IMMORTAL HOWDEN ENDER

Here is one for the oldies:

I would have taken 4 points from 6 and 2 clean sheets from the opening 2 games.

https://youtu.be/8Rc-mXIEf0g

Premonition - 1-0 - Hercher (Daniel Mackay)

Far, far, far too young - RIP Herchie and thoughts to the family.

Not with the transfer deadline and Ayr cant ignore the spondoolachs on offer.

Always had a soft spot for Ayr, apart from the damp in the brick walls of the Away end toilet. I predicted 7 points from 9 from the first three games. That now includes an extra 2 from Falkirk but I also suspect that Ayr will provide us with problems, especially if Shankland stays (I will leave that subject to the separate thread). Will Robbo stick to his usual pattern and not change a winning team. I suspect that he may well do although the fitness of Welsh may be a determining factor. I still have doubts about Rooney and Brad and I would go as far as saying that the clean sheet last Saturday was down to Ridgers, Donaldson and Tremarco. Oakley played for his place at Falkirk and was far more effective than Austin. But we need to build up a partnership and I suspect that those two will start again. It is the midfield system and shape that worries me. Will Doran return now that there is a grass surface ? If not who is the playmaker ? Shall we keep playing Polly out wide ? Are Trafford and Chalmers the answer to the defence minded pairing ? Well I would go Doran - Polly - Welsh - Walsh. My only worry would be whether Polly has the discipline not to wander but it is better than wasting him. Welsh is experienced enuff to cover and sit in the hole - I don't think either Chalmers or Trafford have the nous to do that. But Robbo may well go same again.

I don't expect Shankland to be still with Ayr at the weekend. I can only see Dundee lifting their offer. That would be a bonus but we then will have to deal with Crawford, Murdoch and Kerr. Ayr are apparently playing with freedom at the moment, new boys with confidence and in a bit of a "no lose" situation.

Feck me - were you sitting in direct sunlight ? ?

You are being far too nice Mary. Are you not feeling smug mun this morning ? By the way BBC website says that Falkirk had 6 shots and 1 on target. Felt like 66 !! Another fine away day with fine company and fine craic.

BBC Website says that Falkirk had 6 shots and only 1 on target. It felt more like 66 feckin shots. Or perhaps that is what I drank on the way home ?

And the "Man / Boy of the Day" goes to the 18 year old barman in Sportsters.

Didn't bring the picture up just becos I liked it but what a chant yesterday and first time in my life that I have joined in to a Jaggie orientated chant - Pointing at the Bairns fans and singing "When the Jags went up to lift the Scottish Cup YOU were there"

Well I don't think that I could actually go better than RIG's summary but I will add my own wee Smileymometer: IDGERS  Never actually looked troubled, went for most crosses and evidently promotes confidence in front of him. ROONEY ? Wow does this lad have potential but he is a Jekyll and feckin Hyde. 80% positive but he has the same reaction at times as my grandson has to a feckin Slush Puppie. McKAY ? Protected more by Donaldson. Did nothing wrong but still worries me. DONALDSON ? MOM TREMARCO "You will never get past Tremarco" - enuff said. POLWORTH ? Totally wasted IMHO playing wide. Lets give him the playmaker role. CHALMERS ? Welsh is the better option but he always competes. TRAFFORD ? Works hard but suspect that he may make way for Welsh and Doran. WALSH Looks class. Hope that he shows that more at home games. AUSTIN ? Should have finished it at 2-0. Not at his best but has potential.  OAKLEY ? Worked and worked and played for the shirt - RESPECT

Kant and Pumbaa ?

Well we rode our luck today. Funnily enuff it could have been 3-0 in the end. Disappointing performance but will take the three points. It was a 4-4-2 formation. Will post a report later but Donaldson was superb, Ridgers was solid and Oakley was also impressive up front. The swirling wind may have had an effect but the second half was backs to the wall and far too much hoofing. Gawd do we need a midfield general. Reckon we would have murdered them if Vigurs was playing. Three points and a clean sheet will do nicely. Wonder how many attempts on goal by Falkirk went off target ?

What is the circumference of the Bouncy Castle ?

All is not lost though and even the biggest blooper needn’t spell the end of your dealings. We asked Media Career Coach Joanne Mallon for 6 easy yet effective ways to deliver bad news in the most professional, assertive and proactive way possible to boost your problem solving skills and ensure it just poses a momentary blip in an otherwise smooth-running partnership. 1. Put your best foot forward first "Always lead with something positive, no matter how small. Try using the formula ‘Fortunately X...but unfortunately Y.’" 2. Offer solutions "Before you call the client, think of at least two possible solutions to the problem you are going to tell them about. Brainstorm with colleagues before you call to get some fresh ideas." 3. Sh*t happens... "The **** Sandwich technique is also useful, where you sandwich bad news between two pieces of good news." 4. Be clear and concise "Be factual and don’t ramble on or over-explain. Tell the client and then wait for them to ask questions. What might be bad news to you may not be received as badly as you think." 5. Don’t play the blame game "Keep your language impersonal – ‘X happened’ rather than ‘You did X’ so it doesn’t look like you are blaming the client (even if by implication you may be if the bad news is as a result of something the client has done...)" 6. Keep perspective "Remember that the bad news may not necessarily put the client off working with you – they may be impressed at how you handle a tough situation."

This is where we could actually end up BUT lets hope that we get a few points under the belt tomorrow first - What watering hole ?

Fecks sake Mary - Bouncy castles, food outlets, car parking and clean, accessible toilets are more important than an entertaining team and Championship points.

Never mind that what feckin number is he ?

See you on there then - Bouncy, Bouncy ?

Boring **** - Not slow to give your opinions off the pitch so feckin beef up mun ?

Butt is he fit enuff. Should we chuck him in head first ? Robbo usually does not do reactive changes unfortunately. I suspect that there will be few changes. Perhaps the only one to miss out will be Trafford.