mazza20

On another day we win that by 4 or 5, MotM goes to the woodwork followed by Raiths keeper Thought first half we were in control but lacked that bit quality to finish the chances Second half we were ***** for the first 10-15 mins and got punished by Raith. We picked it up and Samuel was unlucky not to get a hat trick. McAllister looked driving the ball forward but only really troubled the keeper once. Overall, thought our best chances were from corners or counter attacks as soon as the press blocks the CBs from midfield we pass along the back line until we launch it forward

I still have nightmares about Chalmers smacking the crossbar against Hearts in the cup semi final 5 years ago ...

Great 3 points, and glad we didn't crumble when they equalised. Only saw the second half, but I feel we're coming to regret letting Welsh go. We sit with the ball between 3 CBs and no midfielder is dropping deep to collect and push play forward. We spent the 25 mins of that half just launching balls long into the wind, if we're going to do that, lose a CM and have another striker up top. Once they went down to 10 men we pushed forward and we're able to create a few things. Positives though, we've scored more than one, thought the defence handled what was thrown at them for the most part, and Big Dunc started with a win Arbroath so here's hoping for another hot streak

Like I said, not a tactical genius... I was always thought Anderson was supposed to be an attacking midfielder hence why I said him, my point was the system with Wotherspoon worked and seemed like instead of trying a replacement in that position we've gone for a park the bus mentality. I think we have to be looking at getting at least 9 points from the last 5 games, unsure if that will be enough to leap frog QP but we would be feeling more confident going into a playoff

Think that's what baffles me, we were quick to move away from what worked with Wotherspoon when he left but we've had 3 months of ***** playing with this new system and doesn't seem to think it needs changing. Instead of slight tweaks, we go full defensive with a 5 at the back. I won't pretend to be a tactical genius but I always thought the 5 at the back systems were much more complex and difficult to get right, when we could have had Anderson or McAllister in at wotherspoons position.

For those that have been going to games, what's happened after Xmas? When we had Wotherspoon, it looked like we were playing a 4-4-1-1 and getting results, but now it looks like Fergie is determined 5 at the back is the answer/ play defenders as midfielders and surprise we can't score to save ourselves. Why is he so determined 5 at the back is the answer when other formations have gotten us results? I want to believe there's a manager in there but maybe he just intimidated Ancelloti into making him assistant manager

Just watched the goals, and the first Arbroath goal was a rotten bit of luck to be fair. We took our 3 very well, some finish by Mckay, and good to see the goals come in different manners (set piece, good bit of wing play, and classic keeper straight to the striker). The crossing is the first thing I noticed different, not just floated balls into the box all the time. 17 games left for Dunc to better his Forest Green record!

As said before, didn't look like scoring, would say I felt our passing was better today, actually playing it into space at times instead of straight to feet or up to the opposition CBs. If we're going to stick with wingers and crosses into the box then Mckay needs someone up front with him

I may be misremembering Robbo's last stint, but felt he had us hard to beat but we lacked a proper goal threat, wonder if having Brooks and Mckay as options if his tactics would get better results this time

Second half was very sloppy, could be the team low on confidence as we lost possession too many times with players holding on to the ball and not playing the pass or making a run with it. We ended up just launching the ball forward towards McKay against their 3 CBs. With the way the ref handled the game, I'm honestly surprised Duffy didn't get a second yellow and sent off.

Camera veered off as the corner came in ... Feel that's their first threat on our goal

Looks to be 2 up top from what I've watched online so far

Is the 20k at the end not a goal bonus instead? Heard it was if he got 20 goals then got another 20k, could be both I suppose

2 years will make it too expensive to sack him at Xmas if we have another mid season meltdown...

Think a real world example would be Leeds and Everton this season. Everton knew they needed to be more defensively solid and went and got Dyche, whereas Leeds changed to Big Sam with 4 games to go and look how that went. I don't get to games much unfortunately, but the few games I've been to last 2 years have been tough to watch, would say we lack that player that could really link the midfield to attack if we want to play the passing game or a proper target man if we want to play route 1

Tbh I don't think there's a better candidate we could realistically get at the moment, if we're going to change manager then the board needs to have plan and then get someone who's style aligns with that. Next season will be worse if we just let him go with the expectation that there's someone better ready to take the job instead of doing any sort of research prior to this point. I'm not thrilled about another season of Dodds but he's now got 2 years working with the squad so knows what he needs in terms of recruitment, and hopefully his match management improves with experience. Luckily next season our bogey team in Hamilton are gone so that could 3 of our league losses turned into points instead

Couldn't see how full the top section of the south stand was so maybe some there?

As everyone else as said, result was better than expected. Had no trouble with the Celtic fans (except for the one that made himself known in our section after the 3rd goal) and was surprised to see my train from Killie was pretty evenly split. 1st half was tough, think the instructions were to stay defensive unless you're confident you're in the clear, noticed anytime Henderson or Duffy got the ball on the right there was a reluctance to either make a run or an overlap. 2nd half was much better as we moved our press up the pitch started getting the ball higher up and made some decent pressure. Agree with Dodds the goals in the 2nd half came at the wrong time for us, but would argue if Celtic didn't get that first before half time then 2nd half would have continued the pattern of the 1st. Wasn't overly happy with the ref, don't think I can say he impacted the result but Billy Mckay was definitely getting manhandled during the 2nd half and never got a call for it.

I would let Dodds have the cup final, think it would potentially put off potential candidates if we did get rid of him. We should be doing some work behind the scenes, identify targets we want etc, gauge interest for the role, and need to have a sit down with Dodds and give him a chance to show why he may be the best candidate. We'll at least know that way if he wants to be here and we should be putting in milestones that he needs to reach if he wants to keep the job. Missing out is good for the cup final, but probably bad long term. We need some major rotation throughout playoffs and rest days if wanted the best possible chance to get through.

Anyone put themselves through the post match interview? Don't agree with most of what Dodds said, it's been another big missed chance instead of a good season. Claimed he wanted to make changes before half time, but thought he'd see if we'd sneak to HT 0-0. To me that's him all over, make changes too late, it's a must win, last game of the season, if it's not working then change it immediately!

First half I would say we were terrified to run at Ayr, players would stop and either cut inside or play it back to defense 2nd half was better as we were willing to run at them, create overlaps and chase down long balls. The issue was floated crosses don't work well with the strikers we have, we need to cut to the byline and drill balls across goal

If we have to do it, can we at least get a target man?

Imagine we could actually beat Hamilton on a regular basis ...

If we snuck into the playoffs then I'd give a year extension with the expectation that if we're not looking like title challengers by Xmas he's gone. To me, he's not shown to be a great tactician (too many we either start poorly or go for route 1 with Billy Mckay up top) or even a good man manager (bust ups with squad morale plummeting in both seasons)

Realistically, who would we get / want? I think it might time for a wholesale change of the backroom staff