Fantalk

CALDERON · Joined: 14 Jul 2008 Posts: 1723 Location: Aberdeenshire

We've had a very good points return so far this season, but we don't look like genuine title contenders. You cannot go the whole season winning the games in the manner that we have, and we've seen that against Ayr and today. These are results that have been coming for some time.

We will likely finish 2nd, which is still representative of a good season. However, the performances that we've seen over 3 of the past 4 games (Arbroath away was little better) have been poor and do serve as a wake up call for any thoughts that we can beat Utd to the title. The question you have have to ask is, would they have won against 10 men Ayr when 2-1 up, or against an Arbroath side who had played all their subs, and were playing their goalkeeper, when 2-0 up with less than 20 to go?

You only have to look at the games last night and today to see the difference. Not necessarily in terms of individual footballing skill and ability - however the difference in game intelligence and game management is massive.

No complaints over the course of the season, we have had some great results and rode our luck at times - but the reaction we have seen in the past 2 games has been pretty poor at best.

embow · Posted: Sat Dec 30, 2023 5:24 pm Post subject:

Northern_Rover · Joined: 15 Jul 2008 Posts: 2725 Location: Granite City

Couldn't make the game today so can only comment on updates and BBC open all mics.

Dundee Utd laid down the gauntlet last night. To be 2 goals up at home against a team second bottom, struggling to fill a bench, and playing a substitute goalkeeper outfield who actually scores has to be an embarrassing failure.

There's been loads of plaudits recently and rightly so.

Andy Barrowman gies a shout I'll scribble up a few placards for your next film with Ian Murray.

Cuparman · Joined: 12 Jul 2008 Posts: 1873 Location: Irvine

.
IM has to get the defending sorted out.
It’s not as though the players are not good enough, more like concentration is somewhat lacking or possibly a lack of “ talking” to keep players alert to danger!.
The mindset has to be improved. We have leaked plenty goals and gotten away with it due to some utterly great late comebacks. That cannot be our M.O. for the whole season.
IM HAS to get the mindset altered throughout the team, we attack as a team but we ain’t defending as a team. Sad

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wellyboot · Joined: 14 Jul 2008 Posts: 2567 Location: Aberdeenshire

Top at Christmas, a league that looks to be between two sides and we are one of them, a sizeable gap to our rivals, crowds up, football been mainly a joy to watch, atmosphere around the club at an all time high, long unbeaten streak

Yes we have hit a poor patch, without losing, but are still up there.

Would have taken this at the start of the season.

Onwards and upwards

As Marv said….Believe!
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Vinnie · Posted: Sat Dec 30, 2023 6:35 pm Post subject:

Spot on wellyboot

There seems to be no pleasing some at the moment
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Castle · Joined: 24 Jul 2010 Posts: 4933

After half a season our opponents must now have learned one thing, attack the Rovers because their defence is brittle and if they concede once more times than not they'll concede again. For all the tenacity shown in pulling off unlikely last gasp results we've shown time and time again a lack of gumption and nous in defending a lead.
Nobody can deny it's been a great season and to be top of the league is unbelievable but I'm sure this time last season Ayr were in a similar position and now twelve months later they are twenty odd points behind the league leaders. Point being this season is going to be an anomaly but if we want it to be more than that and mean something then we need to be more ruthless and beating teams at home that are down to ten men or are playing goalkeepers as strikers is essential.
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embow · Posted: Sat Dec 30, 2023 6:47 pm Post subject:

Franco · Joined: 10 Oct 2019 Posts: 1196 Location: kirkcaldy

A draw that feels like a defeat but we are still in there contesting top spot with United, a team which was expected to stroll the Championship.
Our team isn't perfect but it has something special and a disappointing result like today doesn't change that.
Plenty of folk are buying into The Rovers this season. A gate of over 3600 for this fixture last season? Nothing close to it.
Lastly, did Jack Hamilton's curly hair score Raith's second? If I was Aidan Connolly, I'd be having a close look at the Raith TV highlights.

TxRover · Joined: 02 Jun 2018 Posts: 3511 Location: North Texas, USA

The defending is partially brittle right now as Stanton and Byrne were missed. With a fair chance of a several game span without Stanton, it is vital we fine another way to assert dominance in the midfield. If, as some have suggested, Byrne is called back to Dundee for the break, we will have a right problem on our hands! Matthews, before his injury, is our current player most
able to fill the Stanton role and team with Byrne. Brown isn’t the type of player that Byrne works as well with, and his time at CB has hidden that issue.

Today we lacked any connection between the defence and the attack, except the long ball. There was very little of our efficient passing game within 10-15 yards of the center line, except defenders passing to each other then humping the ball up the pitch. Our defenders are constantly falling back due to the lack of support directly in front of them when we deploy a 4-1-3-2, as Brown is only one man.

Wolfman Jack · Posted: Sat Dec 30, 2023 7:11 pm Post subject:

At 2-0 up we should have gone to a back 3 and brought Matthews on to partner Brown, this would have seen the game out.
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Hope he's got plenty Rovers action to comment on tonight....

Cuparman · Joined: 12 Jul 2008 Posts: 1873 Location: Irvine

Armagh Rover · Joined: 25 Jul 2008 Posts: 5742 Location: Nottinghamshire

embow · Posted: Sat Dec 30, 2023 8:51 pm Post subject:

You've lost me with that one AR.
Murray got a three year extension last week.
I don't think for one minute that the players will not have been trying their best, irrespective of the outcome of the match or how they perform on the day. Sometimes it just doesn't happen on the day. George Farm way back always said that you could carry up to three not on their game. Any more and you struggle to get a result of any kind.
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Franco · Joined: 10 Oct 2019 Posts: 1196 Location: kirkcaldy

I can't understand the lack of game time for Ross Matthews. Yes he's been out for a long time and, perhaps ,the last few weeks times been difficult to bringing in as a sub . Today, though, a double sub of Gullan and Rossco seemed the obvious call, not least because Callum Smith was not having his best game. But he didn't even get a few minutes ahead of McGill. Is he not truly fit to play? I previously expressed the opinion that, if he didn't feature today, he may be being lined up for a loan, especially if Byrne stays.