DoofersDad

Interesting interviews from the 2 managers. I don't know what game Murphy was watching but his interview was sh*te from start to finish. It is pretty disrespectful too, but it is such nonsense that instead of feeling annoyed or angry, one can't help laughing. Scott has it absolutely spot on though. A very honest, objective and intelligent take on the game.

I'm quite happy to see Annan and particularly, Dumbarton winning. There's not a chance Dumbarton are going to catch us, and if they are winning, other teams a little above will be losing. If we continue with our post-Dunc points per game ratio, then we might well make the promotion play-offs. What a brilliant job Scott is doing with the boys!

Great win today. QOS were a pretty physical side but everyone worked hard and supported each other. Longstaff put in a brilliant shift given that he was just returning from injury. We didn't have too many attempts on goal, but at times later in the 2nd half, we played some nice intricate build up play which didn't quite come off. Both defences played well giving opponents little time on the ball. The referee was awful. Great support from the youngsters in section C which the players really appreciated.

HT. 1-0 FT. 2-1 ICT. Bavidge QOS. Dickenson Crowd. 1764

Looks like the age group of those attending was much the same as those who attend for the Cathedral's main activity.

There is a very interesting little piece on the BBC website about Bournemouth's rise and the key role Ryan Christie is playing in their success. The lad's done well.

HT. 0-1 FT. 2-2 ICT. Bavidge Alloa. Sammon Crowd 641

HT. 1-0 FT 2-1 ICT. Bavidge QOS. Dickenson Crowd 861

HT 0 -0 FT. 0-1 ICT. Bavidge Opp Todd Crowd 412

There is no mention on the Club site, but the Courier is reporting on their website that Andrew Benjamin, Maggie's Highlands fundraising manager, is leaving that role to become the Club's Commercial Business Manager. It would seem to me that the Administrators must be fairly confident of a positive outcome to the Administration process to be making such an appointment at this time.

We also live OTB with a Wednesday collection. Bins still to be emptied nearly 2 weeks after they were supposed to be.

It was a bit of a nervy performance but a huge 3 points for us today. Dumbarton were very poor. We were dominant early on and should have extended our lead and cruised to a comfortable win. However, we got very untidy and allowed Dumbarton a few chances and gave them hope. Gilmour's composed 2nd half strike gave us a bit of breathing space but we never looked comfortable. However, the league table looks a lot better than it would have had we lost. Bavidge looks to be a good signing and we should draw some confidence from today.

HT. 1-0 FT. 2-1 ICT. Bill Mckay Opp. Gray Crowd. 1729 Yellow. Devine

I don't think anyone is saying you can't criticise the manager or the players. What I am saying is don't criticise people for something that is not their fault. The other very important aspect is that players are often criticised because people have completely unrealistic expectations of them. Yes, we are a full time club, but the players we can afford are being paid peanuts in a very insecure employment situation. They are players who are either at their level or who are just starting out in their careers and are learning the harsh reality of life in the Scottish League. Many wouldn't be in the first team at all if others hadn't created the financial crisis at the club in the first place. From our lofty viewpoints in the stands, we can see when the penetrating through ball is on and get frustrated when it isn't played, or if it is, it goes straight to a defender or runs out of play. It is easier to see those balls from the stands than out on the pitch. If a player could spot these opportunities and play the pass with the required accuracy and weight with any degree of regularity, they wouldn't be playing for us and it is unreasonable to criticise players for not performing at an unrealistically high level. Many of our lads will earn less in their footballing careers than the likes of Marcus Rashford earn in a week! Now Rashford and some of his Man Utd colleagues fully deserve all the criticism they get for the attitudes they display on the pitch. But we should expect players at our level to make mistakes and fail to take opportunities. Some people need to get real and be a bit more supportive of our young lads who, I believe, are doing their job to the best of their ability. That is not to say that we should never be critical of the players. Clearly we may have different ideas about what represents reasonable expectations and therefore about when criticism is valid or not, but if people feel criticism is due, then please try to offer constructive criticism. Prior to Saturday's game, the lads had done really well to win 4 of the previous 5 league games. Then we lose to a team who produced an outstanding performance on the day whilst we had a bit of a bad day at the office. On recent form, there should still be a pretty positive vibe about what is happening on the park. The booing and abuse directed at the lads on Saturday was totally unjustified and will do nothing to boost the confidence of the lads. A vital game now against Dumbarton at the weekend. If the boo boys can actually support the team this time, we might get an important morale boosting win.

This forum site is full of facts detailing the inept performance of senior management over the years which is undoubtedly the primary reason for the state the club is in. You say you will stick to publishing and facing the facts, so where are these facts we shouldn't ignore? Of course Scott Kellacher has had an influence over the years, but where is your evidence that his influence is partly responsible for our relegation last season? How do you know whether or not we might actually have done worse had it not been for his influence. Same goes for the players. Where is your evidence that the performances of the few players remaining from last year's line ups are in any way responsible for the state of the club? If you want facts, here are some. It is a fact that the quality of player we can attract and keep is dependent on the money available for the player budget. And how much money is available is dependent on sound financial management. It is a fact that financial management is not the remit of players and coaches. It is a fact that senior management decide who the coaches will be. It is a fact that within the last couple of years, our inept senior management gave a new contract to our head coach and then proceeded to sack him a few games later. It is a fact that Dodds therefore received a lot of money to do nothing for the club. Instead, they signed Ferguson for a significant sum of money which they hadn't actually got. It is a fact that Ferguson was tactically inept opting for possession based football which was boring to watch and which failed to deliver results. It is a fact that the majority of this season's first team squad made no appearances for the first team last year and therefore can take no responsibility for last season's relegation. So please, let's see your facts on how the past actions of Scott, Billy and Luis have landed us in this sorry state of affairs.