tm4tj

OK, I'll say something. Lets stuff Airdrie and get back to winning ways, we have a league to win.

Out of ten this week for the big game. These are my thoughts. Esson ****8****His handling was impeccable and he looked back to his very best. Had to deal with a couple of rasping efforts from County but was well capable Rossco ****7***Swithed to the middle after the break and coped well. Started the game with some misplaced passes and a fresh air swipe but got stronger as the County tried to finish with a flourish. Bully **4**Not sure what he did wrong, but was replaced at half time, hence the low score. Maybe not his best day, but as County never scored in the first half he must have done something right. Grantie ****7***Another who has been slated recently but also stood firm in the last gasp onslaught. Guilty of one too many long balls though, and the narrow bumpyCounty pitch might have had something to do with this. Golly ****7***Put in a good shift and took a sore knock late in the game. Also of the long ball tactic but also stood his ground Duncan *****10*****Sensational shift from Russelldinho. Even getting praise from County fans. He was everywhere and never shirked a tackle unlike some, and all this despite an early booking. Cox ****7***Is learning his trade beside a very good teacher in the art of defensive midfielding. Getting back to his early promise. Hayes ***6***We tend to look for more from Jonny. He flits in and out of games more than he used to and is probably down to teams shutting him down quicker. At least the hair dye has worn off. Eric **4**Surprisingly stayed on the park for too long. He could not get into the game and his grit and determination are non existant. He has some nice touches but appears to be playing in the wrong position. Eagle ****7***The Eagle definitely landed at half time and immediately injected some composure in the left midfield. He was unlucky not to be the match winner striking the base of the post from a tight angle and the rebound evading everybody in light blue. Rooney ****7***Gave as good as he got in the ginger battle with Boyd. Ran his heart out again but the long balls were not accurate enough. Proctor ***6***Better performance from Proc after some weaker displays, slotted into the right back after the reshuffle and played his part. Sanchez *2* Ach well, at least he got a few minutes, but too little too late. Away Crowd 10/10 Another jolly away day, and the double decker back home was bouncing before it left Dingwall

The derby was always going to be a tense affair. I found the game to be totally enthralling, but then again maybe I'm easily enthralled. Lets not beat about the bush, County are a good side. Are they better than us, probably not. Will they win the league, probably not. Are they good enough to win the league, yes. Do they have the depth of squad to do it, probably not. The if's and but's are endless. We all agree that our long ball game is not what we really want to see. If we had scored from a route one approach on Saturday I doubt many would have been complaining. Others have commented on us being unable to do well against the top sides in the league. The only team that we have not matched or beaten in the league is County, and therein lies the problem. Others have questiones our ability to win handsomely. Well, we have the top goal difference in the league after a shakey start. Look at practically every league in Britain and the team with the best goal difference are usually the winners, the team with the worst are usually bottom and very few teams are out of line between top and bottom, it's almost like drawing a graph where the figures are from positive to negative. It's an uncannily straight line graph from best to worst, or arrow from top to bottom. Variety though, is the spice of life.

I also think that is a great shout. He was just superb yesterday and was a clear winner in the MoM awards yesterday, apart from one or two who see things differently. His aggression when channelled correctly is a massive plus and he is willing to get his hands dirty when others stand by and watch.

Having just read all the matchday posts, I can't believe anyone was not enthralled by yesterdays game. It was a throbber, and we played our part. The game, although lacking in clear opportunities was compelling viewing and the stuff that nailless fingers are made of. The first half as mentioned was not one for the purists, with County being the better side marginally. We restricted them to a couple of half chances, Barrowman hooking a snapshot three yards wide and a free header going just wide. The real danger to us was coming from odd free kicks around the shooting distance and Morrison needs no second chances as he whacked a couple towards a solid Esson, who's handling was impeccable. Bully was replaced at half time and the introduction of Eagle saw us dominate the third quarter of the game. He was unfortunate when he lashed an angled shot off the post and there were no takers for the rebound as County scrambled the ball clear. With us being unable to penetrate the County rearguard, they grew in confidence as the game wore on and finished with a Mcflurry. We stood firm at the back and a couple of last ditch blocks kept them at bay and the game finished all square. Take a bow Russell Duncan. The guy has been absolutely superb in the last three or four games and led by example yesterday. Some of his tackles must surely rub off on the likes of Eric...............well maybe not. Poor old Eric, these are not the sort of games for him, brushed aside too easy. Robert Eagle was another who did his matchday bonus no harm. He takes a bit of stick on here but I always thought he was a decent ball player and yesterday showed that he has the bottle for the big games. For Latviaman, put yer bottle down man............we have the best goal difference in a tight division, what more do you want? You high fliers are all the same. Great day out and cheers to the double deckers. Good fun on the bus home, oh, and fair play to Michael McGovern, he took the jibes well and even he had to laugh at some of the comments. Cheers dude.

Another clear winner surely. Brilliant game from Russelldinho.

Pffffssssshhhhhhhhhhhtttttttttfffffffmmmmwwaaaaahhhhh Who is going to inflate that bubble,

Yep, it's the morning after the night before. The strong winds have disappeared as quickly as they arrived, barely a ripple on the Firth, the seagulls are drifting effortlessly on the sea breeze, a flock of geese arrow their way into the distance and a pair of red kites are scanning the gardens looking for some breakfast. It's a great day for a pulsating crucial derby match, but wait, there are no fans about............a sort of eerie hush is wafting across the water from the surrounding glens and the stench of sawdust and sweaty footballers rubbing on the linseed oil is growing closer............... GAME ON

OK, they made it here And are safely on their way

OK, hot off the press......... Dingwall have 400 tickets to sell, first come first serve.

poenomenon!.................whats all that about??? too much Irn Bru methinks.

Ha ha...............it's a strange poenomenon................nobody wants to put their head on the chopping block. Too righty matey, I'm offski.

And nobody gives a crudd

There is no more ugly winner than the lad Griffiths at Dundee

I need another two tickets, best to call Dingwall first thing in the morning then tm4tj... ok thanx for that.

The bacon might be sausage...............

Looks like Butcher believes that Ross can do the job on Saturday. Courier Article

I think thats what the ones, including me are saying. We would all love Nick to play in the derby game and play a blinder. Unfortunately on the evidence of last weeks game and despite the tosh written in the papers and spouted by all and sundry he did not have a fantastic game. Maybe we are spoiled by having Foran driving forward and winning balls in the air and putting 100% effort in attack and defence, thats probably the problem. It's too difficult to compare the two so well done to Ross for scoring last week and if you are playing on Saturday can we see some more pace and trickery and goals please.

Not sure standby, best to call tomorrow morning and take it from there. If you are stuck let us know, somebody will help you out....................or steal yer tickets.

Call the club and see if they have any and they may be able to hold them for you or something similar. Maybe someone could collect them for you and give you them on Saturday.

Call the club and see if they have any and they may be able to hold them for you or something similar. Maybe someone could collect them for you and give you them on Saturday.

Hold on a minute, wheres the sick bag. While not wanting to dent young Nicks confidence and once more be the bad guy, I am sure Mr Butcher will make the right choice for this game. If that means Nick on from the start then good luck to him. After a goal scoring game last week, maybe this week he will have the bells to hold the ball and even take on the County players. I know he is good enough, so let's see the real Nick Ross. Alex, you are tempting fate by starting this thread.

No problem proc, you are down for the midweek preview and report if you can manage them. PM the stuff to me and I will forward it to the editorial section for upload.

What you wanting for yer breakfast Bacon Rolls for how many

Oh alright then, can I take a bucket and spade.