The Toun Clock

Aye fairly positive news there, was expecting Hammy could be involved if a mask was obtained but McCann sounded worse. Fortunately a chance both are involved for the Rovers game at least.

Last season McPake regularly changed shape, tactics for different opponents. This year, he's not had that luxury with so many injuries. Saturday will likely be the same.

Aye send him our way! Liked what I seen of him in the Cup game and has been pretty sound whenever I've seen him on the highlights/TV since. Bene should be back for this weekend, if not then the our game on 2nd Jan, Breen came back last week at Arbroath. However, Chris Hamilton went off with a fractured cheekbone and Lewis McCann has "done" his hamstring, so it's two in, two out at the injury room revolving door.

I know what you're saying, but centre midfield and a winger are completely different positions, whereas playing as a two or three in centre defence aren't. Undoubtedly different responsibilities and tactics but your main role is still the same. Just my opinion of course but I think a professional footballer who's a centre half should be able to play in a two or three and do their job well. Now I wouldn't want two 35 year old veterans playing as a two because they'd get exposed in behind, but when we're talking about professional athletes in their peak years I think it's doable. I started typing this feeling I didn't want to see Joe Chalmers as a right winger, but if Joe Cardle could teach him the old cut inside, Chalmers cutting in on his left foot could be an asset...

But in reality it's not rocket science. You're making it sound more difficult than it is. These guys are professional footballers, they have the talent, with coachin Have kicked plenty balls in my time. I didn't know Paolo Maldini posted on a Scottish football forum. Yeah that's right, and that was mentioned when this was first brought up last week. Different roles and responsibilities and that's up to the management and players to decide what's right for our available personnel, and I agree that Ashcroft isn't a better ball carrier than Bene or Otoo etc. However, if we look at the original question of can Ashcroft play in a two or as a three then yes I think he could. Yeah I'd like to see us not renew Sharps loan, get Little a loan and bring in someone who'll want to be #1. In reality, I could totally see us renewing Sharp's loan and finishing the season with the same three keepers in the match day squad If the squad is fit then I'm fairly happy at the back and midfield. Would love a striker who's a big more physical but is experienced and knows where the goal is but I suppose hundreds of teams are looking for the same thing. After reading yesterday's interview I can't see any prayers being answered early in the window if at all. Any news on Hammy and McCann?

No one said there was no difference. If you’re a professional footballer, who plays as a centre half, there should be no issues playing in a two or a three. Of course if getting on a bit it’s better in a three with extra legs. However, we’re talking about Lee Ashcroft, I’m sure he could play as a two or anywhere in the three without having sleepless nights.

There might be different roles and responsibilities but that's up to the manager to instruct and make sure everyone is happy. Perhaps less experienced players might struggle to adapt but I think Ashcroft would be fine. There's players currently in the team with a bigger change in responsibility, like Aaron Comrie for example, he isn't a big guy, he's a wing back but can slot into centre half when required. I think Ashcroft would be fine playing 10ft to the left or right and seeing a bit more of the ball. Likelihood is it's going to Chalmers so a 20 yard pass at best? One thing he might not have is the ability to run on like Otoo, but to be fair, Fisher does little of that from the right centre half position so maybe not necessary. Also, Bene is good with the ball so could play as the wide right man. Either way, I think Ashcroft would be a useful addition. Breen's injury record isn't great so would be good to have more cover, even when all fit.

He didn't play as part of a back three with us. Let's be honest, there's not a lot of different from playing as one of the two centre half's in a back four, or playing as any of the centre half's in a back three apart from a foot preference. I'm sure Ashcroft could play in and of the central back three positions. Wouldn't be shocked to see us bring in an experienced centre half in the window, I think we've learnt this year that despite our injured players returning to fitness, another one could be just around the corner. I'm sure McPake would rather the headache of who gets left on the bench as opposed to what midfielder am I going to shoehorn into defence this week.

Aye I think me and you mentioned this on Saturday at the game. I've never seen him play but the manager must have little faith.

What the f*ck is Deniz doing here, he’s nearly in Crossgates. He has to get dropped for Gayfield next week. As @Rob1885 said, give it to Sharp for a couple of weeks.

Poor first 45 from us, didn’t really give Thistle much to think about. Second half was better and we limited Thistle to very little. Deniz Mehmet is absolutely mince. The first goal he has to be coming for that. I’ll need to see it back but from where I was sat it looked a decent high, un-imposed, he just watched it go across the front of the goal. Second one is a howler. It’s not like he’s got great attributes, he’s very average in every area and below average in terms of distribution, decision making. His kicking is w**k as well. Sharp has had his own howlers, get him back to Dundee in January and get someone else in to challenge for the #1 jersey. I thought we were sluggish across the game, second to every ball, poor decision making but still then ended up creating chances where we go away disappointed that we’ve not taken anything. Great for Matty getting another goal and a good finish. Hammy and Otoo were good. Big game next week, Arbroath picking up a solid win in Inverness so their tails will be up.

It’s nearly Christmas and I’m yet to see Ben Summers play. We’ve been like ships in the night, games he’s played in I’ve missed and games I’ve been at he’s been injured. So it’ll be - Deniz MOH, Fisher, Hammy, Otoo, Edwards Chalmers, Allan Todd / McCann / Jakubiak Hope Jakubiak plays off the left, he done well there against Arbroath.

He had an off day against Thistle at Firhill in September, played in the middle and was poor, just chased shadow's. We had a back three of Comrie, Fisher and Otoo and the organisation was awful. I’d keep Hammy at the back today if Bene/Breen aren’t deemed fit enough (which is likely to be the case). If fisher is back play Comrie, Fisher, Hammy with Otoo in the middle.

It was quite mild earlier when I was out with the dog and the one had died down, but it’s creeping back up again. Have a feeling we’ll see goals today. We’re getting pumped, Thistle are getting pumped or it’s gonna be 4-4 or something.

There’s zero chance Hamilton won’t start the game unless he’s one of the ones felled with illness. He’s been really good out of position for the last six weeks. I reckon he’ll play in a back three but at very least he’ll be in the middle of the park. Nice to think that both Hammy and Otoo could both be playing in the middle in the coming weeks when Fisher, Bene and Breen are ready. I’d imagine Fisher could start, reckon Breen and Bene could be on the bench but with no real desire to play them. I imagine having Bene in the match day squad will be a big boost for everyone.

Thanks, that's annoying! Ah well.

Got a half ST. Anyone know if these can actually be used tomorrow? I noticed the article that accompanies the announcement, however other clubs have stated when they begin.

Big news from McPake today that there’s a virus doing the rounds at East End. They actually cancelled training to nullify it getting passed around. Bene, Breeny and Fisher all fully trained so will be available although I can’t see any of them other than Fisher starting since he’s only been out for a fortnight.

I was purely talking about scoreline but yeah we were rotten that day too!

Feel like Saturday will be a good test for us. I think Thistle kinda know where they are, for me personally I think Dundee Utd, RR and Thistle will make up the top three and I'd be shocked if Thistle didn't finish in the top three at least. For us, we're holding that final play off place just now but I think there's a couple of teams who'll fancy if for themselves. A win on Saturday would let the rest of the division know we can hang with those at the top end of the division, after all we've done fairly well against Utd on both occasions this year and in our league games against RR they've been close affairs. The only team that really battered us was Thistle at Firhill in September. Should be a decent travelling support from Glasgow and a good home support too, no weather concerns forecast. Looking forward to it! COYP!

Disagree with that. I'd say the top two have considerable distance from the other eight. Thistle are sitting third but only four ahead of us plus we have a game in hand, a Pars win on Saturday reduces that to a point. Thistle are currently eight points behind RR with RR having a game in hand. Even if they beat us on Saturday which will increase their gap on us, there still a considerable distance from the top two. They'd almost be in a wee no mans land section of their own.

Aren’t you a clever cookie

Kinda echoing what else has been said but the fact we’re fourth, with a game in hand on Thistle in third and Airdrie in fifth, with a four points gap on the latter with our injury problems really is quite good. Basic squad injuries would be one thing, but this season on long term injury we’ve had our number one goalie out, captain, regular centre half, two most attacking midfielders, even three if you count Summers. At the moment we’re playing without a recognised centre half with Fisher, Bene and Breen out. I think if we had a fully fit squad to choose from we’d all have them as our starting back three. I thought we done very well yesterday but we’d done well prior to the last Thistle game and they completely blew us away. However, that was a while ago, we were down to the bare bones then and guys like Moffat, O’Hallaron and Jakubiak were not long in the door and miles off the pace. Thistle always seem quite streetwise with the personnel they have, but if we play to our strengths then no reason why we can’t win. Should be a good game!

I’d be worried about Inverness. Although we should have beat them a couple of weeks ago, they’ve got decent form under big Dunc.

Watched it on the stick, felt it was quite comfortable and big Deniz didn’t have much to do apart from a really good save later in the second half. Summers looked good, oh boy have we missed him. Great for Matty getting a goal, typical Matty Todd arriving late in the box type goal. Charles Young spraffing some sh*te on SportSound, I’m sure he said something about Airdrie being hard done by and wondering how they didn’t get something from the game. It could have been 4/5 before Airdrie got the penalty in stoppage time. Puts a bit of distance between our self and Airdrie now, big game next weekend at home to Thistle!