Things don't sound so bad when you put it like that.
Although i missed Airdrie, i've been to the other 5 league games (3 decent away performaces and 2 very poor home ones) and still haven't decided if this side is capable of making a challenge. My expectations are not especially high - i'd like to see us finishing in the top 3 and challenging for as long as we are able. The return of Imrie and Odhiambo should make a difference and i see a lot of promise in Cox, Sanchez and Hayes. Butcher deserves a certain amount of respect and understanding for the way he has handled such a massive turnaround in playing staff - it needed doing. However, that's not to say he gets his team selections right. He's stuck with the same midfield 4 since Imrie's injury and whenever i see it emerge from the tunnel i just think - inexperienced, lightweight, tidy enough on the ball bur never going to win a battle of wills. Butcher conceded almost as much in today's P&J:
I think the answer should be obvious then. In the nicest possible way, give a wee rest to the ones who are struggling most (Stratford and Eagle) and bring in a bit of steely experience for the Partick game. If we sort the midfield out and find a bit of home form then i don't think we'll be too far away.
Very good points. The other thing we must remember is the budgetary constraints the club has had to adjust to.