hislopsoffsideagain

The original game on 4th December was called off because, allegedly, the roads were too icy. On that occasion the pitch was probably playable. Anyone else see the irony?

Can't comment on Munro's red card but had the perfect view of McArdle's challenge on Shinnie. I thought Butcher was going to nut McArdle himself, such was the tantrum he threw. It was a shocker of a tackle, studs up, foot off the ground, well late - a red card every day of the week. We've had some abysmal referees up here recently, but Steve Rentboy - sorry, Conroy - took the biscuit. I thought the players put in a good shift, and worked hard, even if some had better performances than others. Duff particularly stood out for me, he ran himself into the ground. I thought Rossco did a solid job back in the centre...though I continue to see Innes (with a turning circle the size of a bus) as a liability. Sometimes it's just not your night. Tonight wasn't ours, though it rarely is when it is 10 versus 12.

Sanchez was great today, our best player. He kept looking to get on the ball and put in a real shift. He deserved his goal. I'm so pleased for the guy, considering he has been warming the bench all year. Pass marks too for Nick Ross, Esson and for Duncan and Hayes when they came on. Shinnie really struggled in the first half but was much better after the break. He got f-all in terms of help from Foran defensively. As stated by many folk, Odhiambo had a mare - I think he's aware of the crowd getting on his back, it seems his best performances are away from home where he doesn't get a slagging. Whilst I agree with CaleyD that Hamilton stretch the rules to breaking point, I would note that Innes also has the full range of shirt tugs, nudges and body-checks, and he keeps having to use them when (as is often) he gets caught for pace. I'm not a fan - I would have Rossco in the centre, Duff back at right back where he was playing well earlier this season, and Duncan in the centre of midfield. Has the time come for us to ditch 4-2-3-1? Against Hamilton, St. Mirren and Killie here we have looked light in midfield and struggled because of it. That said, changing to a 4-3-2-1 or 4-3-3 potentially means no place for Sanchez, I guess. Like the St. Mirren and St. Johnstone games, today could have gone either way - we lost those two and today we drew. On another day Duncan would have scored late on and we would have nicked it. C'est la vie.

I've made myself a promise - if we beat Rangers tonight I will buy myself a new TV and an iPhone...I've been looking for an excuse to get both but I'm so wussy about spending money. So an upset tonight could be a bit expensive...but it would totally be worth it!

Not for the first time, Neil Doncaster chose to distort the truth - If Inverness, Hearts and Kilmarnock were in preference of 14, then not everyone is in agreement. Not yet anyway. We've slagged off our board enough over the years (often with good reason). How about a big thumbs up for George Fraser for supporting the view of the fans?

I never really thought the likes of Soane, Kerr, Ridgers etc would really ever make it - the young players who I felt were a total let down were Zander Sutherland and Rory McAllister - both were given their chance, neither lived up to expectations, and McAllister in particular got a lot more opportunities than his performances deserved. I quite liked Garry Wood, actually - he put in a shift when he played, which is more than could be said for Barrowman. That said - I think we have a shortlist of three for the worst ever - Andy Barrowman, Phil McGuire and Darran Thomson? At least Thomson didn't cost us a huge amount in wages in the way the other two did.

Yes, it was Zander I was referring to at the beginning. Is it fair to say that the battle for the number one spot might be between McGuire and Barrowman? (dreadful oversight that neither were on my original list)

Jeez, how on earth did I forget Phil McGuire? My word, he was awful.

I've just looked up Fetai on Wikipedia - he plays in Denmark still...and won two caps for Macedonia last year as well. He's also now famous for this slightly bizarre goal celebration

Just noticed Paul McMullan was in Berwick's squad for their game against Celtic - didn't he have a few months on our books when we were promoted in 2004? I can't actually find any record of him having played a single minute for us in a competitive game. It started me thinking about other "not so good" signings during our SPL years - players who either came with fanfare and never made an impact, or some who just never got a chance. Ones that sprang to mind: Zibi Malkowski Richie Byrne Lionel Djebi-Zadi Thierry Gathuessi Tom Parratt Steven Watt Liam Fox Alan Morgan (maybe I'm a bit harsh there) Darran Thomson Bajram Fatai Ben Jackson Dean McDonald Gary McSwegan Bryan Prunty And perhaps McAllister and Sutherland if we include young players who we had high hopes for but who never reached their potential with us? Any others spring to mind? For me, the thought of a veteran McSwegan leading the line for us under 10CC makes me cringe. Some of course might suggest Niculae - considering he probably caused us more trouble than he was worth.

Fair enough on Foran, Johnboy - I had forgotten that bicycle kick attempt. On the other hand he spent so much time slipping over and ending up on his backside (not the only one, mind) and I thought his use of the ball was poor.

Well, that was like purgatory. On the one hand, we utterly dominated, and were pretty much camped around their 18 yard box for the whole second half. On the other, the fact it took us till injury time to nick it is embarrassing - though not as much as if it had finished 0-0. Same old problems, to be honest - no-one playing the killer ball. Foran, after a good effort in Perth, was abysmal today and looked in a sulk when he came off. Meanwhile, TB's patience with Odhiambo must be wearing thin; his first touch today was utterly terrible. Ross at least showed some industry and some willing, while Rooney came alive on the rare occasions he got some sort of service. Sutherland and Sanchez both gave us a spark - I was delighted for Danni who surely deserves a chance in the team. It was a sweet, sweet finish for his goal. We at least dominated in midfield, unlike recent games; I thought Duff was as good as anyone. As for a back four, Shinnie might have been our best player; the others are so lacking in pace its as if they are moving in slow motion. I'm not impressed by Innes at all - he keeps giving the ball away and looks in a panic whenever anyone gets half a yard on him (which is often). Elgin had one chance in the second half, but really they just set up 2 banks of four and defended for their lives. They looked devastated at the end. It wasn't pleasant, but job done.

Argh, that was a painful defeat. We were probably second best out there, but not by much - St J got the run of the ball in the box late on to nick the winner. All hail Ryan Esson, who was magnificent again. As said above, Rooney had virtually no service. I don't blame TB for trying something different with the lineup - and Duncan and Foran had both had two poor games - but Blumenshtein barely got a kick and whilst Innes was all right in his own 18 yard box, his passing makes Munro look like Xavi. Just like against Killie, we couldn't keep the ball - but St J didn't have to press very hard to get it back. Foran looked like he had got a right kick up the backside, we were a better team with him on. I'm normally a staunch defender of Odhiambo - but he was terrible and his first touch was a disaster. Come on, Terry, give Sanchez a go, please? Hopefully the Elgin game will be a confidence boost for a few of the guys...and hopefully after that Hayes will be back.

Yeah, RiG sums it up perfectly. Killie were great. We were rubbish, apart from Esson and Tokely. What worries me most is that many of our experienced heads - Munro, Duncan, Foran - have been the poorest players in these two games. It's amazing what two rubbish performances can do - we look absolutely devoid of confidence suddenly.

Good god, that was not fun at all. Positives: Ryan Esson made some sensational saves in the first half Shane Sutherland didn't look out of place Shinnie was probably our best outfield player Negatives: An awful match to watch It was freezing Their midfield overran Duncan, Cox and Ross We had less width than Kate Moss' waist Munro looked terrified of Dargo's pace - his hesitancy out on the touchline in the build up to the first goal was criminal Tokely looked bossed by Higdon Too many experienced players didn't turn up today - in addition to the centre-backs, I thought Duff, Duncan and Foran were all really poor today Yet again, the ref was inept - tooting his whistle every time Higdon collapsed theatrically, whilst allowing non-stop wrestling and shirt-tugging of our players. Bring back the foreign officials We need Jonny Hayes back, and fast.

You're right about the Bagan goal against Ayr, RiG. Right up amongst my favourites too. This is a cracking thread. The best ones have already been mentioned - Rankin, Hayes, Wilson, Teasdale, Duncan, McCann etc. What about the cracker Niculae stuck in the top corner against Kilmarnock? I remember making an odd purring sound as it curled into the net...

First thing I did on getting back from the game was watch the Hayes goal on SkyPlus. What a goal. What a goal. It looked good in real life - but it looks even better on the TV. We've played a lot better than that this season though - Rangers had a go second half and we couldn't live with them. They probably had enough chances in the second half to win three matches. Hooray for Ryan Esson's big toe! Justice done as well - it was a shocking dive by Beattie for the pen. Esson deserves MOTM for that alone; I also thought Cox and Duff did pretty well, and our centre-backs did better than I thought they would. Wish Nick Ross had been fit though, Odi looked very rusty indeed. All in all though, I will take a point against those buckfast-swilling soap dodgers any day of the week. Well done Terry and Mo!

I never get tired of that Rankin goal. I can't remember ever celebrating another goal as much - dtill gives me goosebumps thinking about it.

I'm massively hacked off over this decision - "on safety grounds" I don't see the police stopping the Eastgate Centre opening because of the hazards of travelling there. Health and safety my @rse.

That second half was absolutely barmy. I need a lie down now. How on earth will we hold on to Rooney? He had a quiet first half, but he took his second and third goals beautifully. Hats off to Hayes - instead of cowering in his shell after he gave that gift to Riordan, he went and laid on two for Adam with sublime passes. Wasn't Lee Cox brilliant today? Back to his Duracell bunny best. Thought Shinnie had a blinder too. And there are three certainties in life - death, taxes, and that Mark Brown can't save penalties. Fantastic. How many bottles of wine do we currently owe TB as a Christmas gift?

I just finally remembered to vote on the Killie game (went with Odhiambo, Shinnie and Esson) and it occurred to me - what are the standings at the moment? Are we still doing an player of the month thing like we used to?

Having watched it on Alba, I think the red card was harsh - certainly looks more like a tangle of legs than a stamp. Not that I'm complaining.

A deserved win for us today. We looked a little nervous at the start of the second half but things were pretty comfortable after Rooney put us two up. I slagged our centre-halfs rotten after the Hearts defeat, but Aberdeen's backline managed to be even more hopeless. Well done lads, it was a really great performance. Smileymometer: Esson :biggrin: :biggrin: :biggrin: pretty comfortable game, made one good save in the first half and one in the second Duff :biggrin: :biggrin: :biggrin: :biggrin: Coasted through the first half,and looked comfortable in general. Cool as a cucumber Tokely :biggrin: :biggrin: :biggrin: :biggrin: after a tricky start he bustled Vernon out of the game. Perhaps lucky only to booked for his challenge on Megginson though Munro :biggrin: :biggrin: :biggrin: had a shaky moment late on but otherwise did fine Shinnie :biggrin: :biggrin: :biggrin: :biggrin: (in a Bruce Forsyth accent) didn't he do well! Showed good positional sense and got stuck in Foran :biggrin: :biggrin: :biggrin: :biggrin: did a good job in the centre, kept his discipline and protected the defence well Duncan :biggrin: :biggrin: :biggrin: :biggrin: massively up for it, and it showed. Some very important challenges in the second half Hayes :biggrin: :biggrin: :biggrin: :biggrin: goal was probably a fluke but he left Considine with twisted blood Odhiambo :biggrin: :biggrin: :biggrin: needs new boots - kept losing his footing like in the last home game. Worked hard and was a nuisance throughout Ross :biggrin: :biggrin: :biggrin: solid rather than spectacular, but put in a decent shift again Rooney :biggrin: :biggrin: :biggrin: :biggrin: :biggrin: My MOM today - ran himself into the ground today. Diamond and Ifil will have nightmares about him. Deserved his goal and could have had more

Oh man, I'm bricking it now! Come on defence, earn your corn!

It's one thing to write off this game as unwinnable, play a bunch of reserves and think only of the next league match (a la Mick McCarthy and Wolves last season). It's another thing to rest 3 or 4 guys, and basically play half a team - now we've been thumped, and our first choice defence now have even less confidence than after the Keystone Cops act against Hearts. TB - what were you thinking?