SETANTA WATCH

[IMMORTAL HOWDEN ENDER]

All I can say at half time is thank feck it is only 1-0, although having said that Cellic have been uninspiring but until the last five minutes they were simply in cruise control and totally dominating. Only two real efforts on target - Pearson scores and Boruc tips a classy Rankin drive over the bar.

We have totally sat back and hoping to hit on the counter. We have allowed them acres of space down their right and nearly all their play has gone down there. But we are simply not blocking the crosses in. There is a subdued atmosphere and even the Tims are quiet!!!

As fer the goal Munro played fer offside and Dods did'nt. Simple as.

Our first attempt on goal was Rankins drive in the 40th minute but then from the resultant corner Boruc dropped the cross but there were no takers. Then Dargo almost played McBain in and Rankin shot just wide.

Brown has had little to do. Tokely does not look fit but has kept McGeady wide. Dods, Munro and Hastings have been solid. Keogh has not gone forward as he is almost double teaming on McGeady. Black and Rankin both want to be playmaker and poor McBain is running around the back line like a headless chicken. Wyness is non - existent and Dargo is being forced further and further back to get involved.

Tactically we are really missing Barry Wilson and the holding player (McBain) is having to play to the left most of the time and Black has to cover the hole.

Still only 1 down.  :006:

[us2]

One One final score shame you could not make it.... and had to watch it on TV

[IMMORTAL HOWDEN ENDER]

Well I would have finished what I started but CaleyD evidently didnt put enuff pennies in the meter when he went to the game.  :015: :015:

So CC decided to change it at half time. he puts McBain into a wide left berth and evidently encouraged Keogh to push forward. he gets the defence to play a higher line and he swops the roles of Dargo and Wyness. Black is clearly given the chief role in midfield and Rankin appeared to be asked to play deeper.

Wyness may have been told at the break that he is going to be pulled off and he puts in a fine 15 minute shift which almost ended up with a superb 20 yard lob hitting the net. He is immediately replaced by Bayne who misses a rael half chance and was probably unfortunate that it was his first touch. Bayne and Dargo linked up well - dargo missed a half chance that would have ended up in the net last season and all of a sudden we are in with a shout. Of all people Munro fires in a left foot belter from 20 yards, Cellic wake up and we are under the cosh again. Bayne could have settled it in 93 minutes when he ran on to a woeful back pass. Will have to watch it again but he seemed to hesitate and could have gone through Marshall but a point was just about deserved .

Brown had nowt to do in the second half due to terrible Cellic last touches and a screamer from Pearson that went inches wide. Rosscoe is simply NOT match fit. Dods and Munro played well and Hastings stuck to the task although he never really went forward and he had the most opportunity. Keogh ended up covering for Rosscoe again. He is not a right sided midfield player - when he had the opportunity he never went fer the bye line and his crossing was poor. Black played reasonably well but Rankin faded into obscurity - he was almost playing the holding role!!. McBain was playing a lot better and was unbelievably hooked fer Hart. Hart goes to the right (fair enuff) and Keogh to the left (what the feck!!).

Bayne hustled and bustled and linked up with Dargo well. Why dont we play Dargo on the last man instead of getting him dropping deep. McGeady was evidently targetted for special attention and all our four bookings were fer fouls on him.

Will talk about the tic tacs later but it was a hard won point.

Oh and us2 - it is a bit difficult being 375 miles away on a Sunday and being unable to walk or drive properly.  :016: :016: And I prefer going away anyway.  :001:

[us2]

I.H.E. I offer huge grovelling appologies!

I do not know you personally.  I did not realise you were so far far away. Very glad that you have Setanta then to see the game. Perhaps it wasn't our best but a point was fine and I am sure that the team will improve on that for the next match.

[tm4tj]

It was much easier watching the game at the stadium........piece of cake :003:

[The Mantis]

That was my first look at Santa today. I see we've got our very own Laura doing Ballistics adverts  :015:

[kencar]

I'm confused IHE  :017:

McBain was meant to be playing wide left - he certainly wasn't the holding player in midfield

[RiG]

We are better when we pass it but why do we

1) Play long balls when Dargo and Wyness are starting

2) Pass it on the ground when Bayne comes on?

Whatever, it seemed to work to an extent!  :001:

[IMMORTAL HOWDEN ENDER]

I have got to admit that it looked better when I watched Setanta fer the second time!! We did keep good shape before they scored. But McBain drifted into midfield on several times to cover. Rosscoe is clearly not match fit and Keogh was evidently given the job of keeping an eye on McGeady which skew-wiffed the rest of midfield. Wyness looked lost at times and Dargo very frustrated. We got our tic tacs at the start wrong as Cellic played 4-5-1 and overrun us in midfield.

I honestly think that if Caff or Proctor or a fit Rosscoe had been on show plus Bazza that we would have done them.

The long balls to Dargo and Wyness were aimed at the "channels" but Dargo was palying too deep. Bayne is a target man..ya hit him direct.