Robert

This game has been rearranged for Tuesday 16 March. I think that gets us up to date with games, but it also means two games against Raith within 5 days. Seeing the cup thread, presumably we will be at Buckie on 23 March.

I agree, and I was being critical last night watching the game as I want us to do well. Unlike others, I don’t think there is any evidence of players not trying. Last night Dundee had a game plan that pressed us back and didn’t give us space. Due to that we lost the midfield battle and struggled to create anything. That resulted in long balls being played which promptly resulted in us not keeping possession and getting pressed back again. We need to decide who our target man is, if indeed we are playing with one, and then build the team and formation to support that. We’ve had Sutherland, Storey, Todorov and even Keatings playing as lone striker, with mixed success. Sutherland is better up top than out wide, and with our injuries we should use Storey’s pace by playing him wide. Looking at this season compared to last season, I think there are a number of areas we are weaker. I like Duffy and he is developing into an important player for us, but he is not yet as effective as Rooney. We will see more from him next season. We are also missing Walsh and injuries to Doran and McDonald have meant we have had to play players wide who are not naturally wide players (such as Sutherland and Mackay). Dare I say it, we are also missing White, as whilst he got mixed reviews here, he was a nuisance to defenders and was our top scorer. Add to that the injuries, particularly those to Carson, Toshney and Doran, the turmoil behind the scenes with the issues faced by Robbo and Kells, the run of postponements (our form was better before the postponements started than it has been since), the number of youngsters being used (which is a positive in the longer term), of course the pandemic impact and the changes that has brought, and the financial position we are in, not forgetting that many of us on here were already hoping at the start of the season that we would simply have a club at the end of the season, and there is some inevitability that we would struggle to meet our expectations this season. There is still time to go on a run and challenge for a play off place, as Queen of the South have shown, but currently we need to focus on getting points and steering our way out of trouble at the bottom. We have three games ahead that are winnable, but equally we could lose some or all of them. We will know by 2200 next Friday which battle we are in! I agree with Naelifts, now is the time to show our support, not just to the players but to Robbo, Kells and McCann.

Can’t say I’m surprised as he has had issues in the past and the pandemic will have been tough on him, so returning closer to home is understandable. He will probably earn more too. Hopefully we see the best of him for the rest of the season. Is there an up to date list anywhere of who is out of contract when?

I agree. Other than when Storey was through on goal, I don’t recall much from the starting front four. Keatings was lively but Sutherland and Mackay had little impact. We bypassed the midfield first half so Welsh and Allardice could not have any positive impact. Carson made a difference and I’d like to see how we play with him and Allardice as the central pairing. The other difference was the good use Dundee made of wide areas, whereas we were ineffective playing wide other than when Duffy and Harper were rarely able to get forward. Harper played a great cross for our goal, but as we were pinned back we struggled to have any width. What a contrast from the first half hour on Friday.

If you didn’t watch it, ignore the BBC stats. The score line flattered us as Dundee dominated the game other than the last 15 minutes or so. We really struggled to get into the game and keep the ball. Our midfield was out of the game, particularly in the first half, whilst up front, other than the goal, we did very little. The second half was slightly better than the first, but the first was dreadful. Hard to find any positives.

Mckay on for Devine. Presumably due to the head knock earlier.

Toddy! 2-1. Great cross from Harper, who Carson picked out well. Great header by Toddy. Could there be a miracle?

I normally look for the positives in our performances, but am really struggling so far tonight. Two big games ahead against Alloa and Morton if we have any hopes of challenging for the play offs at the right end of the table. It will take a miracle to get anything tonight based on the game so far.

Welsh booked.

Deas booked.

Toddy on for Mackay. Let’s see what the formation is now. Storey wide presumably.

Storey seemed to lack confidence when he picked the ball up through on goal. Could have been a big moment if he’d been able to score. Are we 4 4 2 just now with Storey and Keatings up top and Sutherland and Mackay in wide midfield?

I have never like McGowan or McMullan and they’ve done nothing tonight to endear themselves to me. Both are cynical and try to con refs, but sadly both are giving us a very hard time tonight.

Carson on for Allardice.

2-0. We can have no complaints about being 2 down here. Our formation is not working. We are not getting the ball in midfield and keep getting pressed back as a result. Hopefully McCann shakes it up at half time. I’d bring Carson on and sacrifice one of the front four so we have more bite and possession. Must be our worst 45 in a long time.

We are being battered. Can’t keep the ball or do anything positive. They look dangerous every time they come forward. Poorest we’ve been in a while. Outfought, outthought and outplayed so far.

1 down. Dundee had started best and been threatening. We need to get back into this as we’ve been poor so far.

Got sound now.

I’ve no sound yet. What’s the difference between home team video and away team video? Look the same to me and neither has sound.

Maybe needing rested slightly after three games in eight days? No sign of MacGregor tonight: injured? 4 4 2 again?

Fingers crossed!

Pay per view details for tomorrow evening: https://dundeefc.co.uk/news/inverness-ct-live-streaming/

HT 1-1 FT 1-2 ICT Sutherland Dundee Mullen

You did in the game 1 thread.

Goal and assist for Jordan Roberts for Motherwell in their 2-0 win at Hibs today. Polly only a sub again.