Jan Vojáček

We’ve been playing a 4-1-4-1 recently. And Newbury has been the one. So very much a holding sort of role. He’s had Jinky Hilton ahead of him, who is probably what you’d term a #10 and then Finlay Gray (a guy who you lot should also be looking at imo) is the hyper energetic box-to-box number eight. Newbury and Gray seem quite capable at switching roles during the game. Or making it 4-2-3-1. We’ve got two solid, no nonsense centre-halves in Mark Durnan and Sean Crighton (the guy I’m hoping might help sway you lot into letting us keep Newbury if Rankin doesn’t feel he’s ready yet). So Cian’s pace has been needed on occasion to help them. Similarly Carlo Pignatiello is a really adventurous right-back, and I’ve noticed Newbury slotting in there when Carlo is caught forward. i know I’m hyping him up something awful here, but I fully expect him to be named our YPOTY. For someone so young, with so little experience to come into a team that was struggling for form at the time and instantly look like one of our best players speaks volumes about him as a player, and as a character. I doubt you’ll find a Sons fan who hasn’t been impressed.

It would be a crying shame to see him on the bench somewhere and only getting 10/15 minutes here and there. So hopefully he gets a chance in the first team, takes it and nails down his spot. I've absolutely no doubt he's good enough. We've got Gallagher Lennon on loan from St Mirren too, who has really came onto a game lately. But Newbury is a better player. And St Mirren rate Gal very highly. We'll scoosh the playoffs now we've got through a first leg without continuing our habit of conceding an average of 5 goals in 90 minutes. Every confidence

Boys, could we possibly keep Cian Newbury for next season as well if you aren't going to use him? He's a class act. 18-years-old and totally unphased last night by a really competitive and extremely physical game. Which he largely bossed from central midfield. I thought he looked the part at centre-half, but it turns out he's even better in midfield. We've got two fairly solid League Two operators in that position (Ryan Blair and Blair Malcolm) who can't get a sniff because of Newbury's performances.

I really enjoyed last night. Aside from the first 20 minutes when we were playing some really excellent stuff, it was more blood and thunder than free-flowing sexy football. But it was too very well matched sides, with next to nothing between them who left everything out there. And I thought we probably just shaded it. The big thing I said I wanted, was for us to do ourselves justice. And after about 10 minutes I was pretty confident, regardless of the outcome, that we'd do that. In the previous two seasons we've either frozen in the big games or just not looked all that up for it. But that wasn't the case last night. It's such a cliche, but we looked like the team who wanted it more early on. And we looked like the team enjoying themselves. Playing with a bit of confidence and freedom. Carlo and Kalvin down the right were taking the piss out of Cammy Clark for the entire first-half, and I was really surprised he wasn't hauled off at half-time, with Callum Crane moving to LB and someone else coming on in midfield. Fair play to Clark, he recovered a bit in the second-half. Albeit Kalvin had spent the night being booted into the air and was blowing after about 50 minutes. There was one especially crude challenge he found himself on the end of that saw Faz booked for his complaints, and Kalvin show everyone near him a big mark high on his leg. A bizarre decision not to give that one. Our goal was an excellent move. And exactly the sort of thing we should be doing more often (e.g cross the ball Kalvin and Carlo instead of trying to beat a man 14 times). Josh McPake looked very impressive going forward, but didn't like the other side of the game. Allowing Carlo and Kalvin an overlap, and somehow Jinky Hilton was given a free header six yards out. Despite being about 5 foot 7. He finished it well. At that stage I was really fancying us to go on and get a second. Stirling didn't look a threat and looked absolutely hopeless at full-back. But goals change games. And out of nothing (was it a handball? Who knows. It hit Cammy Clark's arm, but I'm at a loss at to what the rules are) Dale Hilson zipped in an equaliser. You maybe look at Jay Hogarth (who I thought had a very assured game otherwise) getting beaten at his near post, but it looked a sharp finish. And we were guilty of switching off to complain about the handball rather than just defending properly. That really sparked the Binos into life. And for about 10/15 minutes after the goal they were on top. You can see exactly what their fans mean when they are left frustrated by their forward efforts. It felt like they were threatening for a good spell. But I'm not sure Jay had a save to make in that time. There was a lot of the ball in good areas, but very little at the end of it. We finished the half strongly and looked to have weathered that storm. The second-half was more of a battle. Tackles were hammering in and I thought that the referee was playing a risky game because it looked like someone was about to get booted into outer space and injured as players got away with more and more. Then he started showering Stirling players with cards. Like someone flicked a switch, and suddenly every foul was A) Being given and B) Resulting in a booking. I was surprised when Div Wilson replaced Jinky. Mainly because Kalvin looked to be blowing big time and had a limited impact in the second-half. Despite still being a threat. By the time Orsi was hooked for James Graham I thought we'd be looking at a draw. But what a cameo wee James made. He was the perfect sub at the perfect time. His first few touches saw him burst beyond a really sluggish looking Binos defence, find David Wilson and in slid Paul McLean to concede the matchwinning penalty. Graham then twice used his blistering pace to get in behind, and (especially with McLean off injured) the BInos just did not look able to cope with his speed. Finlay Gray missed a good chance, Michael Ruth missed a good chance and we made an arse of a two-on-one counter attack by floating the ball right to the solitary red shirt. Those came because Stirling absolutely went for it. Which I wasn't expecting. A 2-1 first leg defeat isn't the worst result going, but they committed bodies forward - Jay Hogarth made a really good point-blank range save and they had an effort eventually cleared off the line after McPake had danced through a lot of challenges in a congested box. I think Saturday's game is going to be a nerve-shredder. There's nothing between the teams based on last night and both sides approach will be fascinating. I think we can get at the Binos if we're brave enough. And if Paul McLean is out then that's a big blow for them, he looked the man holding together a very creaky backline. Likewise though, a better pitch will allow McPake and Carrick to do more of what they're good at. Albeit I think it will help us too - as we've shown on the road this season. But I'm excited for it. And that's the position I wanted to be in at this stage, after two seasons of damp squib second legs.

He was probably my least favourite player to face us last season. We just got absolutely nothing at all out of him after about the third minute of the opening day. Michael Ruth is a step above anyone we had up top last season, so I'm interested to see how he does. Might give us an idea of what sort of level Ruth will step up to next season (assuming he leaves us).

I've got an excited/nervous sort of buzz for tonight. I genuinely cannot remember the last time I felt like that before a game. Maybe the cup final? The main thing I want from us is that we do ourselves justice. The past two seasons have been a disaster and over by half-time. Still being in the tie by the second leg would be an improvement. Even if it wouldn't be good for my heart rate for the rest of the week. I've genuinely absolutely no idea how it'll go or what to expect. There's a big jump to League One. But that Binos squad did only beat us once in the league last season (we don't have to mention quite how comfortably that win was mind you, thanks) and I think we're much stronger now than we were then. But they still have players who either scare me (McPake, Carrick) or who were a nightmare last season and really had our number (big Paul McLean, I'm looking at you). I can't see it being high scoring. And I can see it being very tense. Can't wait!

If you’re punting teams out the league based on grounds then Forthbank would be one of the last to fall. Four sides with a mixture of terracing and seats, the perfect size for a club like the Binos. Easy to create a good atmosphere. Close enough to facilities and the city. Plenty of parking, and absolutely stunning views when the game is rubbish. Watching Uni games there like you’ll be used to is probably a bit miserable, granted. But it is exactly what I wish The Rock was like.

"The man from Glastonbury and what an, erm, festival. Of driving he's put on today" is one of the worst lines of commentary I have ever heard. So, so forced. Crofty sounded a bag of nerves calling that.

Is it cynical of me to suggest that this is all part of 'the show'?

On paper that Binos squad looks like one that would be right in a title fight in this league (I mean, it's not far off the one that exact one that won the division) but is maybe just a bit short of quality at the next level. A bit like Stenny would be if they took their squad at the moment up a league and didn't add anything to it. We didn't really challenge for the league. So we're a level below that, but we'll be coming in with a confidence about us I'd like to think. Only Peterhead have scored more than us, and we've looked a million times better at the back since Mark Durnan returned. If I was a bookie I'd make Stirling favourites fractionally across the two legs; but I don't think there will be a lot in either of the games. Peterhead are our bogey team, and Spartans are Peterhead's. This is the first time (I think) that we've played a club coming down in the playoffs. In 2011/12 it was Arbroath (second) and Airdrie (fourth). Last year it was Annan (third) and the previous twice we've been the club facing relegation. Both times we've gone down. And both times I'd have said we had a squad capable of competing at the top end of the league below, but went in on a real downer with no confidence. So I'm hoping the Binos harness the spirit of 2021/22 Dumbarton. I think we're a much better team than this time last year. Looking at the side that lost 6-0 to Annan (Long; Lynas, Buchanan, Grant, McNiff; Orsi, Gray, Blair, D.Wilson, Wylde; Byrne) only Brett Long would improve us markedly. And I'd really only expect Finlay Gray and Kalvin Orsi (if he's fit) to start. Maybe Aron Lynas too. Gregor Buchanan is probably better than Sean Crighton, but he turned in a stinker that night at Galabank. It goes without saying that these are some massive games for Stevie Farrell. We've been preparing for the playoffs for months, we are in good form and we should have a full squad available. This is as good a chance as he's had to win them imo (including his Stranraer team the season before he came to us). I'm fascinated to see how we approach them; having been dead and buried by half-time of the first leg in the previous two seasons. With a full squad, I'd imagine we'll go with something like this: Jay Hogarth Aron Lynas Sean Crighton Mark Durnan Gallagher Lennon Cian Newbury Kalvin Orsi Carlo Pignatiello Finlay Gray Tony Wallace Michael Ruth Kalvin wasn't in the squad on Saturday; so I'm not sure if that's an injury or not. If it is then you can pop Jinky into midfield and Carlo wide on the right. But I think we need our best players in their best positions. And for me, that's Carlo in midfield. He also gives us a bit more defensive solidity against a side from the league above with his ability to cover RB or drop deep alongside Newbury. Kalvin does things that no other Sons player can do. Yes he's incredibly frustrating, but he's also got a bit of magic to open a team up. The amount of balls he delivered to the area that Tony Wallace normally occupies against Elgin was frightening, and I thought that showed how much we missed Tony in that game. Aron Lynas did not start the season well. But with enough bumps on the head he's came onto a game in recent months, and I thought Kalvin and Carlo committed a bit too much going forward against Elgin. That something the Binos would have the ability to exploit. So hopefully he can help us find the right balance. That team is good enough to win these games imo. But who knows. I'm just glad we have a game coming up that I've already got a wee bit of a buzz for after a few weeks of dead rubbers.

Yes m9. That's why I put that in the spoiler at the bottom of my post...

Drizzle with a chance of shite patter I believe.

The playoffs are a bit of a law unto themselves. So we absolutely could win them and I'm going in more confident than the previous two seasons combined. It's the first time I've looked forward to the playoffs since we won them under Alan Adamson (albeit three of the four campaigns since were to avoid relegation. Which isn't a great buzz). As we've seen with a ropey Brechin side winning them in 2016/17 and us defeating an Arbroath side who outscored us points wise comfortably (thanks to a ridiculous Stephen Grindlay performance) in 2011/12, there isn't really any way of telling how they'll go. Being a Sons fan has been really hard work since that night in Shropshire. It would be nice to have something to really get excited about again. Dare to dream and all that.

Just fractionally*

Funny game this, because you'd imagine both teams will A) Rest their best players and B) Neither will want to give too much away ahead of a potential playoff meeting. I'd imagine if you offered both management teams a point each and the opportunity to do something else with their Saturday they'd probably quite happily accept it.

Given that behind the scenes issues have been creating more serious threats than simply "dark rumours about the future of the club" for much of the last 15 or so years, I'll politely decline the opportunity to get my knickers overly twisted at this moment in time.

You've got Sir Andrew Graham at the wheel. You'll win every week next season regardless

I've written four opposition previews for next week's semi-final programme. If someone could do up a 'Four opposition previews' Peep Show meme for me as a reward then that would be greatly appreciated. Anyway. Annan are in really good form and are paying the price for a ropey start to the season. So I don't fancy us against then. There's hasn't been a great deal between us, Spartans and Peterhead this season (aside from the 6-2 win v Spartans a few months back). So any game there could go either way. Stirling Albion don't look in good form and would give me a nice local game. Plus we haven't played them this season. So, nae offence Binos, but I'm wanting you lot in the semis. I actually think finishing third or fourth suits us better with the home leg first too. We've had 'second leg advantage' in the previous two seasons and the games have been over by half-time in the first leg.

Why is it always the fans of teams who win every week who think that there's some sort of refereeing conspiracy against them?

I've just finished writing four opposition previews for Sons' programme for the playoff semi-final. It's all fun and games having unpredictable league positions until you're writing programmes for games that might never happen

Just give the ball to Kalvin and tell him to take a touch to open up space and then cross it. Simple game etc etc.

Right Neilly, it's the one you've been waiting for. GK - Darren Jamieson (Stenhousemuir) - With Brett Long's ankle in half, nobody else comes close. Good lad too is DJ, and the most transformative signing that any club has made arguably in Scotland this season. I was disappointed he wasn't up for divisional POTY at the PFA awards. RB - Matty Grant (Stranraer) - He's more of a winger these days, but I've seen him play at full-back for Pollok (and wing-back) and I like him a lot. Aggressive, tricky, decent on the ball. I'd like to see him in a Sons shirt one day. CB - Nicky Jamieson (Stenhousemuir) - Will deal with the step up to League One better than Buchanan. And the stats speak for themselves, Stenny basically don't lose when he plays (I mean they don't lose anyway, but they especially don't lose when he plays). CB - Stuart Morrison (Forfar Athletic) - Forfar's only interesting player imo. Stupidly aggressive in the air, a goal threat, good on the ball. Him and Jamieson together would be sensational imo. LB - Neil Martyniuk (Bonnyrigg Rose) - Not actually sure if he's that good, but his goal return has basically saved Bonnyrigg - even if 95% are penalties. Plus I couldn't think of any other Bonnyrigg player I'd want (Paddy Martin is good, but not Jamieson, and Josh Grigor is alright. But not Jamieson/Morrison). CM - Mark Gallagher (Elgin City) - Impressed me massively at Borough Briggs back in January. Didn't actually know who he was until half-time, but you can see what bigger clubs have seen in him. Looked like he had an absolutely terrific engine above all else and had no issue bursting box-to-box. CM - Rhys Armstrong (Spartans) - Another guy I knew very little about before this season, but I've been massively impressed. Only 22 too so I can see him going on to a higher level if he fancies it. I actually wanted Cammy Russell from Spartans, but he didn't fit my team under the one from every club rule. So Armstrong it is. CM - Andy McCarthy (Peterhead) - Such a pain in the backside. I spoke about him on the Terrace a few weeks ago as being one of my least favourite opposition players to watch, but also someone I'd take at us in a heartbeat. Breaking up play, winning soft fouls and generally being a shithouse. FW - Michael Ruth (Dumbarton) - I know he's only got 12 goals, but he's also not our penalty taker. So he's got 12 from open play, compared to Aitken and Henderson both of whom take penalties. I wouldn't swap him for any other striker in the division. He's the best forward we've had in years, his hold-up play is in a different league to basically every other striker in the division. His workrate, strength and general forward play is absolutely vital to our chances of going up. I just wish we'd find a way to play someone alongside him. He'd be even more effective if he wasn't winning high balls, running channels, holding play up and scoring goals all on his own. FW - Jordan Allan (Clyde) - Pair Ruth with Jordan Allan and you'd have a title winning strikeforce. He's always been a thorn in our side, but he gave us the run around in the 2-0 defeat at NDP in February. A more natural goalscorer than Ruth, the two of them would be superb together. Seems to have a good knack of getting goals in important games/at important times too. FW - Nathan Austin (East Fife) - I was shocked by how bad he looked in the first few games we played against EF this season. He looked absolutely finished. A guy going through the motions. Gradually though it's looked like the Nathan Austin of old has returned and East Fife are very lucky to have a player that good with such an affinity to the club.

Not being there when Kalvin Orsi scored a prime Maradona goal would be a very safe second in the most iconic DFC moments I've missed. Extremely glad Budinauckas made that save

Five straight clean sheets too. Nice.

I'm not really saying anything new, but that's a terrific signing. Calum Gallagher in League One is like Dwight Gayle was in the Championship down south a few seasons ago. Just a guaranteed goalscorer, who maybe isn't quite capable of taking that next step. So fair play getting him tied down early. That's as good a signing as any League One team will make all summer, and it's only April! He's an absolutely fantastic team player. Will work himself into the ground, do the ugly side of the game. Run channels, hold play up. All that good stuff. It still pisses me off that we had fans berate him every week for us because he runs in a weird, ungainly way. Sure, he's not the most aesthetically pleasing forward in the world, but I'd kill to have him back at The Rock. Genuinely lovely guy too with a really nice nature about him. As said above, he'll be one happily dishing out high-fives and selfies with the kids.