So how many are people reckoning qots will win by on Saturday?
i reckon 3.

Hope that Queen's win this so we have a chance to leapfrog the Pars and finish in the top half.

With all due respect i can see Morton beating you's come Saturday.
With them trying to avoid relegation stramger things have happened.

I wouldn't be surprised if we lost Saturday, though in fairness I thought we'd probably lose last week and despite making a good few changes we still beat Dundee.

4th place is clinched, we have three players a booking away from starting next season suspended, all of whom might be left out to protect them from it, the squad fly to Spain on Monday and no-one will hopefully be risking any daft challenges as a straight red for violent conduct or serious foul play would put them out of the cup final. I'd hope we put up a decent showing but in the scheme of things the game isn't important to us. I'd guess even without the protection of players near suspension there might be a few changes anyway.

I think Dunfermline will sneak this, mainly for the reasons outlined by SD. I wonder if there will be more than 1 turnstile open for away fans this time

John Stewart hat-trik

East End Park-Where Incompetence only begins on the park

I really feel for the predicament outlined in your sig though pal

As a matter of interest, who are the three players concerned?

I think we'll make a number of changes for Saturday's match; it may even be the final time a few players have to impress to get a new contract.

Looking forward to a fancy dress day out, we are usually battling relegation at these things. Nice to have a wee change!

That's really harsh..your sig of course.
Are you still going to the cup final though?

McCann, Aitken and Harris. Of course, at this point only one of them is actually signed for next season.

Looking forward to the day out. Always a good atmosphere on fancy dress day although I've not felt the inspiration costume-wise yet. And East End Park will complete my set of the 42 grounds in Scotland.

If we can stay injury and suspension free I'm not that bothered about the result.

Cough.

A one, a two, a one two three.

I had a wheelbarrow. The wheel fell off.

Christ I hate that song

Gutted to be missing this one as the fancy dress day out is always a good laugh. I am sure the copious amounts of in Dublin over the weekend will make up for it. Here`s hoping we get the 5 goal swing and finish 3rd!! That would just cap off the league season nicely

Got a feeling some earplugs might come in handy on Saturday then.

Is it sad that I don't even understand that song? Is this the 1st division banter i've missed all these years?

Odds on attendance have improved slightly to 25-75 (that's 25% chance of going to the game - 75% chance of having to attend wedding). I'm working on it though!

I mentioned this is on the QOS Mad site but might as well repeat it here. For all supporters travelling North to Dunfermline, remember that there are roadworks on the Forth Road Bridge and also at Kincardine so leave in plenty of time.

If we win and Livi beat St Johnstone 3rd place could possibly change hands depending on the actual scores.
I don't know whether that might figure in the approach to this game.
If I had to predict I'd probably go for the draw.

Hopefully you make it. I've got a pal who went through something similar - moved away from Dunfermline for about 5 years, 5 years which saw the first two Scottish cup finals in his lifetime!

There isn't much to worry about with the roadworks at the Forth bridge just now. The ones at the old tolls have a 30 limit for about a mile but they don't really cause any delays, and the ones at the North end only restrict it to slightly narrower lanes than normal. It was only a problem 2 weeks ago when one lane Northbound was shut, but that won't happen this week - should be fine.

Like most of the last few games, can't say I'm that excited about it - I'm pretty sure the most enjoyable thing to happen on Saturday will be hearing the sound of the final whistle and knowing that a pretty poor season that has seen poor attitudes all round has come to an end, meaning Saturdays can be spent more enjoyably and productively for the next 4 months.

I hope we play a few different players this week instead of the ones who are leaving anyway - might as well use the game for some practical purpose rather than just playing it for the sake of it.

I think we will win 2-0 and then get booed off.

I'd imagine Chis will have made his mind up about Grindlay by now, so I don't know if he will be given a start ahead of Macdonald. If he is staying I would start him. He came with a certain pedigree and has certainly looked good enough when played, by all accounts. As we will no doubt struggle to keep hold of Jamie Macdonald surely keeping Grindlay is better than having to find two 'keepers in the summer.

The three walking the suspension tightrope should be left out, again unless Chis knows they are leaving. If all three are rested I would go with a back four of Paton, Reid, Lauchlan, McQuilken.

Gilmour and Roberston don't deserve to miss out after last week so I would include them in the midfield along with Burnsy and Jonjo who should get the full 90 minutes and a massive ovation, the latter I don't doubt will happen.

Not sure how to treat John Stewart to get the best out of him. His Semi-Final performance was all about proving Aberdeen wrong, and perhaps to an extent the Queens fans who had doubted him (maybe include Falkirk and Saintees fans in this as well), and maybe Chis for not starting him. He deserved to start all the league games since then, especially as Dobbs was unfit. Perhaps reverting back to our favoured front two on Saturday (which I expect we will go with again at Hampden) will have him "chomping at the bit" for Hampden to again perform on the big stage and come off the bench to score the winner!

Unfortunately I will be awaiting the delivery of a new fridge on Saturday and as Comet can't guarantee a time I can't guarantee my attendance If it comes before 1 I will be busting a gut to get on the train.

He received an ovation last week at Palmerston and will no doubt get one at on Saturday for his many years of loyal service! What makes you think he wouldn't?

I know he did. I was very much a part of it.

I don't doubt he will get the ovation but I'm not sure if he will get the full 90 minutes is what I was getting at. I'd much rather he was cheered whilst playing and hopefully scoring than being clapped on yet another lap of honour in his tracksuit that he has all too frequently been wearing of late.

I am not expecting anything other than a kickabout from the two teams, so anything more would be an unexpected bonus. One of the closer grounds for me, just half an hour on the train from Edinburgh. No need to ask what pubs folk will be drinking in, as the numbers in fancy dress should tell me where the Queens fans are drinking.

Yeah Ok and I think he may well get a start on Saturday but would you have had him in the starting XI recently?

OS tonight confirms that the manager intends to leave out the three listed above. Don't know whether he might have them on the bench for emergencies or leave them in the stand altogether. I'd do the latter. McCall had Jim Lauchlan on the bench for 'emergencies' in the last game last season, brought him on at half time because we were two down and he got himself red carded in the second half and joined the list of players missing the start of this season.

On that basis then presumably McQuilken will come into left back having been rested last week himself. Some combination of Thomson, Lauchlan and Reid will be at centre back. Either Reid if not playing in the middle or Eric Paton will be at right back. I presume Gilmour and Robertson will continue in midfield as both did well last week. I'd be tempted to leave Tosh and MacFarlane on the bench at best so probably Burns continuing in the middle and maybe Paton on the right if he doesn't play full back or perhaps O'Neill will get a start in his last league game for the club? I expect John Stewart will start and probably O'Connor will take his turn for a rest after taking some punishment off Dundee's backline last week. No idea whether we can expect to see MacDonald or Grindlay.

So:


Something like that anyway would be my guess.

The form our favoured midfield four of Burns, Tosh, Macfarlane, McQuilken have had, no chance. In fact had Jamie Adams been fit this season who would he have displaced in that four? Of course that is just speculation!

I predict a lacklusture game, can't see both teams really going for it.

0-0. Just for a change.

Big Sean won't feature as he has aggravated his knee in training.

The problem with resting players is that if they don't play this week, it will be at least 5 weeks between games, possibly 5 and a half weeks in the case of Tosh and MacFarlane. Difficult enought to keep players fit/sharp with a four week gap between games.
Do they need a rest now when they are going to get a four week one anyway? I know we will try to arrange friendlies, but they are not the same as real games, even meaningless ones like this. I'd play as many of the Cup Final line up as possible, at least for part of the game, subject to leaving out those who would be suspended next season, unless they won't be here next season in which case it doesn't matter if they play and get booked.
It is difficult getting a balance between players risking injury and keeping them fit, but they could get injured in friendlies as well - as some have been for us in the recent past.

The opposing point of view is that, in match fitness terms, whether they play this week or not will make the square root of bugger all difference to their match fitness after four weeks without competitive football. Does it really matter if they go five weeks without a game rather than four? They won't be competitive match sharp either way so why risk them in a game where they might pick up a red card or a bad injury? Tosh in particular would be fired up for a game against Dunfermline being a Raith man. Why put him in that position, though I've no doubt he wants to play?

Leaving players out is more about protecting them than resting them. Granted Jamie Adams season was ended by an injury picked up in a non-contact friendly so you never know what's around the corner fitness wise.

Don't see it being anything other than a draw with QOS having 1 eye on the cup final obviously and our lads dreaming of summer holidays (if last week was anything to go by!).

Stevie Crawford's last game for the Pars which will be sad to see as although he hasn't been great this season, he was still a terrific player first time round with Brewster.

I'll also be taking my daughter along to her first ever Pars game so a very proud day for me! I'm sure there will be plenty of screaming, crying, boredom and wanting to go home. I'm sure my daughter will be the same!

In McQuilken's case it WAS a rest though. He wasn't left out for any other reason. And I expect him to play this week.

Can any Dunfermline based P&B'ers recomment an Italian restaurant in the town I might manage to book a meal in for tomorrow night at this late stage? Not looking for anything too fancy, your standard pizzas and pastas is fine.

Luigi's is probably your best bet. Opposite the post office. Just out the back of the Kingsgate shopping centre.

Pizza Hut will not be happy you are recommending other restaurants that do similar food!

He said he wasn't looking for anything too fancy

I'm not looking for any especially expensive is what I meant. I'm taking the wife out for dinner though and don't want to actually dine in the hotel. We like Italian.

Luigi's fits the bill then? This the place? Luigi's

Yeah that looks like it. Not too expensive and decent food from what I can remember.

Could always try Pizza Hut if you want!

Still unsure whether i'm going to this game or not but if i decide not to i'll be very gutted about not having the chance to say goodbye to that wonderful footballer that is Stephen Simmons.

The game has draw written all over it. QOTS take an early lead and Crawford equalises late on as a leaving present!

Would just like to take this moment and wish QOTS all the best for the Cup Final vs the Huns, you'll have a great day whatever the result and hopefully you'll lift the trophy.

Thank christ our season will be over after tomorrow's match.

Excellent. Job done thanks. Had to take a table earlier than I really wanted as they are busy but it's booked.

Just about a mile from East End Park by the looks of it?

Yeah head straight towards the town centre, go past the Kingsgate on the High Street then turn right when you reach the Vodafone shop. Head up towards the Post Office and turn right.

Fixed that for you.

Or he could head back out toward the M90 and take his pick from Kentucky Fried Chicken, Pizza Hut, McDonalds or Frankie & Bennys. Top that off with a game of 10 pin bowling, what more could a wife want?

I'm going to this one tomorrow and I saw Dunfermline get rumped 3-0 off Morton last week, so I don't see them improving, especially when it's been announced that half the big earners will be offski in time for next season.

Queens will have players fighting for cup final places tomorrow as well, although they've got four weeks to prepare for it, so that will be their main incentive.

Statto time - I was looking into the history of this fixture and Queens are looking for their first league win at East End Park since 1955. They have won since though - in a League Cup tie in August 1990.

Also the Doonhamers haven't won in the league against the Pars since 1986 after they won 3-1 at Palmerston.

I'll go and lie down now

Ah, that brings back memories. There was a fair crowd that day, I remember being in the Terregles Street end and then moving to the covered terrace at halftime. The atmoshere was a bit tasty as well. The pars went on to win the league and we were runners up, which was a bit disappointing as we were top of the league from the start right up until the January if memory serves me well.

I hate to say it grant but when you come out with bull$hit like that , its a total embarrasment to the club , QOS will gubb is today