Tattie36

Re Dowds. The jury was out on him for a while when he first arrived - looked unfit and lacked sharpness. He really came on to a game though and has been flying the last few weeks. He was scoring, creating and scaring defences with his directness. He also developed a big work ethic, something that every single player for us has to have as it’s a major part of our game. Really sorry to see him go. If he carries on with the same attitude then he’ll be a great asset for Falkirk, if not then give us him back.

Leaves us in a bit of a pickle. Was really hoping we could have bought him from Falkirk. Dowds and Nouble were both excellent with their feet and great at creating chances for others as well as possessing a goal threat. Fear we’ll have to go ultra direct up front now and it also leaves us very light in attack.

Ayr have done well against us this season. They definitely come out and try to score/win more than some other teams. Our biggest issue this season has been breaking down defensive teams, particularly at home. There should be plenty of opportunities for us if Ayr come out swinging.

I would like to see us (Arbroath) buy Dowds from you for a suitable fee and offer him an 18 month contract. I think that would be fair on Falkirk and a good outcome for all concerned. If he returns to Falkirk then he is out of contract in 4 months. Will he be given the opportunity, or are Falkirk even in a place right now, where he is likely to get enough game time and goals to justify a new full-time contract within that period? If not then that leaves him club-less and out of contract in May with a lower profile and possibly not good enough form to persuade another full-time club to offer him a deal. He would then likely end up part-time anyway at probably League 1 level. If Arbroath sign him then he’s guaranteed Championship football (at least) for 18 months, where he’s playing at a higher level with a better chance of moving up or back to full-time (if he wanted to), perhaps even by default if we were promoted. FWIW I think he’s a good player but this is probably as high as he’ll get and I think our style suits him. His partnership with Nouble was really starting to come together but with Nouble out and Jack Hamilton in, his role will slightly change to more of a creator. Totally understand if you tell me to feck off as I was on here a few months ago telling you how great Sheerin would be for you ETA having said all that, his good form will be in part due to his full-time training at Falkirk. He would obviously be sacrificing that if he came to us permanently. Would he then be the same player we’re seeing at the moment?

He’s actually a Rovers fan, his profile pic is a “hilarious” dig at the Pars.

Well, arguably our most influential/best player, Nicky Low has been out injured since September. We also played the Morton match on 18 December with 7 players missing and most of our management team. Our bench consisted of 4 players - 49 year old Rab Douglas, who was also acting as head coach, 38 year old Gavin Swankie, the aforementioned Nicky Low who still hasn’t played a minute since September and Harrison Clark, a teenager who has since gone to Kelty. We’ve also been missing several other players at other times this season through injury or Covid - Thomson, Nouble, Little, O’Brien, Henderson, Stewart, Hilson etc All from a squad of 20-21. That enough?

Dowds staying would be brilliant. I think we saw enough on Saturday to show that Dowds and J Hamilton could be a fantastic combination. Dowds has developed into a striker who can not only score goals but also creates plenty of chances and goals for others. Hamilton, as we know is an out and out natural goalscorer, but I was also impressed with his energy and work rate. Add in McKenna at 10 and this could be some attacking threat. Although we'll obviousy hugely miss Nouble, this new forward combination would be more direct and could have more goals in it. Not to mention Low returning to add creativity in midfield. Would also hope that C Hamilton stays and that we add another midfielder, if all this happens then I think we'll be (very) ok.

That’s a pretty astonishing record. Only 6 league defeats in a calendar year for any team (outwith the OF), in any division is superb. Shows that we’re not just a one-trick (Nouble) pony and that our core squad is as good as any in the Championship.

But as has already been said there have been plenty part-time/hybrid teams made it to the Premier/premiership (whatever the feck it’s been called) post 1976 reconstruction. If (big if) we make it, I can’t see how we could stay fully part-time and even remotely compete.

Don’t think that’s true. Unless you strictly mean the current version/name of the top league. Since reconstruction in 1976, I can recall both Dumbarton and Ayr being in the top flight. Not sure if they were fully part time or not though. I also imagine that if we went up we would have to have at least a hybrid system in place.

Billy Dodds' post match interview "...They've got big lads up front and then they threw big lads on..." Aye, those giants Bobby Linn and Dale Hilson. We probably lost about 6-8" in height with our 3 substitutions.

Another frustrating day today. Flat on and off the pitch. Our home games are not a great watch at the moment with the opposition generally coming to shit-fest draws. Meaning we start playing desperate, long ball, panicky football without composure or structure. The last good home performance was the 80 minutes v Dunfermline. Any worries that J Hamilton lacks fitness or commitment appears unfounded as I thought he looked very sharp and on it. Not criticising Dick but the Dowds/Hilson sub was baffling. I thought Dowds was brilliant today, looked a real danger and chased everything all day. Point was a fair result.

Wouldn’t be surprised if Hilson goes and there’s been rumours of Chris Hamilton being looked at by Dundee etc.

Stewart out is a big blow a huge part of our success has been based on his and McKennas energy and dynamism. Craigen or Gold are very capable replacements although they lack his directness. Dowds has to start with Hamilton to come on later if need be. Can’t imagine he’s fully match fit so happy with a cameo today. Low also needs to play a part.

If we’re losing Nouble, Dowds, Clark and possibly one or two others then we definitely need more in even just to keep squad numbers at an acceptable level. If we have serious thoughts of a playoff place or even winning the title then Hamilton up front with Hilson/Donnelly as cover ain’t going to cut it.

Really excited to see who we bring in. I can’t imagine Dick will be happy unless the squad is strengthened so intrigued to see who we get. We are a very attractive proposition at the moment and are getting a lot of media interest so I can see a few big clubs happy to loan us players for development or shop window purposes.

Need a few players to come in, looking very light on numbers in a couple of weeks.

f**k off you rapist apologist. I’m 53 and have managed to live my life without being convicted twice for assault and being confirmed as a rapist by a judge. The guy is scum, full fucking stop.

Not if he’s determined to stay full time. Wouldn’t blame him at all.

Got my ticket. Happy and sad in equal measure to be there to see Joel’s final game at Gayfield. Got to translate our away form to home.

Looks like an unusual case but yes, he appears to have been confirmed as a rapist by a judge. He’s also got two other convictions for assault, so a pretty scummy character. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Goodwillie

A tricky one. He’s obviously too good a player for League 1 and will score goals but who wants a convicted sex offender with his criminal record at their club? Wouldn’t want him anywhere near Gayfield. ETA actually, it’s not a tricky one at all, any team that considers him are crazy.

I'm not suggesting Hamilton are up to anything dodgy but if you're stuggling to get your first choice team together due to Covid/injuries, with a transfer window approaching and about to play the full-strength, rampant league leaders, what's stopping any team just claiming that they have a ton of players out "injured"? Who's to know and how can the league enforce anything. "oh aye, well we did have 16 players available but Davie, Archie, Watty and Bob all got injured at training yesterday".

Well blame them then.

None of the players are close contacts to the fans or vice versa. None of them are getting Covid from fans at a game. If they get it it will be from being out in the shops, family contacts etc. To say I'm safer going to the pub than being at the ground is clearly false. No one is suggesting that players get covid from fans during games.