RiG

Given that would make it 6 games without a win I think that would make it pretty obvious how we are coping right now.

There's definitely been a shift in mood over the last few weeks. It's weird to think that so many people are unhappy given that we aren't that far off a play off position (at least). For me though I am very concerned about the performances of late and issues off the pitch. You could argue Dodds has some kind of get out with recent injuries but I feel we've been playing really poorly for a long time now even before we started losing players to injury. It's been a tough watch even with results being not too bad a month or so ago. But it's a hard push to say what we've seen is entertaining which is why a lot of people like to go to a game. Off the pitch rumours swirl about altercations in the dressing room, players wanting to leave, jobs for the boys, the concert fiasco...it's all a bit grim really.

We were dreadful for long periods. Absolutely nothing going on in the final third of the pitch. Too often we tried to force balls wide towards Shaw and Doran instead of trying to patiently work the ball forward. When we did this in the second half it coincided with our best spell of the game. Then Carson's error let Arbroath back in and we resorted back to route one with Dodds also taking off Oakley (makes sense) and we were second best thereafter. Arbroath could easily have won it. Delaney looked good, Shaw had a good game and Mckay worked his socks off as usual. Beyond that though...

Highlight of the game was Mason Hancock getting booed after he was announced as Matt Hancock.

The fixtures for the various leagues have been out for around 4 months. It would be extremely naïve for three clubs involved in a ground sharing agreement not to be looking ahead at possible fixture clashes especially Queens Park who (apparently) agreed to groundshare at Ochilview after there was already an agreement in place between Stenny and Syngenta. This is a good summary of the farcical situation that QP have left themselves and supporters in: https://doingthe42.co.uk/?p=133

How are they solely at fault? This clash has been known about for months and yet not one of the clubs or league organisers have done anything about it. Incredibly hard to blame just one party here. It's a cumulative cock up from all involved.

Stenny are away that day. Syngenta are playing at home on the 12th.

Third time already this season that we've conceded 4 goals in a game.

I doubt it's going to create one.

The biggest battle of the evening looks like it'll be the Sportscene presenters v the Morton PA system.

If that is the case it's pretty ironic given Dodds and his apparent love of hoofball.

Didn't Dodds drop Ridgers for a few games last season after a wee falling out?

Depending on the severity of the break and the length of any rehab might we see Deas play for us again?

Accies were the side we took the fewest points from last season IIRC. Need to turn that around given our likely respective battles this season.

Dreadful game and a very poor attacking performance from us but with so many players out perhaps that was to be expected. Boyd did well to follow up and bag his goal from close range but apart from an effort in the second half from the same player and maybe Mckay I can't think of much we did of any note in that game. Cove had a lot of the ball and created some decent looking chances at times but nothing too threatening. Ridgers had to make one or two good saves but was largely untroubled. Appalling refereeing performance. Highlight was Logan giving it big licks to a small handful of ICT fans after Cove "scored" only for the goal to be chalked off and him left to look a massive throbber. Pleasing.

We're recording a pod after the game tomorrow night and Ross Tokely will feature again. Get some questions in for the big man!

Seems like anytime a thread like this appears we seem to go on an improved run to turn things around a bit.

Close the whole stadium and tell folk to watch the game from the A9.

I saw some comments about Main Stand ticket holders being able to reserve their seats but that link above posted by @Robert doesn't seem to suggest that is the case. Has it been updated or have I missed something? I don't mind folk being put into the Main Stand really. I doubt there will even been reason to open the South Stand either given how few people will likely attend this one.

Off to Brechin...

I can see now why Rovers fans were so pessimistic despite our rotten form. Apart from the first 15 - 20 minutes were they looked lively and we lacked any composure at the back, they were rotten. Gullan was their only real threat before he went off injured and after that I felt we were the better team overall and deserved the win. Odd line up with Harper seemingly playing as a CM but then it became clear that was actually playing further forward behind Oakley. He didn't look like a complete fish out of water but it's hard to say he excelled there. Boyd also looked pretty lost for most of the game but on the positive side Devine and Delaney were solid at the back. The former seldom lost an aerial dual and Delaney timed his challenges very well and broke up a number of Rovers attacks down his side. He looked comfortable stepping out of defence with the ball at his feet as well. Probably my MotM. Best chances for Raith were probably the cracking volley from the aforementioned Gullan that drifted just wide and a curling effort that Ridgers superbly turned round the post. Great run by MacKay for the penalty. He had Kevin McKidd on toast for most of that game so it wasn't much of a surprise to see him be beaten yet again and having to scythe MacKay down. Nicely taken by Allardice. Bit of fortune with the second goal. After a comedy clearance by Carson, a Raith throw in ended up with MacKay and as he controlled the ball he did so with his arm as he broke down the right side. Undeterred he sent in a fine low cross which found Mckay in acres of space and he steadied himself before coolly slotting past Scottish Cup hero Jamie MacDonald. Given our patched up starting XI and recent performances it was a cracking result but we still look poor in places and whilst it was good to get a win we will need to seriously improve against Hamilton next week if we want to take 3 points there.

Is that 4 penalties conceded in the last 3 games? And Duffy at RB? F'ck me.

That 03/04 side would throw our current line up around like an empty tracksuit.

What about this one...