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airdrieman

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Everything posted by airdrieman

  1. Facebook memories showed me today it was 5 years ago to the day we sacked Stevie Findlay. So aye, things could definitely be worse! What a run for Joao Victoria though.
  2. It was frustrating as it’s not as if we don’t have the players to break through the lines and take risks on the ball. In the first-half we cut them open 2 or 3 times down the left-hand side with one pass. But, whilst I appreciate they were sitting deeper, I don’t think we even tried that again in the second-half. I agree with the view that we’re a ‘first goal’ team but it’s not as if we haven’t managed to come from behind this season either. We did it v Thistle, Ross County and, em, Stirling Uni, the former two being a good example of this team playing this style at their best. I can’t remember who he directed it to but I heard McCabe say from the dugout ‘control the ball and we control the game’. I think part of the problem yesterday in terms of not making subs earlier or changing things up was that he saw the possession we had yesterday as control. And whilst that sentence is generally true, and has been for us a few times this season, I don’t think that was the case at all yesterday. We shouldn’t panic and rush or launch the ball up the park either though and TBF when we’re at our best there is that balance between keeping possession and attacking and moving quickly, and I still think that’s the case more often than not. As said above, McCabe has been very good at evolving the team, whilst sticking to #McCabeBall (the team that started and ended last season still played attacking football whilst being much more solid defensively) and I have confidence he’ll be able to fix or change any issues again this season. A shame to lose our unbeaten run at home (especially to Ayr) but 12 points with another 3 to play for from the first quarter is a great start. Still serious about giving Willie McLaren a game btw.
  3. Thought that was the the worst we’ve played this season other than Arbroath. A real lack of urgency killed us there. We’re at our best when we’re attacking teams quickly and playing with a bit of tempo. Our tempo wasn’t too bad to start with but after Ayr scored we barely played with any bar maybe a 10 minute spell before and after our goal. Ayr sat off us and shut off any space well but still thought they were very gettable. Ballantyne going off unsettled us and we never really recovered from that. Megwa struggled and looked nervous when he first came on and was really poor at the goal in terms of giving the ball away and not stopping the cross. Only his debut so hopefully he’ll get better with time, some coaching and experience. But if Ballantyne stays on, who knows maybe we don’t concede that first goal and it ends up being a different game. Thought Hancock probably showed up best for us. McStravick too at least tried to give us a bit of impetus and go forward which we badly needed. He put in a couple of superb crosses just begging for a centre forward to get on the end of. Perfect for Todorov who again I thought should have been on earlier. Worst thing about this is having to face going to work in Ayr on Monday
  4. Fantastic achievement and opportunity for both of them. It’s only one squad but anything that can enhance the club’s reputation for developing players and proving them a platform to move up the way, can only be a good thing in terms of attracting players and suitors for said players Who was our last youth international? Tony Watt? Assuming they all play ATS, McStravick, Devenny and Clarke is quite the collection of international caps* for the one season. I know they’re not full internationals (apart from ATS) but you know what I mean*.
  5. Have we won every game in which Aiken has started in midfield? Apart from Ross County, and even then that went to extra-time. That’s obviously not entirely down to him but he has been a big part of our success so far. He’s a good all-rounder. Good runner, ball-winner and passer, more in a link-up or retaining possession sort of way rather than in a creative #10 sort of fashion. His shooting isn’t great but he’s clearly a lad with a lot of talent who’s already controlling midfields in the Championship. I’d love to keep a hold of him but no chance that’ll happen sadly.
  6. Was that Livi reserve game not before he came on at Tannadice? So whilst I don’t know, I’d doubt that’s why he’s not been on the bench the last two games. Think as others have said, it’s most likely because Telfer, McCabe and McStravick have all been on the bench so there’s not been a place for him in the match-day squad. I know Cassidy was on Saturday, but that’s, presumably, so we had at least one proper defender whilst ATS is out.
  7. Thought you played with a good tempo in the first-half, and whichever way you do that is or at least can be good to watch. You were just hampered by running out of ideas pretty quickly and a lack of creativity and quality going forward/upfront. Agree with the above poster that it’s all immaterial really as long as you win. But like I say, the ‘boring’ comments made me laugh. This Airdrie team are many things but they’re not boring at either end of the park!
  8. Don’t know the story but from her celebrations yesterday and some of her previous comments on Twitter and AirdrieFanTV his maw clearly has no time for Dougie Imrie. Had to laugh at the ‘boring’ shouts coming from the Cowshed. Because watching your team launch long balls in the general direction of those big lumps George Oakley and Robbie Muirhead must be much more appealing to watch!
  9. Saw a few of our fans complaining about the WDE on Twitter. Aye it should have a roof or some sort of cover over it. But give me the WDE and Cappielow over sitting in that main stand at New Broomfield any day. At least the place has a bit of character, history and uniqueness to it and feels like a proper football ground. Much better sight lines in there than the main stand at Cappielow which is also a plus. Great result yesterday and really important to get that first away win. Thought Morton probably had the better of the first half hour or so. They were physical and winning a lot of the first and second balls in midfield, and I thought you were able to get in behind us fairly effectively. However, other than hitting the post, I don’t remember Morton having any clear cut chances in either half. Once we scored, despite Morton again having a reasonable amount of pressure, it never really felt like they were going to get back into it. Agree with the other posts on here that we dug out the win well but I thought we actually were good going forward too and looked dangerous whenever we managed to get into Morton’s half. We need to start killing teams off though. Thought Todorov should or could have maybe had a go himself at the one he set up for Gal. Although it was a lovely pass and run from the two of them and the offside call looked pretty marginal. Likewise Frizzell should had a shot on goal rather than take a touch/beat a man one too many. You’re practically clean through on goal, what more could you want?! I thought he was the best player on the park yesterday but that’s probably his most frustrating habit. Especially as he’s actually got a good shot on him. Delighted for McGregor to get the winner. Think him and his family enjoyed that one Don’t think Morton were terrible necessarily, but they really lack a bit of creativity and ingenuity going forward. Clearly ran out of ideas very quickly and shelled long balls and floaty crosses in the general direction of our goal which Rae dealt with easily. An 8-point gap is a nice spot to be in at this stage. Ayr, Queen’s Park and Inverness coming up so a real chance to be in a solid position come the end of the first quarter.
  10. Played it safe since I hadn’t been before, and was eating with colleagues so didn’t want to order anything too obscene/gluttonous, even if that goes against my natural instincts. Had the classic Cajun chicken tempura with the chips and sweet chilli sauce from the lunch menu. Was a good feed. Any recommendations for next time?
  11. I know you boys and girls like your food chat. Had a Tempura for lunch at work today. Good scran, would go again.
  12. Said on our thread this a good opportunity to finally get some away points on the board. An 8 point gap, even at this stage of the season, would be sweet. That being said, I’m not particularly confident. This is exactly the sort of game I can see us struggling in. Assuming ATS and McStravick are back this will be the first game we’ll have a full squad to choose from which should hopefully be a boost. I can only assume that the midfield and upfront will go unchanged. What McCabe does with the defence will be interesting though. Not convinced by Watson as a long-term option at centre-half. But he had a good game (and a cleansheet) last week and he’s possibly our best option RE standing up to Muirhead and Oakley physically. Think this will be decided by a goal. Could have done without seeing Robbie Muirhead’s screamer again on Twitter.
  13. Good to see some strong Airdrieonians representation here. Goodwin over McCabe though? Scandalous.
  14. Me winning the Club1924 draw. In all seriousness, it’d be nice to beat Dunfermline. Still raging about those two home results against them last season.
  15. Was McStravick not described as a winger when he signed? Looks like the plan is to play him in the middle, which I’m happy with based on his performance at Tannadice, but he might be worth a go out there at some point. That being said, for his faults and inconsistencies, McGregor is getting better. Both in terms of work-rate and end product/goal involvement.
  16. Right enjoyed that on Saturday. Two decent teams going toe-to-toe, played at a good pace, in what felt like a proper contest. As a spectacle itself I found it to be more enjoyable than most of our games in League 1 the last couple of seasons. They were fun in their own way but largely felt like a procession most of the time. You could see the difference Aiken makes to the midfield immediately. His influence faded as the game went on but at one point I thought he was the best player on the park. The midfield of him, McMaster and Frizzell is by far our best and most balanced in terms of running, ball winning/retention and creativity. Thought the defence did well to keep a team with the attacking talent Raith have quiet. Must have been a close run thing between Ballantyne and Hancock for MotM. Mullin got nothing out of Hancock all game and Ballantyne marshalled Easton. Easton is wasted in a wide role like that, although he still showed his quality at times. That through-ball to Hamilton was different gravy. I wasn’t totally convinced when I saw Watson was at centre-half but he had a good game and handled getting booked well. Don’t remember them having any clear cut chances beyond Stanton’s long-range efforts. Couple of fantastic saves from Rae also. A few hairy moments of miscommunication (though it’s hard to know whose fault that was without being on the pitch) but I thought he was excellent. His distribution is getting better by the week which is obviously key to how we play. Our goal was superb, this Airdrie team at its best. Terrific work from Gabby in both starting the move and his ball for the assist. That’ll hopefully do his confidence good. Could see it meant a lot to him at full-time, which was lovely. Nice to have Telfer back on the bench. Assuming ATS and McStravick are back this weekend I think that’s the first time we’ll have a full squad to choose from? Which will be a boost subs wise. I still think we need to create more chances or be a bit bolder in terms of having shots on goal. Not sure if that requires a tweak of the system, or just needs the players to be a bit braver. But in fairness to McCabe, he has a good track record of fixing problems with our shape or style of play so I have faith that we’ll get there. 3/3 wins at home, two of them being against Thistle and Raith, I think, is a great start. We won’t win every home game but if we keep picking up points we’ll be fine. A good opportunity to get some away points on this board this weekend. I think it will be tough, this is the sort of game I could see us struggling in. But it is one we should be looking to win all the same. Win on Saturday and we’ll be 8 points ahead of Morton and possibly 11 ahead of Inverness. With Ayr (h), Queen’s Park (h) and Inverness all to play next month. Can’t get ahead of ourselves but that’s a great opportunity to put ourselves in a good place points and table wise come the end of the first quarter/November.
  17. Pleased with that, reads like a good bit of business anyway. More depth at right-back and centre-half was what we needed most IMO. A bit of pace in the defence would be grand and if he could potentially solve some of our problems out wide too then even better. It doesn’t necessarily mean anything given the step up but encouraging to hear that he performed well for Kelty last season, and first team football isn’t completely alien to him. Presumably he’ll be straight into the team on Saturday.
  18. That was as bad as we’ve been for a long time yesterday. Probably the worst we’ve played under McCabe. Think a few things about the team were exposed yesterday. Namely that McCabe and McMaster can’t play in the same midfield. For me, our best midfield atm is McMaster, Frizzell and Aiken. Agreed with some that McCabe is a better passer and ‘clutch’ player than McMaster, and there will be games and ‘moments’ where he’s required to play. But the aforementioned midfield three gives us a better balance, and IMO moves the ball up the park far quicker which we badly missed yesterday. Whether it’s simply because he’s younger/fitter I also think McMaster’s positioning as a holding midfielder is better than McCabe’s. It wouldn’t have ultimately made a difference but if McMaster had been in that position yesterday rather than McCabe that 3rd goal probably doesn’t happen. It was exposed a few times last season but yesterday McCabe was playing far too deep, which was a huge contributing factor in us not doing anything going forward. That’d be fine if he was at least winning balls/breaking up play and tracking runners but he wasn’t doing that either and it meant Arbroath had loads of space to play in when they were on the ball. Missed Aiken too yesterday in that regard. He’s a good runner, good ball winner and moves the ball forward quickly, none of which our midfield was doing. Our lack of pace at centre-half was exposed too, especially with those two late goals. Haven’t seen enough of Hancock yet to know whether he’s the answer or not in that regard but having a midfield in front of them who wouldn’t leave them so exposed would at least mitigate some of that. I like McGregor and O’Connor and think they both have a place in the squad but neither of them are ready or consistent enough to be starters every week for us. I think it was @Passionate who mentioned it previously, but when you consider that they’re essentially the replacements for Smith it’s a massive downgrade. Which is the opposite of what you want as a newly promoted team. So frustrating as I actually thought both of them got into good positions in behind their defence yesterday. But I don’t think McGregor got past a defender once (when he wasn’t running the ball out himself) and O’Connor didn’t even get the chance to get on the ball his touch is that bad. Feels like this should be the priority in the loan market. Can’t add anything more on the goals. The defending is pathetic for them all, but especially risible at the third. I think Gal is a better holdup player, hence why he’s the starting #9, but think we need to find a way to get Todorov more involved somehow. Last two league games we’ve been chasing goals and he’s come on in the last 10-15 minutes when it’s felt like the momentum and game has already gone. He’s a better player than that role. Not panicked or overly worried or angry. But think it’s important we pick up some points in the next couple of games so a rot doesn’t set in and we can (hopefully) build a bit of a gap between us and the bottom 2 or 3. Couple of difficult games coming up. But McCabe has previous for getting a big performance from us after a gutless display, so fingers crossed for the same again next week. Watching a proper #headsgone #Murrayball defeat from the other side could be an all-timer.
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