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I've been full of admiration for what JR has achieved since he came back as manager but I think that is a simply appalling interview. For a start, how dare he criticise these young lads for disrespecting the opposition and the fans and being responsible for going out of the cup that, in his words, "we worked so hard last year to win". If he thinks making every effort to win this game was important, then he should have put out his strongest team. If he thinks the team that started on Saturday was his strongest team than how disrespectful is it to make no less than 7 changes. But to add insult to injury, his criticism of the 7 is mostly unjustified and to restrict his comments to the 7 is plain wrong. What about the 4 who also started against Ayr? Of those, only Rooney had a reasonable game. The Par's first goal came from a Trafford error and McKay's foul. The 2nd stemmed from Polworth losing the ball in midfield. Yes we were lethargic in the first half, but no more so than for most of the game against Ayr. Responsibility for that lethargy must lie primarily with the more experienced players who failed to show the necessary leadership on the park. And if some of these young lads were so poor, why then only take one of them off and only make 2 substitutions? He says that White and Welsh were fine and McCart did OK but that there was "... nothing. Nothing" from the others. I guess he was too far away to see just how well Calder did out on the left in the 2nd half. He makes reference to the number of crosses coming in and that some were good, but just who does he think was getting the ball across? The ball boys? To quote from the official match report " Spotting a weakness on the flanks, both Rooney and Calder continued to hit tantalising crosses into the box". And how can John Robertson say White and Welsh were fine and then go on to say it may be a long time before any of the 7 play again? It just doesn't make sense. Unfair criticism of his players in this way is a sure fire way of losing the dressing room. There is only one person responsible for yesterday's defeat and that is John Robertson himself It is John Robertson who should be taking a long hard look at the video of the game before making a few apologies to some of the lads. As I say, I have been a great admirer for what John has achieved here. His comments have often been uncomfortable but honest and fair. That is why I am just so disappointed to hear him making such unjustified criticism of his young players in order to deflect the blame from where it so clearly lies - with himself.

Good question. I think Tremarco is certainly a better defender, but then I don't think full back will be Calder's best position. Calder seems to me to be one of the best, if not the best crosser of a ball we have. I would like to see him play in left midfield. This would allow Tremarco and Calder to vary things on the left side with Tremarco overlapping wide from time to time and Calder dropping back to cover if need be.

Agree almost wholly other than the allegation Trafford was to blame for the first goal. McCart played him in with what used to be called a hospital pass. He was facing his own goal with two Dunfermline players within maybe three yards? I get that we want to play football but there are some scenarios where you need to clear your lines and that for me was one. McCart made me nervous in his first spell with us and has done little to allay any of my fears. He looks assure don th eball until he is pressurised then his distribution is at best average. However, to criticise Calder is bizarre as he was stand out for me - the width he and Walsh created was what led to our attacking spell, albeit with no striker to ban the ball in. Could we not bring back Billy Urq??!!

Personally, I believe that if those banned are prepared to apologise either in writing or, better still, in person to Liam Polworth then the bans should be lifted immediately. The conduct was terrible but we all make mistakes and deserve a second chance. If, on the other hand, they are not prepared to acknowledge that they did wrong and say sorry, then I would have no difficulty with those involved being banned for the rest of the season.

I find it very difficult to comprehend why some supporters think this was a poor call by the management team. Robbo made 7 changes from a team that failed to win against a newly promoted team with 10 men so it is not as if we are flying and have a settled 11. However I feel the changes were more experimental in nature rather than refelective of Saturdays performance. If we had played the same team that started on Saturday, would that have made a difference - probably not? We were ultimately beaten by a penalty that never was and not being clinical enough in front of goal. Im also dismayed at Robbos' misdirected criticisms - the 7 were not the ones that orchestrated this defeat. The first goal , Charlie Trafford lost the ball and McKay conceded the foul for the penalty - both these players played on Saturday. The second goal - Polly lost the ball , Mckay lost his man when ball was played over the top, again both these players started on Saturday. Okay for the second McCart should have hoofed the ball as it was played back across the edge of the 6 yard box as it was only about a foot away from him - maybe he thought he had a defender behind him. In no way was this a breakdown in communication between him and the goalie just a lapse in concentration I think. Its good that some young ones got game time and gained valuable experience and they in no way disgraced themselves. Anyway on a different day we could have had scored 4 or 5. Its early days and far to early to call how our season will go so boys keep the heads up Im sure it will all click in to place.

Been away since early Wednesday so not caught up with the highlights or interview yet. For me, I could clearly see the foul for the penalty was outside the box, but we gave the ball away cheaply for both goals. After Walsh and Oakley came on, we had a very good spell, moving the ball quickly, using the width, making crosses. If we can build on that, things can improve. Calder and Walsh were our stand outs. Polworth and Welsh as our central midfielders would work for me, with Walsh and Calder giving width. Then either two up top, or one with Doran in the hole. I'd stick with two but task Oakley with tracking back. I agree we are not seeing the best of Doran yet. It may be a confidence thing which game time will help. Dunfermline were wasting time and playing for penalties and did very little in the last 30 until we gifted them the late chance that did for us. Very disappointing, and we really should have won. That's two in a row we've failed to put away when on top. We must cure that quickly to stay in the hunt in the league.

Considering what looked like a break down in communication between Hoban and McCart (who was fine) I find this strange though maybe there is more to it than what happened during the 90 minutes such as certain players who have had arguments with Robbo behind the scenes over selection and why they are not getting a start. I believe Robbo is using this to show them 'look' I'm the boss, you need to prove to me that you are good enough to start. It might explain the comments during the post match interview. The more I think about it the more embarrassing this result was as this was almost a Dunfermline U21's side and regardless of all the reasons and excuses this result was unacceptable.

Robbo's criticism of Calder stems from his lack of effort/conviction at the second goal. He was probably knackered after running up and down the left flank in the second half.

Because the stewards are gutless wonders who would run away from a wet paper bag. Unless you put your feet on the seats then they are all over you like flies around the proverbial.

if they don't have a club they ain't earning anything so a lower wage than they were used to is better than zilch.

Yes. And it certainly isn't only some of the young lads who are abusive either.

Billy McKay had three very good seasons from which we were fortunate to benefit. He was distinctly mediocre before that and worse than mediocre since. We need to look forward not backwards.

I agree too that, in the circumstances, John Robertson picked the wrong team for the match and that any criticism of the young players involved should have been done constructively and in private. In public, the manager should have had shoulders broad enough to accept the bulk of the blame himself. However, JR has probably dine more right than wrong in his second spell and I can't think of anybody who is likely to do much better with what we have to work with. Although he has something of a record of walking in such circumstances, I hope and believe that he will stay and try to complete the task of getting us up as difficult as that might be.

I have listened to the interview again and the manager was not happy at all with the attitude of team. I think the three he mentioned of the seven Welsh,White and McCart will certainly feature soon, young Daniel got his start but I think its correct to keep him as an impact player for time being and not put too much presure on him. Reading berween the lines of interview dont think manager was happy with any of the team in the first half at all including the 4 who are regulars. Looks like Welsh , White and possibly McCart are the only ones to have put forward a case for getting a place in starting 11. Lots of people criticising manager for the team selection but that starting eleven in reality should have had enough to beat a young Dunfermline team , just a shame it didnt work out on the night.

Absolutely spot on. This defeat was of Robertsons making, wrong team and wrong tactics. He should have been man enough to admit that he got It wrong and not treated the only cup we had a realistic chance of winning this season, In such a blaźe way.

Calder was not exactly casual. He was exposed firstly by very slack play by the midfield gifting the ball to Dunfermline and making little effort to get the ball back, and secondly by McCart who seemed to let the ball run past him when it looked to me to be the easiest thing in the world to have cut the cross out. Calder was left in the difficult position of knowing that any touch on the ball could have put it in his own net. Calder couldn't quite sort out the mess that his team mates created but at least he tried. To put the blame on him is very harsh indeed.

Think you'll find we have already found our new version of Danny...... Walsh, who has a sweet left foot, driving runs, taking players on.... snuff said.

I hope not on both accounts

Anyone who can fecking hit the target.

Unless it was seeded we would have been drawn with English side Boreham Wood away from home if we managed to defeat Dunfermline. Sadly that’s one great away tie gone for the Away fans this year.

It is all very well giving youth it's chance but as a supporter I object to having to pay so much for entrance to watch a youth team. One begins to wonder should I have really bought a season ticket again ?