David Fernández

Would keep the same team that started last Tuesday. ATS and Fordyce at the back will be needed against Zanatta, feel like he's their main threat especially with his height. I think Callum Smith has played very well the last few games, hopefully start the same way as the semi final first leg and come out flying.

https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/local-sport/airdrie-minded-consortium-set-named-11560014.amp is this the game you're referring to? Hamilton need to get those charlatans out of their club asap. We'd probably end up at the bottom end of league 2 if Zengin was in charge. Frightening stuff.

I'm still going into this game in a similar way that I did with the Falkirk game by having no expectations and seeing what happens. Until we have that 'play off monkey' off our back it's hard for me to go into any game in them full of confidence. I did think we'd beat Queens Park in the previous years final so I'm kinda glad to be a bit more relaxed than last year. Compared to Alloa and Falkirk I don't know too much about Hamilton as I haven't seen any of their games this season. Championship teams are very hard to gauge because on their day anyone can beat anyone. I also don't know too much about Hamilton's 'off the field issues' but it appears to be kicking off in the comment section on Facebook about the chairman's statement about the play offs. Fans accusing the board of deleting comments etc. https://hamiltonacciesfc.co.uk/play-off-message-may-2023/

John McGlynn

Cheers for allowing us to get DJ on loan for the game yesterday. Kelty, great bunch of lads!!

The game couldn't have gone any better than I imagined it would. I said to those around me at the game 'if we get to half time 0-0 or 1-0 in I'll be delighted'. Everyone worked their socks off yesterday, McCabe absolutely done his homework on McGlynn and he had no answers. I was honestly surprised how little Falkirk offered, it was pathetic, talk about going out with a whimper eh!! Brilliant backing from the support yesterday and loved the celebrations from the players, McGill running over to the stand after his goal and the gaffer celebrating with his Dad at the end of the game. As for the goalkeeping situation, Airdrie could've played with no goalkeeper yesterday and still would've got through to the final. Hopefully we can get the job done and get over the line.

Very promising signings from reading a lot of the comments and it's good to see us start recruiting for next season already. Does this mean that our management team will definitely be here next year? I'm expecting the pen to announce Robbie Hamilton, Ben Wilson, Brogan Walls, Liam McStravick and big Todorov. Is it possible that Airdrie will sign every player on Consilium Sports Group ?

Wow last night was magic Never in my wildest dreams would I have thought we'd be taking a 4 goal lead into the second leg. The first half I had to pinch myself a few times, the 5-0 scoreline at half time on my sky sports app didn't seem real. @Kenny_m apologies, you got it absolutely spot on, delighted to admit to being wrong, that's why I'm an idiot on a football forum and not a football manager. Hate using clichés but it is only half time, it's definitely not over yet but I'm hoping we can get the job done and move onto the final. Hopefully have a great backing on Saturday and everyone can get right behind the team, absolutely loved the celebrations from the players including Dycey, Smithy and McCabe. Mon the Diamonds

'Away to check the pie and bovril match thread on my lunch break to read about some insightful football chat about the big game tonight.....'

I wouldn't say playing in a central defensive midfield position in a 4-3-3 is an 'insignificant area of the pitch' in fact I'd argue it is one of the most important areas, without a defensive midfielder to hold their position, break up the play and spray short simple passes any football team would be far too open. Some of the traits you mention aren't relevant to a player who's job it is to a defensive midfielder. Beating a man is normally a winger or forwards job. If you look at the stats for any player that plays in a CDM (Makelele, Kante etc) their goals and assists are not that high. (not comparing McMaster to any of those players obviously). Dean McMaster is definitely not the finished article by any means, he does make mistakes, give the ball away and can get out muscled from time to time, but you have to remember he's a 19 year old and it's his first season of senior football. He has done really well since coming into the team and IMO deserves to start the game tomorrow night, rumours we've signed him permanently so looks like he'll be with us next season. Rhys McCabe was my favourite player last season and his best performances for Airdrie by far is when he's played at centre back. If the manager has to start, he has to be st centre back.

When he was with us last Season Brody Paterson was pretty good going forward, most of the games he played with us last season we dominated so he wasn't tested too often defensively, but when he was I remember it was his mistake that cost us defeat in the first leg in the play off semi final. I don't think he's at Championship level yet, but I think he'd do well at Cove in league 1 next year if he signs for you. Callum Smith stays in Fife and on both occassion he signed for us, it was under Ian Murray. I know that he really likes him so I think Raith Rovers will definitely make him an offer in the summer. He's still a really important part of our team, he's lacking a but of confidence just now. He hasn't scored for a while and takes a couple of extra touches too many but will still be a massive player for us in the play offs.

I'd assume so from what Stephen Robinson said in this interview.

I think O'Hara would be a pretty decent signing for us, especially if we are still in league 1. I think Callum Smith will be away next season and he would be a pretty ideal replacement. Also think it would be a good move for the player as well, I can't imagine too many Championship teams will be in for him either. With our style of play I think O'Hara would definitely score a good few goals. I know that LJ turned down a contract with St Mirren but I couldn't imagine us forking out for a development fee for him so would be surprised to see LJ back next season. I think someone in the Championship will be in for Toderov, a team like a Morton or a Raith Rovers perhaps. I wouldn't be overly excited to see Kyle MacDonald back with ourselves next season either, especially with having Watson and Ballantyne.

Probably the most nervous I've ever felt going into a play off before. Been through every possible scenario of what could happen but this is genuinely too close to call. Imagine both sets of supporters will go through every set of emotions at both of the games. Rae Watson. Fordyce. ATS. Ballantyne Frizzell. McMaster. Devenny Smith. Gallagher. McGill IMO our best starting 11 and allows us to bring on McCabe and Telfer for a bit of composure in midfield if we need it, makes our bench stronger too. Let's get right behind the team and give them a massive backing. MTD

Will Joe Dixon actually come off the bench too?

Totally get that mate, I added another post on here appreciating that you near enough attend every game and that I liked your Ted Lasso meme (one of my favourite tv shows atm). It was just a comment about the Facebook group as opposed to any individuals. I'm pretty nervous for the play offs so the 'don't you know pump it up photo' I was a bit like 'aw naw' . If the photo was a bit 'tongue and cheek banter' then I apologise if it may have cause offence. Like everyone I hope we go up this year and if we do, I hope you have many good memes ready for the Facebook page

Fair play to any Airdrie fan actually going to this tomorrow

His Ted Lasso one was pretty good I'll give him that. I wish I had Ted's optimism and positivity for the play offs.

Yeah that's the same guy, it's not a personal attack on the him, he attends pretty much every game but in my own personal opinion it's a bit much.

It's nice to have a genuine discussion with like minded Airdrie fans and also discussions with fans of other teams as well. I've found the majority of Airdrie posters on here pretty reasonable in comparision to the Facebook group. I don't have twitter but I can imagine some views on there will be pretty wild too. On the Facebook Group about the game on Saturday one guy sounded as if he needed therapy after the defeat to QOS on and was raging that we rested players then yesterday another guy put up a photo saying 'don't you know pump it up Airdrie's going up' there's no in between. It's either delusion or a graveyard of misery.

I'd say I'm in the glass half empty camp alongside @++Ammo - Airdrie++ with regards to the play offs. Last season the fightback against Montrose was incredible and after that result I did actually believe we could do it, but even playing against a team who we were 21 points ahead of in the league and a team we hadn't lost a game to all season, we still blew it. I know Queens Park didn't lose a lot of games or concede very much but last season's final was the best chance we had in years of going up. This time round we are reliant on a team that has been inconsistent, lacking in squad depth and are capable of a massive collapse. In order to win the play offs, this team have to perform over 4 games and some players to have the game of their lives. I think McCabe is definitely doing the correct thing by resting players cause we are going to need everyone, the last few seasons in the final the players looked knackered so hopefully that will help going in this time. Our play off record gives me the absolute fear but I really hope I'm proved wrong and finally this will be our year.

Alloa Athletic 0-3 Dunfermline Athletic Clyde 0-2 Montrose FC Edinburgh 4-1 Airdrieonians Peterhead 0-1 Falkirk Queen of the South 1-2 Kelty Hearts

Nathan Blockley brings back some memories, he had bags of energy in midfield and I quite liked him, probably had all that energy due to his cocaine habit mind you. https://www.thescottishsun.co.uk/news/6976430/scots-footballer-mule-money-laundering-cocaine-habit/amp/

Tottenham's antics are something we'd 100% do in the play off final

Congrats Alloa!! You must be delighted to have made the play offs. 4-0 away at Montrose is some going. The play offs are crazy so you's definitely have just as much of a chance as us, Falkirk/Hamilton/Cove etc. You'll also have the luxury of resting players for the final game depending on whether you'd rather finish 3rd/4th.