Robert

Friday: tick, but as expected with the current Scotland team. Saturday: cross, also expected with the current ICT team. Sunday: maybe, anything is possible with the current Scotland rugby squad. Here’s hoping!

I agree but I hope the absence of Anderson is not a worry after him taking a knock last weekend. Anyway gardening for me this afternoon (having a tea break just now) so I will be back at full time to see how we’ve done!

Not much interest in this one! Our starting line up: MacKay Davidson Duffy Boyes Delaney Longstaff Bray Thomson Doran Brooks Samuels With Ridgers, Harper, Gilmour, Hyde, Lodovica and Shaw on the bench. If Arbroath are playing their first picks we will be in trouble I think.

As things stand(enjoy it while it lasts!):

You’ve beaten me!

A few years ago who’s have believed that we could be within 2 points (or any points dropped by Norway and Georgia) of successfully qualifying for a major tournament with 3 games still to play (without relying on the Nations League). 11 wins on the spin in qualifiers. A goal machine in Scott McTominay. A great Manager in Steve Clark (and I admit I was a doubter initially). Now all we need is Scotland to beat South Africa in the Rugby World Cup and Caley Thistle win tomorrow and it will be the perfect weekend!

The fiasco shows how out of touch some people sitting behind desks in ivory towers can be. At least the Senior Traffic Commissioner had the balls to eat humble pie quickly. There are many others out there who should do the same!

Kick off 2000: https://ictfc.com/north-of-scotland-cup-fixture-rothes-a-27-09-2023/

Only one I spotted at the weekend was Harry Nicolson for Clach.

I think it’s a UK proposal so we are getting tarnished by issues south of the border (although I’m sure some fans of the Glasgow ugly sisters haven’t helped the situation). The Scottish authorities have spoken out against it: https://www.scottishfa.co.uk/news/scottish-football-expresses-concern-at-proposed-new-rules-for-fans-travelling-on-public-hire-vehicles/?rid=13929

Seriously OTT and impractical IMHO. The current rules seem to work so if it’s not broken….. If there is a problem with the fans of some clubs, deal with them. Don’t negatively disproportionally impact the fans who abide by the current rules.

The date has been changed to 27 September. Unfortunately the venue has been changed too and it is now being played at Rothes for some reason.

HT 0-0 FT 1-2

Ross Draper has stepped down as Manager of Elgin for personal reasons but is continuing as a player. Barry Smith has replaced him.

The club’s report: https://ictfc.com/ictfc-1-1-dunfermline-athletic-02-09-2023/ It has dawned on me that, after having weekly e-mails with club news, there wasn’t one last week. Hopefully they resume as they were helpful.

That would explain why Mckay was protesting so much about the decision as he’d have known it had come off the defender.

Watching the highlights, I now accept that Brooks was offside at his “goal”. It’s a pity they didn’t show the later one when he was through one on one with the goalie and got booked for slotting it home after the whistle had gone. It was very tight from my view.

At league games, I believe they (and all clubs) count the season ticket holders whether there or not. All the usual people were around me plus some strangers. The north stand looked slightly quieter than normal with very few of the youngsters in Section 94, although I hear some of them have moved into the main stand near the dug outs so their voices can be heard by the Manager and coaches. I’d say there must have been about 500 Dunfermline fans as more than half the south stand was open for them.

For most of last season, teams were pressing at our goal kicks so we had to go long. With Duffy pushing forward from right back, Ridgers was trying to find him at times but with mixed success and when Duffy won the header it didn’t always go to one of our players. Anderson gives us some height in midfield so shorter kicks to him may work, but Billy and Brooks are small although they did win and retain possession from high balls more than I’d have expected. A midfielder coming deep to pull the opposition midfield out of position would give us a better option in my opinion as it would create space. But what do I know? I don’t have a magic folder!!

I agree we were poor in the second half but we had several good passages of play in the first half when we passed and moved quickly. We need to get Shaw involved as much as we can. I see Anderson as a good addition. If Brooks “goal” had counted I think we’d have seen the game out fine.

We should have won that but I also feel we were lucky not to lose it. We started poorly but then got a grip of the first half and deservedly led at the break. I’d like to see the offside for Brooks’ “goal” again as he looked onside to me. He finished it well. The goalie was at fault for Shaw’s goal, but he came close shortly after with a really powerful effort as did Gilmour. We were poor after the break, although Brooks was denied again by what may have been a wrong offside decision when put through on the goalie. Bray had two mazy runs and shots but unfortunately could not hit the target. Thanks for posting the goals. I had not realised the extent to which we gift wrapped it for Dunfermline, and it had to be their no 5 who was “at it” all game. The officials were poor (even if it turns out that they got the offside calls right) letting some poor challenges go and allowing Dunfermline to gain 10 yards at every throw in. Positives for me were Boyes and Anderson, who both look good additions. Boyes settled in to a decent game after a nervy opening, whilst Anderson was comfortable in midfield and looking to make positive passes. Bray again impressed when he came on. I also liked what I saw of Brooks. Shaw once again was our best player. Dunfermline made us play hoofball by pressing our defenders at goal kicks. A disappointing end and outcome, but some positives which I hope we can build on in our upcoming games. Raith away and Dundee United at home will be tougher challenges, so we need to cut out the mistakes and play to our strengths.

The club’s announcement said Boyes is available for selection today. The Aussie is still in Australia.

Back to Boyes, our previous Welsh players in recent years have done pretty well. Owain Tudor Jones, Owain Fon Williams and Marley Watkins. If he has a similar impact we will all be happy.

I’m no happy clapper but all I’m urging is for everyone to show support to the players from the off tomorrow to help their confidence. Certainly where I sit, if we lose a goal there is plenty encouragement then being given to our players from many around me, for a few seconds at least. Equally there are plenty moans and groans along the way and choice words aimed at players. I’ve never been berated for cheering the team. I’m in the main stand but don’t rustle sweeties!