Francesc Fabregas Posted August 14, 2017 Share Posted August 14, 2017 It's League 2's heavyweight encounter as Stenhousemuir entertain title favourites Peterhead at Ochilview on Saturday. While the Warriors are short in bodies and have yet to get going, the Blue Toon have assembled a fearsome squad that should win the division before May. Although Stenny largely had the upper hand against Peterhead in League 1 last season, boyding them in three of their four meetings, things are very different this time around and it's hard to see beyond an away win. I don't know how we're looking in terms of personnel but I'd like to see us stick to the 4-4-2 formation we finished the weekend's game with. The back four - the Dunlop brothers in the middle flanked by Ross Meechan and Ruaridh Donaldson - look far more comfortable in this system than they do squashed together in the 3-5-2 and Jamie Longworth and the excellent Mark McGuigan have formed a solid partnership up top. There are concerns about the midfield, however, and it's a big oversight to have started the season with no natural wide players, while we're yet to find the right balance in the middle and select a player who can get the best out of the talented (but lightweight) Harry Paton. I'm not sure Mark Ferry or Nathan Blockley are the answer. I think we might line up with: - Mark McGuigan - Jamie Longworth - - Eddie Fearns - Mark Ferry - Harry Paton - Nathan Blockley - - Ruaridh Donaldson - Mick Dunlop - Ross Dunlop - Ross Meechan - - Chris Smith - The head says we'll put up a decent fight but lose, but the heart says we can take something from this. Why the heck not! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aberdeen Cowden Posted August 14, 2017 Share Posted August 14, 2017 12 minutes ago, Francesc Fabregas said: It's League 2's heavyweight encounter as Stenhousemuir entertain title favourites Peterhead at Ochilview on Saturday. While the Warriors are short in bodies and have yet to get going, the Blue Toon have assembled a fearsome squad that should win the division before May. Although Stenny largely had the upper hand against Peterhead in League 1 last season, boyding them in three of their four meetings, things are very different this time around and it's hard to see beyond an away win. I don't know how we're looking in terms of personnel but I'd like to see us stick to the 4-4-2 formation we finished the weekend's game with. The back four - the Dunlop brothers in the middle flanked by Ross Meechan and Ruaridh Donaldson - look far more comfortable in this system than they do squashed together in the 3-5-2 and Jamie Longworth and the excellent Mark McGuigan have formed a solid partnership up top. There are concerns about the midfield, however, and it's a big oversight to have started the season with no natural wide players, while we're yet to find the right balance in the middle and select a player who can get the best out of the talented (but lightweight) Harry Paton. I'm not sure Mark Ferry or Nathan Blockley are the answer. I think we might line up with: - Mark McGuigan - Jamie Longworth - - Eddie Fearns - Mark Ferry - Harry Paton - Nathan Blockley - - Ruaridh Donaldson - Mick Dunlop - Ross Dunlop - Ross Meechan - - Chris Smith - The head says we'll put up a decent fight but lose, but the heart says we can take something from this. Why the heck not! As usual with Peterhead, it all depends which head McAllister has on. He can win or lose a game singlehandedly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Francesc Fabregas Posted August 14, 2017 Author Share Posted August 14, 2017 1 minute ago, Aberdeen Cowden said: As usual with Peterhead, it all depends which head McAllister has on. He can win or lose a game singlehandedly. He was absolutely junk against us last season and was red carded in the 3-1 win at Ochilview in March. He looked bored and fed up but, judging by the way he's acquitted himself to the new campaign, he seems to have the fire in his belly again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beaver1 Posted August 14, 2017 Share Posted August 14, 2017 Of course we have a game to play before then, so our line up may depend on how that goes. I had not realised that we play Peterhead on Saturday. It's been quite a tough intro to this league. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Francesc Fabregas Posted August 14, 2017 Author Share Posted August 14, 2017 I'd completely forgotten we had to take on Cove Rangers before the weekend. I'm sorry. I'd imagine that match will see some of the fringe players like Lewis McMinn, Ross Gilmour and Thomas Halleran get a run out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beaver1 Posted August 14, 2017 Share Posted August 14, 2017 Marsh is injured, Ferry suspended and Paton unavailable for tomorrow. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aberdeen Cowden Posted August 14, 2017 Share Posted August 14, 2017 2 hours ago, Francesc Fabregas said: He was absolutely junk against us last season and was red carded in the 3-1 win at Ochilview in March. He looked bored and fed up but, judging by the way he's acquitted himself to the new campaign, he seems to have the fire in his belly again. That's Rory. When he's on his game he'll be unplayable at our level, but he's just as likely to throw a fit and fall out with his own team. Should be good game. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NewBlue Posted August 14, 2017 Share Posted August 14, 2017 Hope I don't upset anyone but I am afraid Rory has had a great attitude and work rate in all his games so far this season! But he always feeds of the team so if we have a stinker on Saturday then that might change. Jim has said he is playing a weakened 11 tomorrow so I expect we will be taking Stenny seriously and not getting carried away with our own hype. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blue-Toon Posted August 14, 2017 Share Posted August 14, 2017 We failed to beat Stenhousemuir last season which ensured our relegation so we really have to improve on that record. If Rory maintains his current form we have a great chance of maintaining our 100% start to the season. Stenny will fancy their chances after having the upper hand in previous meetings and Nathan Blockley will be keen to do well against us after being freed. A draw would probably suit both teams. Looking forward to a good game. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gunz Posted August 15, 2017 Share Posted August 15, 2017 Really hope we line up with a back 4, looked far more impressive than when we've played with a back 5. Midfield is an obvious concern but McGuigan and Longworth have started the season well. Hoping we can get at least a point. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Neilly Posted August 15, 2017 Share Posted August 15, 2017 Spoke to Bomber briefly back at the club and he seemed to think we will naturally go back to a back 4 without Marsh. Don't see us getting much on Saturday to be honest. We desperately need some additions to the squad. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gunz Posted August 15, 2017 Share Posted August 15, 2017 After tonight I fully expect us to get handsomely bodied on Saturday. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Francesc Fabregas Posted August 18, 2017 Author Share Posted August 18, 2017 So lads, after Tuesday night's debacle, how many goals do you reckon Peterhead will take off us tomorrow? Two, maybe three? Four? Five? I'll see you all there! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CEMSFC Posted August 18, 2017 Share Posted August 18, 2017 26 minutes ago, Francesc Fabregas said: So lads, after Tuesday night's debacle, how many goals do you reckon Peterhead will take off us tomorrow? Two, maybe three? Four? Five? I'll see you all there! No need to be pessimistic. We still have a chance if we can actually play well for once. Going for a 2-2 draw Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rickenbacker17 Posted August 18, 2017 Share Posted August 18, 2017 Although it didn't happen on Tuesday, with McGuigan and Longworth up top I do go into the games thinking we will score. I do feel we have goals in that pairing. My concern is that so fair this season we have found ourselves ahead against QotS, Albion Rovers, Stirling Albion (twice) and Montrose and not managed to see the game out. Most will agree that Peterhead are the strongest side in the league and after Tuesdays performance especially I can't see us do to much. Would be happy with another point but can't see it. Stenhousemuir 1-2 Peterhead Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beaver1 Posted August 18, 2017 Share Posted August 18, 2017 Paton will come back in to the team which will make a big difference. I worry about Donaldson. Visibly lacking in confidence but I don't think we have an alternative to him. I'm sure we won't be as uninspiring as we were on Tuesday but it will be a tough match. It's a big game for us and for Bomber. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Neilly Posted August 18, 2017 Share Posted August 18, 2017 We will get pumped I'm not sure why we are all kidding ourselves on here. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blue-Toon Posted August 18, 2017 Share Posted August 18, 2017 8 minutes ago, Neilly said: We will get pumped I'm not sure why we are all kidding ourselves on here. Have faith in your team. If anyone is going to beat Peterhead, Stenny must be one of the favourites. I am hoping to see an away win here for the first time in a while. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blootoon87 Posted August 19, 2017 Share Posted August 19, 2017 Mcallister, McCracken and Scott Ross are doubts for this game. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Francesc Fabregas Posted August 19, 2017 Author Share Posted August 19, 2017 19 hours ago, beaver1 said: Paton will come back in to the team which will make a big difference. I worry about Donaldson. Visibly lacking in confidence but I don't think we have an alternative to him. I'm sure we won't be as uninspiring as we were on Tuesday but it will be a tough match. It's a big game for us and for Bomber. We could have played Xavi and Andreas Iniesta in the middle of the park on Tuesday night and we still would have bypassed them so we could bang it long at any opportunity. I agree about Ruaridh Donaldson though - he's made two game-defining mistakes in his last two matches and seems a little off colour. What can you do, though? It would mean moving Ross Meechan to left-back and bringing in Ross Gilmour on the right, maybe. I don't know. I just want to see something far more engaging than Tuesday night's fare. That was minging football. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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