The Toun Clock

Aye the new signing now makes a bit more sense if that's the case, although a complete sh*tter of news about Comrie, however not surprised.

Makes a change from you lot doing it...

Well at least he's got some experience, good age etc. Can't say I know anything about him but good luck to the lad. Another double barrelled surname.

PEN GIF KLAXON

Those were the days...

I know we shouldn't focus too much on the injuries because some of the performances have been well below par, however without them I think we'd be comfortable mid table, battling for that 4th place. People can doubt that if they want but the truth is we managed the first half of the season with a threadbare team and were still 4th. It wasn't until the turn of the year when even the squad players stated dropping we found ourselves in real trouble. If we were still battling for 4th then this heat on the board wouldn't be there at all and ourselves and Raith wouldn't really be comparing much. However, because of the injuries and poor performance of those who've been available, we've found ourselves on a really bad run and hovering above the relegation hatch. As a result we're comparing to what Raith are doing and what we're doing and it's really not great reading. Raith are having a once in two decade type season, and that's fine. It just so happens when we're having a particularly bad time and it's easy to bump our gums. However, there is one comparison I will make between the two clubs at the moment and that is the board. Raith have a board full of local guys, coupled up with football business type guys like Barrowman/McKenzie. John Potter in the Sporting Director type role is pivotal to a lot of their signings and being able to sway guys to come to them. They all mention "Pottsy being on the phone, making me feel wanted". I'd bet my bottom dollar Tam Meggle isn't doing this for a number of reasons. And then when it does get to boardroom level, Barrowman is another football man, recognisable who gets it. Cook has a great CV but footballers don't know him, he's more of a business man and I'm sure he's great at it, but Raith certainly have the upper hand with this and being able to attract players.

The way things have gone in the summer window, and now this one, I think that's right. I can't see us having an experienced back up in all honesty. Do I think we'll see the pen gif before the window closes? Yes. But I'm worried it's not going to be someone who really impacts an already inexperienced defence. Another panic transfer. I was never Ashcroft's biggest fan but he's better than what we currently have available. I was glad to see him go in 2020 and when he was released on a free no one batted an eye lid but he would have added some stability. I think McPake mentioned last week that Jakubiak and Matty Todd were nearing availability and if not in the squad for Arbroath then they would make the squad for Thistle on Friday. Wouldn't be shocked to see them included on Friday from the bench. Hopefully the Thursday interview brings some fresher news on the rest. - There's an interview out about KRH on the official website today where McPake talks about him being able to take part in things like crossing/finishing drills but not full contact yet. - Bene was getting another scan with a specialist to see if he could be involved in the full training I think, but still he's going to be some way off starting a game. - Breen I think he was the last one expected back until Fisher got injured and was going to be out for 8 weeks. So those two will be some way off. - Andy Tod - Who actually knows? Wighton - Apparently out for the season.

Deleted - was talking misinformed rubbish. Apologies one and all. @HoBNob

There's not even a budget to give this guy a full time role, he has a 9-5 outside of football because the club couldn't offer him a role. He was brought in as a scout under Crawford but for some reason has became an in dugout type guy on a Saturday. I'm sure that's not his choice and he's just following instruction. You're choosing to take the easy option and taking aim at a guys who's virtually a volunteer and doing what he's told. What a pathetic wee fanny.

Might be the only one but I'm not that fussed to miss out on Ashcroft. Left in 2020 and hardly anyone batted an eye-lid, I was pleased to see him go as his performances had been poor. I'm well aware he's better than our current fit centre half's but I think we'll still get someone in who hasn't just played youth/reserve football.

I’m happy to go down as long as we show good sportsmanship on and off the pitch.

Not sure where the TN10Y guy gets his info. He posted an article in the last fortnight about injured players coming back, he said some were close and the ones mentioned are probably the guys we'll see last if at all this season. I'll believe we're signing Ashcroft when he's running out at East End in a black and white shirt. He's been making appearances for Dundee in the Premiership and probably has more attractive loans than a Championship relegation dogfight.

An improvement on our visit in September, will take it.

Do we have to do this?

Couldn't make Saturday as I was away on a stag do. Was there improvement on the previous two weeks? Still not a great outcome but we scored a goal, picked up a point and didn't lose. I'm quite an optimistic person normally but I now can't see where the next win comes from, one point from nine against Morton, Queens Park and Arbroath at home. Next three, Thistle and Inverness where our record is fairly pish and then Ayr at home who've beaten us already this season and seem to be doing well under Scott Brown.

What was the case for Ian Murray to stay at Raith last season when you finished 7th with 11 wins? I’m fairly sure the board thought he deserved another crack at the whip without all the disastrous injuries. There’s no available managers out there that will guarantee we avoid relegation.

He’s only been at the club for two games, he’ll play plenty football but we need experience up there too. He’s got better striker movement than McCann.

The thought of not having to play Hammy and Otoo in the defence is really warming my cockles... I know it could still be a while away. Mehmet Comrie - Bene - Fisher - Edward Hammy - Otoo KRH - Todd - Jakubiak Kane Bench - Little, Breen, Summers, Moffat, McCann, Wighton, Richie-Hosler Not involved - Benjamin, Fenton, Fagan-Walcott, Tod, Chalmers, Allan, MOH, Sutherland, Holmes plus more academy kids. Not a bad squad when you look at it like that. Shame we've not had the chance at all this season...

He had an injury before the league started, missed the first two league cup games and went off at half time against Killie and the same against Albion Rovers. I think that he was lacking fitness which is why he didn't start against Airdrie on the opening weekend but has been fairly present for the full 90 ever since apart from Ayr at home and Ayr away as that was the week after he broke the cheekbone. I don't think it was because the manager didn't want to play him.

It's up to Holmes to put himself in the jersey though mate. It's only been two games, I think it made sense to have him on the bench against Morton. We then brought him on at 0-4 which was a bit unfair, the place was poisonous and the fans were on the players back. He wasn't going to make much difference. I think last week the management with the tried and trusted, boys who've played for the club to try and right the wrong from the Morton game and they failed. I wouldn't be shocked to see Kane start with Holmes this weekend but I'd expect to see them both at some point. There's a lot of football to be played, he'll feature a lot I'm sure. Lewis McCann is a winger who's built like a centre forward, there's a big difference. He can play that wide role well when he wants to but don't fire balls up to him as nothing will stick.

Unfortunately we can't have it all. We signed two defenders in the window, regardless of how experienced they are. I agree another in the middle would be welcome but the manager did say two were coming in so hopefully it's someone for the middle of the park. We didn't replace the two out and out strikers we let go last season which turned out to be a poor move. We have a number of players on the fringes of coming back but none are strikers and we're absolutely gash up front.

Will let McPake and McKay know...

Can’t see it. Not to be bad weather at all this week, bit rainy but nowhere near last weeks rain. I wouldn’t have been shocked if last Saturday was off as it was torrential for about 36 hours until Saturday morning. To be fairly mild as well so no requirement for USH etc.

Bang on. Hoofing it clear constantly and just letting them come at us, wave after wave. No disrespect but a proper good team would have been out of sight before half time. All good, knew what you meant

No doubt Summers is talented and has done more (low ceiling) than Chalmers/Allan this season but he runs like his boot laces are tied together. Going nowhere in a hurry. To be fair, I don't think he's supposed to be playing as a box to box centre midfielder. That being said, I've seen enough that if we had a fully fit squad he wouldn't be budging Matty Todd out of the central attacking midfielder role.