farflung lichtie

Here's an unpopular post. I find this stream of `sack the manager' invective as tedious and am also not sure it fully reflects fan opinion. I don't have a strong opinion one way or another on J McIntyre but, unless there has been some breakdown in terms of player relations, would not really mind his continuing for a further spell. I have little faith that change for the sake of change serves any useful purpose and can often be counterproductive. I laugh at the similar simplistic kneejerk response when big teams have a few off days .. and we're not a big team Yes the results record has been appalling but, as others have mentioned, we have endured as horrific season in terms of injuries as I can ever remember. Our Goals For this season is below average (tho' not that off many others in the league) but it is the defensive record which has killed us - surely directly related to having all four back 4 either out or recovering from injury (ie not fully fit), Since it is our impressive defensive record which has largely kept us in the Championship, I don't think this catastrophe can be overstated. Having to then juggle with slotting newcomers or midfielders (or returning from injured) into a constantly-changing back four - enforced rather than through choice. Difficult to know what any other manager would have been able to achieve under similar circumstances (and that applies to AN Other). Surely following Arbroath should be character-building, accepting the rough (this and last season, late 1970s-90s) with the smooth (most of the 2011-12-2-21-22 era) so I find it hard to stomach all this moaning and whingeing because we're on a bad run due almost entirely to exceptional circumstances. I'd give the current manager at least until December and see how things pan out.

Thanks for this sensible post, all valid points. In particular, I cannot accept the view that you somehow changing managers almost as often as bedlinen itself offers a solution. It doesn’t work for big clubs and certainly won’t for the likes of Arbroath, Fans are entitled to their opinions and I understand the frustration but many of the rants on here echo the negative shouts from the terraces during games…as if you merely had to press a button. I recall our last 2-3 home defeat when ICT had big-name Duncan Ferguson come in newly appointed. That bounce didn’t last long and stats across all leagues seem to confirm it barely exists as a thing. Yes things can improve but it almost seems a lottery.(or risk). There’s some basis to the argument that if you do change, this is the time to do it but I am also not convinced it would just be change for the sake of it (read - can recruit better). It’s been a rather drawn out end-of-an-era which is always a bit painful but Lichties with longer experience are well used to it. Personally, I’d be in favour of moderating expectations a little and enjoying the trip without going overboard on the angst. Against the odds, I’m hoping we might pick up a few more points before the end of this season, then enjoying a bracing spell in the seaside league (hopefully only the top one but care needed). For me, ‘a change is as good as a rest’ applies more to the inevitable squad turnover (around a proven core), a different environment - both exploiting other gains such as financial we have established - but not necessarily a change of manager.

Very mixed feelings after watching that - a replica of the game much earlier this season against ICT. Our makeshift defence - with injuries again - wobbly first half, the story of our season but we were a bit short all over the park. Second half was a different story so dare I say it, some credit to the manager?. Very committed front foot, when we could easily have capitulated and could easily have taken something from that game though scoring has been a struggle so 3 goals was beyond us. We may be going down, but there’s still something there - though maybe not enough for the doom merchants and moaners emerging from the woodwork. Dunfermline were reasonably good in parts but I’d worry about going from strolling it to merely hanging on with occasional flashes of panic. Like so many other teams in this division now, they demonstrate more ‘professionalism’ in all aspects of the game (not entirely a compliment) which is a skill we seem to have lost. Not sure if the ref occupied the same time zone.

Like others here, I’d be against going full time - I don’t think there's a big enough population-financial base (32nd largest settlement as one crude indicator) not that there’s an iron rule and would maybe place undue pressure on financial resilience. For some marginal part time teams like Cove, I’d be worried about the longer term viability. That said, there are lots of small teams way down the lower leagues with dodgy financial backing. Like others, I’m not that bothered about which league we’re in but want to be competitive and ambitious, Barring this season’s unprecedented injury horror show, we’ve shown we can compete as parttime so I’d like us develop this model further (along with the linked expanded community arrangement). Some of the full time teams we’ve played over recent seasons have been less than impressive and with others in the league below, I think this demonstrates it’s not a critical ingredient of relative success. this seasons not done yet so I’m looking forward to competing in remaining games and accumulating what we can ….then looking forward to the more interesting seaside league sojourn

All a matter of opinion. I was happy to hear the announcements which have been fairly inaudible of late (but I think the system needs upgraded) - go to grounds like East End or Starks and the noise they make is deafening so this Saturday I considered a slight improvement hearing the halftime draw, scores etc. Maybe it depends where you stand. And I thought the choice of music to run out too was appropriate (what was it?). Many other teams have something similar ( Telstar at East Fife, Into the Valley at Dunfermline), so why not create a little drama. I recall they tried ‘The Boys are Back in Town’ but too hackneyed. Given the circumstances, that was a very decent crowd on Saturday. For the second week running, I thought the team showed excellent spirit, grit and determination even if lacking much cohesion. We were under the cosh in both games and better finishing by our opponents could have seen sizeable defeats. Of course it’s so frustrating to lose 2 points late on (and Hammy - the ICT guy should have off?) but we didn’t lose and there’s a third of the season left with some players finally available and some gaining match fitness. Let’s continue with the attitude shown and see what transpires.

Stating the obvious - statin ‘we really need a win’ - always seem redundant or at least, goes without saying. How does Arbroath, with a recycled bunch of players (new and returning from injury) manage to get their act together enough to overcome well-organised opposition.. This seems a very strong league this year, and decent squads more than any recent season. Since Arbroath only train twice a week, it’s quite an ask to build both teamwork and even match fitness to try and recreate a competitive side in a short space of time. . That’s why the performance and result away to Dunfermline last weekend was encouraging.. For the ICT game, I’m hoping we can compete, that we can dig in and show the same character, and take it from there. Let’s see if we can put in a performance.. If we can avoid defeat, that might be a step forward, tho games are running out. Looking for omens, we’re due some better luck.

Get a grip. Given our circumstances, this was a very positive performance and result. We might have nicked it with late chances but could have easily conceded.

Well it was a pleasant surprise to find we had 3 defenders starting and even the novelty of a few subs. Given no games for 3 weeks and about 5-6 just back from injury, I was delighted we managed to keep going but a few were struggling towards the end. Difficult playing conditions too with the slippy surface. Two very soft headed goals for either side. Both had great chances near the end but happy enough with the battling performance. We really needed 3 points but such a joy to score our first goal and pick up our first point in about 2 months.

The Campbell regime = among the best in AFCs history but time for all to move on. Even the sainted Albert Henderson and Paul Sheeran eras ended. It would be nice to avoid a little rancorous aftermath but hold onto the rosy memory of these remarkable years, which would be hard for any manager to replicate. As stated all political (and managerial) careers “end in failure”. While down memory lane, I note Arbroath’s last previous stint in the second tier over 20 years ago (2002-3), saw us end the season with a points tally of 15 and an average attendance of 759 - which we will exceed this season. Note our fairly successful previous season there (2001-2, accumulating 48 points) garnered an average attendance of only 959.

Meanwhile…..to revert to a previous topic, I don’t really mind what division we play in but we need to be competitive in most games. That doesn’t necessarily mean challenging at the top. I’m even slightly envious of Brechin with their interesting Highland League fixtures. However, one concern is that if teams do go down, the slide can easily continue. Hence, I expect us to make a determined effort in our final 14 games of this season to strive for survival by any means

Maybe because we’re getting paranoid doesn’t mean they’re not out to get us. Apart from the run of bad injuries, in recent weeks we’ve seen one perfectly fair goal against Dundee Utd ruled out also an absolute stonewall penalty against Ayr. You almost start thinking this might not be our year. Morton did what they needed yesterday and that’s an amazing run, Restating the obvious,. it’s such a tight league that a bit of consistency and stringing a few results together takes you from relegation to promotion contenders. We are looking forward to a fortnight’s break and the possibility of naming more than 2 subs on the bench when we restart.

And yet Morton were still winning the foul count. Handy to receive such largesse from the officials. It was going to be an uphill task anyway..

But these massive throwins as a major assault weapon counter that deficiency to some extent. Must be unmatched in the league and really need to be counted in the Corners tally of game stats.

….and poor officiating early on has somewhat undermined this game as an even contest ( or as near as we could manage). A not unfamiliar story. Damage limitation at best and hoping to avoid injuries

You are joking. Soft as f..k both of them. Then a heavy late challenge on Hamilton sees one of our players booked. Criminal officiating yet again. Will it ‘balance out’ - er, no.