robbo1985

I'm afraid to say I think this is coincidental rather than causal. With or without Billy McKay on the park, when we have a slender lead or drawing, we drop deeper and deeper as the second half progresses inviting the opposition to come onto us and, more often that not, score a late winner. Billy McKay usually looks pretty spent by 60 odd minutes which is fair enough given his advancing years combined with him being asked to cover more ground than ever, dropping back to fit in with our current style of play. The problem for me stems not from substituting Billy itself, but from having a complete dearth of adequate replacements for him. Despite their height and presence, neither Lodovica or Sheridan have looked capable of holding the ball up and fulfilling the 'target man' role never mind threatening to score a goal. Whilst I still think Adam Brooks has the potential to be a regular goalscorer at Championship level - good goal towards the end at Cappielow - he ain't going to do that as a lone striker within our current set-up and no doubt needs more experience. It's clear that our lack of creativity in the final third, cutting edge and shots on goal is our most pressing issue to be addressed right now. I don't think we as fans will be the only ones who recognise that. The question for me is not whether Duncan Ferguson will be trying to strengthen his attacking options in this transfer window, but whether the current budget will enable him to bring in one or two players who are available, willing to relocate to the Highlands and **crucially** are better than what we already have. Having attended the vast majority of games this season, I am still confident we have enough quality within the current squad of players to keep us in the division. I also think if we can (somehow!) bring in a proven goalscorer or two - and see more of Bray, Doran and MacGregor - we can still challenge for fourth place. I know some will think that's deluded but we have actually played some really decent football at times this season (often away from home) and matched the best teams in the league....at least for the first 85 minutes!!

Take on board your reply but I respectfully disagree. I don't think gifting one of our better players to one of our relegation rivals was sensible from either a football or business perspective...today being a case in point....

Sean Welsh fires QP ahead at Raith

I'd rather Partick and Raith win...

From BBC website: 'Arbroath’s injury situation has been well documented and it hasn't been helped with new signing Zak Delaney, the defender on loan from Caley Thistle, being replaced just 12 minutes into his debut after picking up a knock.' A Loan??!

Yeah also can't understand why didn't hold out for even a small fee given he was still under contract until the summer

Sorry Gringo, couple of changes to my prediction following Sean Welsh's departure.... he was my first scorer HT: 0 - 2 FT: 1 - 3 1st Scorer ICT: Longstaff 1st Scorer DU: Alex Greive Crowd: 2376

Another central defender on loan is strange unless we are shipping at least one out as, in my opinion, we already have sufficient cover in that area. Hopefully we are not going to lose Boyes or Ujdur? Creative midfielders and proven goalscorers please Dunc!

HT: 0 - 2 FT: 1 - 3 1st Scorer ICT: Welsh 1st Scorer DU: Tony Watt Crowd: 2376

In my opinion the only reason David Wotherspoon is not playing in the (Scottish) Premiership this year is that he has lost a bit of pace and sharpness required at that level. It is clear he is still a very intelligent and classy football player. He was instrumental in dragging us out of the hole we were in (which hopefully we are not slowly sliding back into) and increasing the performance levels of other players around about him. Should the move to Dundee Utd materialise, he will almost undoubtedly be on higher wages, with a high probability of winning another medal and (I would imagine) closer to family and he will go with my best wishes! Hopefully we can uncover an unlikely gem to fill his boots in the second half of the season. I'd say prior to his arrival Keith Bray was our most promising player of the season....would like to see him getting more game time in the next few months. Looking at the table, can't help but feeling what an opportunity this season was/is to at least make the play-offs. Even despite our horrendous start to the season and our recent poor run of results, we are still not that far away from 4th position. I don't want to give up all hope of Highland Derby play-off final just yet!....

Big 3 points today , and what a win for Morton

Boyes 0 - 3 , according to BBC (can you trust?) , 4 shots, 4 on target, 3 goals............!!

Boyes 0 - 2

HT: 1 - 1 FT: 3 - 1 1st Scorer ICT: Welsh 1st Scorer Ayr: Chalmers Crowd: 1,850

Yip Ferguson sent off again ....

Today is the first league match I've missed this season. We have struggled in most games, in fact only Ayr at home, Arbroath, Dundee Utd and Queen's Park away have been enjoyable. Don't want to be too negative given Big Dunc is just in the door but I was really disappointed to hear that he was delighted with a point against Morton at home. Surely we should be striving for more. But yes our lack of goals (and clear cut chances) is very concerning.

HT: 0 - 1 FT: 1 - 1 1st Scorer ICT: Longstaff 1st Scorer Air: Gallagher Crowd: 1704 Yellow Card: Anderson

HT: 0 - 0 FT: 1 - 0 1st Scorer ICT: Nathan Shaw 1st Scorer GM: George Oakley Crowd: 1987 Yellow Card: Ujdar

HT: 1 - 2 FT: 2 - 3 1st Scorer ICT: Shaw 1st Scorer PT: Graham Crowd: 3,407 Yellow Card: Max Anderson (although Big Dunc probably a better bet)

HT: 0 - 0 FT: 0 - 0 1st Scorer ICT: Brooks 1st Scorer Arb: Jay Bird Crowd: 2,167

What has happened to Keith Bray? Doesn't seem to have featured at all since Big Dunc arrived....

HT: 0-0 FT: 0-1 1st Scorer ICT: Longstaff 1st Scorer GM: Steven Boyd Crowd: 1,336

Tough for the fans to get down for a midweek game in December but let's hope as many as possible travel as the noise they made on Saturday was brilliant and no doubt spurred the players on

Big Dunc's staying ten more years .... ...... We wish !!

Imagine if in the summer someone had told you that the recipients of our three red cards before Christmas would be Billy Dodds, Harry Lodovica and Duncan Ferguson(!)..... I'd second bishbashbosh's comments re the travel club organisers and regulars. As a comparative newbie I travelled on the bus to Arbroath and Dunfermline this season and was made to feel very welcome and had two brilliant days out. Maybe they'll need another bus soon ....