Robert

On Saturday, as we know to our cost, Adam Brooks got two for Queen of the South. Other scorers were Nathan Austin (2) for East Fife, Shane Sutherland for Brora and Cillian Sheridan for Brechin. On Sunday, Andy Shinnie for Livingston.

We’ve hit a rough patch at a bad time. One point in our last three games has got us right back in the relegation playoff mix. It was probably inevitable this would happen at some point and I’m sure the Manager and players are determined to turn it round. Our squad is being stretched to the limit and it will be good to have Savage back for the Cove game. I remain confident we will pick up enough points to stay above Annan and avoid the dreaded play off. However, it will be a tense end to the season for us.

Stenhousemuir @ 1.75 please.

HT 0-1 FT 1-2 ICT MacKinnon QoS Brooks Crowd 1020

I’m just taking it one game at a time. As long as we avoid 9th it will be a case of “good job, well done” by the Manager and players.

Wallace Duffy for Brora and Cillian Sheridan twice for Brechin tonight.

Andrew Shinnie for Livingston and Nathan Shaw for Morton tonight.

We have to take account of the size of the away support too. In League 1 you can count them easily in the South Stand, whereas in League 1 last season we had teams like Dundee United and Dunfermline who would fill it significantly. That can change the attendance by 1500 on its own.

I wasn’t able to be at the game yesterday so I’ve just seen the goals on here just now. I can’t comment on the penalty or his overall game, but Mckay’s pick out of Stewart in space led to our goal.

On Wednesday, Shane Sutherland and Alex Cooper for Brora. Today, Shane Sutherland for Brora and Calum Mackay for Nairn.

I’m missing out today due to a family birthday but will be looking out for the score. With Musa away and our injuries, I’m it is time to triumph in adversity. That’s what we are best at. Here’s to three points with a good performance being a bonus. Come on ICT!

Spartans @ 2.15 please.

HT 1-0 FT 2-1 ICT MacKinnon Alloa Rankin Crowd 1725

At the weekend, Logan Chalmers for Ayr, Iain Vigurs for Banks O’Dee, Josh Meekings for Clach, Aribim Pepple for Chesterfield and Manny Duku for Solihull.

That’s owned by David Cameron, I believe, and has planning granted for mixed use, including retail and student accommodation.

I will defer to CaleyD’s greater knowledge, but I’m sure it was said at one of the Fans Meetings that the owners of the car park lease can exercise a right to give the club six month’s notice on the use of the car parks.

I hear that there was mention of a letter to Shareholders on Radio Scotland this morning. Did anyone hear it and able to share what was said?

I agree, but we aren’t. That’s why remembering how far we’ve come can help us stay positive and behind the players for the run in.

A disappointing afternoon. The early goal gave Annan something to defend, and a mixture of the woodwork, great saves and poor finishing cost us. I’d like to see the penalty incident when Savage looked to be clearly fouled again, along with the alleged foul that caused our “goal” to be disallowed. I’ve said before that we’d have bad days and setbacks, but we picked a bad day for this one. However, back on 26 October when we had -3 points and were 15 points adrift of 9th, we’d all have grabbed being 8th in mid March and in control of our own destiny. We need to put this behind us, regroup and focus on getting a win next week.

Cove @ 1.91 please.

HT 1-0 FT 2-0 ICT Bavidge Annan A Smith Crowd 1750

Musa has been called up by Gambia for their forthcoming internationals so will miss the Alloa game.

I think some of the recent comments are harsh. The focus has been on securing our League 1 status and loan players like Alfie Bavidge have done a lot to make that look increasingly possible. Of our own youngsters, Keith Bray has been the stand out, but others have done their bit, even if generally off the bench (Thompson, Cairns, Macleod and Strachan for example). They are still learning their trade and this season around the first team will have benefitted them and I’d expect some to make an impact next season. Macleod started ahead of Stewart last night, which must have boosted his confidence. We’ve been relatively lucky with injuries too, with Devine, Savage, Gilmour and Allan all being, quite rightly, first picks. I’m sure we’d all question team selection if any of them were benched at any game. If there’s talent locally at other teams, we are right to look at it. That’s how we got MacKinnon. If there’s talent locally are others who will make the squad stronger, I’m fine with that and it avoids accommodation costs too.

The support last night was terrific, with the youngsters behind the goal in the North Stand singing and chanting for the whole game. We need that atmosphere at our remaining home games. I’m not getting carried away about a play off push as turning round an 8 point deficit against Alloa in 8 games must be highly unlikely, particularly as they have still to play Dumbarton and Annan at home, games you’d expect them to win. If we can win our next two games (we have Alloa on the 22nd), things may get a bit interesting….. But most of all, let’s not lose focus as we are not safe yet, and that has to be our primary objective.

Really enjoyed that! It’s a long time since we’ve turned a team over at home, and Stenny were no mugs, particularly in a pretty even first half. If you weren’t there you missed some great goals and some very good play with a positive approach. Look out for Mckay’s clever assist for Allan in the highlights. The two early second half goals knocked the stuffing out of Stenny. Musa’s penalty save in stoppage time was the icing on the cake. I hope Bavidge is ok for Saturday. Picks for me were Allan, Brannan and Bray, not forgetting Dibaga. Roll on Saturday!