Nithsdale Wanderer

That would have been good preparation for a crucial game on Tuesday. Dobbie and Gibson dream team as caretakers I guess.

Seems you think McCall is the man. Would you like him to replace AJ ?

A case of Pot , Kettle and Black I think ! It is my understanding that any sentence with a question mark at the end is , indeed, a question. Any insinuation is in your head only for whatever reason.

I asked you a question about Hamilton, unaware I expressed an opinion about his performance today. However, neither he nor Dobbie scored contrary to your assertion that they bring the best out in each other. My point is that, as always, when things are not going well there is always a clamour for players that have not been selected to be immediately put into the team and that that will make all the difference - it doesn't. Believe me I've heard all this many , many times over the last 50 years. To clarify, I was under the impression that you have repeatedly called for both Hamilton and Semple to be in the team and that it would improve the situation - it clearly hasn't. This is about the principle not the personalities. My response is based on the facts as I see them, please correct me if I am wrong !

I take it that's a supportive comment since you have no game today.

You've just answered my question. I expect you haven't attended too many games this season with this kind of opinion. Indeed I have - read it ! I really don't see the link between those two statements.

What difference would that make ? I note you have already stated that you will not be in attendance for the Ayr game. To clarify, I am sitting nice and warm at home enjoying the banter ! I wasn't there last week either as, being an older gentleman now, I am not prepared to travel or be exposed to these dreadful elements for the duration of a football match. Indeed, when the conditions are like this I think the entire schedule of games should be postponed. It's absolutely ridiculous to have people travelling all over the country and to expect players to perform well in these conditions. Barring a stirring comeback I guess we must hope for an abandonment.

The raw emotion of the football fan ! What exactly would that achieve - apart from add to a very difficult situation .

What about Hamilton, you expected him to make a huge difference ?

Of course I wasn't or I would not have been commenting on proceedings this afternoon. There was plenty of clamour for Semple to start as if that was going to make all the difference. I'm pleased he put in a good shift.

So now it's Hamilton that's going to make the big difference ? What about Dobbie ?

Semple didn't make the difference people were looking for then?

Semple in, cannae beat a bit of fan power ! Nae luck for Hamilton though so I guess Dobbie has no hope of scoring today.

What an ignorant, disgusting and disrespectful comment. You really think the Management Team don't care just because they don't jump around like idiots on the touchline ? When the going gets tough it's best to keep a clear head and work out the way forward. I am sure that's exactly what they are doing. You can't do your job properly or effectively when you lose it emotionally. It seems some football fans - of all teams - are so shallow they are taken in by very simple things like tantrums on the touchline or Managers silvery tongues leading them to believe that because of what they say and how they say it - furrowed brow comes to mind - that they are just like the fans themselves and somehow care more than someone who doesn't act like that. It doesn't make them better Managers and , in some cases, can lead to being within a whisker of automatic relegation. A win on Saturday puts us 5 points off 4th with a game on hand. This League is very tight.

So, as expected , you place no responsibility on Dobbie himself. He has been poor this season and not for lack of opportunities. I think the injuries of last season have had more of an effect than he , or most people thought. He doesn't seem as explosive with his efforts as he used to be.

That's the spirit. Let's all pull together to get through this !

It's horrible when your team is on the kind of run we are right now but it's all part of being a supporter. People obviously get emotional, especially in the aftermath of another defeat, but some of the hysterical nonsense being spouted is just ridiculous. Through no fault of our own we lost 3 first team regulars in January at a time when you look to strengthen what you already have. We have a defence the majority of whom have not long met each other let alone played together - that is obviously going to take time to gel as a unit. This League is ridiculously tight - Dundee Utd apart - and any one of 5, possibly 6 teams, could end up bottom two at the end of the season. Seems to me we had a poor run at this time last season under 'Gary' but the sentiment was to " get behind Gary and the boys - what's the difference now? Just because he wasn't a cool head like AJ and showed his emotions seems to have taken a few people in at that time - the reality being he took us to within 6 goals of automatic relegation. Personally, I can't be doing with demonstrative Managers and much prefer a level head which doesn't mean you don't care. AJ had to rebuild a squad, as we all know, on a very modest budget coming into this season so why anyone would think we were going to be challenging top end without any problem is mystifying. The frustration is, I think, with the exception of DU the teams are very close and anyone can beat anyone on their day - even them - and that Alloa and particularly Arbroath are performing way better than anyone thought. Any sort of winning run will catapult a team up the League but we have not been consistent enough yet to achieve that - see previous reasons. Let's calm down, keep the faith and maybe we'll avoid automatic relegation by 7 goals this season and AJ will guide us through the play-offs again !

Doolan's first ever professional goal was against us at Palmerston - a header funnily enough. Maybe you weren't at that game . He is proficient in the air alright. All round goalscorer - just like Derek Lyle !

You think Hamilton has pace ? What games have you been watching ? When fully fit I would back Doolan every time over Hamilton in both the pace and goalscoring stakes. You don't seem to realise the value of a natural finisher and two stikers being on the same wavelength without having to work at it. Of course, the counter argument is that 'Big Sean' had no pace. However, he had a great touch and natural instinct too as well as scoring ability - he wasn't just a big guy to win headers. His goal against Aberdeen is a fine example of his skills.

No mention of Doolan not being signed by us so lI guess that means there can be no complaints when he scores against us - as he usually does. I think he would have been a great addition for us and would have linked up so well with Dobbie - both intelligent players and natural finishers. Of course, the majority seem to prefer Hamilton alongside Dobbie - how do you think that is going ? If we continue to lose games no doubt Messrs. Hewitson and Johnston will be in for it !

I'm saying Dobbie is far more effective with someone alongside him. So, you're finally admitting Lyle and Dobbie worked effectively together ! In the same mould, what about Kris Doolan. As far as I know he has been released by Ayr. Doolan, like Lyle and Dobbie is an intelligent player and natural finisher. They would work well together, I think. Would finish the Window off nicely.

You mean like the last time Magic and Sandy were here ?

I was watching the reality of a Dobbie/Lyle partnership, you appear to be remembering some fantasy of the Dobbie/Lyle partnership. We were ripping teams apart when Skelton was in charge before the wheels fell off. Interestingly, around that time Del was injured in the warm up at Dumbarton (A) , I think, which co-incided with the slump. I suggest you look back at the Ayr (H) early that season as an example. Of course, after that ultra defensive clown Naysmith appeared the partnership was not really allowed to flourish - although there are occasions when it did still work. One of the many things he got wrong during his tainted tenure. Apparently, he still thinks he did a good job with us. From mid-table to within a few goals of Automatic relegation doesn't really equate to that Gary !

Add to that that the Lyle and Dobbie combination didn't work. What games were you watching ?

Swap deal McCarthy for Lyle surely ! If you want someone to ignite Dobbie for the remainder of the season then Del's the man. They have a somewhat 'telepathic' understanding which really is about their natural talent and football brains working on the same level. They are both still fit and we have the natural pace of El Bak and Murray to complement them. 3--5-2 with Pybus, Lyon and Osman in midfield with the 2 above named making up the 5. Sounds exciting !