David Fernández

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.

Got Queens at 7/2 today so took your advice

What was the celebration by Paton all about? I missed our previous two games against QOS so I have no idea what he was giving it big licks about. Reminded me of Kyle Doherty and Kai Kennedy, a bit weird behavior. I still don't understand why grown men actually get raging about it though. Game was a dead rubber anyways and it was better to rest a good few players today so finishing 3rd/4th doesn't really matter to me.

Would be sensible to rotate Watson and Ballantyne, 45 minutes each or 60/30. I'd be pretty happy with that team although it might be a good idea for McCabe to be on the sidelines as he'll get a better view of who's impressing him the most.

I'm sure we'll be seeing many goal celebrations like this from the Prince when he's tearing it up in the first team in years to come.

Yes please considering I predicted a 3-3 draw a few days ago on the P&B prediction league!

Thanks for clarifying that. Earlier on in the season when we were short in numbers and a few of them were on the bench. In the Scottish Cup game against Dundee after extra time I think 3/4 of them came on. When we were in the play offs last year I think Ian Murray made around 9/10 changes to the line up on the last game of the season vs Peterhead but I'd imagine we'll need to play a few first team players to avoid breaking any rules. It seems daft having the play offs 3 days after the season finishes, especially with the potential of 4 games within two weeks with the possibility of extra time and penalties.

Would it be possible to play our development team at Medowbank which gives everyone a rest? They won 15-0 yesterday so they might actually do better against Edinburgh than our first team. Big Byrd to score in the play offs. Two years in a row we've had an unlikely goalscorer in the play off semi. Last year the Haddy was big Johnny and the year before that it was Jack McKay. I have a funny feeling the big man will head one in from a long throw in Grangemouth.