Valentino Bolognese

Our problems going into this game were the lack of at least one goalscoring striker and a fit, solid centre back pairing.

Nomattter what happened, our problems coming out of this game were always going to be the lack of at least one goalscoring striker, and having a fit, solid centre back pairing that have enough competitive game time.

The result of this match is entirely irrelevant. All that matters is time in legs, avoiding injury on a plastic pitch, the big man getting game time with Kerr and if TW learns more about the team then that's a bonus.

8 minutes ago, Havana Saint said:

It would be disappointing, but potentially an opportunity for us to seek another striker. Can't help but feel a lot of us are observing all of this through blue and white shades and ignoring blatant failings in goalscoring statistics.

Stevie was a fantastic striker for us 5 to 6 years ago, but to be honest he has done nothing since then. If we do sign him, it is a gamble and a high pressure on May to perform to the same levels as 2013-2014...if we are being honest, that ain't likely.

McCoist and Brogan were great for us years ago...maybe we should pursue them?

There's a world outside your window, pragmatism over the heart please.

We need 2 new strikers. Can see us maybe landing 1 if this falls through,  2 will be a struggle. 

23 minutes ago, sleepless said:

sounds like 4, could have been 9...

2 chalked off for offside?

It was a training game in the second half. Most of the first half to be fair. We just had far better players and they couldn't really make a game of it. Zander made (I think) one save, from a corner. 

Foster and Kennedy worked well together, we got a good look at McLean (not enough to convince me), Duffy (nothing to fault but he wasn't tested defensively, looks solid on the ball and in the air) young Northcott. 

Matty's goal was an absolute piss-take, but he did really well. Swanson looked good in parts but as usual had moments when he seems to be playing a different game. MOH missed a couple of sitters but his energy was good. 

Brechin were really, really poor but even against them is was almost comical how many balls into the box we put in that were begging for a penalty box striker. 

tldr: bit of fun for a midweek summer evening but nothing to show that our well-known troubles are behind us 

Just a side note, I know it's school holidays but it was great to see the crowd full of kids tonight. 

7 minutes ago, garydavidson said:

Surely not that complex when people can make signings so late into transfer windows?

Not so much complex, just seems to drag out. 

37 minutes ago, mainstand said:

It is computerised. They now have youth teams on the same SFA registration system. 

If that is indeed the same system that they use when a youth player transfers to another team, I can well believe that it will be a less than rapid process. 

Would have thought they could fast-track premiership moves mind.

24 minutes ago, Stumpy1966 said:

I just feel everybody jumps on Kane’s back. I would say that MOH miss and Danny’s 2 were worse. As you say everyone to their own opinion. 

Just watched back the 1st half and live at the game I hadn't realised just how bad MOH's second miss was. Really, really poor. Shame as I don't think he had a terrible game. His first looked easier live than I think it was, it was a tough angle.

Both Swanson's were bad misses, but his penalty was nailed on. Absolute nonsense that wasn't given. If the referee didn't get a good view the linesman could clearly see it. 

None of which has any real bearing on the Kane discussion to be fair, other than to emphasise was can't be relying on goals from midfield. 

1 minute ago, south inch said:

Everything you say here is correct.  Kane works hard, always gives 100% and he cares.  But as you say "he doesn't score many goals" and he is listed as a striker.  Perhaps we should not give up on him yet, especially when there are guys like Swanson and McMillan ahead of him to be shown the door, if we sign a new striker as promised maybe we should use him as an impact sub when his pace could have more effect against tired defenders.

I'd be OK with that. In many ways it's a repeat of the Tony Watt situation. I've felt that we've missed his hold up play and quality on the ball this season but he wasn't scoring, so had to go. Kane has a lot of good qualities and I've just re-watched the first half from yesterday again and my view is that if he can be re-purposed to sit behind the strikers with less pressure on him as lone frontman, he'll do better. 

We play too much long ball for him. He's not strong enough in the air or at holding up/holding off centre backs for that role, never mind his lack of finishing ability. 

39 minutes ago, andy rhodes fancy watch said:

How are the new dugouts?

Major error by the club to only open the main stand today, denying the fans the view of the new dugout that we'd all turned out to see. 

Mind you we'll get to see them on the telly. 

7 hours ago, Havana Saint said:

We better have plan b, plan c, plan d etc ready in place...turning into a right saga now.

There's a plan?

15 minutes ago, Dave H said:

I though Kerr was shockingly bad, rushing out, out of position, losing his man. His fault for the goals.  Cursed captaincy.  

Enjoyed the game very much till they equalised, expecting a reaction second half and didnt get it.  You can see the bickering on the pitch, its not a happy place just now, so back to basics we must go.

Feel sorry for Kane.  His errors are highlighted more easier than some of the defending by Ando and Kerr.  That two are not good together.  

MoH and Swanson still living on their first stints with us... they left us and did nothing, why are we surprised they do nothing most games. Exact reason we should stay well clear of signing May..  just not performing to the levels they once did.  

Im not interested in the next 2 friendlies in the league cup.  I've already booked myself a dark cave for the weekend when we play Celtic... no light at the end of tunnel and our opening league fixtures are very tough.   TW has killed the confidence of his team, come on, fix the bloody changing room, style of play!

I think that this is unfair on MOH actually, he was unlucky today and was one of the few players that looked like they wanted to be there. Agree on Swanson. I want him out the club and fast. 

Also agree with you on May. Apparently that's not a popular view though. 

2 hours ago, Cagey said:

Can't see it. I know a couple of guys that didn't renew & I am sure they are not the only ones given the shambles of this preseason.

Might be all the new houses in Perth have brought in the extra 500 supporters.

I asked the girls in the ticket office. They reckoned lower than last year but to be fair I don't think they really know. 

If we really are up between 15-25%, I do wonder why. Other than the good run pre-Christmas last season was fairly meh, no marquee (or anything close) signings over the summer, no marketing campaigns. It would be odd.

Edit - it's probably the new dugouts that's bringing them in. 

7 minutes ago, Kyle said:

Just called up and was told I missed the cut off date and my season ticket will arrive in the post next week. I bought mine on the 8th of July so if you've bought yours on that date or after, chances are you'll be in the same boat.

I also missed the date and was told to collect it at the ticket office on Sunday. If it wasn't there yet, they'd let me in. 

The benefit of a manual turnstile operator. 

9 minutes ago, SlickDT said:

Looks like a bit of a shambles- ticket sent to wrong person, wrong spelling on cards, etc.

Using paper forms is a big part of this problem. It's the worst possible way to collect data if you want it to be accurate. 

On-line forms next year should help but given that someone will have to punch the data into a system at some point in the process I'm struggling to understand why the club still use paper for this. 

Looking forward to the day when we can renew with one tap on a phone, pay with paypal, and use the phone as a ticket. 

4 hours ago, slf said:

This mo fan on the left is hat stands.proper throw back 70’s supporter . Last seen singing bring on the Forfar. 

Braw

He's properly mental. Same as the fixture last year, standing in the same place. 

It's like experimental theatre. 

13 minutes ago, RandomGuy said:

Partick got a scoreboard from UEFA...

I think its UEFA themselves being cheapskates.

Jesus did they get that at Argos?

Better not to have one at all.

1 hour ago, Cagey said:

Think Tommy wanted to up his transfer value.

That and/or keep him at the club. 

FWIW I don't think that Kerr had a bad game as a player, in that he won what he needed to win and contained the striker he was on. What we didn't get from him was the surging runs through the middle. Maybe he's not as confident leaving Duffy to cover compared to Gordon or Joe S?

But I agree I don't think as captain he was much use. Foster was much more vocal. 

44 minutes ago, Cagey said:

Have a feeling the season tickets have not gone well.

This is maybe why Brown is worried about the budget.

Same as last year, according to the ticket office. 

I don't think he is worried about the budget. 

McClean on. Swanson off. 

Think the run up the tunnel after half time knackered him out. 

I don't believe those stats, or at least it's not really a fair reflection. 

But anyway, poor fare. The center backs are doing OK, full backs arent getting forward. Murray winning his share in the midfield and young McCann seems eager. Usual from Callachan. 

O'Halloran seems up for it but despite what might have been happening pre season Swanson has been pish yet again. Hendry working hard. Keeper hasn't had anything to do, but neither has theirs. 

In summary we are missing quality and physicality, and Hendry as a lone striker is just not working at all. 

Surface isn't helping with a few slips here and there, Montrose definitely know how to play this pitch. Tommy looked fuming, rightly so. They seem more physical outfit than last year. You would not think this was a premiership team. 

Could go either way this one. 

1-3, McMillan overhead from the half way line and Tanser with 2 penalties. 

Are there any acceptable boozers in Montrose for a pre-match pint?

32 minutes ago, RandomGuy said:

Theres folk on Twitter who got them at 2/1

I think that answers any questions as to how seriously the result should be taken. 

Do sometimes wonder how bookies price up games like that though. The edge against them must be huge as the analysts can't possibly have much knowledge, so they must price in a lot of risk. I'd think that the true odds would be closer to evens. 

28 minutes ago, cristo said:

I was following it on bet 365

What were the odds on EC winning?

13 hours ago, Cagey said:

Didn't read it that way.More frustration at the way the fixtures are arranged .

I'm more annoyed that the aways are exactly the same as last year. The biggest draw for cup away games is (for my lad at least) is novelty. I'll still go but he'll be at home. 

12 hours ago, MySpazz said:

why stop at that, have the league negotiate on shirts, suppliers of this that and the next thing......oh, hold on the league is run by the same sort of numbnuts as the SFA and could not organise a p-up in a proverbial

An integrated ticketing system makes sense, in the same way that national rail ticketing is centralised despite there being a number of different operators on the network. Individual rail companies can set ticket prices, restrictions, offers etc (well at least the system allows it even if it's not used). I don't think that the SFA need to be involved much, it's just retailing. The police might have an interest, but the data would be incredibly valuable. 

I can't see a downside TBH. 

24 minutes ago, Cagey said:

They will have £20 million to spend once Newcastle sign Morelos.

The fans would not be happy if they replace Morelos with a Championship striker that's regarded as having not been good enough at Aberdeen. There will be great pressure for a marquee signing to prevent 10 in a row. It is literally the only thing that matters to them. 

I don't think that Gerrard would consider it, other than to take him out the league and weaken opposition. If he stays in Scotland I would think Killie, Hibs or an outside chance of us. From a development perspective I would chose us or Kilmarnock, depending on who the manager is. From a cash perspective obviously we're miles off the pace.