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Showing content with the highest reputation on 10/26/2014 in all areas

  1. The scoreline flattered Dundee United. Apart from a brief opening salvo from them, which led to Erskine hitting the post, they looked disjointed and created very little. That was mostly down to our midfield. Draper's muscle and Vincent's tremendous industry meant we had control of the middle of the pitch all day long, and that meant that Tansey could spray passes to his heart's content. The three of them were absolutely brilliant. Huge credit to the boss today, who tinkered with the tactics. Watkins played so far forward that he was effectively alongside Mckay. The midfield was so narrow that often it looked like a diamond, with Draper at the back and Vincent at the front - and it worked because Hughes knew United's full-backs would be rubbish going forward. It was amusing how we kept goading them to pass to Sean Dillon, safe in the knowledge that he wouldn't threaten us. In contrast, Raven and Shinnie were great going forward, particularly the latter. Given that Meekings hit the post, and that Mckay, Watkins and Vincent all wasted one on ones, we should have thumped them. A great effort.
  2. 2 points
    Remember in 2012-13, Mckay was dropped early on in the season, with Foran taking his place up front. When Mckay eventually won his place back, he was on fire for the next year or so and showed the hunger and prowess we all know he has. Mckay looks frustrated and bereft of confidence. Let's see what Sekajja can do and see if that spurs Mckay on to win his place back. It worked last time around and no player should be immune from being dropped. It could do him the world of good.
  3. That was a really good team performance. After a bit of a tentative start we got the goal when Utd looked the more likely. After that we played far more confidently and dominated the game. What was most pleasing was the work rate and the way we won the ball in all areas of the park. Utd have good attacking players but they were not allowed time on the ball and time and time again their attacks were snuffed out before they had really begun. The only downside is that our superiority in midfield really should have resulted in a bigger margin of victory. The lesson to take from this (and other games) is that we need to take the game to the opposition early and press them hard - play the game in the opposition half. Sitting back, focusing on keeping possession and being patient only puts pressure on us, particularly when we are not scoring freely. Difficult to pick out standout players as it was a good all round team performance. Watkins and the midfield all good, but for me Graeme Shinnie edged it. He was solid at the back but was also very effective going forward. He led the team by example today. Whilst on the subject of Shinnie, I wonder what his brother must be thinking? Sitting on the bench at St Andrew's watching his team slip into the Championship by getting thrashed 8 - 0 whilst the team he left go joint top of the Scottish Premiership.
  4. James Vincent what a game. Like he's being play week in week out 10/10
  5. 1 point
    We really should not be scared of this as Cellic are dodgy at home if they do not score early doors. But Yogi has got the tactics ALL wrong on the last couple of visits. Butcher got it feckin right fer once. Play in the same manner as we did at Midden please. But more importantly - Who is going and where is the pre match watering hole ?
  6. As others have said, credit where it is due. I always felt he'd be a better manager with a pre-season behind him and there are certainly aspects to his managerial style that are better than Butcher (who I always thought was rather overrated and not the untouchable genius some people made him out to be). He seems to be a bit more tactically flexible and seems to have more plans about certain scenarios and things like that. The players also seem far fitter under him. I do wish though that he wouldn't be so conservative for some matches and believed in his players' ability a bit more. The cup final and the Rangers games were classic examples of this. Taking the game to two teams who were no great shakes, could have seen a very different outcome. We don't ever need to "take the sting out of the game" in some matches, we need to grab hold of the game and inflict our style of play onto people in every game. Bar none.
  7. Here's the news. At the first time of asking, John Hughes has given us our best ever start to a top flight campaign! Having played every team once, we have 23 points, one more than last year under "Sir" Terry. In both seasons, the GD at this stage is +7, but last year we had scored and conceded 3 more goals. Two points of note compared to last season: 1) we've achieved this without our captain and (so often) inspirational leader on the pitch. 2) this time last year Billy Mckay had notched 9 goals. This season he has the same tally as the Hibs goalkeeper. On the negative side, this season we were knocked out of the League Cup at the first hurdle, going out tamely to a lower league side. Note also that last year we went on to win all of our games in November. All in all though we are currently in a far better position than most of us would have expected. Well done Yogi, credit where it's due.
  8. 1 point
    Yeah I think the atmosphere has dropped alot considering the on field performances have been good!
  9. Whilst earning four times his brother's income. As far as the game is concerned, we played well in a difficult swirling wind but should have put the game to bed well before the end. A sharp and confident Billy would have put away at least two of the gilt edged chances he had yesterday. I wonder if a rest from the first team and a couple of games restoring his confidence and his regaining his scoring boots in the Development League would benefit both him and the team in the long term. I thought Marley was outstanding yesterday.
  10. I am not the biggest fan of Hughes, but I have to concede, we are where we are through hard work an effort from management and players. I have been at all home and some away games this season and have seen a steady improvement. I thought yesterday was a solid, professional performance and we were the better team by some margin. I was a Yogi doubter, but may have to admit he and the boys are doing something right.
  11. The whole team performed well and gave the most solid and consistent dispIay at home this season. There were a number of players who gave man of the match performances in addition to Watkins such as Tansey, Shinnie and Raven etc. The defence were really effective in shutting down United and the midfield controlled much of the play. A big 3 points and a nice way to finish the first quarter of games.
  12. 1 point
    I think Billy should be rested. He needs a break. He needs a focus. Christie needs time out too. Bring back Aaron and play Marley through the middle. Both Billy and Ryan from the bench offer opportunities if we can prevent Celtic racking up 5 quick goals!! We all remember how Denzil responded to being dropped. Billy would have massive hunger if he came on for 30 minutes and the scores were level.
  13. Another great performance and 3 points after the first 10 minutes despite all the fouls by united! Must have been our best home game since Hughes took over as my son did not stand up and shout at him throughout the game
  14. Yes, I'm inclined to agree with ICTRoughi. One goal in 11 starts is not just a slump in form, it indicates to me that his confidence is completely shot away. Would resting him help him get it back? I rather doubt it, but at the end of the day, we need someone scoring up front, so I say give Sekajja a chance for a couple of games to see what he can do.
  15. It's clear for all to see how good a footballer Vincent is when he is played in the right position. He was MOM today
  16. I thought today we controlled the game very well and reaped the rewards for it. I personally thought due to the amount of chances we created, we should have won the game more comfortably than we did. I felt that playing two up top was far more effective than Mckay up solo which Watkins played a blinder with today and scored another decent goal. I felt Vincent coming into a central role again was played very well, far more better than him being stuck on the wings - he looked more comfortable with the ball today. I felt sorry for Billy Mckay today and some of the chances he had today he just squandered. Today was a game where I actually felt where he was getting service and he made great movement but his end product just isn't here at the moment. I'd be inclined to drop him next weekend regardless of Celtic being the opposition. - 1 goal in the 11 league games for him isn't the best. I was a bit disappointed that Sekajja didn't feature today and we went for Nick Ross up front - didn't understand that one in all honesty. Anyways, 3 massive points and joint top of the table - couldn't ask for anymore at this stage!
  17. 1 point
    Welcome Ibra...now a proper (almost) connection between my two clubs.....below is an extract from a club forum when he signed a two year deal in 2011 "Sekajja, 18, scored on his first team debut as a late sub last month, finding the net to equalise at Hull City which ensured Palace's Championship safety. The striker, who had already agreed a one-year deal in March, has been with Palace for seven years and has been rewarded for a superb season with the U18 side where he scored 24 goals. Palace boss Dougie Freedman told the official website: "I can remember when he was in my office and I told him that he would be one of the players who would be given a professional deal, there was a tear in his eye as my explanation was sinking in. "He has been with us for years, I remember coaching him when he was 13. We don't just pick these kids up from anywhere - we get them when they are young and work hard to develop them. That's the way we work at Crystal Palace." Hopefully he will find his feet at ICT and earn a longer contract...there were a few people down here who saw him play in the U21/friendlies who saw alot of potential...but in a side that was going for promotion to the EPL , he wasn't going to get too many chances when we had Zaha and Glenn Murray..he was released by Palace in May of this year....fingers crossed
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