IMMORTAL HOWDEN ENDER

It would not surprise me that Dunc will go for the same starting X1 as Hampden. That has positives, maybes and negatives. Playing the same 5 at the back will provide the stability required and hopefully another shut out. I can see this allowing Harper to be more of a wing back but Kerr is not really that type of player. Anderson and Longstaff ran and ran and tackled and tackled. But they are stuck in the middle of the park and with only Samuel as the forward option. Starting Doran and Billy is risky. Both can produce something different, especially from free kick positions, but they need to support Samuel more. That's why I would play Doran alternating wide right and left. Billy did have a couple of chances at Hampden but I would play him closer to Samuel. As for the Tinkerville Taz then same again please. He will not give the Raif defence any breathing space and he is a cert to win free kicks. And with Billy ploughing likewise for an hour both may get more clear cut opportunities. What we can't allow to happen is giving away an early goal. Raif at home is a far more difficult task than the Spiders away. But I reckon Dunc and his dogs of War will be howling at the end of 90 minutes AND I would take a point if offered now

Anyone thinking about Friday ?

When you are forced to shop at Poundland and the more promising loanees break down then you actually are left with the choice of the duffers on the sale shelves.

Of course I thought he would score and it was an absolute sitter - almost as bad as Lawal - which would have put us in cruise control. I actually thought that Billy would score in the first half as well. We had five at the back - Ridgers and 4 stalwarts + Kerr. We had Anderson and Longstaff battling away in central midfield. And the "problem" was that Doran was playing in a drifting role and played more sideways and backwards passes than anyone else. Billy was in a number 10 role but rarely supported Samuel. Samuel is the blessing. He does the work of two forwards BUT he is NOT a target man. BUT he is our ONLY real attacking option. Doran and Billy were whacked when taken off. I suspect that we will go for the same on Friday as Lawal and Peeps are not really starting options. Only one thing for it which was only too evident yesterday - Dogs of War football.

Sorted

"we never looked likely to score" ?!! - Billy and Lawal missed absolute sitters. Billy missed a clear chance in the first half and we had 2-3 efforts blocked. As I alluded to before Samuel is our ONLY up front option. Billy and Doran were played due to the need for their presence and we went 5 at the back - but still should have won comfortably.

What is happening folks - was Dunc spot on in his summing up ?

Well I wouldn't exactly say that it was comfortable but we looked in control for the most but survived some hairy moments. Rodgers wasn't really tested but that is due to the back four being simply immense. Devine was absolutely outstanding and Boyes, Duffy and Harper were close behind. What a free kick from Harper which turned out to be the winner. Kerr played in a strange position in a cross between a full back and wing back. Anderson outshone Long staff although committment was never in doubt. Disappointed in Doran and Billy and both are past their sell by dates. Billy would have had a comfortable brace in days of you're. Samuel is a McGinn version of a centre forward and sure knows how to win a foul. I have seen all the comments about not going forward enough or shooting enough BUT the ONLY player running the line up front was Samuel. Everybody else goes wide !! We have NOBODY to support Samuel. And don't tell me that Dunc told Lawal to cut the ball back The worst feeling for me is when the chant of we are staying up started with 3-4 minutes to go. But the Dogs of War mentality was clear to see and that was a big, big result. Noticeable that Dunc left the players to take all the acclaim at the end. Another ++ for the big man

I can't remember the last time I felt so nervous going to a game. What should I do ?

Ach - what's the panic - the spondoolicks from the Battery Farm will come through - so we can recharge, flash the cash and bounce around like Duracell bunnies again - heading upwards with Europe as the goal and not trips to Cove and Montrose.

Duffy Dog nets but please tell me we are with the gale now

Drinks are on you ?

Come on peeps - we need to instill a Dogs of War mentality in the stands to supplement the desire and application on the pitch. Dunc can't do it alone.

Dougal is an April Fool

Of course the buck has to be accepted by Dunc and Bollan as with any team. I really don't think that ANY other manager would have done any better. And what a load of ***** that Dunc was responsible for stalwarts leaving. If he keeps us up then it will be miracle in itself. And in regard to my "dogs of war" comment it refers to the term given to the Everton team that remarkably escaped relegation. I am simply saying that it is purely about pride, application and determination and Dunc has that in abundance. His summing ups appear more about detracting any blame from the players and trying to keep momentum and confidence going

Of course I am swayed by the memories of Dunc the toffee and I know that his fighting spirit will never die. I could argue and argue on here but to me this is NOT the team that Dunc wanted it was more about staying within unbelievable budget restrictions. And who do we have to go "direct" FFS ?? We dont play pretty football - we simply do not have any particular individual who can turn a game. Lets face it this team are the worst in our history and our only escape route is the dogs of war mentality.

So I may be biased and protective of a player who was a real club man and a fighter (in many ways!!). He is getting a load of negative flak at the moment but if there was one person that I would pick to be in the trenches with me it is Dunc. He has been up against it from the off. IMHO scapegoated from the off and now taking hits for the bunch of self motivated morons who are the people responsible for bringing this club to its knees. Duncs main problem is that he has nowhere near the quality of players required to bring any footballing system to fruition. We currently have the worst squad of players that we have ever had - a mottley crew of cheap loanees desperate for playing time to progress their own careers. Unfortunately the ones with potential have picked up the injuries. There has been no consistency and I hazard a guess that most fans would have difficulty in picking a first X1. But what Dunc does bring to the party is pure passion and the Dunkirk spirit. The next two games are must wins and if Dunc can instill the passion and drive we will survive. And I am referring to passion and not from a skill or system perspective. Dunc needs to instill a "dogs of war" mentality and the players have to give the fans a degree of hope. So I am predicting six points in the next two games - however accomplished and escaping in 8th place at the end of the season.

Stranger things have happened

Rite enuff

A reborn Caledonian FC