Drumbarton vs Queen of the South

[Silverton End]

Will the match go ahead? It's freezing this morning.

[Dumbarton Rock]

6 minutes ago, Silverton End said:

Will the match go ahead? It's freezing this morning.

It would if I was still there 

[palmy_cammy]

4 hours ago, Rjc-1988 said:

 

What you say is largely correct and an upper mid table position is far from a disaster - just ask the Falkirk supporters.

That said I think many supporters (me included) keep the faith because we hope and look forward to the day when we can find a managerial formula that enables us to outperform our "perceived" status and mount a serious campaign at top of table. We are one of the few teams in our station who have not gained at least one brief appearance in top league in last 50 odd years!!

This is not impossible and what frustrates me this season is that we are not that far away in terms of personnel but there is a general apathy towards the club. We started this quarter with 3 successive league wins - a great launch pad but we draw a pitiful crowd for the Livvy game and as so often happens when we have to win a really important match to signify our promotion credentials we arse it up in good style.

It will be interesting to see how the players respond to Saturdays defeat.

 

I admire your optimism, it's a refreshing break from the majority of the rest of our posters.  However I think you are the only Queens fan on the planet who thinks this squad is capable of anything other than mid-table mediocrity.

I'm yet to be convinced Alan Martin is anything other than a decent 'keeper at this level.  Whilst that is a massive upgrade on last season I'm yet to see him make a "game changing" save such as the one Neil Alexander made on Saturday whilst the game was only 0-1.

Similarly whilst the defence has improved considerably on last season I still consider it to be a second tier defence.  Brownlie has improved incrementally every season, but is still nowhere near as good as Mark Durnan, who in turn struggled at the level above.  Kerr is young and whilst the signs look good that he may go far, it will be another team that reaps those rewards.  Fordyce looks a great acquisition and would possibly be in the top 5 centre-backs in the division based on what I have seen.  Full-back remains a weakness, particularly right-back where our manager still favours a centre half played out of position over the two specialist right-backs he has signed.

Our workmanlike midfield has been long discussed and is the root of all our problems.  No width, and no creativity.

Whilst on paper our forward options look superb it hasn't really panned out like that.  Dykes and Kane are workers with limited ability and Dobbie and Lyle are the polar opposite.  We haven't really found the winning combination to get the best out of any of them.  Inevitably father time appears to have caught up with Dobbie and Lyle this season as well.  Both have missed numerous chances they would have put away with aplomb in previous years.

We're far from a lost cause and it appears to me that most teams have their own troubles to seek meaning it wouldn't take all that much to make us playoff contenders.  For that to happen I think you're looking at probably 3 or 4 signings in January making a similar impact to those signed last January.   I doubt we have the finance for that.

[Jan Vojáček]

4 minutes ago, palmy_cammy said:

I'm yet to be convinced Alan Martin is anything other than a decent 'keeper at this level.  Whilst that is a massive upgrade on last season I'm yet to see him make a "game changing" save such as the one Neil Alexander made on Saturday whilst the game was only 0-1.

There are a couple of occasions where he did that for us, with this being the most crucial:

Makes the save, ball ends up out for a goalkick. Takes goalkick, we win corner, we equalise.

Everyone knows how much of an Alan Martin fanboy I am, but once he gets fully fit and sharp there won't be a better 'keeper in the league. We were perhaps quite fortunate that he arrived having spent a season kicking his heels and with a point to prove. He effectively arrived at Palmerston sought after, a bit injured and maybe without that 'making up for lost time' feeling. 

Given how good he was for us I'd be disappointed if he got any stick. He certainly didn't earlier in the season.

[The Moonster]

11 minutes ago, Sonsteam of 08 said:

Given how good he was for us I'd be disappointed if he got any stick. He certainly didn't earlier in the season.

I don't plan on booing him but he certainly won't be getting any applause from me. He was less than honest in his time with us and when he left he was making snide remarks on twitter about the wages he was being offered. I've got absolutely no time for the guy. When you see a 28 year old keeper as good as him having played for 12 clubs in his career, it becomes clear he's a bit of a fanny.

[Guest Flash]

1 hour ago, palmy_cammy said:

I admire your optimism, it's a refreshing break from the majority of the rest of our posters.  However I think you are the only Queens fan on the planet who thinks this squad is capable of anything other than mid-table mediocrity.

I'm yet to be convinced Alan Martin is anything other than a decent 'keeper at this level.  Whilst that is a massive upgrade on last season I'm yet to see him make a "game changing" save such as the one Neil Alexander made on Saturday whilst the game was only 0-1.

Similarly whilst the defence has improved considerably on last season I still consider it to be a second tier defence.  Brownlie has improved incrementally every season, but is still nowhere near as good as Mark Durnan, who in turn struggled at the level above.  Kerr is young and whilst the signs look good that he may go far, it will be another team that reaps those rewards.  Fordyce looks a great acquisition and would possibly be in the top 5 centre-backs in the division based on what I have seen.  Full-back remains a weakness, particularly right-back where our manager still favours a centre half played out of position over the two specialist right-backs he has signed.

Our workmanlike midfield has been long discussed and is the root of all our problems.  No width, and no creativity.

Whilst on paper our forward options look superb it hasn't really panned out like that.  Dykes and Kane are workers with limited ability and Dobbie and Lyle are the polar opposite.  We haven't really found the winning combination to get the best out of any of them.  Inevitably father time appears to have caught up with Dobbie and Lyle this season as well.  Both have missed numerous chances they would have put away with aplomb in previous years.

We're far from a lost cause and it appears to me that most teams have their own troubles to seek meaning it wouldn't take all that much to make us playoff contenders.  For that to happen I think you're looking at probably 3 or 4 signings in January making a similar impact to those signed last January.   I doubt we have the finance for that.

Agree with this. When Dobbie, Lyle and McFadden are playing, our main attacking threat has a combined age of 105.

As for Martin, he isn’t very good with crosses.  Seems to be a fairly common theme with our keepers and I’m wondering if it is just accepted that goalkeepers at this level should save shots and nothing else. Saying that Martin seems to take it to a new level. I’ve seen keepers come further off their line for penalties than he does for crosses.

Eta I’m not sure what is going on with Stirling. On Saturday, when we were utterly grim, he remained on the bench. And when he did bring a sub on to play on the right, it was Rooney as a wing back.

[Bring Back Paddy Flannery]

Agree with this. When Dobbie, Lyle and McFadden are playing, our main attacking threat has a combined age of 105.
As for Martin, he isn’t very good with crosses.  Seems to be a fairly common theme with our keepers and I’m wondering if it is just accepted that goalkeepers at this level should save shots and nothing else. Saying that Martin seems to take it to a new level. I’ve seen keepers come further off their line for penalties than he does for crosses.

It sounds like it may be a Queen of the South issue tbh. He was perfectly good at coming for crosses last season.

Quite pleased to hear he isn't setting the heather alight though, the p***k.

[pleslie99]

Agree with this. When Dobbie, Lyle and McFadden are playing, our main attacking threat has a combined age of 105.
As for Martin, he isn’t very good with crosses.  Seems to be a fairly common theme with our keepers and I’m wondering if it is just accepted that goalkeepers at this level should save shots and nothing else. Saying that Martin seems to take it to a new level. I’ve seen keepers come further off their line for penalties than he does for crosses.

No good at crosses you say? We will swap you for gallagher, he's outstanding at crosses...........

[Distant Doonhamer]

2 hours ago, Silverton End said:

Will the match go ahead? It's freezing this morning.

BBC forecast suggests it will be 4-5C all day. hopefully should get rid of any frost??

Frosty Rock

[The Moonster]

I'd be shocked if this was in any danger. If it was I reckon we'd have announced an inspection by now - Queens players and fans have a 2 hour journey up here, we can't leave it too late.

The only slight issue I foresee is icy pavements at full time, given that the local council have decided that salting pavements and roads is something the public should be doing themselves.

[Rjc-1988]

I admire your optimism, it's a refreshing break from the majority of the rest of our posters.  However I think you are the only Queens fan on the planet who thinks this squad is capable of anything other than mid-table mediocrity.
I'm yet to be convinced Alan Martin is anything other than a decent 'keeper at this level.  Whilst that is a massive upgrade on last season I'm yet to see him make a "game changing" save such as the one Neil Alexander made on Saturday whilst the game was only 0-1.
Similarly whilst the defence has improved considerably on last season I still consider it to be a second tier defence.  Brownlie has improved incrementally every season, but is still nowhere near as good as Mark Durnan, who in turn struggled at the level above.  Kerr is young and whilst the signs look good that he may go far, it will be another team that reaps those rewards.  Fordyce looks a great acquisition and would possibly be in the top 5 centre-backs in the division based on what I have seen.  Full-back remains a weakness, particularly right-back where our manager still favours a centre half played out of position over the two specialist right-backs he has signed.
Our workmanlike midfield has been long discussed and is the root of all our problems.  No width, and no creativity.
Whilst on paper our forward options look superb it hasn't really panned out like that.  Dykes and Kane are workers with limited ability and Dobbie and Lyle are the polar opposite.  We haven't really found the winning combination to get the best out of any of them.  Inevitably father time appears to have caught up with Dobbie and Lyle this season as well.  Both have missed numerous chances they would have put away with aplomb in previous years.
We're far from a lost cause and it appears to me that most teams have their own troubles to seek meaning it wouldn't take all that much to make us playoff contenders.  For that to happen I think you're looking at probably 3 or 4 signings in January making a similar impact to those signed last January.   I doubt we have the finance for that.

To be fair I could go through the squads of our main rivals in a very similar fashion and dismantle them - in fact each club's P and B regulars could make a better job of it.

Fact is there is a distinct lack of quality from DUFC down. Reality is that there is a very thin line between the top 5/6 teams.The end result will largely be influenced by the respective Managers' ability to "make the difference"

[O'Kelly Isley III]

I see this as being nothing other than a very hard game for us.  For a team reportedly stuttering Queens have amassed 21 points so to quote Mark Twain and all that....

[The Caul Back]

When will the QOS team selection be up on here?

[Guest Flash]

1 hour ago, Distant Doonhamer said:

BBC forecast suggests it will be 4-5C all day. hopefully should get rid of any frost??

Frosty Rock

The air temperature isn’t always the best indication of whether there will be frost because it is higher than the ground temperature after the sun goes down as any heat in the ground risesinto the air. Currently, the weather station at Alexandria is showing air temperature of 6.3C and ground temperature of 6.8C. Of course, both will drop after sunset. Air temperature is forecast to be 3C at 7pm and the lowest it is forecast to go overnight is 2C, but they are forecasting a “widespread frost”, so the ground temperature will likely be below zero. It is possible that the pitch may start to freeze before the game is finished. If it was a Saturday game, it would almost certainly be ok. It might still be, but there is more of a doubt with it not finishing until 9.30ish.

[pleslie99]

The air temperature isn’t always the best indication of whether there will be frost because it is higher than the ground temperature after the sun goes down as any heat in the ground risesinto the air. Currently, the weather station at Alexandria is showing air temperature of 6.3C and ground temperature of 6.8C. Of course, both will drop after sunset. Air temperature is forecast to be 3C at 7pm and the lowest it is forecast to go overnight is 2C, but they are forecasting a “widespread frost”, so the ground temperature will likely be below zero. It is possible that the pitch may start to freeze before the game is finished. If it was a Saturday game, it would almost certainly be ok. It might still be, but there is more of a doubt with it not finishing until 9.30ish.

Way too complex!

Game will be on. Nade and Froxy will heat the place up

[Bring Back Paddy Flannery]

The air temperature isn’t always the best indication of whether there will be frost because it is higher than the ground temperature after the sun goes down as any heat in the ground risesinto the air. Currently, the weather station at Alexandria is showing air temperature of 6.3C and ground temperature of 6.8C. Of course, both will drop after sunset. Air temperature is forecast to be 3C at 7pm and the lowest it is forecast to go overnight is 2C, but they are forecasting a “widespread frost”, so the ground temperature will likely be below zero. It is possible that the pitch may start to freeze before the game is finished. If it was a Saturday game, it would almost certainly be ok. It might still be, but there is more of a doubt with it not finishing until 9.30ish.

A man who knows and understands his weather.

I respect that as a keen follower of the weather.

[BallochSonsFan]

It'll be a cold one but I'd doubt if theres any danger to the game.

Shame it's a re-arranged mid week fixture. Queen of the South usually bring a decent travelling support and it would ideally be a Saturday game.

[Hawk]

33 minutes ago, The Caul Back said:

When will the QOS team selection be up on here?

About 46mins before ko.

[Hawk]

14 minutes ago, BallochSonsFan said:

It'll be a cold one but I'd doubt if theres any danger to the game.

Shame it's a re-arranged mid week fixture. Queen of the South usually bring a decent travelling support and it would ideally be a Saturday game.

Will the bowling club be open tonight?

[lionel wickson]

Yes.