Robert

Interesting discussion about our tactics. What’s been marked for me in the three games I’ve seen so far this season is that we have seldom gone long. We tried to play it over the top to turn the Elgin defence and capitalise on Samuels’ pace but we have not really done so since. Duffy played a long ball on Saturday and it led to Doran’s goal whilst Ridgers kicked out a couple of times last night (one went straight to the Dumbarton goalie without bouncing) but otherwise we have tried to play a passing game. I have no issue with that as long as we mix things up a lot so we are not predictable. However we normally play a safe pass which will rarely open a defence up. We have few players who are happy to take a player on. Shaw and Carson will, others less regularly although we have seen it from Doran and MacGregor in their game time. Maybe it has been deliberate as we get up to full fitness and sharpness but I’d like to see more variety in our play to keep our opponents guessing, whilst we need to know what our strengths are and play to them. As others have said, regardless of only being back in training for two weeks we should have comfortably won on Saturday and last night. Airdrie will be a much tougher test and if we fail it there are grounds for concern.

A hat trick for Nathan Austin for East Fife tonight.

Full time. No positives that I can take from that other than Billy equalling the goal scoring record. We were second best virtually all game. I know we started pre-season later than most teams but we should still have been good enough to get a result tonight. Worrying.

Agreed. The commentators keep saying how well we are playing! Meantime we have a goal back. A record equalling one by Billy Mckay.

Doran, Bray and Nicolson on for Davidson, Samuels and Shaw. Just before that, Samuels probably should have scored.

MacGregor on for Welsh.

Brooks on for Gilmour.

Now Duffy has hit the bar with a header from a Shaw free kick. Doesn't look like it’s our night!

2-0. Cross into box and headed in.

Carson has hit the woodwork.

Half time 1-0. Pretty even but we can’t complain at being behind. We’ve tried to play a passing game and some of its been quite neat but we have not managed to be clinical enough. The Dumbarton ‘goalie has had a couple of saves and one was cleared off the line. We need to do and should do better after the break. We either need to put someone up with Mckay or play a proper no 10 in Doran or MacGregor. It’s not working with Carson in that role in my opinion.

Dumbarton 1 up. Poor defending created chance for shot that beat Ridgers. They’ve probably had the best of it. We are trying to play a passing game but it’s not coming off so far. Hopefully that wakens us up.

Goal disallowed for foul on the Dumbarton goalie. Looked the right decision.

Dumbarton have had the best of the first 15 minutes.

I clicked the YouTube logo where full screen would normally be at it has given me full screen on YouTube!

Can you see how to make it full screen?

I’ve just bought the stream. I’d read your post but decided to proceed without an account. It worked and I received an e-mail with a link to my new account at which I could set the password. You need to do that then ensure you are logged in to their site. All being well I will be able to watch the stream that is due to start at 1930.

You simply pick the outcome in one game based on the odds. If you get it right, you get the value of the odds based on a (pretend) £10. If you get it wrong your balance drops by a (pretend) £10. Just innocent fun.

Chuffed at coming third last year. Looking forward to the new season and hoping I don’t end up bankrupt!

HT 0-2 FT 0-3 ICT Billy Mckay Dumbarton R Wallace Crowd 535

We have a livestream on Tuesday: £10. Details here: https://dumbartonfootballclub.com/product/watch-match-live-v-inverness/ Ticket details here: https://ictfc.com/match-info-dumbarton-a-18-07-2023/

Certainly looks like it and he seems a yard faster too. If he keeps this going he will be the player he was several years ago!

Fair enough. I thought we looked livelier and tried to capitalise on Samuels’ pace which we didn’t do at all in the first half. After the changes, on a different day Mckay could have had a hat trick whilst a great save by the ‘keeper stopped Doran getting his hat trick. I hope we are still rusty and using the early group games to add sharpness and that we hit the ground running in the league. It could be worse. Look what happened to Dundee United, St Johnstone and St Mirren. We need to focus on getting out of this group as we know from last season that even just making the first knock out round is worth £50k.

A few in the Viaplay Cup today: Toddy for Airdrie Rory McAllister for Montrose Steven Boyd and Kirk Broadfoot for Morton

Off topic by Akinyemni has left Ayr which ought to weaken them.