R.R.FC
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Posts posted by R.R.FC
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Bet Morton’s number 8 felt a bit silly after running towards Euan Murray to push him and celebrate in his face at the equaliser only to lose the winning goal 5 minutes later.
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I really don’t know why Morton fans are so defensive about their team being called hammer throwers or physical, it is blindingly obvious.
An absolutely horrible side to play against and watch, that should be a complement though, stick to what you are good at and they do it well. Very much in Imrie’s image.
Excellent win for us, but we were far from at our best and let Morton drag us into the battle they wanted it to be but yet another sign of our improved character this season. We definitely don’t win that game last year.
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Don’t know why the announcement is saying he chose us? His offers were reported between us and Dunfermline but they totally didn’t want him anyway, probably didn’t even offer him a deal m8. He’s not even as good as Paul Allan, whatever one of those is.
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58 minutes ago, Broken Algorithms said:
Quite surprised Arbroath haven't made an offer to loan Kieran Ngwenya given he'd meet what you need. By no means a world beater, but he featured plenty for us last season.
Ask and you shall receive…
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Week 1 - Falkirk
Week 2 - Forfar
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I’m still more positive than I am concerned about Saturday. Good point away to what I think will be one of the better sides in the league. Ross and Mitchell making contributions (don’t want to get carried away with Ross because it was just 15 minutes but if he can stay fit and get back near his best it would be a huge boost and add a real unexpected dimension to our attacking options). Also the side continued to show their new found ability to fight back for results.
I think it’s too early to draw any major conclusions either way but I’d be more worried about the negatives from Saturday if we didn’t have the options to fix them but I think the solutions are, mostly, available.
The negatives most are in agreement with are:
1. We were weak at right back.
2. Centre backs looked slow
3. Too open in the middle of the park
4. We wasted some great opportunities and weren’t clinical enoughWe have Ross Millen to come back in which should fix the first problem. He’s not the best right back in the league but he’s perfectly fine at this level and will certainly be a better option than an out of position McGill.
The centre backs may be a harder fix, neither can count pace as a huge strength that is a fact. However, it was Murray’s first minutes since he signed, he will get much sharper. Also, the first time he has played together with Watson they will develop a better partnership from here on. On paper they are both good Championship centre backs, it is just about how they mesh together as a partnership and if they really suit Murray’s preferred system/set up. Both have the experience to be able to read the game and limit the times they can be exposed for pace, not being exposed by the midfield in front of them will help too.
This brings it on nicely to the lack of holding midfielder and the 4-1-3-2 formation. I think the formation has its merits and you can see from the Kilmarnock game how it can work effectively even against better quality opposition. I was initially of the view pre season suggested this was Murray’s preferred formation but the interest in Byrne would suggest he has just been limited by available personnel. With Matthews, Brown and possibly Byrne, I can’t see us playing 4-1-3-2 as they can all only play as the ‘1’. However, we would have more than enough holding midfielders to resolve the openness we saw on Saturday.
Finally, we had some clear cut chances we wasted and the disappointing thing was a couple of the best fell to the person we would have wanted in Jack Hamilton. However, the encouraging thing was in he was in the correct positions. His confidence is probably a bit low after his difficult spell at Hartlepool and he is still well short of fitness but I’m confident once he gets one, the goals will flow. The fact in his first two starts he has had 4/5 decent opportunities bodes well.
The positive outlook is the problems outlined will be fixed once we have our squad complete and everyone fit and up to speed. These are obviously not our only weaknesses and we will have other issues exposed during the season but the most glaring at the moment can be resolved IMO. The negative outlook is that Murray persists with the 4-1-3-2 and it doesn’t work and it exposes us in the centre of the pitch and Hamilton doesn’t turn out to the goalscoring we hoped he’d be. Time will tell but I am very much in the positive outlook at the moment.
Tl;dr When everyone is available and up to fitness, I think a lot of the obvious issues will be fixed and we’ll fine. It’s certainly a better start than last season!
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Very good point in the circumstances. We don’t know how good Thistle will turn out to be but I had them down as the best of the rest behind Dundee United so happy with a point away from home with the players we have out.
Obviously lessons to be learned but we have the players in the building to help fix some of those issues with a couple more still to come in. Just need to get everyone fit.
Delighted for Ethan Ross and Kieran Mitchell. Easy to forget how good Ross can be when fully fit and on form, we’ve just not seen it for so long.
Finally, from behind we came back 5 times in 23 attempts last season, the last one being the last game of the season (in a 2-2 draw with Thistle funnily enough). We have already come from behind 4 times from 4 attempts this season. Enough to suggest there is a bit more character about this years team. Obviously, we need to actually stop going behind every game but it’s nice to feel the game isn’t gone as soon as we lose the first goal.
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2 minutes ago, Raithie said:
Wonder if he got the deal he wanted from us at Morton.
I would be surprised, I don’t think Morton are particularly big spenders.
I didn’t think it would take as long as it has for him to find a club. You would think there is only really two possible reasons for that. Either there hasn’t been as much interest as expected so he has now had to lower his demands to get a deal. Or it is him that has turned down other offers waiting on somebody matching his demands which has now happened.
Either way, best of luck to the guy, he was a good keeper for us and sure he’ll get a nice reception next week. Fingers crossed he has a rare off day and chucks a couple in though!
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10 minutes ago, Raithie said:
Did we try and retain MacDonald?
Apparently so. Reports are he was on a ‘McGlynn contract’. We offered him a new deal but on reduced terms, he wanted the same terms as his previous deal, we couldn’t agree so moved on.
I’m more positive on Dabrowski than most so far, I don’t think he’s done anything wrong. Yes, he can command his area better at times but he’s still relatively young in goalkeeping terms and will improve. Let’s face it, commanding a box and coming for crosses wasn’t exactly MacDonald’s strong point either.
He’s a good Championship keeper and will do well for Morton I have no doubt but if we didn’t want to stretch ourselves financially for a 37 year old keeper, I’m okay with that. Dabrowski’s form will dictate how much MacDonald is discussed between now and the end of the season though.
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34 minutes ago, Ro Sham Bo said:
I can't see Byrne moving somewhere unless he's expecting regular game time. Coming to us as a bit part player would be a strange move from both us and the player.
Agree with this. Murray mentioned we are looking for a full back, a midfielder and another striker and I have seen the likes of Strapp, McInroy, Byrne and Rudden mentioned as potential/hopeful targets on here. I would be very surprised if those 3 positions were filled by established names such as the above (obviously aware McInroy has already signed elsewhere). Given the players already in the building, I would expect the last 3 signings to be squad filler.
I would be delighted to be proved wrong but I just think Liam Dick is first choice left back in Murray’s eyes. In the centre of the park, one positive from Brown’s injury is we have seen that Stanton can still operate very well in that deeper role (I always thought he was better further forward) so when fit (I know, I know) we will have Brown, Matthews, Stanton, McGill and Easton all capable of playing in the centre of the park, I don’t see another experienced Championship starter coming into the mix. Likewise up front, Jack Hamilton when fit will be the first choice number 9, Gullan and Vaughan if sticking with a 2 up there will be excellent options. The 4th striker coming is surely likely to be an impact option off the bench.
Saying the above, it would beg the question if we are just looking for squad filler, why don’t we just keep Arnott and Mitchell for those roles. However, I think Murray feels they would develop more going somewhere on loan and playing week in week out rather than staying around our squad for the odd cameo appearance.
We will see what happens but I would be pleasantly surprised if there was much excitement around the 3 additions still to come.
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9 minutes ago, Reid said:
How are Raith likely to line up?
We’ve been playing 4-1-3-2 in our games so far. We will line up:
Dabrowski
McGill
Watson
Murray/Corr
DickStanton
Mullin
Easton
SmithVaughan
Hamilton/GullanJack Hamilton and Euan Murray are lacking match fitness so those positions are probably the main question marks. Murray hasn’t played a minute for us but his replacement Corr, whilst showing potential has had a mistake in every game so far which has almost cost us a goal (actually did cost us one against Annan). Jack Hamilton had his first start against Annan as Gullan missed out with a knock but looked out on his feet with 10-15 minutes to go.
The likes of Ross Millen, Scott Brown and Aidan Connolly would be in our strongest 11 when fit but they have missed all the League Cup games along with Ethan Ross and Ross Matthews. Not sure if we’ll have any back for this one, Ross Millen is closest but likely only fit enough for the bench if he makes it.
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A repeat of our last league opener against Partick Thistle would be nice…
Doesn’t sound like many of the injured players will be back and those that are will likely be well short of match sharpness. I would definitely have Euan Murray in for Corr but the manager will know best regarding how far off being ready he is. Would prefer Murray’s physicality and experience against Graham.
Jack Hamilton is still short of fitness but the best way to get that is through games and he will be our best bet for goals this season so I’d start him again. Have a feeling if Gullan is fit, Murray will bring him back in for Hamilton though. Callum Smith looking much improved the last couple of games makes the attacking decisions harder than they looked a couple of weeks ago as I thought he’d be the obvious one to drop out but it’s a good problem to have.
We’ve been decent in the League Cup and our best performance was in our most difficult game which should give us some confidence. Still a little concerned about our potential to be open in the middle of the park given the formation, albeit it worked well sitting behind the ball and looking to hit on the counter quickly with numbers as we did at Killie and I’d imagine we’ll try similar tactics here.
I’ll go 2-1 Partick, Brian Graham opening the scoring.
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Week 1 - Falkirk
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Corr has had a moment that should have cost us a goal in literally every game so far, he tends to have gotten away with it before this one though. Frustrating because he tends to go through games looking comfortable for 90% of the time. It’s a bit of inexperience and there is no doubting he has potential but the sooner we can get Murray up to speed the better.
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Worth noting as well that’s 2 games already we have gone behind and managed to get something out of.
It was February last year before we managed our second result from behind (at Gayfield). Previous to that game we had lost 10 and drawn 1 of the games we fell behind.
Can see the clear difference Watson makes in there, as soon as the goal went in, he was straight round encouraging everyone and making sure the heads didn’t drop.
Nice for us to be the ones scoring just after half time too!
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Guido Van De Kamp another that I don’t thinks been mentioned.
I still have a feeling we’ll end up with Murray and I’d be happy enough with that. He’s a solid Championship defender and there doesn’t look to be anything obviously better out there. I think I’d rather take the punt now than gamble that better will be available later on (assuming we have a chance to sign him obviously).
On another note, really encouraging to see the club send a survey out regarding Saturday. Not everything was perfect at the weekend (and it won’t be when you implement multiple changes at once) but being keen to learn and improve and take on board feedback from supporters is a good sign.
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41 minutes ago, 101 said:
Hamilton suspended and Hosler injured leaves us a bit short for the opening games of the group stage, potentially some bodies missing from the back line with niggles but hopefully they will all be okay.
I think everyone will be in the same boat. We’ve been more active than most in the window so far but Murray stated he is still looking to add 3 more, centre back in particular is badly needed. Similarly pre season schedules are always going to result in a few niggly injuries.
Think we will definitely be without Ross Matthews, Scott Brown, Aidan Connolly and Ethan Ross. Ross Millen and Dylan Corr missed our last game but will hopefully be back and Jack Hamilton is likely to start on the bench due to missing a lot of pre season.
It would be nice to win on Saturday, obviously, but I don’t think we can read too much into either sides season based on this one.
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1 hour ago, AJ77 said:
If it wasn't for Ian Murray we probably wouldn't be in the position we are today, so to say he bottled promotion with us is incredibly harsh.
Would hope he will get a good reception from Airdrie fans when we play Raith.
Tbf @Diamonds_Are_Forever is the same person that claimed we had doubled Callum Smith’s wages to sign him.
I’ve only noticed two posts from them but it is 2 for 2 on made up nonsense. A strong start to Championship life.
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27 minutes ago, RRFC_Liam said:
We are the fife Gretna according some so surely budgets don’t matter?
You’d like to think nobody will believe that now given we’ve lost Spencer and Lang to a team in the division below and released MacDonald due to him not agreeing to a reduced salary but probably not!
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I’m pretty sure it’s a wind up. The ‘West Ham striker on loan’ is Airdrie’s Gary Glen. However, I certainly wouldn’t be against it.
We are one Jack Hamilton injury away from potentially having the same issues as last season, he is our only out and out number 9 in the squad. Obviously, our style of play may change slightly so that we can get away more with Gullan or Vaughan up there but I do think the squad could do with a second number 9.
Admittedly it’s not a top priority and probably dependant on if there’s anything left in the budget after signing 2 centre backs, a left back and a centre midfielder.
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14 minutes ago, FFC 1876 said:
I wasn't at the game but going by these highlights he looks as if he'll be able to make the jump up in levels.
Right winger who likes to cut in on his left foot.
He was billed as Linlithgow’s big threat ahead of that game and he was anonymous after he fluffed a chance in the first 10 minutes (admittedly a lovely bit of skill to create the chance) but I didn’t see anything in that game to suggest he was a potential Championship player. I also appreciate being an attacker in a game where your team is being dominated for 80 minutes is a pretty thankless task and difficult to make an impression.
My main recollection from that game was Jamie Gullan, who is a decent footballer but not a number 9, looking like prime Brazilian Ronaldo through the middle bullying the defence with his pace and power which is probably an indication of the defences at that level.
Not to write him off completely, Arbroath fans are right to give him a chance but they are correct it is a huge step up and more likely to be another Dylan Paterson or Kieran Shanks than the next Bobby Linn. However, it’s highly unlikely he’s going to be Arbroath’s first choice in the attacking areas so as long as there is more established quality to come, he is well worth a punt as relatively cheap squad filler that could develop into something more. There is a spark of something there.
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Speaking of Joma, think the design of the new Hibs kit with blue instead of green would make a nice Rovers kit.
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12 hours ago, Derry Alli said:
I could see Keef going back to Tannadice.
Yeah, the rumour is that we have offered him a deal but if United are in for him too, he’ll go there.
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Does Watson have a season at Championship level left in him do you think?
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Hibs v Rovers
in Domestic Cup Football
Posted
Apparently no VAR for this one which is fine by me. Although after the Morton game, I fully expect Hibs to win through a Martin Boyle dive for a penalty.