Fantalk

Specky Ginger · Joined: 16 Jun 2012 Posts: 4002 Location: Dysart

Like most of the previous posters, I've very mixed emotions after watching that today.
Ultimately, it's a point more than we might have expected, given our line up, but it was so disappointing to be pegged back so quickly after taking a 3-1 lead.
The goals we lost were as a result of failing to do the basics in defence - deal with long balls, stop crosses and react to rebounds.
Ultimately, we're a point closer to Partick and even although we don't play in the league, next Saturday is absolutely huge for us with Partick at home to Arbroath.
_________________
Dougie Hill
Sar-chluicheadair a'gheama

Northern_Rover · Joined: 15 Jul 2008 Posts: 2640 Location: Granite City

Given the team selection, due to injuries and suspensions, the loss of Gullan in the first half and a totally shambolic first 25 min that was a very creditable draw.

We seemed to lack confidence and belief and were caught startled in the second minute as Arbroath expectedly loaded the box and pumped high balls at a makeshift defence.

To be fair we were all over the shop after that but Arbroath stuck to their pump it high and long game plan and we settled a bit. Got a break for Poplatniks opener but after that we seemed to grow in confidence and composure.

The second and third goals were fantastic from open play but with Arbroath having so much to play for it was never game over.

Theres criticism about the defending for their second and third and while that is probably true I thought we were so far from a first choice back four and keeper that's probably harsh.

As it is we remain hanging in there and looks like the battle now is between us and Thistle for 4th.

Poplatnik was my MOM but Dave Mackay was a close second. Kept it simple and took no prisoners.

TxRover · Joined: 02 Jun 2018 Posts: 2673 Location: North Texas, USA

stan drew rover · Joined: 05 Jun 2017 Posts: 739 Location: Work it out!

stan drew rover · Joined: 05 Jun 2017 Posts: 739 Location: Work it out!

So we're still in it. But the playoffs will be won by St Johnstone, and we should content ourselves with the financial benefits should we qualify. And maybe, just maybe, get the ICT monkey off our back...

Vinnie · Posted: Sat Mar 26, 2022 8:25 pm Post subject:

If we had been offered a point before the game we would have taken it against a team that were vying for the league

Aye its disappointing to come away with just a point after being 3-1 up but for the moaners,cut the players a bit if slack.Down to the bare bones,makeshift back 4 its a point most wouldn,t have expected.

Still in with a shout of last play off place
_________________
THERES FIVE OF ME

Cuparman · Joined: 12 Jul 2008 Posts: 1559 Location: Irvine

Very poor game skill wise.
Seen better football played by kids just out of nappies.

Doubt we strung 3 passes together throughout. Ball was in the air half the time.
Nobody brought the ball down on the deck.
Surface admittedly is poor but this is the second tier of our national sport!!

The camera work was only just north of pathetic. Far too often zoomed in when it should be zoomed out. Awful absolutely awful.!

Methinks both keepers played their part in the SIX goals. Rolling Eyes

Pops YET AGAIN, showed why he should have been starting a lot more often.
Even on that pitch he showed that skill CAN still work with the ball on the ground.
IMO, we need a new managerial team. Somebody with a point to prove and hungry for success who will not simply play favourites but play only through merit.
Benny and Berra have to go and tomulty needs to stop going AWOL.
None of the above remarks are solely down to just today’s performance.

I was at the Killy cup game ,the rovers were BRILLIANT . WE DO HAVE SOME REALLY talented players but they need the right LEADERS off and on the park.

I would dearly love to make the playoffs and meet Arbroath again and STUFF them purely cos of the worst offenders of pundendry and bias that sums up Arbroath ‘s commentary team. Twisted Evil

_________________
Born a Rover Live a Rover Die a Rover

Strathallan Rover · Joined: 29 Nov 2014 Posts: 587

I don't know whether to laugh or cry at that result today. I, like every fan, would've settled for a draw ,but to lead by 3-1 and draw is so frustrating. It's no surprise though as it's been a theme the entire season, losing late goals or failing to maintain leads regardless of who is playing.

Thanks to our utterly clueless manager, we will never know how many goals Poplatnik would've scored if he was played more often. He has strength, good touch and his link up play is excellent. If he was playing every week from the start, i think we would already be assured of a top four finish.

Castle · Joined: 24 Jul 2010 Posts: 4744

How can our manager be utterly clueless when you think all he needed to do was play someone more often and we would have been guaranteed a play off spot? Either our manager has moulded a very good team that just needed Pops to complete the jigsaw or Pop is one of the all time great players who can carry a mediocre team to within a whisker of the title?
_________________
Fantalk~Often wrong but never in doubt

StarksBarmy · Joined: 03 Apr 2010 Posts: 3716

Manager really is stubborn though, doesn’t like to be proved wrong and certainly has his favourites.

We can blame the ref last week, we can blame the numbers of players missing this week all we want but it’s been a recurring theme, 20points now this season dropped from a winning position for goodness sake. Shocking.

Strathallan Rover · Joined: 29 Nov 2014 Posts: 587

Agree. One of the best examples of him being stubborn was season 2010-11 when we were going for the league with Dunfermline. We lost at 0-1 at home to Falkirk, possibly in January and McGurn made a rare mistake and gifted them the points. He was dropped in favour of Andy McNeill and the defence never looked the same. I may be wrong, but i don't think McGurn played again that season. Yeah, he's stubborn alright.

bistogravy · Joined: 27 Jan 2022 Posts: 65 Location: Glenrothes

a point gained or two lost?
after their first minute goal - i'd have taken a point.
from three one up - two points squandered.
from day one, 4-0 up against Hamiltion we have been abject at seeing games out.
so it's not just the lack of goals, but the leaky defence and lack of leadership that has hurt us all season.
given all of that though, i wouldn't be too surprised if we scrape a playoff spot and win the tin cup against QOS.
Will the board still eject the manager if he has a cup win and a playoff spot?
_________________
Gallatown boot boys

Castle · Joined: 24 Jul 2010 Posts: 4744

A cup win and playoff spot would be a successful season. It's only the challenge cup but it's the only cup we could realistically win and we might just do that. Winning the title was always going to be a long shot seeing as many of our rivals have bigger budgets so the realistic goal would have been a playoff place and we might still achieve that. All ifs and buts just now but that would be two play off finishes in a row and two challenge cup finals in a row. We've got a very capable manager in charge.
_________________
Fantalk~Often wrong but never in doubt

pinky · Joined: 15 Jul 2008 Posts: 466 Location: isle of south uist

The ability to manage the last part of a game with a winning position was what the radio pundits were praising Derek MacInnes and Kilmarnock for yesterday after the game, saying that’s one of his strengths.
From scoring a number of late crucial goals last season to shipping so many late crucial goals this season - what a turnaround.
I agree that given everything McGlynn and Smith do a pretty good job, but they have to address the obvious issues and develop the ability for the team to change tactics during a game, or next season will be no better.
_________________
He's no' hairy mary he's the Rovers' little fairy!
Jocky! jocky! jocky! oi! oi! oi!

Linktown Pensioner · Joined: 19 Mar 2022 Posts: 18

Hi all, think we need to take a wee chill pill here. Let’s not get a bit pessimistic about recent games, think what has happened to us regarding injuries has been unfortunate. I will not mention he who should not be mentioned fiasco. Overall it has been a fairly good campaign (apart from not stuffing the pars yet). We have to remember that we are a fairly small provincial football club with a regularly small home support. We are not a Dundee or Killie but, seriously a mid table Championship team. Given our financial state and fan base we should be happy if we can challenge for the playoffs most seasons and possibly win the challenge cup. On that basis, John and smudger have done what is required for a club of the Rovers size. Many of us were very lucky to have witnessed the glory years back in the nineties, but will Celtic, Rangers or Aberdeen ever win European trophies again, I think not. So lets just enjoy what we have and not cry about something we won’t achieve. All the best.