Eagle4Caley

Good way to close out the normal season before the play-offs with nearly all the objects achieved with Walsh getting on the scoresheet twice along with Sutherland, MacGregor getting a good performance in, good game time for Harper, bonuses in Hyde, Hardy scoring!, no bookings and injuries bar Duffy, let's hope that is not serious. For a brief while with Raith winning and Partick losing heavily I was checking routes to Kirkcaldy! Let's take one play-off game at a time and see how far we can get..... I think we have enough in each area of the pitch to have some confidence

Yes, That will proper screw me up!

My only problem with that is that the squad is quite used to a certain amount of rotation, so not really a problem, but if we lost say Deas, Broadfoot, Chalmers, Welsh, Mckay, Carson or Sutherland in a dead rubber game because of an injury, that would severely impact on the two most important games coming up. The likes of Walsh, Samuels, Duffy, Harper, Macgregor and McAlear would all benefit with the game time for different reasons, which will be beneficial in the play-offs. We do somewhat put Devine at risk I accept, but someone has to play! Anyway I'm all booked up for Glasgow now, really looking forward to it

I'm thinking a line up of Mackay Nicholson Duffy Devine Harper MacGregor Hyde McAlear Walsh Samuels Riddle We have to protect Deas with his yellow cards and Broadhurst coz of his age, so Devine gets to manage the backline. Mckay, Sutherland and Chalmers are our best attacking assets. Welsh has a crucial role to play and has yet to be severely crocked this season, lets avoid that. Doran obvs no chance, was he taken off as a precaution Saturday because he will be useful if we can get some minutes out of him maybe if we get past Partick Not sure if Nicholson is a RB, but would be nice to have the option as Carson is better for us in midfield, and Duffy definitely better at CB Harper MacGregor and Walsh will all benefit from game time We could start Joe Hardy up front, but I'm not sure he adds much

Hi CaleyTennis Think your being a bit harsh on some of our players, let's face it if they were that good they'd be playing elsewhere [as I often say at Palace about players costing a lot more] I understand your basic premise of selling a quality player in order to fund several quality players. That could work in the EPL where a really decent player could command a very big fee, and clever recruitment can find 2-3 decent players to come in [I'll ignore the sky high wages for mundane players bit for now] Unfortunately the Scottish leagues don't command such fees, I think we just about got 500k for Ryan Christie and he was a top prospect, Daniel Mackay I suspect went for quite a bit less, and I can hardly see MacGregor funding any sort of spending spree. Deas might well be off at the end of the season but if we got £100k I'd be surprised. Likewise any players who might be on decent wages are on those because we are trying to retain them. Your list of players to be retained does seem to rely on an awful lot of our young inexperienced players. As a club with a small average attendance , bugger all TV money, and few lucrative sponsorships we are pretty constrained, as to what we can afford. I also watch Sutton United who got promoted to the English League 2 last season from the National league, and there are several players there that would cost more than Ryan Christie to obtain for us [David Ajiboye would be one I'd love up here} So in reality when we lose one of our better players, it's quite a hard job just to replace them let alone achieve a 2-1 replacement ratio One priority this summer [assuming we don't get promoted] has to be to secure a decent pacy right back that allows Dave Carson to stay in midfield and not rely on Wallace Duffy who I think is better at CB [he certainly looked good there against Arbroath] this would offset Deas' exit if he went with us then relying on Harper at LB and he's decent enough there. That we still leave us short on CB cover, I'd actually keep Broadfoot, and then look to find a young CB prospect. If I won the lottery I'd certainly fund Logan Chalmers, but I reckon he'll go back to his parent club with reputation enhanced more likely to play for them. Norwich are going down so I expect Reece McAlear to get more chances in the English Championship [but I'd certainly keep him if I could] I like Tom Walsh, but in reality has he contributed that much? I'd keep Doran over him, either way we will want a winger who can stick a decent cross in on a regular basis. Samuels I think will come good next year, and a retained fully fit MacGregor will be an asset that would ortherwise cost more to replace. Welsh migh be the guy to move on if Allardice is fully fit. So my outs are Walsh, Welsh, perhaps Doran, Deas [only if hand is forced] Hardy [loan finished] along with McAlear and Chalmers unlikey to extend loans. In's would be a) a RB b) a winger c) a CB d) a holding midfielder. as an aside I wonder if we can get Scott Banks on loan from Crystal Palace, he'd slot in nicely in midfield [he's highly regarded at CPFC but chances are few in the PL] meanwhile does Lawrence Shankland want to come back to the UK? [although that would need real money not luncheon vouchers!]]

Rather hoped Caley would clinch 3rd place so I could confirm travel up to Glasgow for the 3rd May...assuming Partick don't blow 4th place in favour of Raith! I have a hotel reserved, and a ridiculously priced rail ticket home to London in my pocket [£26!]....So only quandary is do I go for the flight up now or wait until Saturdays results? [I think I can wait 4 days!] Somehow I wasn't surprised that QoS did us...they had much to lose, and Dumfries is a long way to go. Morton away Saturday might prove better, but only if we seize the initiative straightaway

Looks like the 'Top Four', have all served the one match suspension, probably only Deas could get to 12 before the play-offs [for a 2nd ban], so might be worth playing Harper at LB after Q0S. Might be worth starting with Duffy in the last games instead of Broadfoot to rest him. Think we need to protect Carson a bit as well. Be good to give MacGregor game time after QoS, plus Samuels

What a result! Was always going to be a tough match, but to win like that after going one Nil down was hugely impressive, helpful that Carson came on and played like the Carson of old in midfield. Their goal seemed to come from Broadfoot being wrong footed and off balance, which was a shame because our defence was pretty good. Shane Sutherland seemed to be rather nullified operating on the right, and much as I like Duffy [as a CB] I'm not sure he's fast enough as a RB, although he went forward well. Samuels impressed me a fair bit in the second half, was much more involved and had two dangerous chances, I think there is defo a player there. Likewise Chalmers probably the MoTM for me although BBC Scotland gave it top McKay. We were a bit quiet in midfield until Carson came on, but maybe Kilmarnock were set up better. The non-winning slump over Jan/Feb has obviously cost us automatic promotion, but we seem to have everyone back fit now bar Allardice....probably hard to over-estimate the effect of not have him, MacGregor and and off-form Carson in the team, whilst trying to bed in 4 new boys. Can we catch Arbroath?? Could be the difference between going all the way of not in the play-offs [Partick are a bit of a bogey team for us].... I feel we have a strong enough defence, and enough attacking assets, and still think Doran and Walsh have big parts to play We need to play as many of our Play-off games in the pink strip, it feels lucky. Starying to think about coming up for a play-off game....away to Partick a possibility

Wasn't too sure when I first saw it, the overall effect would be the greater if the stripes continued onto the shorts.....but I think it's a great shirt for casual wear

Incredible how a run of 11 games without a win, can be followed by a winning run, two of which we're definitely deserved. Key goals prevented at key times, and key goals cored at good times. Sounds simple doesn't it. The crazy thing is we have lost just (JUST) 3 games in 13 this calendar year. Maybe that does set us up better than we think for the run-in. McAlear has stepped up to cover the loss of Allardice [and what a great goal he scored], and we are seeing some returns from the loan players, and at last Samuels. We're are a bit short of numbers. so the return of Devine, and in particular a fit MacGregor are important (and obvs Pearson was on international duty). I think Doran and Walsh have big parts to play in the run-in, and that 2nd spot if claimed on the last day could be a deciding factor too. The defence feels fairly solid, and Dodds seems to be able to shuffle the side around to get goals from people. It feels like we have some momentum, and the squad is happy and harmonious. Let's hope for a good April, with a proper spring in the step!

Looks like a nerve-racking run-in for everyone....getting something out of Dunfermline on Saturday sets us up quite well [we need a repeat of the Arbroath game], after that Hamilton [or bogey team this season] are the last game of the season, which might be fortunate Kilmarnock might be favourites to go up, by my gosh their run-in is interesting....after Partick on Saturday they have Almost anything can happen in those games!

My first trip up North this season [thanks to Covid] with my wife, and we had bright sunshine for the whole game and a very decent win. A great start with two early goals, really settled the nerves, not sure what would have happened if that Arbroath attempt that hit the post had gone in, but we contained Arbroath pretty well for most of the match, even if some of the play was a bit agricultural, there were enough moments of good play from the side to come away in good heart. Sutherland was my MOTM, I felt he put in a very solid and classy display. Doran put in some excellent dead ball kicks, he looked more like his old self in parts, as did Dave Carson. I couldn't fault anyone for effort [Welsh/McAlear ran the midfield for large parts, and Billy M was busy and took his goal very well], overall the defence was pretty solid, and Mackay in goal looked really good. I kept an eye on Hardy a lot, and wasn't sure what he was contributing in the first half, he looks an intelligent player but was a bit powderpuff in challenges and slow, but his second half showing was so much better and he carved out a great chance that went begging. And a player who took me completely by surprise was Wallace Duffy, who hasn't really figured at all at right back, but was immense at centre back winning virtually everything in the air, was that a one-off, because if not he needs his contract extended. As the saying goes 'One swallow doesn't make a summer' and automatic promotion is now a distance dream, but although Raith also won [finally also], maybe Partick losing yesterday makes the play-off fight still 2 from 3. And maybe, just maybe Arbroath will run out of puff in the play-offs... Every match is now a cup-final. Aye, it it was a lovely trip up.

When you look at the players out, that's a pretty big miss, Obviously Doran needs to be fully fit to influence games, MacGregor was almost as influential as Daniel Mackay last season, popping up all over the place, and Devine out leaves us shuffling the defence, Allardice being out is just massive. The plus side seems to be Pearson, with Mckay back. The fact that Samuels has a contract suggests that the Club see him as having potential, are we seeing it on the pitch. I was rather hoping that Duffy would be more worthy of being an ever-present leaving Carson to move further upfield, along with Harper showing more of the promise of last season. We are operating on a thin squad at the moment, but if Arbroath can do what they are doing, that should give us the motivation. We are still not cut adrift from automatic promotion, and Kilmarnock still not dominating the division...that said Partick with all their games in hand are a threat Hopefully the weekend break coupled to a positive comeback against Thistle will help us out of the mid-winter malaise I don't think Covid can stop me and the wife coming up for the Arbroath game in a months time, really excited about this match and have a good vibe that we can win it! But then I am the eternal optimist.

We went through a similar phase last season, and harsh words were said then [particularily from some supporters on here] But the side rallied. It's possible that some of the lads were feeling a bit sorry for themselves without key senior players in the squad and perhaps thinking that beating Killie three times in a row is a big ask....Yes, it shouldn't happen, but much of football is what goes on between the ears. Hopefully 4 young eager newbies with some tricks up their sleeves and some energy might be the small thing that re-focusses minds and changes the dynamic of the side. Anyway despite the disappointment of Covid denying me a trip up yesterday, the wife and I are up for the Arbroath home match in March, so here's hoping it's still all to play for

Sounds like we lost a tight game, but also encouraging that the new boys have something about them which could be the lift we need...If we can get back the players we had last season in Carson and MacGregor soon, I have high hopes [Whats the new's on MacGregor's injury?].... I'm the eternal optimist!

Would be just about the only consolation for me Absolutely gutted that testing positive for Covid on Thursday has robbed me of the trip which I have been planning for months [I booked the flights at the end of August!] I mean just what is the effing point anymore! That's five times I have missed out on games with games called off, moved, restrictions, illness etc.... It's a bit tough when you're flying up from London 😭 Anyway hope it goes ahead and we spring a surprise to lift what seems like gathering gloom I'm still pissed off though

Yet in seasons past and this, McKay, Doran, Allardice, Carson, Welsh, MacGregor, Deas, Walsh, Harper, Ridgers would all be considered quality players or top prospects....but obviously there are concerns about form or fitness, and as a club with a small budget it's not possible to provide the squad depth. I would add to that Shane Sutherland who has at times been instrumental in good performances, and McAleer who has performed decently since coming here. Losing Allardice is a big blow, as is being unable to get Doran back to 100%. That said we are still in 2nd place [obvs Kilmarnock will have a say in that] and still in touch, and after a great start we just need to hang in there and see if any of the additions will provide a spark. We seem to have brought in pace and width to the side, let's hope we've bought in guile as well

Or lack of money.... Have we had any attendence over 2000?

Isn't that the level we tend to sign from in the English Leagues [or lower] , McAlear being the exception

English League 1

Striker signed on loan today Joe Hardy from Accrington Stanley Might have seen him play on Saturday if I hadn't tested positive for Covid 19 today

Last time I looked we were 2nd in the table, with a game in hand, having lost just 4 games all season, we had a great run at the start of the season, as we did at the end of last season, and yes whilst we've struggled a bit recently, with different players having issues, and with what seems like a bit of dressing room unrest (dealt with) but very few teams, especially on a small budget can expect to go all season firing on all cylinders. Every player brought in so far this year has done all right [save perhaps Duku, who hopefully will have a purple patch soon]. Can we get Carson firing again in midfield rather than RB or can we get good combo's in Welsh/Mclear/MacGregor and the two new boys. Seen some good comments for both of the new boys on twitter from fans of their mother clubs, so I'm hopeful The defence looks a bit short so we might need a fresh face there

Hmm....Allardice and Carson normally so good, and MacGregor too [is he coming back from injury?] Hopefully just a bit of mid-winter lethargy, but an injection of an influential face might help.

Chuffed with that result, on the basis if you can't win the game, don't lose it, [especially grabbing the equaliser late] and with Arbroath losing we are in a 2nd decent place, even though Kilmarnock won. Thinking we need a couple of additions perhaps loans in January, maybe a winger and someone in the middle like Scott Allan back again [although he looks ever presentat Hibs] Is Daniel Mackay injured at Hibs or could we get him back on loan?

Caley winning 6-1 away, and Palace beating Everton at home [deservedly] for the first time in years makes E4C a very happy bunny. Good to see Jamieson and McClear get their first league goals for the club, and Sutherland deserved his brace on recent performances....looking forward to a trip up North of the Border for Killie away in January, just hope I'm not screwed by more Covid restrictions