warriors21

A terrible game of football hugely affected by the wind, but no-one of a maroon persuasion really cares

Today has been unbelievable. The play-off win against Cowden in 2009 was one thing, but to see this Club clinch a league trophy is remarkable. We get so much right off the park, but it’s something else getting it right on the park. As much as I’m loving things and the players and staff fully deserve every round of applause, song, and drink in the Wee Bar tonight, today is for those who’ve watched the Warriors for 30, 40, 50, 60+ years and never witnessed a league title come to Ochilview. I hope everyone involved with this magnificent Club has the best weekend imaginable.

One game closer to the title for the Warriors and one game closer to the League 2 Player of the Year Award for Nicky Jamieson - the man is a colossus! The game wasn’t great, the officials were atrocious, and the best bit of play was Peterhead working the ball out their own box with 5 or 6 one touch passes before popping it into the middle of the park.

A pretty drab game and one that won’t live long in the memory. Both teams with a couple decent chances, at least one strong penalty shout for each team, and another game closer to the title.

There’s bad days at the office then there’s that! Fair play to Clyde, they thoroughly deserved the win and if this result can galvanise them and set them off on a run of good results they should be fine come May. Some of our defending was calamitous and the goals conceded were preventable, and there was little to no conviction or belief in our attack which was really frustrating as I thought we’d actually started pretty good. Hopefully this result is a bit of a reality check - since the winning run came to an end we’ve not hit anywhere near the same levels of performance or consistency - and we can get back on track away to Bonnyrigg next week.

The first half today was a rotten spectacle and, until the double sub Naysmith made in bringing on Yates and Taylor for Rodden and Brown, I felt that Dumbarton were the better team and Ryan Blair was the best player on the park. It was a completely different game when Yates and Taylor came on - we were more direct, played faster and it got another 10% out of every Stenny player. I really can’t stress enough how much I love this team and group of players. The scenes at the end were just super. That sequence of results today has, for me anyway, as good as secured our first ever league title. We’re 13 ahead (by giving Spartans 6 points for their 2 games in hand) with 13 to play, and I cannot see any other team putting a run together where they gain on average more than 1 point per match extra than us over the remaining 13 games.

Far from a vintage performance and not much between the teams, but it’s another 3 points and we extend our lead at the top, although we didn’t come out of it unscathed. I hope Nicky Jamiesons injury isn’t bad, and Buchanan and Meechan both had some issues throughout. Nats red was silly and probably the wrong decision (it was clumsy and awkward more than dangerous or malicious) but he still gave the atrociously bad Chris Fordyce a decision to make. The three of them were possibly the worst team of officials I’ve seen - I think Stranraer were denied a stonewall penalty shortly after Lynch came on. Meechan was excellent and deserved his MOTM award, and there were 4 or 5 other very good performances. I also liked what Jacobs and Rodden brought when they came on. What happened with the situation when Orr went off but came back on? Did the officials prevent an ineligible player coming on?

Something special is happening down Ochilview way and one of the biggest compliments I can give the squad is that they get it and want it just as much as the fans. The celebrations after Yates’ goal yesterday were just *chefs kiss*.

Another game where I don’t think we really dominated at any point but I was never worried about getting the win. The back triangle of Jamieson, Jamieson and Buchanan were very good again today and it was only when Mutale came on at half time did they face any really challenge - I thought Mutale was a threat throughout in the second half and could be a really handy player if he can get some composure when under pressure. I can’t decide if Anderson and Nat were less effective than usual today or if it’s just because they’ve set such a high bar in recent weeks that they didn’t quite hit those heights today. Saying that, the bit of genius from Nat to pop the ball over his head and send the two Forfar boys down the tunnel was top class. Yates had a very good game today, as did O’Reilly but I felt Brown never got involved as much as he has done previously. Aitken put in a fantastic shift today but I thought he was getting more success in the first half when he seemed to be targeting and pinning Hutchison. In the second half it appeared, either through him changing to Munro or most of our play changing sides, he was up against Munro more often than not. The reinforcements in both Jacobs and Rodden are a welcome addition, and they both showed flashes of what they could do in the limited time they had on the pitch today. The players seem to love playing together and I’ve never seen a Warriors team as fit, confident, consistent or with as much belief as the one we’re watching right now - it’s a joy both going to and coming away from the football. Next week is a huge game with Spartans also flying and having two games in hand over us, however can we start quietly talking about that first league title possibly making its way to Ochilview Park yet?

That first half was ridiculously good and we should have been well out of sight. Two fantastic goals through O’Reillys endeavour and another direct free kick from Yates. I thought the referee was doing well to let things play at times, but at others he was missing clear bookings - the main one that comes to mind was Shepherds horrible lunge. As good as we were in the first half, credit has to go to East Fife in the second. Healy coming on at half time gave Eden Lynch a tough test and he couldn’t cope with him at all. We did still have a couple of very good chances to wrap things up but Aitken should’ve done better after O’Reilly battered the post, and so should Brown late on but his weak effort didn’t trouble Fleming. Darren Jamieson’s point blank save at the end was unbelievable, although I’m not sure how much he knew about it. We have a strong first 11 and a couple solid options on the bench, but apart from that we are very light and weak. Thankfully we didn’t drop points in the end today, but could easily have done so. I’m yet to see anything that tells me Berry, Ferrie, McKay or Sweeney-Rowe have something to offer to this team or at this level - they have had limited game time, granted, but all seem weak, hesitant and unable to compete. Anyway, onwards to two more winnable matches over the festive period.

Can only echo OFS’ comments - the team were magnificent tonight - but I think it’s also worth mentioning Kinlay Bilham as I thought he was brilliant tonight too. His desire to win his 50/50s started the moves that led to both our goals and he won the majority of the diagonal balls that Peterhead continually put in his direction.

What a thoroughly enjoyable day, and there’s not much more to add to what’s already been mentioned. Each of our outfielders were very good today and thoroughly deserve all praise that goes their way, however it would be remiss to not mention Darren Jamieson. Whilst he wasn’t necessarily troubled today, he plucked a couple of crosses out the air, dealt with the long shots with ease and breeds a confidence across our back line that I’ve not seen in 4-5 years. Innovative ways of fan engagement, a larger crowd, and the most dominant of displays. I cannot wait for next Saturdays top of the table clash against Bonnyrigg.

For a 0-0 that was quite an exciting game. I thought we were played some good stuff throughout and were the better of the two teams but didn’t really trouble McCallum in the Forfar goal. We hit the post twice and had a couple of shots fizz past the post, and Forfar had two very good chances, the second of which brought a fantastic save from Jamieson - it’s so refreshing to have a keeper that can be trusted playing for us. He set the tone early on coming for a cross and plucking it out the air and he didn’t put a foot (or glove) wrong all game. Mikey Anderson was class in the middle of the park and the centre half pairing of Jamieson and Buchanan were solid. I felt that we lacked consistency in our passing when countering during the second half but if we can get that right then we could be quite devastating. I’d have taken a point before kick off but given the way the game went I’m quite disappointed to not come away with all 3, but I guess it’s not a bad way to start the league campaign against a team I fancy to compete at the top of the league. The post wouldn’t be complete without mentioning Greg Soutar, who put in one of the most incompetent performances from a referee as I can remember seeing. He didn’t have a clue most of the time with some baffling and inconsistent decisions for both teams, and he certainly didn’t have control of the game. These referees are getting poorer as the years go on, and he might be the very worst I’ve seen.

It looks like we’re signing Ross Meechan going from the teaser tweet this morning. It’s been a really interesting close season so far and I’m glad we’re doing business early. A top keeper, a few signings who I’m intrigued by and now a solid and proven right back. Still some way to go but I’m please with what we’ve done so far.

What a way to win a game, what a feeling. It’s been a while since I’ve had as much enjoyment and exhilaration at the football. That game was an excellent showing of what Scottish football has to offer - goals, excitement, and some brilliant individual performances. Annan can likely feel hard done by and probably, over the piece, deserved something from the game but what a strike from Ross Forbes to seal it at the end. We’ve replaced many a manager/managerial team but I cannot remember us changing and having such an immediate positive impact. The job Naysmith and Ferguson have done in such a short space of time is quite remarkable. We’ve accumulated 18 points in 9 league games which, this season anyway, is title challenging form. Fair fucks to them!

Really looking forward to this one and the most excited I’ve been about going to the football in a long while. I agree on the starting XI and only two changes from last week: Sewell in for Orr and a new first choice keeper. We’ve had the Fifers number so far this season and I’d be delighted if, come 5pm on Saturday, we’ve managed to keep that unbeaten record intact.

I thought today was a game of two halves - we were worth the lead at half time but Stranraer battered us in the second half. A fine free kick from Yates put us ahead and the Stranraer equaliser came in some controversial fashion. Jamieson and Brennan collided and the latter was left down injured whist Stranraer played on and scored, with Brennan still down injured. Given the state of Brennans face when he was carted past us, it was clear it was a head knock and the referee should’ve halted the game. Brennans injury was a nasty one and I hope it isn’t as bad as it looked. A second goal for Matty Yates soon followed - what looked like a miss hit volley went downwards but bounced over O’Connor and hit the post before going in. After the break Stranraer had a lot of possession in our half yet didn’t really trouble us. From what I remember, all but one of Stranraer’s real chances in the second half came because of Cantley’s errors. Fumbling the high, looping ball was expected and he also done his best to try and take out two of his defence too. The other chance really should’ve been dispatched but the ball over the top was left by the Stenny defence and, thankfully, it was ballooned over. Yates and then Forbes missed guilt edged chances right at the death, with Yates heading straight at O’Connor after a delightful ball from O’Reilly and Forbes somehow missing from close range when it looked easier to score than miss. I thought Yates, Miller and Jamieson all had very good games today, and the efforts from Sewell and Anderson when they both came on certainly helped us get over the line. I’m not Dan Higgins biggest fan however I thought he had his best game in a Warriors shirt today. On the flip side, Tam Orr looked like he couldn’t be bothered being out there today and it was extremely frustrating as he made nothing stick when we were continually under pressure and didn’t do the team any favours in the second half especially. As a whole, our work rate and desire to give everything to the cause was pleasing to see today. Whilst this should be a given for any football team, it hadn’t been traits I’d have associated with Stenhousemuir recently. Hopefully this newfound commitment is something we see more often under Naysmith. Its clear to everyone reinforcements were needed in the goalkeeping department as Swift managed to sign four of the worst keepers I’ve ever seen play for us during his tenure, however with the injury to Brennan, I suspect bringing in a new keeper will be top priority (if it wasn’t already). It wasn’t exactly a convincing win but every point is huge just now given only 5 points and 6 goals separate 5th and 10th in the league.

The correct decision has been made and there’s no point in dwelling on the Swift-era. Managerial eras at the Warriors seem to be coming and going without any real progress being made whilst non-SPFL teams are making strides and those entering the SPFL are proving extremely formidable so for me, Swifts replacement has to be someone with not only SPFL management experience but success of managing a SPFL league winning team as I fear if that it doesn’t come in the next 5 years it never will. As a side note, I wonder how Jim McInally would fare at a team based in the central belt and without the geographical constraints he faced whilst at Peterhead …

Four points off the bottom of the league and in awful form in the league with a team tipped for the title. Baffled that charlatan Swift is still in charge. He must either be due a packet if we get rid of him or the board are backing him, and I’m not sure which one makes the board look worse because the decision to give him a bumper deal is getting worse by the week.

The longer the board continue with Swift at the helm, the more I lose faith in them to ever deliver a squad and manager capable of winning a title. Get Stephen Swift and his coaching team out of Stenhousemuir Football Club immediately.

A very fair assessment. The squad is full with exciting individuals but that’s all they’ve been, as there’s been no team cohesion or apparent plan. It’s now abundantly clear Swift is out his depth at this level and must go. This season is verging on being yet another “meh” season, however with the talent we have in the squad it’s definitely salvageable if we act quickly.

Today confirms to me that Swift is not up to the job. He appears tactically inept and I think his time is up. The first half hour was awful and there could’ve been any of at least 4 players taken off at the break, yet it took until 70 minutes for a change and that only came about as Higgins couldn’t continue due to injury. The three changes that were made were questionable too. Walker for Higgins meant we had to shuffle our back line yet it was clear we needed legs in the middle of the park. Sewell for Yates with only 10 minutes to go was baffling and then throwing Orr for Philp immediately after conceding the second goal to chase the game summed up his lack of game plan. Too many of our players underperformed and our body language was negative and defeatist even from early on. We don’t appear to have a style of play and we can’t defend well as a team. Right now we’re a team of soft losers without a plan, and we’re being led by someone who still doesn’t know his best team or formation despite us nearly being one third of the way through the season. Swift out.

What a sickener. Can’t really say much else right now. At least there’s a 3 hour drive down the road to try and digest it.

The credit Swift built up after the unbeaten run is well and truly gone because the subs cost us today. Anderson, James Lyon and Orr were anonymous and offered nothing. Tapping done well until the equaliser, but why not shift Corbett inside and bring on Corr? How Anderson lasted 90 minutes is beyond me, he’s nowhere near the level required. Definitely seeing today as two points dropped rather than one point gained. On a positive front, Euan O’Reilly is different gravy and getting him signed on for next year is great business. He probably should have scored late on but if it wasn’t for him we’d not offer much in an attacking sense so we can’t really be too annoyed.

I think you’re absolutely spot on with this assessment. Jamieson and Crighton both had a good game but then both were in their element when the rather tall striker came on for Annan (forgive the ignorance), he barely got a sniff. O’Reilly is one of only a few players who I’ve been excited at watching turn out for Stenhousemuir whilst in the fourth tier. His confidence to attack in 1v1 situations coupled with his tremendous work rate to defend and win the ball back have made Saturdays fun again. I think your comment about the lack of presence in attack is being nice on Thomas Orr - he’s just not good enough for this level quite frankly. He doesn’t hold the ball up, he makes strange runs to make it look like he’s trying, he cannot compete and he could quite easily have been sent off for hauling Swinglehurst to the ground in the first half. It is always a tough one, though, as if we had Thompson at out disposal today I’d have felt more comfortable, however this would this have possibly changed our ultimately successful game plan.