Stirling Observer

The club was born from fans of either side, over time some others have come along. However the number has stagnated. There will be young fans who are pure ICT without following another other club and now hopefully they will reproduce to bring the next generation along. We can't rely on solely sperm and eggs in this situation. The club needs to batter the city with propaganda. Get the social media right, be in people's faces every day, I am in Kirkcaldy and have pals who are Raith fans and they are constantly sharing stuff from the club. I know more about what's happening at Starks park than my own team. Batter the schools and local football clubs with offers of tickets and players. Players should be out and about constantly at assemblies and gym sessions. Connect the club with the city and there will be a change. We can't just wait for fans to arrive. We need to connect with the city first. It won't require lots of money. Seats are empty, social media is a low cost way of advertising and players have plenty down time over the week. Time for excuses about merger and the city not being behind us are done. Let's get it done. Awooga

Entertaining game for one we didn't manage to score. Took a while to settle to the diamond midfield and Utd could have been out of sight. Gradually worked our way into the game and were arguably on top despite not creating much. 

Second half was really open and end to end. They were on top for a spell when they won the pen. I would have said it was a fair award. Coll lunged in to block the shot but took the players legs before the ball. Mchattie took an awful touch to draw pawlett into a rash challenge for his second booking. This killed the game as our lack of creativity against there solid unit meant the classic sit deep and let us punt it. Colls last second deflected shot was the closest I think we got. 

Draw might have been fairer but safranko did miss a great chance late on. 

If that is their starting 11 on Sunday we should hold no fear. They are a solid unit but hopefully tremarco, mccart, doran and another winger return so we can play 4-5-1 again. 

Tonight they targeted Rooney and got a lot of joy down his side. Thought Welsh was mom. Most played well I thought. 

Think I heard we have played enough rounds for the bookings not to carry over this time. Can't confirm though. 

Oh my. That was tense but the relief is so great. Love this club to bits. Hats off to the players. Same again next round!

Believe radio Scotland has commentary of the game. No TV this time round. Need to progress to get back on the auld box

Thing is. Whilst playoffs keep the league interesting, they are disproportionate to the league. You can essentially be a mid table team, miles of the pace and feel like you are in a with a chance of promotion. We almost made playoffs last season after a horrendous start. Half expecting Falkirk or partick to do the same. Essentially we need to tailor our expectations until we improve the squad. Accept we are mid table with no devine right to beat anyone whilst capable of getting results against the top sides occasionally.

With such a tight squad. Injuries to a 3rd of our first team starters is bound to have an impact. Ayr seemed a bit of a freak result due to a crazy 15 min spell. I wouldn't expect results to improve until these injured players start to return. We are a mid table team this season. Let's start accepting it.

Double change for Ayr. Shankland and Higgins on

Like I said, pivotal.

Feeling like this could be a pivotal game in our season.

Robbo mentioned it in his post match interview on cjtv. Coll out for 4 weeks. Walsh 6. Two key players. Hopefully we can strengthen with a couple of quality loan signings to keep us going til the end of the season.

Last weekends result was highly frustrating due to the nature of the results around us as well as throwing away the lead at home. This time we got the job done and most other results went our way. If we can get three wins from the next 3 games, the last few months will be full of interest. 

I liked him. Was he not 6 goals from 12. Gregor get the stats out 

We started the season 4-4-2 and it was largely unsuccessful. Our better performances and results came when we were 4-5-1/4-2-3-1 whatever you want to call it. The issue is CM, Chalmers nor Trafford are strong enough to play in a two. Hence the need to sacrifice a striker and play with 3 in the middle. Personally from what I have seen, Oakley would be my number 1 choice. But perhaps a run of games for White will bear fruits. We are stuck with what we have by the looks of it. Hope he finds better/more performances/goals/stats soon. How long is Oakley out for btw?

Caley Stan has summed it up perfectly. Morton looked devoid of any confidence from the start and resigned to defeat after they went down to 10. We should have gone for the kill but took the foot of the gas and began to panick as Morton made the changes and came at us. Made a meal of it basically but held on for a crucial 3points. Thought Ridgers, McCart, Walsh and Oakley did well. 

Robbo in both spells has created a side which has focused on being hard to beat rather than free flowing attacking football. Strange considering he was an out and out goalscorer as a player but perhaps more a reflection on his personality/outlook.

This crowds are down are a bit of a myth I think. Compare our previous longer than a season stint in the championship/division 1 will show we are doing okay. If we start winning, some more will turn up. If we get promoted next season more again will show up. I'm not interested in these fluid faba.. I'm interested in the younger fans. Get them hooked! The fans forum should be targeted at what the 5-25 years want. They are the future of the club .

Our relegation season saw us with Brewster in charge, we lost a lot of games and looked doomed. Butcher came in and gave us a battling chance and won a few games. I guess the optimism must have rolled over into the next season's ticket sales

Look at this historically, we had a steady 1,500 home fans prior to our first promotion into the top division. We managed to pull in some extras during our time at the top but when the going gets tough (lack of success) then they drift away. We now appear to have approx 1,800 - 2000 home fans who will turn up. So we are probably slightly up as a fan base (steady progress). 

Success/winning is the biggest factor in the attendance. I will put in a lot more effort to get to games if we are winning and I am enjoying the days out. When we are in poor form I tend to find it easier to make excuses not to go. I presume this is similar for the majority of supporters.  I couldn't care less about the board, its all names whom mean nothing to me, as long as they are sensible with the finances and ensure the stability of the club then I am content.  Regarding the team, as long as they put a shift in and attempt to attack teams then I am content. 

Hopefully put this to bed early so we can give the young lads a run and rest some boys for Friday

I presume the potential progression to the 15th round or whatever it is these days could be the lucrative part (if we get there). 

The manner of the performance was the issue. It was devoid of creativity and confidence. It was clear to start with that the city defence was there for the taking. Early on Polly was in 1v1 buy hit it straight at the keeper. The Austin blasted over from close in (think the keeper got a touch), and White blazed over from the edge. Breakthrough came late on when a corner was swung to the back post and Rooney did well to nod it. 

Second half we didn't really push on and seemed content with a 1-0. City upped the pressure late on and it looked like Ridgers spilled a cross ball right to the city attacker. Another few frantic moments. Both sides deserved the result but for very different reasons. Lots of players played within themselves and should be disappointed.

Probably quiet due to the vital upcominy Queen's game. Excited about this one despite it being a Sunday. Will be a tough game but a new ground for me, which is always nice.

This has to be a priority. No use giving it big licks when we moved from the portacabin into the building. Looks much better but got to sort out online shop pronto. If their has been staff sickness or vacancies. Ask for voluntary help in the short with offers of match day tickets/hospitality. Something to get it done.

Welsh had a tremendous second half, Chalmers best game since he arrived. Coll Donaldson makes my knees tremble. So glad to have Oakley back, he gave draper a torrid time.