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A must win game Sunday

Not the greatest interview but I believe we should give him a chance to prove he can do the job we expect him to do.

That was grim. Despite a first half that was arguably quite even in terms of chances created as soon as Cove were two goals up the game was over. Duku and Sutherland both passed up decent chances for us with Duku perhaps missing the best opportunity when he rounded the keeper and decided to take about 74 touches in the box before having a shot. Neil and Draper looked quite suspect at times. Unfortunately for us our entire defence looked even worse with Broadfoot and Deas really struggle to understand where one another was. Duffy looked incredibly rusty at RB and was continuously beaten by Leitch down the Cove left side whilst Harper, although reasonable enough getting forward, is a little suspect defensively for me. Wonderful opening goal for the home side. nice little dinked ball over the top of the ICT defence and McIntosh sent a superb curled effort beyond Ridgers into the net. Barely a moment later Cove had a second. Another ball over the top found Megginson and he easily beat Ridgers for number two. With this the game was pretty much over as we struggled to get anything going in the second half. Walsh had the best chance when Duku sped past a Cove defender and cut the ball back from the bye line but Walsh saw his effort blocked and then cleared off the line. Cove's third goal looked, from the opposite end of the pitch, a little similar to the chance Walsh had missed. Bursting run into the box, ball cut back and Yule finished well to wrap things up. Although a penalty from Duku saw us get on the scoresheet it did nothing to mask a pretty desperate performance. I don't particularly care about going out of the League Cup, we have been dreadful in it since this new format was introduced, but I am bothered about the poor performances against Stirling and Cove Rangers. The latter had nothing to play for, only had 14 fit players available and were absolute toilet for their first three games yet they cigared past us no problems. I'm also worried that there were evident problems on the pitch which Dodds did nothing to address. The players still seem to be adjusting tot his 442 / 4411 setup Dodds is trying to implement. Last night we were outnumbered in midfield and struggled in the centre of the pitch for long periods yet nothing was done to change it which was a concern. When we did look threatening it was when we had the ball on the deck and were passing it around but too often we were sending high balls up towards Duku and Sutherland who struggled to control them under pressure from Draper and Neil. It was evident this wasn't working yet it seemed to be our main way to "attack". We need to improve and quickly.

When I played with her she was more of a target in front of me when I played out from the back.

Of course I did ! ! !

Fer fecks sake this is pre-season with a new team, finding out the positives and the negatives. Many are not match fit and need time to suss out who they are playing with and the best system to use. Mind you it is the weather for vultures to circle.

Whilst I remain firmly in the give him a chance camp, if we have been neglecting the defence to concentrate on the midfield and attack, it's even more of a concern that it took until injury time to get a goal from only our second shot on target against part time Cove.

Cove have also been hit hard. Our annual lethargic start to the season is not Covid related but points to a continued issue that we seem to happen under different regimes and different management. I don't really care hugely about this cup itself but the manner in which we've been bested twice by part timers leagues below us is a huge concern not just the result but the manner of defeat/draw. Also Dodds was appointed over 8 weeks ago but hasn't worked on the back 4? Wot.

I agree.I am as unhappy as anyone else and I agree that there is a great deal to be concerned about. However, we are talking about two poor performances, albeit abysmal poor, It is far to early to be calling for a newly appointed head coach to be dismissed or to be condemning two experienced professionals who have signed for the club before the, all important, league campaign begins. There needs to be vast improvement and it needs to be very soon but, especially with fans back in the ground, there needs to be support for the team too. Dodds has indeed much to prove after those two shocking displays but give him a little bit of space and a little bit of time to do so.

Look out - here I come . . .

The League Cup is a competition we should have a chance of going deep into, but this is embarrassing. I say it every year but an unambitious pre-season of mainly doling out beatings to HL teams disnae prepare us for the hard stuff.

Hmm. I think I'd rather have played Covid Rangers and lost 3-0.

Airdrie’s away kit

Mr Dodds isn't selling it to me. I didn't see any of our three cup ties so I can't really judge, however, reading tweets and reports from those that were there (or watching on live feeds) I'd say we're shite just now. Can we beat Hearts in front of telly box audience? Based on current form - absolutely no chance. so, ICT, prove me wrong. Worried from Coventry Nil

Perhaps Dodds was suggesting that the defensive side of the business is more in the realms of Broadfoot ?