thediamonddude

Think both sides have played some decent stuff in the first half, without really threatening the other’s goal. As has been the case in most of our games this season, think it’ll be first goal’s the winner.

Definitely feels like a must win for us tonight - that said, we’ve looked at times since the re-start like we may not win another game this season, so not feeling overly confident. To be fair, there have been extenuating circumstances you could point to in each of those games - the 4th minute red card at Peterhead, the timing of Thistle’s equaliser seconds after we missed a gilt-edged chance to make the game 2-0 and the injuries/suspensions at Cove. However, I worry that our problems run a bit deeper than all that. Having Turner back will be a boost - not sure if Crighton still has a match of his ban to serve, but we missed him on Tuesday too. This won’t be our team, but I’d go... Currie P.McKay Crighton Fordyce McCann Turner Sabbatini Robert Carrick O’Reilly Gallacher

I’ll preface this by saying that I don’t necessarily agree with Murray’s overall assessment of yesterday, but I can see why he feels the way he does based on the first 30 mins and how the game turned so suddenly. We were in control and a wonder save from Wright away from making it 2-0, had they not gone up the other end of the park and scored (while we’ll never know for sure), I think we’d have been looking at a very different game. I’m reminded (albeit to a lesser extent) of our horror show against Raith under Findlay years ago - completely in control, playing some great football and a man up, yet contrived to lose the game 4-3 from a 3-1 lead with minutes to go. You know you’ve done well in aspects of your play and been good for long periods, but in the end, it doesn’t really matter. That was yesterday for me - I don’t think we were as creative as I’d have liked us to be in the opening 30 minutes, but we were in front and controlling possession. One freak moment turned things for us, but that doesn’t excuse the apathetic hour that followed. We just look devoid of ideas too often and blame for that has to rest with the manager - yes, the players need to be able to execute the instructions and I do question whether some of them are good enough, but at the very least, he has to be getting the best out of these players and I don’t think he is. Plusses for me yesterday were Paton, who I thought strolled it and will be a real asset for the rest of the campaign and O’Reilly, who has had a lot of stick but at least tried to get on the ball and go at people. As ever, guys like Carrick and Gallagher worked hard, but how much they can affect things is seriously hampered by the limitations of those around them. We just don’t have enough people willing or able to get on the ball and make things happen. I also see where he is coming from in terms of where we are this season - we’re looking at things from the perspective of the past few seasons and overall progression, but if you look at it through the lens of this season, you’re only a couple of results away from being back in the top 4. He has to be positive, believe that and try to instil it in the players, otherwise - what else has he got? At the end of the day, I don’t see a scenario where Murray goes before the end of the season, so we’ll just need to strap in and hope for the best.

This may be an obvious statement, but I don’t think the makeup/structure of our team has ever been the issue - it’s the recruitment itself that is killing us. As you say Ammo, the model has worked for Raith, Ayr and QOTS in the past. If we wind the clocks back 5/6 years ago, we were starting to get a bit of consistency in a P/T squad and good players that I genuinely believe would have got us promoted with one or two additions - Parry, Crighton, Lithgow, Cadden, Prunty and Lister - but then along came Tom Witherspoon and pushed the reset button to go hybrid. There was nothing wrong with that in theory, but the problem was that we spent most of what was a modest budget on a handful of ‘good’ players (of which, Ryan and Russell were probably the only ones worth paying what we were) and the rest went on untried kids. Then, the takeover happened and we took the sensible approach to go back P/T, but our recruitment was so scattergun and had no logic to it at times. Now we’ve gone hybrid again, which I think was the sensible, logical next step but for whatever reason, we’ve not recruited well...again. Now all of the above, in my view, is down to too many cooks in the kitchen or, those with very little clue about football making the calls - we had Wotherspoon/King/various managers, then Findlay/with some likely input from the board and now Murray/Millar/likely input from the board. Forget about this basket case of a season and whatever happens - now that Millar is gone, the club needs to decide if Murray is the man to take us into next season and if he is, let him buy his players. Whether F/T, P/T or hybrid, at our level, the manager needs to be left to decide on his own players, tactics and team selection - if it doesn’t work, that’s on him.

To be honest, we did to Falkirk today what teams like Dumbarton have done to us this season - it suits us to play games like that, as we have the players and ability to be compact, hard to break down and dangerous on the counter. We just need to find a way to play against these other sides that works for us. All of that said, think the manager and players (who have rightfully taken some stick this season) deserve a lot of credit for that today. Hopefully we can continue that in our next 3 (very winnable) games!

Thought that was a really solid, professional performance from us today - delighted! They’ve taken plenty of flack this season (most of it deserved) but the players were excellent and the manager got things spot on. Whilst Falkirk dominated possession, Max Currie was hardly troubled - the goal line clearance by Fordyce and Dowds fluffing his lines in the first half, then a couple of scrappy goalmouth scrambles at the end apart. Equally, Dale Carrick forced a cracking save from Mutch and we got our goal, so I think you could argue we deserved that. It’s a huge result for us and we have three very winnable games ahead in the coming weeks - need to make sure we get the job done and cement ourselves in that top four.

I’d agree that there really isn’t very much between the squad from last season and this one - both have turned in some truly dire performances, as well as some excellent ones. For me, the issue is the manager I’m afraid - as others have said, I have a lot of time for Ian Murray, I was delighted when he was appointed and wanted him to/thought he would succeed with us. However, I think that, without a decent assistant by his side, he’s lost. That for me, is the biggest difference between the two squads - I’d need to look at the stats, but I’m pretty certain our better performances and good run last season coincided with Colin Cameron being assistant. In addition, I think most Dumbarton fans would agree that Murray’s best spells came when he had Jack Ross by his side. I’m not saying they overrule everything he says, but sometimes having someone there to question you and give advice can bring out the best. I do, like others, have a concern over Miller’s involvement too - we haven’t strengthened this season and based on the money we seem to have spent, that is inexcusable. If we keep with the status quo, the absolute best we can hope for is to limp into fourth place.

Maybe it’s just me, but we seem to be a bit heavy in terms of numbers in defence and up front - yet really light in midfield. Don't get me wrong, I know that Burke and Walker are still young lads, but aside from them we have four centre backs and only two full backs. Given that Crighton and Fordyce played most games last season (and rightly so in my view, as they are our best defenders), it seems a bit excessive. I’d have thought we’d maybe want more cover in the full back positions. In terms of strikers, again we have a couple of young lads there but five in all, which seems a lot given the financial climate we’re in. Yet I still feel we may be a player short in that area. Given that we only really have one out and out centre mid (and even then, he’s more a utility player) I still think we need two players in that position. I’d feel better if we added a fourth ‘experienced’ winger to O’Reilly, Robert and Thomson too. Think what I’m trying to say is that I feel we’re four players short (full back, centre mid x2 and striker) but the squad already seems pretty big, so would be surprised if we got all that! Pleased with most of the business the club has done and the team is definitely taking shape - with those positions I’ve suggested above filled, I think we’ll be there or there about at the top of the league, but I just hope we’re not over stretching ourselves financially by having a bulky squad!

I initially misunderstood the meaning behind lockdown - I haven’t spoken to anyone from another household since March!

Easily one of the smartest strips we’ve produced in my 28 years following the club...and there have been some crackers! Glad to see the red shorts and socks back too! Pre-order placed!

I was really pleased with that over the piece yesterday - yes we were slow out of the blocks for the first 15 mins and under the cosh a wee bit for the last 10/15, but we rode both spells out and got a result. For that hour in the middle of the match, we looked in complete control and really should have been further in front when Clyde were inexplicably awarded the penalty. I don’t necessarily think that 3-2 was a fair reflection of the game, but it was a good result and performance all in. We played some very good football at times as well, as evidenced by the sublime second goal and a great counter attack for the third. Interesting that we went 4-4-2 yesterday as well - not sure we were as comfortable with four at the back, but what it highlights is that we have options this season.

The last two posts sum up my feelings exactly. All that matters is the well-being of the club and what happens at 3pm on a Saturday. I’m not interested in anyone’s personal squabbles, vendettas or otherwise.

Hmm, not so sure that's true.

That's the one - classic!

He settled a bit towards the end of his spell with us; however, I put that down to the fact he had Gasparotto alongside him who was a class apart. I reckon he could maybe do a half decent job at this level but he'd need someone very confident and commanding next to him. If teams pump high balls at your defence, he'll deal with those no problem, he's solid in the air. As I said though, he's prone to a fair few bombscare moments & messes about far too much on the ball. There's a cracking video floating around of an own goal he scored for Thistle's development side when he returned from his loan to us - has to be seen to be believed.

He's a bombscare - good luck with that!

Like Steve Aitken, Gary Bollan is also under contract until the end of NEXT season. Nae luck!

Absolutely gutted to have lost Buchanan. He's a big strong centre half who reads the game well and communicates constantly with the rest of his defence. As others have noted he'll grab you goals from set pieces too. Dunfermline aren't holding back anyway.

The whole stadium capacity carry on was an absolute joke and to this day despite all of the dodgy goings on with George Peat and our 'selfless' directors mismanaging and pocketing money left, right and centre, I still blame that ludacris rule about 10,000 all seater stadiums for crushing our club. It's just a perfect example of how poorly run the top flight is in this country and how they couldn't give a damn about any club outside the Old Firm. And as you pointed out Sting, that's what stinks so much about this whole situation. We essentially went down the tubes as Airdrieonians due to debts of a couple of million, primarily as a result of the stadium issue. We didn't spend money we didn't have on players for years upon years and buy shedloads of success only to wipe it all out with no reprecussions. Yet Rangers will walk away from this just as strongly as they are now, it's sickening.

Well it should have been beneficial, but point taken!

It's a disgrace isn't it? Here's hoping Stranraer never have to benefit from the demise of another club...

Well I really didn't see this coming at all, had been keeping up with the thread just out of interest but I had totally ruled out our promotion last week. I still have sympathy for the genuine Livi supporters out there who followed your club every week, however, at least there is still a club there to support which is the main thing really!! On the other hand, I think its farcical that this decision has been taken so late in the day. I mean, even this time last week would have been better so we could have had a chance to strengthen the squad & build it up a bit. Instead the guys have spent all week prepping for a home game with Arbroath only to be met with an away trip to Dingwall this Saturday. I'd much rather be playing 1st division football, of course but we are in for a nightmare season. We have a 16 man squad of senior players. Of those, Marc Smyth is recovering from a long term injury, Paul Lovering will be serving at least a 1 game ban after his red card on Saturday and injuries were sustained on Saturday by Scott McLaughlin, Frankie Lagana & Alan Trouten. I believe that potentially cuts our squad to 11 for Saturday. Just hope we try & snap up guys like Simon Lynch, Stephen McKenna & any who may have been worth looking at on Livi's books! EDITED:- ThisCharmingMan, where did you find the bit on our site that said there's no game on Sat? I did see a bit that said we won't be at home on Sat but as far as I was aware the game with County would go ahead instead?