Edinburgh University

[Voice of Reason]

56 minutes ago, Footballfirst said:

I paid a visit to East Peffermill to take in the first relegation 6 pointer.  The first half was pretty poor TBH with both sides unable to retain possession. As a result, chances were few and far between.

The second half was a different story. The Uni side dominated from the off and missed a couple of decent chances before going ahead. Another great chance was missed before the Uni added a second and looked to be in control.

However a penalty was conceded shortly thereafter and Gretna sensed they could get something out the game. An equaliser duly followed as Gretna now looked favourites.  

Late in the game action switched to the other end as the Uni were awarded a penalty, which was saved, but the ref ordered a retake which was converted.  Gretna was clearly unhappy and one of their players was shown a red card in the aftermath.

All to play for now, as Gretna drop to the bottom of the league.

Very good summary of a game between two teams very low on self-belief. University managed to build a good 2-0 lead and then blew it, as they have done so often this year. An unnecessary penalty given away - at least the keeper wasn't sent off because it was a million miles from being a goal-scoring opportunity - and then hesitant defending allowed Gretna to equalise. At 2-2 everyone expected the University to lose a late goal as they have done so often this season. Gretna defending became a bit desperate and University squandered a free-kick just outside the box. The next challenge was in the box but, it being Edinburgh University, they managed to hit a soft penalty that was saved easily. Enter an Assistant Referee eager to prove that VAR was unnecessary. Difficult to tell if the keeper was off the line from 50 yards away but it looked like a good save. The keeper was of the same opinion and got booked for expressing it. Uni managed to score the re-take and the keeper got sent off for giving the referee some further advice. Kudos to the stand-in keeper who had a couple of good stops. University managed somehow to change their habits and snatch victory from the jaws of defeat. Gretna will head back south feeling that "we's wuz robbed". 

Not a thing of beauty but hopefully Uni will now gain some confidence and start moving up the table. 

[lowenan]

Bottom of the table again. Going to be a long season this.

[Wee Smiler]

On 04/11/2023 at 17:17, lowenan said:

Bottom of the table again. Going to be a long season this.

Can't disagree. Unlikely to get anything today but you always have your fingers crossed.

[Voice of Reason]

6 hours ago, Wee Smiler said:

Can't disagree. Unlikely to get anything today but you always have your fingers crossed.

In many ways it was an enjoyable match today - even if your are a Uni supporter. The home team played well but, as usual, caused their own problems. The Hearts players were well organised, sharp, fast and hard working. Most weeks the Uni would have got away with taking one touch too many but Hearts punished errors ruthlessly. A daft two minutes in the first half saw the Uni go two down and there was no way back. Kudos to substitute keeper Smith Samuel who can on for the injured Lewis Gallacher mid-way through the second half and had some cracking saves. 

[Footballfirst]

59 minutes ago, Voice of Reason said:

 Kudos to substitute keeper Smith Samuel who can on for the injured Lewis Gallacher mid-way through the second half and had some cracking saves. 

His penalty save and tip over the top from a Sandilands strike heading for the postage stamp were excellent.

[Voice of Reason]

Edinburgh University fielded a changed team with a few unfamiliar faces. This is not unusual during the University holidays and is something that the University need to get sorted if they are to continue to play in the professional game. Tranent were competent and well-organised in contrast to the University, who specialised in self-inflicted injuries. To add to their problems, the University had Ben Mail sent off and Luke Murray injured which could make Tuesday's match against University of Stirling even more difficult.

[Voice of Reason]

The University usually struggles before the start of the academic year and during the Christmas break. Playing a top team during these times is always challenging but this evening was just painful. They need to sort this if they want to have any credibility in the SLFL. Other Universities have programmes to address this but there is no evidence that Edinburgh University has the ambition to progress in the professional game. (I'm referring to the University, not the football club who are a dedicated group of players and coaches with the odds stacked against them.) They have very little time to sort this out if they want to survive. Otherwise, they might be better playing at a level when there is at least as good a chance of winning as losing.

[Dicko23]

7 hours ago, Voice of Reason said:

The University usually struggles before the start of the academic year and during the Christmas break. Playing a top team during these times is always challenging but this evening was just painful. They need to sort this if they want to have any credibility in the SLFL. Other Universities have programmes to address this but there is no evidence that Edinburgh University has the ambition to progress in the professional game. (I'm referring to the University, not the football club who are a dedicated group of players and coaches with the odds stacked against them.) They have very little time to sort this out if they want to survive. Otherwise, they might be better playing at a level when there is at least as good a chance of winning as losing.

Think they might be at a new level next season very soon. 

I do wonder though basing only what I have seen of them. Is the EoS Prem still a bit high? 

How many who played last night might not have played had it been played in 2 weeks time?

[Brazilianlex]

9 hours ago, Voice of Reason said:

The University usually struggles before the start of the academic year and during the Christmas break. Playing a top team during these times is always challenging but this evening was just painful. They need to sort this if they want to have any credibility in the SLFL. Other Universities have programmes to address this but there is no evidence that Edinburgh University has the ambition to progress in the professional game. (I'm referring to the University, not the football club who are a dedicated group of players and coaches with the odds stacked against them.) They have very little time to sort this out if they want to survive. Otherwise, they might be better playing at a level when there is at least as good a chance of winning as losing.

If Celtic B can get a postponement due to lack of players in international break, why can’t Edin Uni do the same for Xmas break ?

 

[parsforlife]

9 hours ago, Brazilianlex said:

If Celtic B can get a postponement due to lack of players in international break, why can’t Edin Uni do the same for Xmas break ?

 

I think you know the answer but its due to B teams being given special treatment. 

[Spyro]

9 hours ago, Brazilianlex said:

If Celtic B can get a postponement due to lack of players in international break, why can’t Edin Uni do the same for Xmas break ?

 

Now now! Edinburgh Uni need to know there place in Scottish football. Only certain clubs are allowed to control matters

[Voice of Reason]

17 minutes ago, Spyro said:

Now now! Edinburgh Uni need to know there place in Scottish football. Only certain clubs are allowed to control matters

Fair point. Edinburgh University joined the SFA in 1878 so we must respect the new kids on the block.

[Voice of Reason]

The midweek result for Gretna 2008 against Celtic midweek gave Edinburgh University some home and it was a relatively equal game overall. Having said that, the difference between professional players and students was obvious. It will have been a good learning experience for the University players but they need to start picking up points urgently if they have any hope of remaining in the Lowland League. The coaches, players and committee at the Uni are doing their best but they need the Sports Union to equal their commitment.

[Grandmas Enigma]

1 hour ago, Voice of Reason said:

The midweek result for Gretna 2008 against Celtic midweek gave Edinburgh University some home and it was a relatively equal game overall. Having said that, the difference between professional players and students was obvious. It will have been a good learning experience for the University players but they need to start picking up points urgently if they have any hope of remaining in the Lowland League. The coaches, players and committee at the Uni are doing their best but they need the Sports Union to equal their commitment.

What are the students learning as looking at the league table the results have been consistently poor? 

[Voice of Reason]

19 minutes ago, Grandmas Enigma said:

What are the students learning as looking at the league table the results have been consistently poor? 

They are having the experience of matching themselves against full-time professionals some of whom may progress to become international players. Of course, results are important and University teams have progressed in the professional game in other countries but it is becoming increasingly difficult to retain Lowland League status as other clubs become stronger and Edinburgh University's support for the ream remains underwhelming.

[Grandmas Enigma]

8 minutes ago, Voice of Reason said:

They are having the experience of matching themselves against full-time professionals some of whom may progress to become international players. Of course, results are important and University teams have progressed in the professional game in other countries but it is becoming increasingly difficult to retain Lowland League status as other clubs become stronger and Edinburgh University's support for the ream remains underwhelming.

They only play the ‘b’ sides 4 times (fortunately) and the rest of the teams in the league aren’t full time. Is the club not part of the sports union already? I thought all university sports teams are. What are you suggesting the sports union does to improve results?

[Voice of Reason]

13 minutes ago, Grandmas Enigma said:

They only play the ‘b’ sides 4 times (fortunately) and the rest of the teams in the league aren’t full time. Is the club not part of the sports union already? I thought all university sports teams are. What are you suggesting the sports union does to improve results?

Think about kids that are promising athletes and academically talented. Universities used to be able to offer opportunities to excel in both areas. Now they have to choose between studying or being a professional sportsman. What is wrong with trying to give them the opportunity to play at a professional level within the University? I think that is something worth trying to preserve (but we need to results on the park).

[Grandmas Enigma]

1 minute ago, Voice of Reason said:

Think about kids that are promising athletes and academically talented. Universities used to be able to offer opportunities to excel in both areas. Now they have to choose between studying or being a professional sportsman. What is wrong with trying to give them the opportunity to play at a professional level within the University? I think that is something worth trying to preserve (but we need to results on the park).

But it looks like they are doing that already playing in the SLFL and I’m assuming studying too? Albeit without good results. It’s not clear what you think the team, sports union or both should do differently? From the outside it looks like the club are out of their depth - although EoS wont be any easier. Every team will find their level in the pyramid over time. If the university get relegated then that’s their level. Look at Cowdenbeath, East Stirlingshire, Berwick Rangers, Albion rovers all down from league two and miles away from going back up. 

[Burnieman]

University sides are a bit of an anachronism at his level.   Edinburgh Uni will eventually settle at a level largely occupied by Heriot Watt currently, if not next season then very soon.  Stirling I guess are a little different as they're more of a sport orientated Uni and their squad sit somewhere between full-time and part-time?  They're good enough to bounce around tiers 5 and 6.

[Voice of Reason]

11 minutes ago, Burnieman said:

University sides are a bit of an anachronism at his level.   Edinburgh Uni will eventually settle at a level largely occupied by Heriot Watt currently, if not next season then very soon.  Stirling I guess are a little different as they're more of a sport orientated Uni and their squad sit somewhere between full-time and part-time?  They're good enough to bounce around tiers 5 and 6.

That is a good analysis of the situation. As things stand, Edinburgh University are probably performing at around tier 6/7 level. University of Stirling and Heriot-Watt university have different funding models and I can see Stirling competing at Tier 5 and Heriot-Watt aspiring to Tier 6. I tried to get evidence from the Edinburgh University page promoting performance sports but get a message - "this page does not exist". Sad, but probably a good reflection of the current mood.