LA-Don

Not seen much of us of late but catching this game. As mentioned, main and cosgrove doesn’t work. Brutal watch so far. Credit to us though, it’s not been long ball really, tried to find our forwards feet but neither can control a ball. We looked good earlier in the season with a skill #10, Scott Wright, below Watkins. We can’t put hedges or McGinn below main or cosgrove? Or is mcginn done? Camped on the bench each week it appears.

Where are you getting this opinion from? You know Cormack and have spent time with him? As someone who lives in the states, there are a ton of people very well qualified in footballing terms here, and I'll use Bobby Clark and Stephen Glass as two with ties to our club who have spent plenty of time in the US. It's this narrow mindedness that holds Scottish football back. I'm assuming your post is tongue in cheek?

I think progression to Cormack is making the club more financial sound, and making the football more appealing to fans. Perhaps he sees playing bohemians or lyngby more appealing to many than playing the same old teams year after year. Personally I find Scottish football incredibly boring, same old year after year, and recall playing someone 7 times on season, maybe Dundee Utd?? It’s stale and has been for a while now. Something difference would be nice and refreshing........but living 6000 miles away I’m not that one traveling to games so those fans may well have a different take. As for the different approach, punting the old firm, it would be a far more interesting league without them, and I’d love to see a 16 team league, play the same team twice. The argument against end of season meaningless games allows teams the opportunity to really develop youngsters which all teams need. Since that would be less league games, I’d love a return of the old league cup, group games followed by home and away legs in the knock out rounds.

I see Cormack as, while a Scot, an American type of owner. I don’t think he ultimately cares about the tradition of Scottish football, but more about the future and financials of the club. He’s open to new thinking, new ideas, and progression, not so much keeping a Scottish league together. Just my opinion...

Glad to get the win, that’s for sure. And a couple of goals for Main cannot hurt us. Agree on the Hernandez concern/questions but today was all about the win, not developing young talent. If 2-0 becomes 2-1 it’s a different game, plus from what I’m reading 2-0 may have flattered us as they had chances. Only saw the first half but from what I see we look like the team from last year again. Biggest difference this season has been Scott Wright and having a true #10 who causes central attacking problems. He’s our Christie, even Maddison now, and he clearly has an impact. Without him we’re back to that huge hole in the attack middle of the park below the forward at times, and it’s relatively easy for opponents to defend. Hope he’s fit sooner than later!

I disagree, from what I’ve seen, which is limited so i could be wrong, is that we are much more direct again. Coincides with players out too.

Haven't been able to watch much of the last few games, but based on what I have seen and read, maybe harsh to say but we've been pretty much poor since Cosgrove came back into the team. I do feel our style of play has changed and, as you say, looks more like the shit of last year again. You can add the injuries to Watkins, Wright, the Covid players out have hurt, but the style of play has gone backwards. Can't believe DM didn't sub Ferguson at half time. He pretty much had to play a whole game on a yellow and he's not capable of that. Add to the fact it's his first game back and we've been shit, he's probably a little too anxious for success and not quite match sharp. Poor management here in my eyes. Down to 10 and playing with Main and Ojo. Sad day. Holding on for a 1-1 against a bottom of the league team. Not inspiring stuff.

I don't see it as smaller teams, plus we were certainly fortunate to face the team that we did in the Czech Republic. We're in pool B against decent sides with good players. We got promoted from the C league and held our own in B, that's not bad, baby steps. Don't know if getting into A and facing the likes of Portugal and Spain twice is what we need just yet. For what it's worth, the boy that scored today is only 21 and in the last year scored in the champions league against Real Madrid and Man City. We had two Motherwell players playing! And for the most part, much like the dons, we're playing so much better than in recent years. We're not painful to watch any more. I'd argue that while Israel and Slovakia have good individuals, we were the better team today and last weekend, just didn't take our chances. A natural scorer or two scores a few over the last two games and we win both. Defensively we are solid, and we knock it around, and we had chances to win these games. I'm ok with where we are, onwards and upwards.

You beat me to it. Shouldn’t be losing and I agree, should be leading. We’ve played some pretty tidy stuff in patches, pleasantly surprised. A half decent striker buries more than one of those chances, plus Armstrong should have scored too. Decent so far but it’s ultimately the score than matters. Would honestly like Griffiths on to start the second half, McB is crap!

1 down after half an hour, not playing badly and actually had chances. Slovakia aren’t bad but we look decent too. A little unfortunate on their goal, deflected shot. No clue how McBurnie is an EPL striker, he’s had 3 chances now, looks awful ?

No surprise to me with the amount of changes, 120 minutes and penalties, not only were players emotionally wrecked but physically too. Also gives players a chance to make a claim for the finals squad.

I agree with your take on Fraser and Dykes, and if healthy Griffiths goes too. Think Paterson is in for the fact he plays multiple positions. Pretty sure McBurnie makes it but doesn’t look like Burke is playing much at club level so he is a question. Think he got too much attention too young, no feeling of whether he’s actually any good. I do rate Christie and who else plays that type of roaming #10 other than Wright. Fraser and Forrest are natural wingers, if Wright has a strong season and Burke rarely plays, maybe Wright gets a chance? I know we are biased, but who else brings that creative central spark?

You got me thinking, if the Euros were to start tomorrow, this could most likely be the squad - 23 players....or who am I missing? Marshall, Bain, Gordon (then McLaughlin) ODonnell, Palmer, McTominay, Gallagher, Cooper, McKenna, Tierney, Robertson McGinn, Jack, Christie, Armstrong, McLean, McGregor, Dykes, Fraser, Griffiths, McBurnie, Paterson, Burke It’s based on recent games, a very attacking squad and I’d expect a defender or mid replacing one of the forwards, probably Fleck or even Hanley. I’m assuming there will be the odd injury, so how do Ferguson, McCrorie, Considine, and Wright get in there? I’d assume Considine or Greg Taylor replaces an injured Tierney or McKenna, and I agree, if Wright has an excellent season he does bring something very few Scotland players have, plus I’d believe Clarke would give him a chance as he’s done with Hanlon, our Andy, Brophy, and the fact we had 2 Motherwell players playing in the most important game for years. Add to this, there is Forrest who I think definitely comes into it, don’t see Shankland getting in if these guys are fit. Maybe Johnny Russell? Shinnie???

Wonder if we'll see Fraser Hornby introduced to the full squad over the next few months and an outside chance of going to the Euros. Seems to be doing well at u21 level although not so sure on the club scene. I think we rely a lot on Dykes now, may be worth bringing him in.

Ya fucking dancer. Saw the first 90, didn't see extra time but caught the penalties, that's fucking stones to go 5/5 after being agonizing close to then lose a goal. And 10/10 in penalties is quality preparation and confidence in players. Thought McTominay was excellent, Dykes, McGregor and Christie quality too.

To do with balance, it was McKenna or Tierney since McT keeps his place at the back by the looks of things.

With Tierney's pace I'd be inclined to play him in the middle between Gallagher and McKenna, although not sure whether McKenna or Tierney is used to playing in the middle of a 3. I'm far from sold on McTominay in the back.......or in midfield to be honest.

I don't see Andy seeing the field in the future if McKenna and Tierney are fit.

Are you sure he’s not boasting corruption at its finest?

He’s going to go down fighting. It will be an embarrassing mess.

Sorry to be a complaining cunt, happy to win, but you are right. At 2-0 a DM team relaxes, sits and lets them play. Why give them the ball and let them get confidence? that’s a game we should push on and show killer instinct, score 4 or 5, and destroy them. The huns and Celtic do. Had decisions gone the other way and hibs get a penalty for example, we’re back in a competitive game that shouldn’t happen. It’s the negative DM attitude like the Celtic approach, game management against a shit hibs at home is not the same as 1-0 up at Barcelona!

I only saw the first 30 mins but in the time I saw enough of the ‘other’ side of Ash and Andy. The latter with two hurried and panicked semi failed clearances under no pressure, and Ash just all over the place including an excellent foul on McCrorie. I’m still not convinced on a back 3. Ash is shite and Andy has been a little off the boil of late. Anyway, good win and shutout, joint second and best start in 20 years!

Haven’t seen much since the 30th minute but Sam doesn’t look very fit.....understandably. Are there any u21 or reserve games for him to get match fitness? I’m thinking not due to covid?

I assume that was the second cup of tea?

Very different obviously, but years of abuse doesn't go away over night. I didn't see the 3-3 game so I may be way off, but the cup semi wasn't that different. We always give them too much respect in my eyes, and we crumbled. We created little. I don't agree they were very good and us not so much in recent years, they were better but we gave them so much of the ball that allows them to gain momentum, confidence, and play.......and score, and win! Going back to the semi, they are shite at the back but we didn't create many chances. Why? At half time why didn't we decide to have a go? Fear of going 3 down? Celtic are vulnerable, both in play and in mentality, but we didn't lay a finger. Then they get spanked again a few days later. Anyway, Hibs game will be interesting with Watkins out. He's been a big part of our success this season to date with his work rate and mobility, and this has helped Hedges and Wright, and our style of play. Not sure what to expect in performance, but it's the team I expected. Cosgrove starts, Kennedy and McLennan as wing backs, Hedges and Wright supporting Sam. Hope we go back to our pace and width and not the long ball target man stuff.