[young buck]

It's funny how we all see the game different. For me the weak link at the back recently has been tiffoney. So I think having robbo in his natural position strengthens us and putting an inspirational stalwart back into his, can only strengthen us. It's hardly "crazy" as we haven't exactly been setting the heather on fire performance wise and if tiff gives us a midfield option where we are sorely lacking then it can only be good. I see no-one seems to have a problem chucking in these new boys despite not knowing their talent. I admit they can only improve our powderpuff misfield but to think that we are in a position where we can leave out a fit campbell, I would suggest is naive

[kaisayr]

Robertson and Smith have struck up a good partnership for me and I wouldn't break it up. Robertson's been our most consistent performer and Smith has came on a tonne, probably largely down to the fact he is learning from JR.

Campbell's lack of pace would be a worry for me. He got sent off v Falkirk and his next game up at Morton he was booked and walking the tightrope.

Tiff has been a bit and miss this season bit he's done fine last few games. To drop him would be a mistake. He seems to be regaining his confidence, earlier in the season when he wasn't performing he looked nervous. I think at home too it help to have a fullback who gets up and supports, otherwise it's all too predictable.

[qos1990]

kaisayr, on 10 February 2012 - 11:01, said:

Robertson and Smith have struck up a good partnership for me and I wouldn't break it up. Robertson's been our most consistent performer and Smith has came on a tonne, probably largely down to the fact he is learning from JR.

Campbell's lack of pace would be a worry for me. He got sent off v Falkirk and his next game up at Morton he was booked and walking the tightrope.

Tiff has been a bit and miss this season bit he's done fine last few games. To drop him would be a mistake. He seems to be regaining his confidence, earlier in the season when he wasn't performing he looked nervous. I think at home too it help to have a fullback who gets up and supports, otherwise it's all too predictable.

Campbell sounds like his brother ha.


Anyway, as long as we walk away with a point+, I'll be happy. We've improved alot since new year, Team look hungry and want to fight for everything, i don't want to say we've turned the corner, tomorrow will determine this for me. With Craig Reid out i expect John Potter to make his debut, what way he'll line up his defence i have no clue. Harsh as well on Holt if he sits out but i don't think Alan Reid deserves to sit out as i think he did alright against Morton after first 10-15 mins, then had a great game against Aberdeen, I also like Guff and Higgins together but if Potter comes in one of them will have to move. It's the only part of the team thats up for debate, think midfield and forwards speak for themselves.


Carmichael McKenna Johnston McLaughlan


Parkin Reilly


If Mclaughlan continues to show the grit, he's shown recently i'll be happy, had his best game in a Queens shirt last week, did very well up. Allan Johnston is a delight to watch in beside McKenna, there partnership seems to be working well and Wee Dan since his goal at Partick in Cup has been giving some confidence which is evident in his current form. Parkin and Reilly cause Morton no ends of problems so would stick with them for this one. Leaving Clark on bench but a very decent option from there.

Hope we can take 3 points, a scrappy 1-0 victory will do me grand

[die hard doonhamer]

qos1990, on 10 February 2012 - 11:36, said:

Campbell sounds like his brother ha.


Anyway, as long as we walk away with a point+, I'll be happy. We've improved alot since new year, Team look hungry and want to fight for everything, i don't want to say we've turned the corner, tomorrow will determine this for me. With Craig Reid out i expect John Potter to make his debut, what way he'll line up his defence i have no clue. Harsh as well on Holt if he sits out but i don't think Alan Reid deserves to sit out as i think he did alright against Morton after first 10-15 mins, then had a great game against Aberdeen, I also like Guff and Higgins together but if Potter comes in one of them will have to move. It's the only part of the team thats up for debate, think midfield and forwards speak for themselves.


Carmichael McKenna Johnston McLaughlan


Parkin Reilly


If Mclaughlan continues to show the grit, he's shown recently i'll be happy, had his best game in a Queens shirt last week, did very well up. Allan Johnston is a delight to watch in beside McKenna, there partnership seems to be working well and Wee Dan since his goal at Partick in Cup has been giving some confidence which is evident in his current form. Parkin and Reilly cause Morton no ends of problems so would stick with them for this one. Leaving Clark on bench but a very decent option from there.

Hope we can take 3 points, a scrappy 1-0 victory will do me grand

I think our best option is to go 3 at the back and put either Clark or Holt on the left of that midfield. I think Holt could be perfectly suited to the LWB position. Back 3 of mcguffie Higgins and potter, with Reid coming in for potter when he returns from suspension.

[qos1990]

die hard doonhamer, on 10 February 2012 - 11:40, said:

I think our best option is to go 3 at the back and put either Clark or Holt on the left of that midfield. I think Holt could be perfectly suited to the LWB position. Back 3 of mcguffie Higgins and potter, with Reid coming in for potter when he returns from suspension.

3 worked very well last week, think because Reidy offered pace to cover, higgins quick enough for in middle? Don't think Potter will drop out, once he's in tbh

[Distant Doonhamer]

die hard doonhamer, on 10 February 2012 - 11:40, said:

I think our best option is to go 3 at the back and put either Clark or Holt on the left of that midfield. I think Holt could be perfectly suited to the LWB position. Back 3 of mcguffie Higgins and potter, with Reid coming in for potter when he returns from suspension.

You may ultimately be correct re Holt but worth noting that prior to being red carded at Dens he was being ripped apart at LWB role. I`m not sure he currently has the experience for the role and is probably better at LB in a back 4 with some cover in front of him. I suspect we may well play 352 but i don`t expect Holt to be LWB ahead of A Reid.

[die hard doonhamer]

Distant Doonhamer, on 10 February 2012 - 11:51, said:

You may ultimately be correct re Holt but worth noting that prior to being red carded at Dens he was being ripped apart at LWB role. I`m not sure he currently has the experience for the role and is probably better at LB in a back 4 with some cover in front of him. I suspect we may well play 352 but i don`t expect Holt to be LWB ahead of A Reid.

I wasn't there but was his red card that day not down to the trickiness and pace of Riley rather than his position? I don't think Ayr have a player of that quality that would trouble him the same way. I agree though, I would imagine A Reid would play ahead of him.

[Butch Coolidge]

kaisayr, on 10 February 2012 - 11:01, said:

Robertson and Smith have struck up a good partnership for me and I wouldn't break it up. Robertson's been our most consistent performer and Smith has came on a tonne, probably largely down to the fact he is learning from JR.

Campbell's lack of pace would be a worry for me. He got sent off v Falkirk and his next game up at Morton he was booked and walking the tightrope.

Tiff has been a bit and miss this season bit he's done fine last few games. To drop him would be a mistake. He seems to be regaining his confidence, earlier in the season when he wasn't performing he looked nervous. I think at home too it help to have a fullback who gets up and supports, otherwise it's all too predictable.

Agree with all of that. Tiff is returning to the player that excited us a couple of years ago, having the confidence to beat a man and get forward. We must encourage this.

If that means leaving Campbell on the bench, then so be it. I am not one of those who wants to see Tiff played further forward.

Regarding the Blackpool lads, Dodd looks decent, but we've not seen anything from Thomsett, in his limited time. But it irks me that he's considered ahead of our own Ross Robertson.

Up front, Reid can go nuts. I would not even waste my time hazarding a guess as to who he'll play. Complete lottery.

[ayrunitedfw]

Butch Coolidge, on 10 February 2012 - 12:09, said:

Agree with all of that. Tiff is returning to the player that excited us a couple of years ago, having the confidence to beat a man and get forward. We must encourage this.

If that means leaving Campbell on the bench, then so be it. I am not one of those who wants to see Tiff played further forward.

Regarding the Blackpool lads, Dodd looks decent, but we've not seen anything from Thomsett, in his limited time. But it irks me that he's considered ahead of our own Ross Robertson.

Up front, Reid can go nuts. I would not even waste my time hazarding a guess as to who he'll play. Complete lottery.

Would seriously not suprise me if thats how he does it.


I also agree that Campbell is not cut-out at this level anymore as he has lost a good bit of pace and is always a major risk for giving away a freekick or penalty.

[Distant Doonhamer]

die hard doonhamer, on 10 February 2012 - 12:02, said:

I wasn't there but was his red card that day not down to the trickiness and pace of Riley rather than his position? I don't think Ayr have a player of that quality that would trouble him the same way. I agree though, I would imagine A Reid would play ahead of him.

Riley was in top form at that time and to be fair to Holt he was left somewhat exposed by our system. That being said he looked completely overwhelmed in the short period where he was on the pitch. I took it from your post that you viewed Holt as a long term solution at LWB. I think he may prove to be but he needs more experience before he fits the bill.
Tomorrows match is absolutely crucial so I imagine Gus will largely go with experience..

This post has been edited by Distant Doonhamer: 10 February 2012 - 14:08

[JRS LEFT PEG]

Who is all going to Somerset then ? What about you Finlay ? The good thing about playing at Ayr is that I can leave about half twelve and still get there with plenty to spare . We really need at least a draw to keep the pot simmering for Tuesday and to give us a realistic chance to avoid the trap door.

[FC_1919]

Might be going to the Threave game Hammer, not decided yet though.

[qos1990]

travelling tonight got gig in kilmarnock tonight and tomorrow night, ayr sandwiched inbetween is decent. 3 points welcome

[young buck]

kaisayr, on 10 February 2012 - 11:01, said:

Robertson and Smith have struck up a good partnership for me and I wouldn't break it up. Robertson's been our most consistent performer and Smith has came on a tonne, probably largely down to the fact he is learning from JR.

that's a really good point although he was learning from campbell as well. We are lucky to have defenders of the calibre of malone, campbell and robertson. Smith has exceeded anyone's expectations and has turned out to be a great player for us. He will get us some cash soon on his way to a big team

[Cliche Guevara]

young buck, on 10 February 2012 - 09:46, said:

It's funny how we all see the game different. For me the weak link at the back recently has been tiffoney. So I think having robbo in his natural position strengthens us and putting an inspirational stalwart back into his, can only strengthen us. It's hardly "crazy" as we haven't exactly been setting the heather on fire performance wise and if tiff gives us a midfield option where we are sorely lacking then it can only be good. I see no-one seems to have a problem chucking in these new boys despite not knowing their talent. I admit they can only improve our powderpuff misfield but to think that we are in a position where we can leave out a fit campbell, I would suggest is naive

I'm not sure, I sometimes think people see the game the same way but value different things.

Campbell has never really been my type of player. Some people value the centre-half who can come steaming over to the wing and boot the ball miles up the terracing for a throw to the opposition. That kind of thing brings about quite a cheer in Scottish football but I have to say it pisses me off quite a bit. I appreciate blood and thunder defenders can have their place, but collecting a ball and playing it down the line, or making a simple pass to a team-mate is a fairly basic skill.

What also annoys me is how can he so bad at heading a ball? From a centre-half like that, the least you expect is he can header a ball miles up the park away from danger. The number of times Campbell has duffed a header straight to an opposition player, putting us under pressure, is incredible.

I accept that overall he has a presence and can do a decent job in the main, but how many mistakes does he have to make before people realise he is too much of a liability.

I also have to say that I liked Smith almost from the start and was one of the first people openly defending him. I actually think he was made to look bad by having Campbell in beside him, and took the flack for a lot of his mistakes. The anti-Smith brigade were still at it ages after he clearly proved he was developing into a decent centre-half. The erstwhile Morton teenage left-back was a completely different player.

[palmy_cammy]

I've a good feeling about this one, not a good sign at all.

[young buck]

Cliche Guevara, on 10 February 2012 - 16:40, said:

I'm not sure, I sometimes think people see the game the same way but value different things.

Campbell has never really been my type of player. Some people value the centre-half who can come steaming over to the wing and boot the ball miles up the terracing for a throw to the opposition. That kind of thing brings about quite a cheer in Scottish football but I have to say it pisses me off quite a bit. I appreciate blood and thunder defenders can have their place, but collecting a ball and playing it down the line, or making a simple pass to a team-mate is a fairly basic skill.

What also annoys me is how can he so bad at heading a ball? From a centre-half like that, the least you expect is he can header a ball miles up the park away from danger. The number of times Campbell has duffed a header straight to an opposition player, putting us under pressure, is incredible.

I accept that overall he has a presence and can do a decent job in the main, but how many mistakes does he have to make before people realise he is too much of a liability.

I also have to say that I liked Smith almost from the start and was one of the first people openly defending him. I actually think he was made to look bad by having Campbell in beside him, and took the flack for a lot of his mistakes. The anti-Smith brigade were still at it ages after he clearly proved he was developing into a decent centre-half. The erstwhile Morton teenage left-back was a completely different player.

cultured passing out of defence is not for the lower leagues of scottish football cliche no matter how good it looks when barcelona do it. Campbell to me does pretty much what you said and my only critiscism of him is he;s too pretty. I essentially wnat our centre back pairing to look like orcs at the gates of mordor. Smith ticks all boxes. What has been incredible this season is the amount of defending we have had to do percentage wise during the game. To highlight all the negatives when there has been so many postive contributions from campbell under the many bombardments is a shame. The midfield have been the negative as we can all see. If it keeps folk happy to keep the back four together so be it but I believe we'd be better served with our captain in place. I don't think you need pace when you are defending for your life on your own goal line anyway. We need to get tougher altogheteh and if foaming at the mouth wrestling c***s out the way to boot the ball up the park is available I'd select it immediately

[Cliche Guevara]

young buck, on 10 February 2012 - 17:01, said:

barcelona

I hope you die

[young buck]

Cliche Guevara, on 10 February 2012 - 18:32, said:

I hope you die

nice!
I'm now thinking if we are to make that many changes up the park it may well be sensible to maintain order at the back for this week. It all remains to be seen. I hope we are a bit more angry in the middle and able to hold teh ball further up the park for longer periods.If we can do that we have a chance at scoring which is what we have been lacking for 3 months

[Butch Coolidge]

Cliche Guevara, on 10 February 2012 - 16:40, said:

I also have to say that I liked Smith almost from the start and was one of the first people openly defending him.

We know.

[Jam]

It's really anybody's guess who Reid will go with up front tomorrow. One has to assume he will play two upfront considering the wealth of attackers currently at his disposal. Not seen enough of the Blackpool boys to know exactly how they are going to fit in or how effective they can be.

Huge game, especially for us. Really looking forward to it and hope Queens bring a decent support up.

Prediction: 1- 1

[MONKMAN]

Half 10 train from central for me. Really looking forward to this today, Ayr's usually my favourite away day. We've been playing reasonably well since thistle in the cup, and hopefully that'll continue. Win today and we have a bit of breathing space, draw and nothing changes, lose and we could well be fucked

This post has been edited by MONKMAN: 11 February 2012 - 08:49

[Northfield 53]

MONKMAN, on 11 February 2012 - 08:14, said:

Half 10 train from central for me. Really looking forward to this today, Ayr's usually my favourite away day. We've been playing reasonably well since thistle in the cup, and hopefully that'll continue. Win today and we have a bit of breathing space, draw and nothing changes, lose and we could well be fucked

You are straight to the point but you are right this is a game we must not lose.
I think Gus will go with the same set up as last week 3-5-2 but like last week it will be 5-3-2.
I would go with Robinson
Potter McGuffie Higgins
Carmichael McKenna Johnston McLaughlin Clark
Reilly Parkin

This post has been edited by Northfield 53: 11 February 2012 - 10:18

[Monkey Tennis]

MONKMAN, on 11 February 2012 - 08:14, said:

Win today and we have a bit of breathing space, draw and nothing changes, lose and we could well be fucked

I'd partially agree.
While it's a game we must not lose, I hope that fact doesn't inform our approach though because, in my view, a draw suits them better than us.

I wouldn't quite say that nothing changes with a draw. For one thing we're a game nearer the end and for another, it would mean Ayr had survived one of the remaining head-to-heads which offer us the best chance of making up ground on them (I know they're techinically behind us, but not in real terms).

A draw wouldn't be disastrous, but this is a game we've really got to look to win.

This post has been edited by Monkey Tennis: 11 February 2012 - 10:40

[Comfortablynumb1910]

Decent day for it. Fully expect the unexpected !?

Ayr to to be 2 up by H-T and add 2 more in the 2nd. Everyone to leave scratching their heads.