The Scottish Cup winners v The Ukrainian Cup winners

[tlg1903]

37 minutes ago, Slim said:

I think Keskinen did really well with the ugly stuff and didn’t really look out of place at LWB, other than the 2nd goal but Mitov should be coming for that anyway. Can’t question his work-rate.

Yeah I would agree with that and go further and say he's contributing far more and more effectively from this position.  

[OrlandoDon]

Not knocking topi but would like to see frame sooner rather than later.

[RicoS321]

Aye, that was a good performance tonight. They were a very good team, they'd wipe the floor with the Tims. Some of the stuff they played was top class, and their pressing and movement was exceptional, we barely got a second on the ball. Bit harsh to blame anyone for second and third goals, the cross for the second was sublime, and the entire move for the third was top class. I didn't get a great view of the first, but looked a decent finish too.

Milne, Devlin and Lazetic absolute stand outs as everyone has mentioned. Milne looks as good as McKenna was, but probably better on the ball, and just as quick. Devlin is just ace, and there's no chance on earth that Jensen would have been there to score that header, and if he had, he'd have been second to the ball too. The shoulder barge to win the one-on-one was just class too, although I suspect some of you think that shoulder barges should be a foul.....

Clarkson wasn't great, in a very unfamiliar role, Palaversa was average too, and Armstrong didn't get himself involved enough. The three replacements far outperformed them. The booing was pathetic, I'm not quite sure what Nilsen has done to deserve it, and he played well tonight. Keskinen worked hard, but his decision making was poor, but a few more weeks with Karlsson and against poorer opposition and we could have something. Mitov was okay, the conditions were difficult for a keeper, especially down the RDS end, where the wind was blowing the ball about a lot, even on the ground when kicking. 

Will be interesting to see how we use the squad for Sunday. There were a lot of tired legs out there at the end. I could see justification for Jensen ahead of Devlin in that regard.

[tlg1903]

50 minutes ago, manc_don said:

Agreed, the booing of Nilsen was very hunesque and reminded me of the dark days of JC's tenure. Recall Foster and Byrne maybe getting that treatment? I mind it definitely happening at a Falkirk game and a mate of mine up from London couldn't believe we booed our own onto the pitch 

The thing I don't get is why some fans passionately hate him so much.  He did fine when he came on tonight I thought, I know his form has dipped a bit from the player we had this time last season but he's certainly not been booed onto the pitch bad.  

[manc_don]

14 minutes ago, tlg1903 said:

The thing I don't get is why some fans passionately hate him so much.  He did fine when he came on tonight I thought, I know his form has dipped a bit from the player we had this time last season but he's certainly not been booed onto the pitch bad.  

Think it's symptomatic of where society is these days. It's one of extremes...Regardless it was pathetic and embarrassing. Don't want it to tarnish what was a vastly improved performance level. This gives me the glimmer of hope that he can turn things around (please make it so).

[tlg1903]

10 minutes ago, manc_don said:

Think it's symptomatic of where society is these days. It's one of extremes...Regardless it was pathetic and embarrassing. Don't want it to tarnish what was a vastly improved performance level. This gives me the glimmer of hope that he can turn things around (please make it so).

I think it was a very important night for JT (despite the loss) in terms of restoring a little faith that he knows what he's doing amongst the more sceptical.  At times tonight not only did we look like a football team (and wasn't that nice to see) but one that was actually quite decent.  As long as we follow this up with a win against the fun (please let them be fun) then, fingers crossed, we will hopefully see the start of a second season renaissance for Jimmy Thelin after the international break.  

[Reekie_Red]

1 hour ago, RicoS321 said:

The shoulder barge to win the one-on-one was just class too, although I suspect some of you think that shoulder barges should be a foul.....

My school PE teacher taught us that football was a contact sport, and there was never anything wrong with a good, firm, assertive shoulder barge 

[BigAl]

Just in the door @2.27am

Will post my thoughts on the game later today, but just now it is a large dram and off to bed.

Shite night driving down the road.

Fecking knackered.

[Panda]

4 hours ago, tlg1903 said:

It was good to hear the fans singing and not booing at full time though shame on anyone who booed Nilsen on the park as far as I'm concerned.  

 

4 hours ago, manc_don said:

Agreed, the booing of Nilsen was very hunesque and reminded me of the dark days of JC's tenure.

Aye, was sad to hear, and it wasn't like it was just coming from one section either.

Lets be honest we have some gypes in our support.

3 hours ago, RicoS321 said:

The shoulder barge to win the one-on-one was just class too, although I suspect some of you think that shoulder barges should be a foul.....

 

1 hour ago, Reekie_Red said:

My school PE teacher taught us that football was a contact sport, and there was never anything wrong with a good, firm, assertive shoulder barge 

That's because tonight it was a 50/50 challenge; two players challenging fairly for a ball that was there to be won.

That's different than someone being on the ball, in full control of it, and someone racing across and simply barging them over.

[Panda]

Was at the game, with a horrendous view of the RDS side goal.

Turned to look at the big tv screen and it was restricted view as well

Anyway, from what I did see we played alright. The 3-4-3 / 5-2-3 has improved us. It allows Milne to play a sweeper role and leaves us less exposed, Knoester and Dorrington both take it in turns to dribble up the pitch which seems to spook players, and we're seeing more link-up between our two wide players and the wing backs. I thought a run of games might help us, and I'm looking forward to the Dundee game now.

I was in the press conference afterwards. The Shakhtar manager came in, and without any questions just opened into a big long passionate rant about the war in Ukraine and about the flotilla going to Gaza. Was quite something. 

Jimmy Thelin is a throughly beautiful man though.