TAFKAC
-
Posts
250 -
Joined
-
Last visited
Content Type
Profiles
Forums
Events
Store
Posts posted by TAFKAC
-
-
Marvellous consistently inconsistency from Stranraer...
1 -
Numbers and players returning from injury. I think, looking at the squad, only James Dolan has been available for each of the 24 games. Craig Ross, Kyle Girvan and Cammy Williamson have all missed games in defence while Sean McIntosh is currently injured. Matty Grant, Grant Gallagher, Dean Hawkshaw, Kyle Fleming, Tom Orr and Ben Armour have all missed big chunks as well. A bit simplistic but everyone fit = good squad. Players unavailable = Stretched squad. It also means players playing out of position/in a position that is not their first choice position.
Chris Johnston has already agreed to join. I imagine Josh Walker and Mackenzie Strachan might be heading out and would not be surprised if Olly McDonald is away too. Blair Sneddon as well? Hopefully, some of the injured players will be back sooner rather than later.
In terms of new faces, Johnston should add some experience to midfield/further up the park, which has been missing in the absence of Gallagher and others. What I would like brought in? I think we need defensive cover. Kyle Fleming has done not too badly at right back but isn't a right back. Equally, with one/both of Ross and Girvan missing we look stretched. Cammy Williamson was the only left back until Sneddon's arrival. When Williamson missed the Stenhousemuir game at Ochilview it meant Ben Hughes at left back - a position he was not suited to.
0 -
1 hour ago, Beachcomber said:
No word yet on Easton or Page who went off injured last week. We could be looking at a central defence of Comerford & Murdoch.
McManus played in central defence for Stranraer on occasion. Not saying it was his best position though...
1 -
Out of interest, how easy is it to get tickets for an Everton game? Quite fancy going to one before they leave Goodison.
0 -
3 hours ago, Clayhole Blue said:
Haha - love the title!
Think we’re all looking forward to this one with trepidation too after last Saturday’s ‘Fun Day’ at Stenny.Been genuinely impressed by us since Aggy came in, but really struggling with injuries just now. No Grant Gallagher, Matty Yates, Kyle Girvan, Dean Hawkshaw, and Cammy Williamson and Ginge McDonald toiling. That apart, we should still have been a lot better at Ochilview.
Suspect we may be along the same lines as second half last Saturday.
To be fair, Stranraer have been without Matty Yates for a wee while now... Matty Grant though!
1 -
On 06/09/2023 at 22:41, Nigel Blackwell said:
The Stranraer player did dive. Quite clearly. The Peterhead decision is one of the worst I have ever seen.
Any views on the incident where Agnew was sent off? It's out the box but is it a foul?
FWIW, I certainly don't think the Peterhead player dived. Think the Stranraer player was slow off the mark in going for the ball and got there second.0 -
I thought Dylan Forrest had a great game but could have been sent off twice. The two-footed lunge mentioned above and then he was booked for an apparent stamp. Forrest then picked up the ball and threw it away. If the referee thought it was a stamp, which I think he signalled, then he could have sent him off for that or a yellow for the foul and a yellow for throwing the ball away.
That said, thought Ji Stevenson was a bit fortunate not to get two yellows, which would have been before his 'goal'...
2 -
Quite looking forward to this. Stranraer were not at their best at Bonnyrigg but dug in to get a point. Suspect they will still be missing Dean Hawkshaw and Matty Grant and Grant Gallagher missed last weekend too. Craig Ross is back from suspension though, which is a bonus.
1 -
The 'if' is a big one though. By the sounds of it Hawkshaw and Grant will be out for a lengthy spell...
0 -
16 hours ago, Luddite said:
Nice finish against Bonnyrigg. Scored a brace against Kilwinning too, right?
That's the one. Was injured against Kilwinning and came off the bench against Bonnyrigg for his debut.
0 -
44 minutes ago, Beachcomber said:
After last weeks disappointment The Fife will be looking to get some points on the board. I wouldn't complain about 1 but we are capable of taking the win, so 2-0 East Fife
I would line up:
Fleming
Murdoch Page Easton Newton
Nicol Walls Millar Healey
Shepherd Austin
Would be surprised if Stranraer make any changes. Only change will likely be the appearance of Oli McDonald on the bench. Sounds like Matty Grant could be out for a wee spell and I don't know how close Deryn Lang is to getting involved. Obviously, buoyed by an opening day so fingers crossed can build on that.
0 -
A tale of two different levels of confidence. I imagine there are plenty of Elgin fans a bit nervous about the season while Stranraer fans are buoyed by the last three games of last season and the work Scott Agnew has done over the summer. I think one of the best things you can say about Agnew is he has identified some of the weaknesses in Stranraer. Luke Scullion was a decent enough shotstopper but not really a presence in the goal. Martin McDonald is certainly more of a presence and time will tell how good he is as a goalkeeper.
There was a lack of a left back last season when things did not work out for Sam Ellis. Finn Ecrepont came in on loan but went back to Ayr United during the close season. Cammy Williamson came in and looked good in pre-season until suffering an injury. He came back against Kelty.
The glaring thing last season was the lack of a striker. Scott Robertson, James Hilton, Darryl Duffy, Craig Malcolm, Aaron Brown and Jonny Ngandu all had turns up front to various levels of success. Agnew has brought in Tom Orr and Ben Armour, who have plenty of experience at this level. Deryn Lang has joined from Lanark and time will tell how he handles the step up.
Team (3-1-4-2): McDonald; Ross, Girvan, Williamson; Gallagher; McIntosh, Dolan, Fleming, Forrest; Orr and Armour. Bench: O'Connor, Robertson, Hughes... and anyone else that fancies being on the bench.
0 -
Stranraer (I expect there will be at least another two additions)
Goalkeepers
Martin McDonald (Hurlford)
George O'Connor
Defenders
Sean McIntosh
Scott Robertson
Craig Ross
Kyle Girvan
Cammy Williamson (Annan Athletic)
Midfielders
Grant Gallagher
Dean Hawkshaw
Josh Walker
Dylan Forrest
Matty Grant
Ben Hughes (East Kilbride)
James Dolan (Ayr United)
Kyle Fleming (Annan Athletic)
Forwards
Thomas Orr (Stenhousemuir)
Ben Armour (Forfar Athletic)
1 -
On 09/07/2023 at 17:01, The Mantis said:
Bonnyrigg Rose (20):
GK:
Marc Anderson* (Whitehill Welfare, end of loan)
Michael Andrews
Paddy Martin* (Falkirk, loan made permanent)
D :Josh Grigor
Angus Mailer* (Elgin City)
Neil Martiniuk
Reis Peggie* (Kelty Hearts)
Kerr YoungM:
Bradley Barrett
Callum Connolly
Lee Currie
Conor Doan
Ross Gray
Jason Jarvis* (Uni of Stirling)
Robbie McGale
Jonathan StewartF:
Alieu Faye
Keiran McGachie
Zander Murray
Dean Watson* (East Stirlingshire)Departed:
Aaron Arnott (expired loan)
Dean Brett (Tranent Juniors)
Alan Horne (Tranent Juniors)
Chris Kane
Kevin Smith (Cowdenbeath)
Kieran Hall
Sean Hancock
Kieran Mitchell (Raith Rovers, expired loan)
Andrew Rodden (Clyde, expired loan)
Mark Weir (Stirling Albion)
Scott Gray (Tranent Juniors)
Zach KhanI think Zach Khan went to Musselburgh Athletic on a permanent deal.
1 -
15 hours ago, Clayhole Blue said:
Me neither - hope they appreciate fans’ feelings
Good news...
0 -
12 hours ago, stranraerfc1870 said:
I would have liked to have seen Luke Watt on that list but it was not to be.
Agreed but it seems that was outwith the control of the club.
In terms of what is needed: a goalkeeper, a left back, defensive cover, hopefully a couple of strikers and some wide options too. I'd like a more attack minded midfielder as well but plenty of time. There's only 10 players signed at the moment. Even taking on board that I've listed six positions, that still only takes it to 17. I imagine there would be at least three more - whether that's loan deals or permanent signings.
0 -
On 20/05/2023 at 22:53, Man from the East said:
In reality the facts are:
DUFC are still top of the league and have slightly increased their lead.
They do have the home advantage going into the final weekend.
Most supporters would have accepted the current scenario at the either the start of this season or the finale of last years.
Most other teams in the division would probably swop places to be in the position that Dunbar United are now in.
DUFC have only lost one match at home this season - Coldstream being the victors.
Things could be a lot worse but they’re not.I’m thinking positive
️
️️️
Did they not lose the next game to Kirkcaldy and Dysart? That's not to say their home form has not been impressive.
0 -
I have no idea how good a coach Maley/Hastings are. However, suggesting they are terrible coaches because they did not play at the highest level sounds odd. There are plenty of successful managers/coaches who did not have glittering careers as players and there are plenty of superstar footballers who did not make it as manager/coaches. Being good at one does not necessarily mean they are good at the other and vice versa.
2 -
Out go Eze, Scullion, Malcolm, Watt and Brady. Plus, obviously, the loan spells for Connelly, Ngandu, Brown and Ecrepont have come to an end.
0 -
3 hours ago, Jan Vojáček said:
I think I've possibly posted it before in response to a Dundee fan, but Charlie Reilly is a really, really good player. He's comfortably the best player in the league and, with no disrespect intended to Rovers, I can't help but wonder what his numbers could've looked like if he was playing for Stirling Albion alongside the likes of Fotheringham, Thomson and Carrick.
His technique in terms of the way he strikes the ball is as good as you'll see at any level. I honestly believe that. He's got vision, he's got quick feet and he'll work hard. Maybe there are still question marks over how he'll perform when a team aren't relying on him, as he looks like someone who enjoys that pressure, and I'm not 100 percent convinced he's the fittest boy about (despite being absolutely rapid and hard working, I've noticed him taking a few breathers in games against us). But that's an easy thing to build up.
I doubt he's had many better performances than his starring role (two goals, two assists in the 5-1 win against us last month)
I think your second point ties into your first a little. On the one hand, his numbers would likely have been better surrounded by better players. On the other, would his numbers have been better surrounded by better players because he was not the main man?
That said, clearly, far too good for this division and deserves his step up.
0 -
Two 8-0 cup losses, one to morton and one to Livingston. Both in last 10 to 15 years.
0 -
2 hours ago, Nigel Blackwell said:
Back in the day, Meadowbank Thistle had a player called Joe Forte - he wasn't half the man Joe 90 is.
Until relatively recently, he ran a sports shop in Haddington. He's now retired.
0 -
Two-year extension for Holt...
0 -
2 minutes ago, Jan Vojáček said:
Ah, I knew he'd had a lot of problems with injury - but didn't know that it had totally finished him off. I just assumed it had taken its toll and he'd decided to call it a day.
We could've done the old Jim Duffy trick and had two keepers on the bench to just bulk it up
There's a little mention of McKeown's injury here. I think it might have been impacting on his day job as well.
1
Stranraer v Elgin City
in Scottish League 2 General Chatter
Posted
If it is the foul (about 4.50 into the highlights) I think you are referring to regarding James Dolan, I don't think it is given against him. I wonder if the referee gives the foul against Chris Johnston for pushing the Elgin player into Dolan?
That's not to say there were not enough strange decisions!