ICT -V- Dunfermline : matchday thread

[stevico1]

At half time today, most results were going our way and we were gaining ground. Sigh....

Really think we can forget promotion 2 points out of 15 at home is nowhere near that sort of form

[Caley Stan]

It's not a bad result. Dunfermline are better than their league position suggests. We play the bottom 3 and County in our next 4 games. Good chance to go on a run and haul ourselves up the league.

[Kirishima]

Dunno...can't see it unless home form becomes solid. only 7 pts, can change easily within a month. But it requires ICT to go on a run, and the teams above to falter. Can't believe RC are top...

[PullMyFinger]

Dunfermline are better than their league position suggests.

The thing is though, are we?

[Johnboy]

Dunfermline are better than their league position suggests.

The thing is though, are we?

On that showing, no.... probably not.

This was another poor home performance and a poor result.

[DALNEIGHCALEY]

And poor tactics from the manager to sit back and defend our lead instead of going for the jugular and killing the game .

[TSTtiger]

we didnt play too bad i thought in what was a pretty dull game.good performances from golly, proctor and cox i thought.

was disappointed to see foran subbed as he seemed to be just coming into the game but we did look more threatening with rooney and sanchez on, even if rooney missed the usual 1 on 1.sanchez seems to have good battling qualities and wins the ball a lot of the opposition.

tokely still subdued looking but defence looked solid enough.

on the whole though we're still struggling to create much in the way of clear cut chances and dont have a striker that will rival the likes of griffiths or harkins for goals and on that basis we're heading for a mid table finish

[kencar]

At least we didn't lose today!! That's the positive I'm taking from the game. I think Dunfermline were the better side for the majority of the game, they certainly passed the ball on the deck whilst we launched our usual futile lumps up the park. Still against the run of play we went in at half time 1-0 up with a bundled effort from Bambi. Foolishly I started dreaming of 3 points during the break and we did start quite well in the first 10-15 minutes of the second half.

Then Terry made a sub.

Not sure why on earth Foran was taken off as he was causing their back 4 some discomfort competing for every ball he could. I don't think he was injured( ??) and he certainly wasn't happy at getting the hook but that seemed to coincide with Dunfermline coming back into the game.

Their goal came from a series of errors on our part. First Imrie gave away cheap possession in their half, then Munro kicked the ball out for an unnecessary corner & then we just switched off allowing Dunfermline to take a quick short corner and the next thing the ball was in the back of the net.

Other than a great save the keeper made from Rooney it was one way traffic for the rest of the match and we should be grateful we managed to scape a point.

Any parents with unruly kids should warn them they'll be taken to see ICT at home if they don't behave!!

Edited October 17, 2009 by kencar

[davieB]

We lost the 3 points when Foran was hooked. No idea why he got taken off....bizarre decision by Terry.

[tm4tj]

Typical home fare from us, no cutting edge. We actually were better than we were in the first half and the Pars must have wondered why they were trailing at half time. Good jump by Foran to knock it down for Proc who reacted quickest to stroke the ball home. Esson made a fantastic save in the first half, which was equalled in the second half when Pars keeper tipped the ball onto the bar and over. Rooney although he did not score, at least offered a direct threat, but his one on one was not an obvious sitter as the keeper narrowed him down and blocked well as his goalbound effort was cleared. Pars goal from a quick corner caught us out, but Kirk's finish was good as his header maybe went over Esson and off the bar and into the roof of the net.

Foran was not a happy bunny when subbed, and appeared to toss his jacket away, not surprised as he was warming up nicely, I wonder if Butch thought he was getting tooooo involved, however, wrong move in my book.

We will be happier with the draw than Dunfy, as their passing game was better than our long ball game. Bayne was a handful, as was their left back. Sorry, not big on names just now. They were slicker around the box, just as they were in the opening fixture, but this time Coxy could not pierce the defence. We look like a team of individuals, maybe something Butcher should be looking at. The big disappointment was Hayes injuring himself innocuously and Imrie's rather insipid performance. Rossco went quiet after being booked, no surprise there.

All is not lost, but we look a very long way from being a decent first division side.

Best for us................Esson for that breathtaking save, Foran for puttiong himself about and Proctor for his goal and general play.

[AJS]

I wish i could take the not losing positive from the game but unfortunately i'am struggling.

Some of the football on display today was absolute drivvel at times and yet again the away side were stronger.

Apart from Foran, Cox and sometimes Hayes we really didn't offer much and Imrie struggled to really get into the game. Good goal from Proc and wonderful save from Fleming to deny him at the end.

Tel, why the **** did you take of Foran?? Our best attacking threat and you take him off for Rooney who yet again missed a one on one.

Can't wait for Russeldinho to return as Stratford contributed very little today and hope the injury to Hayes isn't serious.

[Bronson]

Stratford was poor again, although his corners were good.

[Renegade]

Probably didn't deserve a point today, ICT played quite well in the first half but Dunfermline still looked a bit better. Bayne look to be causing Munro problems, and Dunfermline's passing to the wings, especially their left back (the number 3) looked dangerous, using the whole width of the field. ICT's passing though, was to be put it bluntly, awful. Some of these guys (mainly Proctor and Stratford) couldn't pass the ball to save their lives. I actually wonder if they actually practise with the ball in the week, cause some of them don't have a clue. My results -

Esson - :thumb02: :thumb02: :thumb02: - Looked fine to me. Had a great save in the first half to tip the ball and looked confident throughout.

Tokely - :huh: - Had a quite game, not particularly amazing. Another one who hasn't a clue how to pass.

Bulvitis - :022: :024: - Had a good first half and looked pretty solid, though seemed to disappear in the second. Also needs to learn to pass on the ground instead of these long mindless punts up the park to no-one.

Munro - :024: - Had a quiet game. Didn't have a particularly bad game, nor a good one, but he wasn't quite as good as he's normally been this season.

Golabek - :024: - Another one who was quiet. Not really in the game at all and at the age he is now where he's too slow and can no longer get forward.

Proctor - :022: :huh: - Took his goal well and was unlucky when he hit the crossbar, but can't pass the ball at all. Looked a little better in the centre of midfield than on the wing though.

Cox - :022: :022: :022: - Fairly zipped about and fought for everything. Put in a decent shift.

Stratford - :huh: - What does this guy do exactly? Wasn't in the game at all, and when he was he gave the ball away. Not good enough IMO.

Hayes - :024: - Not bad on the wing, but had a quieter than usual game. Went off injured towards the end.

Imrie - :022: - Started up front and seemed to get crowded out an awful lot. Moved over to right wing and did okay. Fought for everything but maybe isn't quite fully fit yet.

Foran - :022: :022: :022: - Fought for everything today. Looked dangerous on the ball and unlike the rest of them, can actually pass it. God knows why he was taken off.

SUBS -

Rooney - - What does he do exactly? Can't pass, can't pressurise the other team's defence, can't control ball. Pretty hopeless to be honest.

Sanchez - - Same as above really, doesn't seem to do anything.

McBain - B) - Only on for a short time, but in that time did more than Stratford had done in the whole game.

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Butcher - - I was going to give Terry credit for the first half cause ICT seemed to look alright. Started with a 4-4-2 formation, but then switched to 4-5-1 with Foran upfront by himself, and only Proctor occaisonally forward to help . ICT looked okay for the first half and the first part of the second, though passing has to be worked on, it was abysmal throughout. As time went, and especially into the start of the second half Foran was looking more and more dangerous. Then, Terry mucks it all up once again, and takes Foran off.......for Rooney! A player who came on and did essentially nothing. He then takes off Imrie, a player who was at least trying and puts on, Sanchez, another who did essentially nowt. He put on McBain towards the end for the injured Hayes which is understandable, but the big points are still simple. Far too defensive at home. Went 1-0 up and then tried to defend the one goal lead for the rest of the game, which is ridiculous. Barrowman seems to have disappeared, as has Ross in recent weeks, yet his beloved Stratford, stays on for 90 minutes, and he's rubbish. What Butcher see's in him, I haven't a clue. Not good enough Terry, a lot of stuff needs to be sorted.

[RowdyBey]

Bambi was world class during spells of play today :thumb02:

[Fanoffooty]

I'm no impressed with todays performance 2 points dropped again

What :thumb02: is wrong with our team ? theres just not enough bite in them :thumb02:

& to top it all Wood scored for County AGAIN :thumb02:

[+Feb82000]

after todays game we will not be going back up to spl this season.

so still be in the first divison next season

[CaleyD]

Your powers of deduction know no ends!!!

[cal234ey]

A positive is that we doubled our home points tally today. The sad truth is it is still a truly awful statistic. 2 points out of a possible 15 at home. :thumb02: people are suggesting its not promotion form **** me its relegation form.

[dead_ball_specialist]

I can't believe what I'm reading from some of the moaners on here. Dunfermline are the best footballing team I've seen up here and a 1-1 draw was a fair result. We played far better than we did against Partick and QOS and can take numerous positives from the game. I've never seen Foran and Stratford play so well, same goes for Proctor. We competed well in midfield (where we've been outplayed in most of our home games so far) and the back line looked fairly solid and in control. They all played well IMHO although Tokely clearly isn't fit.

The only criticism I would make of the performance today was our inability to create goalscoring chances. For the most part our full backs were non existant as an attacking force, I can only remember Golly making a decent run up the flank once (for our goal) and Tokely wasn't particularly adventurous either. In a similar vein, Cox simply isn't an attacking midfielder, he and Stratford were both doing the same job most of the time. The only midfielder who managed to get himself into dangerous positions was Proctor (with a bit of luck he would have had a hat trick today) we need more of the same. Goals win games. If we don't get bodies up the park into dangerous positions, we aren't going to score many goals, end of story.

Todays performance was a step in the right direction but I still think we need to adopt a much more attacking philosophy if we're going to achieve anything in the league this season.

Edited October 17, 2009 by dead_ball_specialist

[WYNESS101]

Proctor finding the net AGAIN :thumb02: and then hitting the cross bar late on what could have won us the game :thumb02: OMG!

Still its a point at the end of the day but only if we got the 3 points would have being alot better. Well done Esson for pulling of a cracking save in the first 10 mins i think. Tipping the shot over the bar :thumb02:

What a difference when mcbain came on. Has to start against Ayr on saturday

[gordyfromsneck]

I had a moment of insight today which I will share with you.

This is it. Ths is our season. There is no better, no worse, just this dull grinding mediocrity - some wins, some loses. But no change, there is no "form" to find. Welcome to Div 1, we all swim down here.

Rooney's clear cut chance was anything but. Given time he will find the net.

Foran is a grafter, but not a flair player, he should be further back.

Startford is not good for much.

Golly and later McBain add a touch of experience to this side, which really is the main prooblem. Heads down when under the cosh. It is not Terry n June, it is the players, who all want to do well, but can't...yet.

Yes, I will take the 1-1. I am old now, I know the value of compromise.

[Pele_Is_God]

I too think the pars are a decent side so a draw not a bad result. Why wasn't Sanchez on from the start though? Good to see McBain getting a chance though. I still stand by my prediction that we will finish 3rd behind Partick and Dundee.

[tm4tj]

Both are true statements though.

We are a shell of our former selves. Lets not kid ourselves any longer. We all knew it was going to be tough, but I am not sure the management team knew just how hard it was going to be. The problem is our players are not as good as the previous players we have had at this club, ie, we lack the quality. Unless Butcher can come up with some gems in the January sales we have to set our sights a little lower.

[Fanoffooty]

I agree , Macbain made a difference when he came on

Where's the boy Ross ? why isnt he getting a chance anymore ?

[Fanoffooty]

Both are true statements though.

We are a shell of our former selves. Lets not kid ourselves any longer. We all knew it was going to be tough, but I am not sure the management team knew just how hard it was going to be. The problem is our players are not as good as the previous players we have had at this club, ie, we lack the quality. Unless Butcher can come up with some gems in the January sales we have to set our sights a little lower.

Aye but with the Niculae debt can we afford to shop in January ?