Sons' sorrow

[O'Kelly Isley III]

I don't think we want to read too much into yesterday's defeat.  The starting line-up was sensible given the need to get some playing time for a number of players, and for the most part it was a pretty even contest.

The problem from our standpoint was the passing up of gilt-edged chances at one end and howling defensive errors at the other.  Whilst we don't want either, better it was yesterday than a league match, as long as we avoid repeats.

[Robert Forbes]

Not Kelty's best display yesterday, but a good win nevertheless. I can understand Dumbarton fans being a bit frustrated at the missed chances, as it's often been the case with Kelty in their league games so far this season, so it was good not being punished for missed chances this time! 

 

 

[Kelheart]

20 hours ago, BallochSonsFan said:

I thought we had the better chances and more of the game in the first half. 2 poor pieces of play for the 2 Kelty goals. We really could have had a couple more goals. Ruth finished his very nicely. 2nd half we didnt put them under nearly enough pressure. It was good to get game time into Kalvin Orsi, but it's clear that Ryan Blair just isnt as effective as Blair Malcom and that Tony Wallace doesnt have more than 45 minutes in him. We made some subs but completely lost any kind of shape. That 3rd goal was as bad as the Sam Ramsbottom one.

Kelty don't look a particularly good side, but we gifted them goals and we struggled with composure up front. Strongest 11 on from the start and that game was there for the taking today. Healthy number of travelling Kelty fans - fair play to them for coming through in numbers.

Not a particularly good side ?? Still manage a good win with 3 or 4 usual starters sitting out , not at our best yesterday granted but a much better team and watch than last season , good use of the small squad we have as well 

[Jan Vojáček]

6 minutes ago, Kelheart said:

Not a particularly good side ?? Still manage a good win with 3 or 4 usual starters sitting out , not at our best yesterday granted but a much better team and watch than last season , good use of the small squad we have as well 

I would just add that we made eight changes to the side which started last week, including giving Declan Byrne his first start since May, Kalvin Orsi only his second start of the campaign - and even played the lesser spotted Gregg Wylde. That and resting two of our best midfielders in Finlay Gray and Blair Malcom (as well as Brett Long and POTY Aron Lynas), means you can probably read a limited amount into the game for both sides. If it was a league match or a playoff then you'd likely see two very different teams.

[squeezebox-son]

1 hour ago, Kelheart said:

Not a particularly good side ?? Still manage a good win with 3 or 4 usual starters sitting out , not at our best yesterday granted but a much better team and watch than last season , good use of the small squad we have as well 

Wee bitty sensitive there... we made more changes than you guys and still at HT you'd have thought of the 2 sides it was ourselves who were playing in the higher league. Not much in the 2nd half really and we feel a bit hard done by missing so many chances whilst gifting all 3 goals to you guys.

Safe to say, we both feel a bit more positive than we did at the end of last season? All the best for this season. I'm sure you guys will likely have enough to escape the bottom 2 places and maybe we'll see you in league 1 next year if things go to plan for us!

Edited September 10, 2023 by squeezebox-son

[BallochSonsFan]

3 hours ago, Kelheart said:

Not a particularly good side ?? Still manage a good win with 3 or 4 usual starters sitting out , not at our best yesterday granted but a much better team and watch than last season , good use of the small squad we have as well 

 

It wasn't a good win. Your goals came from a free header, some poor play at the back and a moment of madness from our keeper. If Kelty had been a League 2 side and this had been a league game then fair enough. It really didnt look like a game between 2 sides in different divisions. If we'd had a striker who could actually hit the target and weren't guilty of a couple of moments of suicidal play in and around our own box then you'd struggle to justify the 3-1 score. But our strikers couldn't score in Lupinenstrasse and our back line/keeper gave you better gifts than Santa. We started the game with our back up keeper and with players who needed a run out. Our best midfielder was a 2nd half sub. Hell, Greg Wylde was playing - a sure sign of a weakened team.

[Kelheart]

47 minutes ago, BallochSonsFan said:

 

It wasn't a good win. Your goals came from a free header, some poor play at the back and a moment of madness from our keeper. If Kelty had been a League 2 side and this had been a league game then fair enough. It really didnt look like a game between 2 sides in different divisions. If we'd had a striker who could actually hit the target and weren't guilty of a couple of moments of suicidal play in and around our own box then you'd struggle to justify the 3-1 score. But our strikers couldn't score in Lupinenstrasse and our back line/keeper gave you better gifts than Santa. We started the game with our back up keeper and with players who needed a run out. Our best midfielder was a 2nd half sub. Hell, Greg Wylde was playing - a sure sign of a weakened team.

It was a good win any win is a good win neeb , good habit to get into  

[O'Kelly Isley III]

Just now, Kelheart said:

It was a good win any win is a good win neeb , good habit to get into  

You won fair and square, good luck in the draw.

[Robert Forbes]

2 hours ago, BallochSonsFan said:

 

It wasn't a good win. Your goals came from a free header, some poor play at the back and a moment of madness from our keeper. If Kelty had been a League 2 side and this had been a league game then fair enough. It really didnt look like a game between 2 sides in different divisions. If we'd had a striker who could actually hit the target and weren't guilty of a couple of moments of suicidal play in and around our own box then you'd struggle to justify the 3-1 score. But our strikers couldn't score in Lupinenstrasse and our back line/keeper gave you better gifts than Santa. We started the game with our back up keeper and with players who needed a run out. Our best midfielder was a 2nd half sub. Hell, Greg Wylde was playing - a sure sign of a weakened team.

You've probably explained why you're in League 2, and why Kelty didn't have to be anywhere near their best to win. I do hope you can make it to League 1 next season though.

Edited September 10, 2023 by Robert Forbes

[Victor mcdade]

On 10/09/2023 at 07:20, BallochSonsFan said:

Wallace isnt the most mobile, but carries a goal threat. Byrne will run all day but rarely scores.

I'm not convinced by our forward options. Need to hope that Ruth gets a consistent run in the team. MacLean is inconsistent, although him and Hilton were unplayable in the first half at Stenny. Its difficult to see how we line up when everybody is fit and available. Clearly a 3-5-2 is probably our best formation. The back 3 now takes care of itself with Durnan, Creighton and one of either Shiels or Lynas. I'd also have Blair Malcolm in the side ahead of Ryan Blair - he's far more positive. Carlo and Gray too. But that leaves questions over who else plays and how we get anything like a consistent attacking threat.

Stevie needs to find his best starting 11. First half yesterday we were decent, other than the 2 mistakes. The ideal performance was probably first half v Stenny, but it has to be a bit concerning that we're into the 2nd weekend of September and I don't think we've had a 90 minute performance or really know our best starting 11.

No chance wallace is a bigger goal threat.  Wallace and byrne have both scored 5 goals for us.

Wallace has played 2127 minutes, byrne has played 1683 minutes.

Byrne gets himself into the box, Wallace comes deep and moans at others when he doesn't get the ball.

[Bring Back Paddy Flannery]

Byrne and Wallace are completely different players and neither are prolific. Both of them are good players at this level but unfortunately Byrne is far too injury prone to ever put a run of games together and is therefore a waste of a wage IMHO. Wallace is also prone to picking up niggles every few weeks but is available for selection far more than Byrne. 

I don’t think Ruth will bag 20 goals this season but I think he could easily hit double figures if he builds up a bit of confidence infront of goal. Hopefully bagging one at the weekend has whet his goal whistle.

[The Moonster]

Ryan Wallace doesn't play to score goals, it's not his game. He's a valuable member of the squad for me but not a guaranteed starter, over the course of the season he'll perform well enough to help us win games but he does need someone alongside him that will take chances. Declan Byrne could be that man if his fitness stays up but at this point I think we're hoping Ruth hits his stride and McLean can pick up the pieces when Ruth isn't on it. 

We do have threat from elsewhere on the pitch though; Hilton and Gray will both probably bag 10+ between them and Crighton and Durnan should get a few from set pieces (a few more in Seans case). 

Everything hinges on the dugout this season. We have a stronger squad than anyone else and plenty of options in attacking areas, so for me it comes down to how they are set up and organised. 

[Jan Vojáček]

If Mikey Ruth could just tidy up his finishing a wee bit then he'll hit 10+ for us this season. I'm very confident of that. I think he's an absolutely terrific player; the most natural striker we've had in a good while. He gets in great areas, he's quick, strong, works tirelessly. He can run the channels, hold play up - and showed some great link-up play on Saturday. His ball through to Declan Byrne for the one-on-one he missed was absolutely gorgeous.

If he had been a bit more clinical (and without a few wonder-saves) he'd already have had four or five before Saturday. His goal was a quality finish, and hopefully it's something he takes a lot of confidence from.

Granted his scoring record up to now is far from impressive, but this will also be the first time he's had a consistent run of starts. He's a player I rate massively and would be one of my first name's on the teamsheet.

Ryan Wallace is a talented player. But I've no idea where you actually play him. He just floats about everywhere, which is why he A) Doesn't score much and B) Finds himself out wide or 50 yards deeper than he should be.  He's also not scored very many 'striker's goals' for us (e.g tap ins, headers in the box etc). A fully fit and firing Declan Byrne is an asset - but he appears to be made out crystal. And he has only scored once in the last year now.

[Rover1990]

How is Greg Young getting on for you guys?

[Jan Vojáček]

1 minute ago, Rover1990 said:

How is Greg Young getting on for you guys?

I like him a lot. You can tell he's inexperienced at times, but he looks like a player with quite a high ceiling. And he's been instrumental in our switch to a 3-5-2, he looks like someone who is quite naturally gifted and comfortable with the ball at his feet.

In terms of negatives, he's maybe a bit better going forward than he is defending - which could be exploited at a higher level. And he can get caught out trying to play a risky pass or dribbling in the wrong area at times. But I don't mind that; he's trying to do something positive and that's something you really need from a wing-back. Even if it might cost you a goal occasionally.

Positives wise though there have been plenty. He usually looks keen to take players on (as shown in the highlights of our 4-2 win at Ochilview the other week, where he absolutely rinsed Ross Meechan before putting in the cross that our second goal came from).

I like the way he drives with the ball, I think he's deceptively skilful and is capable of delivering a gorgeous whipped cross. He's maybe just not quite nailed the art of delivering it consistently, but if he could do that then he'd not be kicking about League Two.

If he can keep building on his showings so far (and given he's 20 and had started just nine senior league games before this season I suspect he will) then I don't think it'll be too long before he's back in full-time football. It might be a season with us, then a jump to someone like Alloa and then a jump back up to full-time, but he's very much got time on his side in that regard.

Lovely kid too. I spoke to him on the day he signed and took to him right away. If I was old enough to have a daughter in her early 20s then I think he'd make a really pleasant son-in-law.

[Rover1990]

45 minutes ago, Jan Vojáček said:

I like him a lot. You can tell he's inexperienced at times, but he looks like a player with quite a high ceiling. And he's been instrumental in our switch to a 3-5-2, he looks like someone who is quite naturally gifted and comfortable with the ball at his feet.

In terms of negatives, he's maybe a bit better going forward than he is defending - which could be exploited at a higher level. And he can get caught out trying to play a risky pass or dribbling in the wrong area at times. But I don't mind that; he's trying to do something positive and that's something you really need from a wing-back. Even if it might cost you a goal occasionally.

Positives wise though there have been plenty. He usually looks keen to take players on (as shown in the highlights of our 4-2 win at Ochilview the other week, where he absolutely rinsed Ross Meechan before putting in the cross that our second goal came from).

I like the way he drives with the ball, I think he's deceptively skilful and is capable of delivering a gorgeous whipped cross. He's maybe just not quite nailed the art of delivering it consistently, but if he could do that then he'd not be kicking about League Two.

If he can keep building on his showings so far (and given he's 20 and had started just nine senior league games before this season I suspect he will) then I don't think it'll be too long before he's back in full-time football. It might be a season with us, then a jump to someone like Alloa and then a jump back up to full-time, but he's very much got time on his side in that regard.

Lovely kid too. I spoke to him on the day he signed and took to him right away. If I was old enough to have a daughter in her early 20s then I think he'd make a really pleasant son-in-law.

I was hoping we would of kept him and loaned him out as I think hes got a high ceiling as well.  We have recently just signed a promising young left back so maybe that was the thought process in letting Young go.  Wouldn't be surprised to see him playing against us in a couple years though glad he got a chance in the professional game.

[BallochSonsFan]

Wylde away. Contract terminated by mutual consent.

Wish him all the best for the future. Doesnt chance my view that he should never have been given a contract extension, but thats on the club and not the player. Hope he finds a team that'll give him the games he wants at this stage of his career and that he can enjoy his football.

[Bring Back Paddy Flannery]

The decision to keep Gregg Wylde was absolutely mind boggling. 

[The Moonster]

Bye!

[squeezebox-son]

2 minutes ago, Bring Back Paddy Flannery said:

The decision to keep Gregg Wylde was absolutely mind boggling. 

Said basically this exact statement when I read the post. He was the one who always stood out as fairly bizarre choice. I think Faz only signed him in case he couldn't attract the better quality of player, if I'm being honest.