yarmulke.

There's just no real narrative thread. As someone said after the first episode it was like... Narrator: "This is the Hearts treatment room. Defender Craig Halkett has a sore leg." Craig Halkett: "I've got a sore leg." *cut to hospitality* Typically in these types of programmes you'll get scenes like that, but they'll link through to the end. So, for example... Episode One: You find out all about young goalkeeper Harry Stone who wants to be a doctor if he doesn't make it. Episode Two: Harry Stone is called up to train with the first team but has to withdraw through injury, potentially ending his season. Episode Three: Injuries to the other goalkeepers mean a half-fit Harry Stone is thrown in at the deep-end in a relegation clincher. Now, that third event obviously didn't happen, and there's no way for anyone to know what will happen when they start filming a series like this. But that's why they go and speak to as many people as possible, get as much footage as possible, and then build narratives with the benefit of hindsight. This programme doesn't do that, instead it feels like we're getting 30 seconds with every single person the producers happened to bump into. I just don't know who the intended audience is. Some of the voiceover is pitched at such a level it might be for children who've never seen football before. "The transfer window is an opportunity for Hearts to buy and sell players" stuck with me for some reason. And that goes back to my previous post. I think they wanted to make a nice, safe "behind the scenes" football documentary that stayed away from all the interesting stuff and just focused on the girls who sell the 50/50, but they found themselves in the middle of a total shitstorm without the remit or the desire to cover it properly.

Do you feel like the onset of such a momentous season was a bit of a hindrance for the filmmakers? Like they'd have been happier just filming... St Johnstone a few of seasons ago. Nice mid-table finish, some characters around the club to interview, a few wee vox pops out in Perth town centre.

Phoning football clubs to complain about their in-house commentary is a crime worse than DMing footballers to compliment them on their performance IMVHO

Aye, very uninteresting second half after a fairly uninteresting first half. Getting a look at Mahady would've brightened things up a little, but nope, not even that. I suppose winning a game is better than losing it, and we don't appear to have added to our injury woes, so at least there's that.

I see Robbie Thomson's habit of confusing his central defenders persists.

Right enough, I'd forgotten about that. The Rovers getting about three quid off me improves the value for money slightly.

This wasn't really worth a tenner. That's mostly because it's a dead rubber rather than anything Cowden could control, but still, fools and their money.

It was only a matter of time before Manny got in behind. He'd either been offside or we'd not quite had the right weight on the pass but he'd threatened a few times. Once he got onto that through ball he was always going to score. Did it in a lovely fashion though, the cut back was delightful. Obviously he's now injured though, so just f**k everything.

"Toomilty". Ah cannae dae this again.

Iain Russell still kicking a baw, eh? That's a turn up for the books. It is indeed Armstrong at left back.

As expected (after some to-ing and fro-ing around availability!) Tait comes in for Benedictus. I'm guessing it will be Armstrong at left back, although it could also see Matthews go into the back line at either full back position with Tumilty in the other. We should be good enough to win this one fairly comfortably, but we'll see how things turn out. Nothing like a dead rubber to throw up some odd occurrences. Just no more injuries please. No injuries, no injuries, my kingdom for no injuries!

You could well be right. I'll withdraw my smart-arse tone. Booked at Tynecastle and booked on Tuesday night. In that case, I agree with you. Probably Armstrong to left back. And then Coulson straight in for Armstrong's spot?

Are you two just giving Bene the weekend off, or do you know something I don't? Surely it's just the same team that started against Caley Thistle, barring any like for like changes that the gaffer wants to make to give Mahady, Arnott or Coulson some game time.

I don't think someone necessarily needs to post this after every set back he has.

This game has just been one big deary me so far. Two teams intent on beating themselves.

Ugwu's back in light training and Davo had a scan yesterday, if I heard last night's commentary correctly.

There'll be an anorak along in a minute to keep us right, but I'm fairly sure you're looking at nine points to qualify, in the vast majority of cases.