Alloa v Queens Park

[Waspie]

Hard fought game and a point apiece fair enough. As noted above, we really miss Flannigan when he is out and become a bit too predictable. Add in a few others playing without the confidence of earlier in the season and we have nowhere near the same threat. On a more positive note the team continued to battle after going behind and scored an excellent equaliser. With a bit of luck we might have won it, but QP will say the same thing. I thought both full backs did very well in getting up to support the attack and with Cawley were perhaps our best players. Hopefully the manager can add a couple of decent players next month to give things a wee lift. A bit more pace in attack would be a good option. 

I thought Queen's Park were impressive. Very compact and hard to break down but quick to break when they had the chance. Great effort and certainly earned their wages today. 

[Bring Your Own Socks]

1 hour ago, Waspie said:

Great effort and certainly earned their wages today. 

I bought a cheeseburger and a Bovril from the van. Cost me a year's wages for our entire back four.

Happy with a point. Just a wee shame the second 'goal' was chopped off as it was well worked but the assref had his flag up right away and seemed very sure. Our goal was a thing of beauty and the key man again, Ross Millen. Thought we ran the first half and Alloa only got going after we scored but settled back again after theirs. That said, the last 10 minutes both teams had chances to win and Wullie Muir, for long spells a spectator, certainly earned his (        ) in the run in.

McKernon again superb, as was Millen but wouldn't mark anyone with less than a 7/10. Wharton deserves a special mention for some cracking tackles but he really needs to chuck the Beckenbauer efforts and just pass to feet. Had McGeever and Galt been playing I reckon we would have won today. In clear fifth now. Good stuff. 

[holsten]

3 hours ago, Waspie said:

Hard fought game and a point apiece fair enough. As noted above, we really miss Flannigan when he is out and become a bit too predictable. Add in a few others playing without the confidence of earlier in the season and we have nowhere near the same threat. On a more positive note the team continued to battle after going behind and scored an excellent equaliser. With a bit of luck we might have won it, but QP will say the same thing. I thought both full backs did very well in getting up to support the attack and with Cawley were perhaps our best players. Hopefully the manager can add a couple of decent players next month to give things a wee lift. A bit more pace in attack would be a good option. 

I thought Queen's Park were impressive. Very compact and hard to break down but quick to break when they had the chance. Great effort and certainly earned their wages today. 

£1

[Father Barrys Sign (Top Half)]

13 hours ago, Redwedge77 said:

I don't think our discipline has been poor since the change of management my point is Goodwin as a player plays on the edge but as a manager he needs to lead by example and his behaviours today and others lets him down and leaves him open to criticism. Both sending offs this season where petulant and there's other games where he's been lucky to stay on the park I only stated as I felt today could have been his third sending off. I don't agree this clamour of criticism but a observation it may not be welcomed by sections to raise criticisms of club players or managers but its only my opinion valid or not

This is just the standard generic response now when the merit of a criticism is questioned.

His 2 red cards earlier in the season were rightly criticised. Yesterday he led well for much of the game and played his part in pulling the team back into things. We know how he plays the game, on the edge at times. Hes 34. That's not going to change. But yesterday nothing stood out that you would really notice had it been any other player. 

 

[whereismillar]

8 hours ago, Father Barrys Sign (Top Half) said:

This is just the standard generic response now when the merit of a criticism is questioned.

His 2 red cards earlier in the season were rightly criticised. Yesterday he led well for much of the game and played his part in pulling the team back into things. We know how he plays the game, on the edge at times. Hes 34. That's not going to change. But yesterday nothing stood out that you would really notice had it been any other player. 

 

That may be true but for me personally! too much of this , maybe he pisses of ref's too much ?

[fruitbowl]

This is just the standard generic response now when the merit of a criticism is questioned.
His 2 red cards earlier in the season were rightly criticised. Yesterday he led well for much of the game and played his part in pulling the team back into things. We know how he plays the game, on the edge at times. Hes 34. That's not going to change. But yesterday nothing stood out that you would really notice had it been any other player. 
 

I agree with the response but he is a marked man. The escalation in mouthing off to the ref before the foul that led to the booking was only going to lead to a yellow card. There was a short period thereafter when his continued comments to the ref were making folks around me call for him to sub himself. I accept Jim as he is as a player but the extra responsibility he now carries is a real test for him.

[Wasps1]

Imo the ref yesterday was shocking for both sides 

Our standard of grade one refs are on a downward spiral 

Refs being fast tracked to grade one and should never be at that level 

As someone at the sfa told me last week 

It's is what it is no Refs no games 

[printer]

Imo the ref yesterday was shocking for both sides 
Our standard of grade one refs are on a downward spiral 
Refs being fast tracked to grade one and should never be at that level 
As someone at the sfa told me last week 
It's is what it is no Refs no games 

The ref was fine yesterday.

You have no clue about the subject.

[fruitbowl]

The ref was fine yesterday.

You have no clue about the subject.

I felt the ref was a bit fussy but still think he consistently made the correct decisions.

[Bring Your Own Socks]

10 hours ago, printer said:

The ref was fine yesterday.

You have no clue about the subject.

 

Not the worse ref this year by a long chalk. But Wasps1 is closer then you might think. About 9 years ago the SFA had a recruitment drive for referees and were actively sending representatives to community teams coaches meetings, and the like, such was the dearth in numbers coming through. Bear in mind all these guys start off in public parks in the amateur/youth leagues and many get put off by some of the behaviour. I had a mate who was a ref at amateur level and he said the SFA were genuinely worried they were running out of refs. It's a rule that you can't have a recorded match without a ref. Think about how many games, all over the country and at many levels, are dependent on having one guy there. I think the dross we are seeing now is the crop from the harvest of nine years ago. Short of sticking the nut in a player they can get away with anything.

I think it's also fair to say though that player culture to match officials is appalling by and large and it's little wonder the refs ignore so many contentious decisions when they have a mindset that every player is trying to mug them. Your manager/player/captain/roustabout is probably the worst example around at the moment. I get it when he distracts the ref at a free-kick to give his team time to reshape and if the ref is gullible enough to fall for it, fair play. But that in-your-face tactic for every decision will only reduce his credibility with the ref and definitely sends the wrong message to his players. He's a very dominant character which is good when you're in the boardroom, but not good at all for the playing staff and ultimately your chances for promotion. Kind of looks like the chairman has gone for the classic 2-for-1 deal given the drop in revenue at this level and you can't blame Goodwin for having a go but he's not going to inspire his group with that attitude. 

Thanks for all the compliments about QP that have been written. It was a decent match-up from both teams. When's the highlights up? Or is Yer Man sold out to BT Sport?

[Mick1867]

I thought Wharton was outstanding on Saturday, the best he’s played since the run-in last season. The whole defence did well. Millen was tireless getting up and down the wing and put in some lovely cross balls. His link up with Woods for the goal was nice play between them, as was the cross he put in for Malone’s offside effort. I think he was just offside. Took a while for me to notice the flag and stop jumpin around like a daftie mind you.

Zanatta missed a sitter to put as 2 up but it was a chance that he made all by himself. I think if that goes in we would have had enough to see out the win. Alloa however missed some great chances as well, a couple that luckily went straight at Muir from close range. There was also that Longworth header in the first half that hit the bar.

Mid- table just before Christmas...who’d a thunk it? Some transformation since the Stennie game

Re Jim Goodwin. Does he ever stop moanin like f**k at the officials? He also seemed to think that his players needed an escort whenever they were summoned by the ref. That probably got him booked more than the actual foul, I reckon the ref just had enough of his pish. On saying that, I’d probably love the guy if he was in a Queen’s jersey  

[Hampden Diehard]

17 hours ago, fruitbowl said:

I agree with the response but he is a marked man.

He's "marked" because his tackles can be reckless and he never stops mouthing off at the referee.  Saturday was a perfect example of that.  How many times was Goodwin up at the referee for something or other, even when he wasn't involved in the incident?  Anyway, I felt that the ref dealt with the game, and Goodwin, pretty well.  His side also whined and moaned at the ref...hardly a surprise when their manager is doing the same thing.

Our improvement after the horror of the Stenie game continues.  Wharton was back to his best with two goal-saving blocks and Wullie Muir behind him emphasised how lucky we are that he's back.  It's expected that he'll be safe as houses and he seldom lets you down.

Two well-worked goals and both sides could have had more...so, quite happy with the point.  Gus continues to go up in my estimation; he's got us sorted out and everyone in the team puts in a full shift.  Once again, no passengers in the QP side.  

Livi are probably going to be a step up again on Saturday, but we've beaten them already, so there's no need for alarm.

[AllanM]

4 hours ago, Mick1867 said:

I thought Wharton was outstanding on Saturday, the best he’s played since the run-in last season. The whole defence did well. Millen was tireless getting up and down the wing and put in some lovely cross balls. His link up with Woods for the goal was nice play between them, as was the cross he put in for Malone’s offside effort. I think he was just offside. Took a while for me to notice the flag and stop jumpin around like a daftie mind you.

Zanatta missed a sitter to put as 2 up but it was a chance that he made all by himself. I think if that goes in we would have had enough to see out the win. Alloa however missed some great chances as well, a couple that luckily went straight at Muir from close range. There was also that Longworth header in the first half that hit the bar.

 

Agree with this. Wharton was brilliant on Saturday, he seemed to just pop up everywhere on the park. Very well played. Again, Gibson played well too.

Woods pass to Millen for the goal was excellent, though no real mention of this in the write up, etc. Good vision by Woods I thought.

As for Zanatta's chance, at the time I did think he should have passed to Woods. I felt Woods was in a better position with less Alloa players around him. A few times lately I have felt he has tried to go himself rather than play in others who are in a better position. But, I do feel both of them up front together has made a difference.

Felt it got a little nervy near the end when it was clear Gus was holding on for the draw and Alloa had some chances.

As for Goodwin, I was a bit embarrassed for him. I agree he was constantly moaning at the referee, getting involved in every situation.

[Boris the Spider]

Unless I'm mistaken since Jamie McKernon has been in the team from the start we have not lost a game. His return could not have come at a better time.

[The Spider]

Unless I'm mistaken since Darren Miller has been out of the team we have not lost a game. His departure could not have come at a better time.

[Bring Your Own Socks]

1 hour ago, The Spider said:

Unless I'm mistaken since Darren Miller has been out of the team we have not lost a game. His departure could not have come at a better time.

Who's he?

[Boris the Spider]

Try to be positive but someone else has to be negative.

[Wasps1]

On Sunday, December 18, 2016 at 21:32, printer said:

 

The ref was fine yesterday.

You have no clue about the subject.

 

Really 

[Bring Your Own Socks]

11 hours ago, Boris the Spider said:

Try to be positive but someone else has to be negative.

Maybe some folks see Miller leaving as a positive? McKernon has been outstanding and just wants to get the ball forward at every chance. He's part of the reason that Galt and Woods are fired up again also and I'd even go so far to say that Sean Burns has been consistently good in the same period. Gibson's return has also had a great influence at the back. Whatever one of these events was the catalyst I'm just chuffed at how it's turned out.

[Mick1867]

When are the highlights up?