Was gonna post this in the Motherwell match thread, but seems apt to just start this one early.

Was just saying to someone on my way home from work there that the Dunfermline tie being away is the best thing that can happen to us.

If it had been at home, of course it increases our chances of winning, but it's another 9,000 home crowd, a win expected, and even if we get through it's not going to give our season a massive lift. The same way it didn't when we beat Raith Rovers in the last round. Sometimes even reaching Hampden gets a muted response.

But away from home, Saturday night, 2000-3000 travelling fans - maybe even more - the away end buzzing. One of those nights that - if we win - you get that connection between the fans and the players that we've seldom had this season. The new signings get to see just how good our away support can be if they deliver good performances.

A "proper cup tie" if you like, a chance to make Neil Lennon greet. It's something to look forward to which we really, really needed to keep the enthusiasm going for this season.

Also, despite Hearts, Hibs and Motherwell having significantly better league seasons than us, the odds on us winning a trophy are a lot shorter than it is for them, which is really quite something. 

Tickets: Stand behind the goal holds 3,000. When Hibs sold it out they were given an extra 1,000 in the main stand and in the stand opposite, turning the ground almost into a 50/50 split. Saturday night will put a few off but we'll still take very decent numbers I'm sure.

4 minutes ago, Ajja said:

Pretty sure the rules are that if the stadium has VAR capability and it’s on TV it has to be in place for the game. Assume Dunfermline won’t have it?

Further prove if it were needed that VAR has been introduced solely for the entertainment of the armchair fan. 

As someone who regularly goes to East End Park as well all Scotland home games and the occasional Dons match, I can assure you that games without VAR are a much better match going experience than those that have it. 
The Pars late winner against Hibs would probably have had a 5 minute VAR check before any decision was made rather than just looking to see if the linesman has a flag up before celebrating. 
I was at the Dundee game with the autistic chap I look after and had to try and explain to him what was going on with the long check for the penalty and red card. 
Get VAR in the bin. IMO

Preaching to the converted here buddy 🫡

If anyone is looking for a ticket for tomorrow drop me a PM as had a couple of folk drop out. 
 

Tickets gone. 

Armstrong, in his Red TV interview kept using the expression “against the ball”. I assume that’s nouveau coach-speak for opponents being in possession?

Sakes boys, I struggle with these new metaphors. 

Sold Out. 

1 hour ago, blinlemon said:

Armstrong, in his Red TV interview kept using the expression “against the ball”. I assume that’s nouveau coach-speak for opponents being in possession?

Sakes boys, I struggle with these new metaphors. 

Wild. Without context, I'd assume it meant the exact opposite. 

Isn't Armstrong a solicitor? Trained in ambiguity 

Safe travels for those coming down to Fife today.

A wee bit local advice for those driving down.

Free parking is available at Leys Park near the police station. This is a short walk from the town centre and EEP, however it’s the other end of the ground from the away stand and will be gridlocked for a while after the game.

On street parking may be available in the Garvock Hill area near the stadium but I would imagine it will get very busy and don’t park on the pavement! 
 

If you fancy a walk, Asda and the Halbeath Retail Park just off the M90 have a large parking area though it’s about a 30 minute walk to the ground. The walk can be interrupted by a visit to The Elizabethan on the way(if you can get in).

I will quietly be cheering on from the Main Stand today and hope that my sons are looking forward to next week against Raith instead of a Cup Semi Final at full time.

COYR

51 minutes ago, Dunfermline Don said:

 

Safe travels for those coming down to Fife today.

A wee bit local advice for those driving down.

Free parking is available at Leys Park near the police station. This is a short walk from the town centre and EEP, however it’s the other end of the ground from the away stand and will be gridlocked for a while after the game.

On street parking may be available in the Garvock Hill area near the stadium but I would imagine it will get very busy and don’t park on the pavement! 
 

If you fancy a walk, Asda and the Halbeath Retail Park just off the M90 have a large parking area though it’s about a 30 minute walk to the ground. The walk can be interrupted by a visit to The Elizabethan on the way(if you can get in).

I will quietly be cheering on from the Main Stand today and hope that my sons are looking forward to next week against Raith instead of a Cup Semi Final at full time.

COYR

Best of luck with being in the home end. Done it a few times as an away fan, and I hate it. But at least it’ll be almost a home from home for you. Fingers crossed we’re in the hat for the next round !

Lumped on.

Only got 4/6 at Coral but it's money for old rope. 

Nice morning in the Capital and looks sunny over in Fife. Great day for cup football. Assuming Mitov will continue in goal today. Hoping we go with a back 4 today to allow us an extra attacking player. McIntyre being available is a should mean him and Milne in the middle with Lobban or Jensen at right back and would go Frame at left back as his defensive frailties won’t be tested as much today and he can put in a decent cross. Midfield would go with Shinnie Armstrong and Cameron with Keskinen Olusanya and Nisbet up front. Approach this in the right manner and we win comfortably.  
 

In

train then pub

away end

pub then train back to capital

2-0 Keskinen and Nisbet

3 hours ago, manc_don said:

Best of luck with being in the home end. Done it a few times as an away fan, and I hate it. But at least it’ll be almost a home from home for you. Fingers crossed we’re in the hat for the next round !

It will be a strange one for me. I am regularly at EEP and probably more familiar with their players than The Dons ones these days. 

I missed last years semifinal as we were in Hospitality at EEP for my youngest boys 18th. We were positioned to see a TV showing the game and managed to see the winner go in as we were being told to go to our seats in the stand. 

Regardless of who wins today my boys will be wanting to go to the semifinal (I just hope it’s not the winner of the first tie tomorrow).

I am in the Main Stand with my Dad (in his 80s and the reason I support the Dons) while my boys will in Section NW.

It should be a great atmosphere today EEP is a great place when it’s full. We need to score early and score twice to have any chance. I am dreading it being 0-0 on 90 minutes and the Pars getting a corner! 🫣

COYRFFS ⭐⭐

4 hours ago, manc_don said:

Best of luck with being in the home end. Done it a few times as an away fan, and I hate it. But at least it’ll be almost a home from home for you. Fingers crossed we’re in the hat for the next round !

I've never done it and I honestly don't think I could.  There's no danger I could sit on my hands for 90 minutes, I would be booted out within 20 minutes

57 minutes ago, tlg1903 said:

I've never done it and I honestly don't think I could.  There's no danger I could sit on my hands for 90 minutes, I would be booted out within 20 minutes

Same here.

I couldn't do it, no matter the occasion.

 

 

3 hours ago, tlg1903 said:

I've never done it and I honestly don't think I could.  There's no danger I could sit on my hands for 90 minutes, I would be booted out within 20 minutes

Done it for a couple of big games including league decider at Ibrox. It was shite but if only way in then I would do it again.

23 minutes ago, Jute said:

Done it for a couple of big games including league decider at Ibrox. It was shite but if only way in then I would do it again.

It's of no shock to me that you're a better man than I Jute 😂😂

4 hours ago, tlg1903 said:

29 minutes ago, tlg1903 said:

It's of no shock to me that you're a better man than I Jute 😂😂

No better man. If we won that game I was going to jail and had accepted that fact.

I'm feeling ever so slightly nervous now. 

56 minutes ago, Jute said:

Done it for a couple of big games including league decider at Ibrox. It was shite but if only way in then I would do it again.

I was in the club deck at Ibrox for the George Young minutes silence game. They weren’t happy 

8 Scottish players in the starting line up. When did that last happen? And is that a good or bad thing?!?!

3 minutes ago, OrlandoDon said:

8 Scottish players in the starting line up. When did that last happen? And is that a good or bad thing?!?!

I'm not bothered what nationality the players are as I'm not a patriot but the player I'm most concerned about being in the line up is Milanovic. Crazy. 

Edited March 7Mar 7 by Bukta Bertie
Brain fog.

Milanovic back in the line up.

We're definitely back to using the Tombola to pick the team.

Just now, Bukta Bertie said:

I'm not bothered what nationality the players are as I'm not a patriot but the player I'm most concerned about being in the line up is Milanovic. Crazy. 

It’s was as much an observation as anything, not good or bad, plus we can certain have good/bad Scottish players. Perhaps having the flexibility of bringing a fresh olusanya off the bench is the thinking? I don’t think, at present, there’s much difference between milanovic olusanya or bilalovic at right mid, all have their flaws. My concern is center mid, no real physical presence and relying on Armstrong to do more heavy lifting than he’s possibly capable.