The Falkirk FC Thread

[Russ]

As good a team as we are I just didn't see that result coming. McGlynn and Smith deserve an unreal amount of praise for what they've managed to do. Turn us from the biggest laughing stock in Scottish football into one of the best Falkirk teams many of us have ever watched. f**king love this team.

Such a weird game in that we really should've been 3 or 4 down after half an hour yet there can be no doubts at all that we deserved the win in the end after a fantastic second half performance.

Hearts definitely started the better team and for that fist half an hour really showed their quality. First of the 5 or 6 clear cut chances they created was right from kick off Oda getting in down the right and pulled it back for Boyce who should've done better but put it over the bar. Then Vargas hitting the bar from the corner was probably unlucky then came the 2 big saves from Hogarth. First at his near post to deny Vargas but the one from Oda was even better. He absolutely should've squared it to Vargas but was some save from Hogarth with his legs. Second half they just didn't lay a glove on us. Gordon made 2 ridiculous saves from MacIver but apart from him there wasn't many more positives for them. Halkett looks done, felt the game completely passed Dhanda by aside from a horrendous dive in the first half, Oda after a bright start faded quickly, Spittal offered nothing in the middle of the park and Taylor looks horrific. Btw what a weird move by Naismith to move Boateng out of position to right-back just before we got the second.

As for us I don't really know where to start tbh. Whilst Hearts were the better team for the first half an hour we did still look threatening when we were on the ball. Aside from maybe a 5 minute spell in that first half where we just couldn't get on the ball or then keep it we were always in the game but Hearts kept creating chances. The big turning point in the game was the MacIver chance he absolutely rinsed both Kingsley and Halkett and whilst he maybe could've done better with the finish I thought it was tremendous save from Gordon. That seemed to give us the belief that we could get something from the game and we never looked back from there. We came out the second half and looked a different team. Much braver with our passing, keeping the ball a lot better, wingers starting to find space and commit their men. The first goal was very, very similar to the first goal at EEP last week with Dylan Tait playing a perfect ball through for Keelan Adams to run onto who then done so well to take the ball in his stride and perfect ball across for Ethan Ross to smash home. For the second goal it can't be understated how big a part Alfie plays in it. He finds himself in the striker role and it's his pressing that forces Gordon into the mistake and he gets a touch on the clearance it falls to Calvin Miller who does what Calvin does and beats his man and puts the perfect ball in for Dylan Tait. Btw just how much of a f**king diddy is John Rankin if he couldn't get a tune out of Dylan Tait?

Nicky Hogarth was exceptional today. First half he made they 2 saves which kept us in the game, second half whilst he didn't have a single shot to save he came and collected every single cross ball. Quite what Keelan Adams was doing playing in the Lowland League last season I've absolutely no idea the boy is f**king ridiculous and looks likely to make us some serious money. Both centre-backs were tremendous. Big Coll looked like he was struggling to finish the game last week but he strolled that second half today and with Hendo I honestly don't think I've loved a Falkirk player as much in years. He's been magnificent moving back to the defence this season and has yet to give us a performance less than 8/10. Best moment of the match for me, aside the goals, was Mackie absolutely f**king bodying Oda in the first half right on the touchline. Just ran clean into him full pelt so the ball could roll behind for a goal kick was a thing of absolute beauty. He's proving so many doubters (myself included btw) wrong this season and that today was probably his best game for us since his debut against Hibs defensively solid and beating players for fun down the left. MoM could've went to anyone but I thought it was fair enough to give it to him. Deserved it for that tackle alone tbf.

A midfield 2 of Dylan Tait and Brad Spencer is quite frankly ridiculous. 2 absolute ballers who both bring so much the team and compliment each other so well. Spencer is the conductor of this team he always wants the ball and is generally 2 or 3 passes ahead of everyone on the pitch his vision is so good and he just loves picking out passes. Tait is way more all action than you think he's going to be I was worried today after he got the early booking (stonewall booking btw) but he didn't let it effect his game and in that second half the 2 of them dominated that midfield. Tait close control and ability to just shimmy passed players is a joy to watch. I don't think Gary Oliver will get the credit he deserves for that performance. He was that good we didn't miss Aiden Nesbitt at all which is massive praise him. Protected and looked after the ball so well, was the simple things like dropping deeper to become an outball and making 6 yard passes to help us get out in the first half was also very unlucky with his chance in the first half.

Ethan Ross I thought had a poor first half but turned it on massively after half time. Not just the goal which was very well taken but he then started to drive with the ball and beat men which he's so good at but we didn't see really in the first half. Put a tonne of work into the game and you could see that when he was cramping up before being subbed. Calvin Miller that was potentially his best game so far this season for me. I thought he looked good on the right but even better when he moved back to the left where he's much more effective. He tracks back very well and whenever he gets the ball his first thought is always how he can carry the ball forward. It's absolutely vital that if more money is released we look to get his contract sorted first before we look to bring in any new players. Ross MacIver was his usual class self up front. That run for his chance in the first half I didn't know he had that in him, if he was up against any keeper in the championship he scores 2 today was just unlucky he was against one of the best in the country. But as usual his workrate was phenomenal, was winning flick ons, holding the ball up well and was the perfect outlet for us. Just finally on Ryan Shanley I thought the red card for him was extremely harsh. It's a high boot and a yellow card nothing more. He pulls out and stops the momentum so it's not dangerous.  

[FalkirkBairn2021]

15 minutes ago, Roboccop said:

Saw Coll in car park and honked my horn he came over was told he was god and we fist bumped. My partner is going to wonder why I get knuckles tattooed on my right hand fingers. 

And don't wash your hand again

[Silvio Tattiescone]

I thought Hearts were probably the best team we'd played in a long time during the first half.

 

Then we shagged them in the second half.

[BooBairn]

Genuinely running out of words for this team of players. 
 

You could name any player for MOTM and Keelan Adams would probably have been my choice but a special mention for Brad Spencer who is easily a 9/10 every single game. 

[FK1Bairn]

19 minutes ago, Roboccop said:

Saw Coll in car park and honked my horn he came over was told he was god and we fist bumped. My partner is going to wonder why I get knuckles tattooed on my right hand fingers. 

Hope the big man has a great night getting it right up his brothers (not in a Fife sense!)

[Super Simon]

44 minutes ago, Tea and Busquets said:

 It’s a travesty that McGlynn doesn’t have the money Partick, Ayr and Raith seem to have because I think he’d have us walk this league on current ability. 

Surely today - especially if a draw against either of the Glaswegian Gruesome Twosome follows tomorrow - will finally be enough to allow McGlynn the financial wherewithal to bring in a couple of players to bulk up what is a pretty thin squad and give us a real shot at things this season? Surely.

On the game, a dodgy first half hour or so, when we could and should have been two or three goals down, were it not for Hogarth choosing to have by far his finest game in a Falkirk shirt, was followed by undoubtedly the most professional performance we have produced under McGlynn, relative to the strength of the opposition we were facing. We'll go some to top that second half performance. And all achieved without big players in Morrison, Nesbitt, Lang. Beating Hearts always has been, and always will be, a great laugh. Outstanding.

[Grangemouth Bairn]

I’ve reflected on this what I’ve seen today and I genuinely think we could, on our day, beat every side left in the tournament at Falkirk Stadium except for Celtic.

Its a long shot, but if Hibs somehow get a win at Parkhead tomorrow, this is the most competitive last 8 in a Scottish cup format tournament for a long, long time.

[bairn88]

Only one vessel for tonight 

[Silvio Tattiescone]

I was thinking, as you do, who was the last team to do a double invincibles?

[18BAIRN76]

55 minutes ago, Senor Bairn said:

 

[Rugster]

46 minutes ago, Kirkcaldybanjo said:

Not long ago 99% of Falkirk fans were wanting rid of him.

well done John mcglyn.

That’s a very specific number. Can you share the research and evidence of that?

[Rizzo]

Surprised no one's talking about the third goal tbh, best of the bunch for me.

[Grangemouth Bairn]

31 minutes ago, Newbornbairn said:

I was thinking, as you do, who was the last team to do a double invincibles?

I know that Steaua Bucharest done it in the 80’s and I’m pretty sure that Al Ahly have done it in the 2000’s mate.

[Bigbrbairn]

3 minutes ago, Grangemouth Bairn said:

I know that Steaua Bucharest done it in the 80’s and I’m pretty sure that Al Ahly have done it in the 2000’s mate.

Al Ahly ?

Is that where the big ship sailed down oh

[FalkirkBairn2021]

54 minutes ago, Super Simon said:

Surely today - especially if a draw against either of the Glaswegian Gruesome Twosome follows tomorrow - will finally be enough to allow McGlynn the financial wherewithal to bring in a couple of players to bulk up what is a pretty thin squad and give us a real shot at things this season? Surely.

On the game, a dodgy first half hour or so, when we could and should have been two or three goals down, were it not for Hogarth choosing to have by far his finest game in a Falkirk shirt, was followed by undoubtedly the most professional performance we have produced under McGlynn, relative to the strength of the opposition we were facing. We'll go some to top that second half performance. And all achieved without big players in Morrison, Nesbitt, Lang. Beating Hearts always has been, and always will be, a great laugh. Outstanding.

I always fancy us to beat Hearts, particularly at home.

Conversely I always expect Aberdeen to pump us and never expect to do anything against them.

[malbairn]

My first post here please be gentle. Thought there were so many great performances throughout the team today which previous posters have covered but I thought I’d shoutout Finn Yeats who despite being out the team recently came off the bench, (technically) out of position and pressed and hounded Hearts and was generally all over them. Feels so comforting to know that if there’s an injury at FB or in CM we’ve got a guy chomping at the bit with so much quality who we can bring in. Very astute sub by McGlynn at the time who I thought managed the game superbly. 

[Silvio Tattiescone]

4 minutes ago, malbairn said:

My first post here please be gentle. Thought there were so many great performances throughout the team today which previous posters have covered but I thought I’d shoutout Finn Yeats who despite being out the team recently came off the bench, (technically) out of position and pressed and hounded Hearts and was generally all over them. Feels so comforting to know that if there’s an injury at FB or in CM we’ve got a guy chomping at the bit with so much quality who we can bring in. Very astute sub by McGlynn at the time who I thought managed the game superbly. 

I completely agree Mrs Yeats 

[Grangemouth Bairn]

6 minutes ago, malbairn said:

My first post here please be gentle. Thought there were so many great performances throughout the team today which previous posters have covered but I thought I’d shoutout Finn Yeats who despite being out the team recently came off the bench, (technically) out of position and pressed and hounded Hearts and was generally all over them. Feels so comforting to know that if there’s an injury at FB or in CM we’ve got a guy chomping at the bit with so much quality who we can bring in. Very astute sub by McGlynn at the time who I thought managed the game superbly. 

Your son was superb today.

[Big chungus]

Are we all wanting Spartans at home then? 

[RC55 FFC]

What a day. Again. What a club.

Nothing to fear this year in the league & we won’t play ANYONE as good as Hearts. Bring on Thistle!

That was special again today. F***ing love this football club.