The Toun Clock

We've appointed a new Commercial Manager, Alister Burn.

Personally hope they absolutely chuck it. Pars and Rovers dislike each other on a normal local rivalry basis, the Pars/Falkirk rivalry is just pure hatred. For me, I’d love to see them linger around L1 for a while until they have to take the Kelpies to a scrapyard just to pay Stenny so they can ground share Ochilview. Saying this, if they come up it’s another derby with all that brings so a win/win really. Looking forward to the Championship next term, be interesting to see who goes up to the Prem and who comes down, and if any of our L1 rivals join us. Nice knowing we can sit back and watch it all play out for the next few weeks. Hoping for an away Saturday 3pm kick off away at Starks, don’t think we got one at all in our last season together and the season prior was covid. I’m sure the BBC will be all over at least two of them for Friday nights live game.

Big Todorov is a bit of fans favourite and has popped up with a couple of very important goals this season. McPake seems to like working with him and regularly praises his attitude, he might get limited game time but he'll give 100% in training and when he gets the chance. I personally would like to keep him as I think he adds the physicality, he'll certainly not be a starter in the Championship though, he'll be behind Wighton, McCann is viewed as more of a wide forward and has done really well there of late, and I think we'll bring one or two in. I think Todorov will start against you guys on Saturday. I noticed when McPake was making his subs on Saturday, once he hit the maximum amount he pulled Todorov and Kyle MacDonald to one side and it certainly looked like he was telling them they would get plenty game time in the final three games. I think O'Hara will probably go. He got injured early doors this season and made a comeback just after Christmas, he's chipped in with three goals this season, all as a sub off the bench, two were against Peterhead and Queens where we were already 3 and 4 nil up respectively. The only other was against Alloa with us winning 1-0 at the time, so he's good off the bench. I don't feel like criticising anyone too much just now as still in a bit of a post league win honeymoon feeling but he doesn't do enough in games for me. He's been here three seasons now and he has scored big goals but juts not enough. Suppose guys like Gabby McGill and Callum Smith were the same for us and have went on to score with you guys so who knows.

I know it's not everyone's cup of tea but just been listening to the latest episode of Open Goal, Keeping the Ball on the Ground. They started off by congratulating Spartans and ourselves for our respective league wins. The panel this week of Si Ferry, Derek Ferguson, Scott Allan and Kev Kyle spoke highly about the Pars, Scott Allan in particular who said it was really good to see us back in the Championship and he'd be interested on how we do next season. He's a pal of McPake, worked together at Dundee, car share etc, wonder if he could be at East End next season. I know he's not really featuring for Arbroath but lets be honest, their style this season isn't suited for Scotty Allan.

Seen the signing of McGlynn and McGinn and thought we'd be up for a scrap. I know nothing.

On their day Falkirk can turn on a performance but they’ve been found wanting this season when it’s a big game, I don’t see it changing. Fancy Airdrie to come up via playoffs and think Inverness will put two or three past them the way they’re going in the Championship. Yeah that’s more what I meant, if he got released is it as straight forward as no compensation due? Makes sense not to pay anything but I wasn’t 100% sure if they were brought up through the youth you could be due a fee. I agree, he’s not played much since going back to he won’t be playing at all for them in the Premiership if they do go up.

Falkirk’s thread is absolutely mint at the moment if anyone’s needing a giggle. Few going for McGlynn out

Would Dundee be due a development fee for Fisher if he was to join?

Maybe the term out his depth is wrong but definitely saying he couldn't do it at Championship anymore, which after seeing him this season I would say is nonsense. Falkirk and Airdrie have players in the attacking third who could play Championship no bother. He was sound in the cup game against Partick Thistle. only the Dundee game where we lost 4-2 at Dens but we'd gave a couple of kids a go that night so not all entirely his fault. What we've missed for a long time is a leader and that is 100% when Bene is. We'll need to strengthen but I suppose depending on who from the out of contract guys doesn't get a new deal or re-signs. As it stands there are seven out of contract - Deniz Mehmet, Aaron Comrie, Rhys Breen, Kyle MacDonald, Paul McGowan (Loan), Kevin O'Hara, Nikolay Todorov. I think all of these players will have a case to get new deal, however it won't be as straight forward as that. Breen has potential offers from England and I'm sure clubs are keeping tabs on the others, especially Mehmet after the season he has had. KRH, Mochrie and Mahon will return to their parent clubs I wouldn't be shocked if McPake was interested in working with them again next season if doable. One of our strongest assets this season has been our togetherness and team spirit. Keeping as many of the current crop and adding 2/3 quality signings would be excellent.

Raith fans seem to think Bene will be out his depth next season. I think it was more that he was coming off a bad injury in his last season with them. If they think boys with pace are going to do him, just ask how many times did the boy Burrell get the better of him this season, very little if at all and I've not seen much quicker than him of late. I think he'll be absolutely sound.

It's a weird one, I think he'll want to keep the unbeaten run going but fair chance he gives boys a game. Truth be told I think Airdrie is the only game where we'll be up against it because they can technically still overtake Falkirk. I think by time we play Clyde they'll be 100% in 9th place so may be taking it easy ahead of the relegation playoffs and by time we play Alloa they'll also have secured 4th meaning they'll have an eye on the promotion playoffs too. I happened to notice on Saturday that when he was making his final change he pulled both Todorov and MacDonald to one side outside the dugout and had a wee word with them both. I'm sure he was saying they'd see game time over the next three games.

Nailed it mate, by the sounds of things there's been conversations ongoing throughout the season but I think only Raith in the Championship are confirmed to be in that division. Everyone else can either be promoted or relegated.

I genuinely think we will sign Fisher. He's not played much since going back to Dundee and is at our games if Dundee aren't playing at the same time. He's out of contract and if Dundee go up there's no chance he'll play in the Prem if he's not playing in the Championship. KRH sounds great but he's on a very big wage at Rangers apparently, a wage that we might have paid to Stevie Crawford when he was at his peak in the SPL and the club were paying a fortune. I think the only chance we see KRH in a Pars shirt next season is if Rangers give him a new deal and we can get him back on loan, which sounds doable. I'm sure they'll be happy he's played a key role in a title winning team and can now challenge himself at the next level. Gallagher would be unlikely I think. I can't remember if it was on the Raith thread or just Twitter but there was a conversation between Raith and Airdrie fans about Gallagher, Raith were talking about a potential signing due to him previously working under Murray but the Airdrie fans were quick to say Gallagher is a bit of a Rory McCallister, good job outside of football so wouldn't be looking to go full time. I'd be shocked if Euan Murray doesn't arrive back at East End in the summer. Heard a wee rumour after his attempted loan move failed in January that should we get promoted he'd be in the door.

I wouldn't want him. He's popped up with some goals for Falkirk this term, some really good ones too but he done absolutely nothing in a Pars shirt, or whilst playing against us this season to change my mind. He blows hot and cold, more often the latter. I can't see him getting a new deal at Rangers but wouldn't be surprised to see a Dundee/St.Mirren take a chance on him. I know that's two leagues above potentially if Dundee go up. Only Falkirk player I'd be genuinely interested in is Burrell. With regards to Donaldson, was good last year despite the relegation. I thought he'd stay in the Championship so was very surprised when he rocked up at TFS. He's had his ropey moments this season but is still a good centre half more than capable of playing in the Championship. I wouldn't have him over Bene, Breen or any of the two that we've been linked with for this coming window which is Sam Fisher and Euan Murray. Breen linked with Barnsley and some other clubs down south but I think is still under contract for next season.

I do quite like the bit of exposure it creates but it's a shi*ter when they move games like Rovers etc. I know a you'll get more neutrals tuning in if it's Raith Vs Dunfermline but it'll hinder the actual live crowd. I don't think we had one Saturday 3pm against Raith last season. At least you get a good look at all other Championship teams.

They’ll probably do something annoying like make it a televised Friday game. Now that we’re back in the Championship I hope we see us play away on a Friday night more often. We always seem to have televised home games.

Was that Section E of the Norrie? I do recall a standing section there before my time, I had a season ticket but we were up in the opposite corner of the Norrie above the tunnel from 2000 onwards up until 2007 and that’s when I moved to the North West.

Aye he did get a hard time but it was handled badly. There were also several people in that area who sat there because they’d always sat there, or even one I know if that sat there because it was the only place in the ground where he could see both ends of the pitch due to eyesight and there are too many stairs in the main stand. Yes it’s turned out for the best but it nearly didn’t. Let’s face it, there were a couple of seasons where that particular area wasn’t booming after they closed section L. Yes it’s where the people who created atmosphere went but for your run of the mill home games against Morton or Queen of the South it was at times very quiet. Kudos to the youth, they’ve created it and ran with it. Also massive credit to Jason Canning, he’s the one who organised the displays, creates them etc. Talented guy and 100% the brains behind it. I actually feel really sorry for him when people in that section throw things, no doubt they’re kids but he gets a lot of permission from the club to do these things. On McCarthur I have nothing bad to say. He didn’t always get it right but he’s a good man who had Dunfermline Athletic as his priority. I’m not sure if he’s started going back to games in his season ticket seat in the North West stand but I hope he has and was there yesterday enjoying it.

There was always a bit in the corner then a bit at the half way like that you would class as singing sections. A game in 2017 against Falkirk involved a bit of crowd trouble in the home end, Falkirk got a penalty for a blatant dive and coins and a lighter was thrown on the pitch IIRC. There had already been some issues with that section throwing things, running down to the wall to scream at the lino etc so the police said to the club it had to do something. RM decided to close the section which was rubbish, but over the past few of seasons one guy started Section North West and it’s grown and grown. Went from a couple of flags at games to full blown tifo designs, merchandise etc. Only issue about the section under the gantry is it’s pretty small. 15 or so rows with about 10 seats in each. The area at the corner is a full section so plenty room. Also, having it in the corner definitely helps when shooting towards the Norrie end in the second half and needing a goal.

We’ll do a guard of honour for you if you promise to dump Falkirk out the playoffs

Nicky Clark done fairly well for both.

I remember leaving that game as soon as the Chalmers OG went in. Beer in hand up the town by time the Queens winner went in. Last season was utter dogshit.

Think until the Norrie end is sold out they won't bother. Would be nice to see it as busy from a home point of view as the Falkirk game. Obviously QoS aren't going to fill the Cowden end but it's still a big game for them so they might bring an okay crowd.

Aye realistically would I rather we were playing someone else other than the team top of the form league? Yes. But we're also the last team to beat QoS and are top of the table that counts, we should go into this full of confidence but there will be that added pressure, and even expectancy knowing what's at stake. Think it'll be tight but if we can get an early goal that seems to settle us down big time. McCann playing well just now, getting goals and assists, both Wighton and Todorov getting a goal last night so the front line should be full of confidence. I do think Airdrie will do us a turn anyway, think they'll get a draw at TFS. Wonder if we'll see a bigger crowd, the Falkirk game was so busy for obvious reasons, but even the Kelty game the other week seemed bigger, like we were enjoying a little lift from that win over Falkirk in front of 9K. Would be nice to see more on the gate to watch the potential crowning.

Finished. On to Saturday, Falkirk conceding a late goal to Montrose, I know they don’t usually hold on to a two goal lead so thought we might end up champions.