wee eck, Fri 28 Feb 10:08

It`s always interesting to read the analyses of fellow fans` re our current problems and their suggested solutions to overcome them but it`s important to get the facts right in making these assessments.

cammypar 1995 says `Unfortunately we look very similar to the mcpake team who got relegated from this league last time we have no belief or character when times get tough.`

Well, James McPake made mistakes as manager but he wasn`t in post when we got relegated. That was down to Grant and Hughes.

grelin states `Sadly you make a valid point Cammy in that we seem to lack the ability to fight back once we go behind.`

Tidser hasn`t been in post too long and maybe it`s too early to draw too many conclusions but we did come from 1-0 down to meet the Rovers 3-1 a few weeks ago.

Maybe these factual inaccuracies wouldn`t change the fundamental arguments but maybe they illustrate how fans` views can be influenced by impressions rather than hard facts.

phutupfeet, Fri 28 Feb 12:11

I am really intrigued in the reasoning why folk think launching a ball 60 70 yards is the answer to our problems? We don`t have great headers of a ball. If mcccan or kane happen to win it will just be a flick on to nobody.



So please tell me the answer to why launching the ball, basically reverting to Sunday league style, turning possession into, at best, a 50/50 heading competition. No wonder Scottish football is behind the rest of the world when we complain about our team wanting to keep possession.

Yes, the possession needs to go faster going through the lines, but that takes players taking responsibility, better movement and being braver. That isn`t just on the defence just passing for the sake of it. If options aren`t available, try again rather than launching it and letting them come at us.

Really struggling to come up with a successful side that boots it and chase hoping something might happen

cammypar 1995, Fri 28 Feb 07:11

PARrot, Thu 27 Feb 19:49

saltonsgonagetu, Thu 27 Feb 19:02

PARrot, Thu 27 Feb 18:56

Given that there is a good chance we are going to need these guys to win a relegation playoff, and lots of them are likely to be away next season.
I don`t think it is a smart idea to keep telling them you want rid.
If they are pissed off enough they just might give us a parting gift that we don`t want.

Just like the last time.
It only takes one or two of them.

If they are worried about what is put
on a football forum ,and decide to play accordingly then professional football is not for them.
Secondly that`s assuming they are good enough to chose to win or lose .

Ok, so if they can`t take constantly being told that they are not wanted, then professional football may not be for some of them.
You may be right.
How does that affect them if they are leaving and they feel like giving us the bird on the way out.
I really don`t know if any of this squad would do that, but I have always believed some of the last lot did exactly that.

If you feel you are being short-changed, you are perfectly entitled to vent.
I just don`t think it is wise to be too heavy.
I really think the wise thing to do just now is to get behind them and try to boost their confidence.

I may be completely wrong, but given human nature, I could be right.
wettingoff the very people you need to perform for you just isn`t smart.

To counterbalance that is it productive to tell them everything is alright? Most of these guys were murder under mcpake and so far have continued in the same way under Tidser. Its clear that most of these players won`t get a gig any higher than the level they are at now.


Mcpake got the bullet mainly due to his recruitment and giving new deals to guys who were relegated last time they were in these waters.

I don`t think regardless of the outcome this season we will sack tidser until after the summer window has come and gone. Although summer will be massive for him. He needs to make sure recruitment is on point to avoid the same fate as mcpake. He also needs to look at himself, it`s very rare a manager changes his style or philosophy although a good example would be David Gray at Hibs. He was seen as a certainty to be the next manager to go until he changed his style to suit the squad at his disposal and now I think they are something like 14 unbeaten and stick ones for top sox at least. Survival is imperative for the clubs future considering the eye watering losses that you can receive in league 1. Change the style to try and stay up then try to implement your own way of playing in the summer when you can bring in players who will play that way.

This squad lacks character and it`s been clear all too often this season. 2 great examples where Hamilton on Tuesday where if it finishes 2 or 3 I don`t think it would have flattered Hamilton just after they scored they hit the post and were creating chances at will because we collapsed. The other example is the Airdrie away game we went 1 down to a team who at the time of the game had won 1 game previously and that was opening day of the season. Again went 1 down and couldn`t get a reaction out of the team against at that time the worst team in the league.

The worrying thing is we don`t back ourselves to get back into the game once going behind. That isn`t a trait we want when we are in a relegation dog fight. Unfortunately we look very similar to the mcpake team who got relegated from this league last time we have no belief or character when times get tough. Missing kane is massive for us but we know he will miss a fair amount of games season after season and we need to dig deeper to find a way around the problems. There are probably only 3 maybe 4 players who if we lost I`d be worried about. And 2 of them are just in the door and I think regardless of our status next season will not be here next season.

AdamAntsParsStripe, Fri 28 Feb 14:33

Pay close attention to his interview after Hamilton.
He was actually advocating mixing up the play when needed and is bemoaning the lack of ‘character’ in the team to take the bull by the horn, something we are all crying out for as fans.
This notion that they have to strictly play a certain style for 90 minutes is nonsense. That’s down to the players on the park and I’d say lack of leadership in all areas of the park.

It`s bloody tough being a legend
Ron Atkinson - 1983