Francesc Fabregas
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Posts posted by Francesc Fabregas
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Who is your pick for the Stenhousemuir FC Goal of the Season?
It's very hard to see past Adam Brown's goal against Peterhead. A stunner! And a moment when you thought: hey, this team might do something this season!
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This Saturday is perhaps the most monumental in the history of Stenhousemuir Football Club: it is the day we are presented with our first ever league title. It feels incredible just to write it on an internet messageboard, so Christ knows how I'll feel when this game actually wraps up. All roads have led to this moment and I cannot wait to cap this wonderful season with this group of players, this management team, and all my friends and associates who have hitherto sunk decades into this club with nothing to show for it.
Does anyone really care about the match itself? Although I'm curious to see if Stenny can draw an entire quarter of their matches, I would love to see us win here. We've been the better team every time we've taken on Bonnyrigg Rose this season but only squeezed by 1-0 each time. I'd like to put this mob on the mantelpiece (and then do the same to Stranraer next week). The Rose recorded one of the most surprising results of the year when they thumped East Fife 4-1 at Bayview, a scoreline that really wasn't reflective of how good they were and how they dominated the match, but were immediately brought back down to earth by losing at the Spartans; as a result, they're still very much in the muck at the foot of the table. We know what we're getting here - dig, guts, fight, and almost no quality - and we have to match their endeavour at the very least if we're to triumph. We're a better team and I want them to understand why we're the champions.
Given our recent injuries and ailments, I think we'll see a team of odds and sods for this one, but I'd like us to go with the best team available to get the win. The Rose have plenty to play for and they will be up for it. I'd like Darren Jamieson, Mikey Anderson and Matty Yates restored to the starting XI, however I don't think this will be in line with the manager's thinking and we'll see Curtis Lyle, Jordan Kirkpatrick and Bradley Rodden getting a run out instead. I'd pick:
- Matty Aitken -
- Euan O'Reilly - Matty Yates - Ross Taylor -
- Mikey Anderson - James Berry -
- Kinlay Bilham - Edin Lynch - Gregor Buchanan - Ross Meechan -
- Darren Jamieson -
I can't wait for this one. This will be a huge day and I hope to see as many of you there as possible.
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Aye, I'm really looking forward to it too. I don't think anything could possibly feel as good as the celebrations after the East Fife game did but this will be a different kind of energy on trophy day. What an incredible season it's been. The best of our lives. I think it'll be a brilliant day.
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11 minutes ago, true fan said:
Would be good to win on Saturday - round off the season with 3 points at home
Jamieson and Wedderburn not expected back
meechan not listed in last game - injury or something else?
did Buchanan go off injured?
no jamieson,, Buchanan or meechan would be tough
In his post-match interview, Gary Naysmith said that Ross Meechan was absent with a bug (and Mikey Anderson was just returning after missing the previous game with a similar illness). Gregor Buchanan came off late on with a knock - I reckon he might have played on had there been something at stake but there's no point in risking him here.
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31 minutes ago, BullyWeeClydeFc said:
It’s a shame that a handful of Stenny fans were acting like 2 year olds giving our fans grief although congrats on winning the league.
I'm sorry that the chant: "Stenny's having a party and Clyde are going down!" upset you.
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I thought that was a pretty entertaining match, all in. Both teams played quite well and there was a nice ebb and flow, with good goals and a bit of drama at the death. Stenny seemed to be in "let's have a laugh!" territory with regard to their team selection and formation, but Clyde didn't have the wherewithal to get the better of them and only really seemed to take the game seriously towards the end when they had their opponents on the back foot. You would never have known that one team was treating the contest with the earnestness of a pre-season friendly and the other were desperate for the three points given the outcome. While I was hoping for a blockbuster Stenhousemuir win to avenge the last meeting between the sides, this was more in line with what I was expecting.
Despite losing a poor goal early on, with a combination of poor passing in the middle of the park and defensive uncertainty contributing to Robbie Leitch running in and finishing well, Stenny got to grips with Clyde and were probably the better side overall, albeit without truly dominating. The home side should be very disappointed with the concession of both goals - Edin Lynch broke free at a corner to toe the ball into the net and as good a strike as Jordan Kirkpatrick's was, why did no-one attempt to shut him down? He had plenty of time to amble forward, consider his options, and shoot. Barry Cuddihy's equaliser was well taken, nodded into the corner well beyond Curtis Lyle's grasp, but the goalkeeper did well to push away Cammy Ballantyne's late drive.
Stenny did well today, for the most part. Kinlay Bilham was good as a left-sided centre-back, Kyle Jacobs won an extraordinary number of balls in midfield (he might be worth considering for next year), Kirkpatrick had some great touches and Matty Aitken, when he stopped trying to scrap with Craig Howie, held the ball up well. I think they largely held Clyde at arm's length until changing shape after going ahead - Ian McCall reacted superbly by bringing on Kian Leslie to run at Lynch at right-back, and this led to Cuddihy's goal. We did fine in the 3-4-2-1 formation, and it's nice to see us mix it up a little bit, but I can't imagine we'll see it again once we have a full complement of players to pick from.
While Stenhousemuir can look forward to lifting the League 2 trophy next weekend, Clyde must be very nervous about the next fortnight. There are some fine players there - we know better than anyone else how good they can be when it all clicks - but they seem less than the sum of their parts and for every player like Ray Grant or Jordan Allan, there's Chris McGinn struggling down the left or Martin Rennie trying to get to get into the game on the wing. I'm not too fussed on who finishes bottom of the table but if it is Clyde, I'd fancy them to beat Buckie Thistle or East Kilbride more than Stranraer or Bonnyrigg Rose. I don't know why.
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The Stenhousemuir feature was incredible. I've watched it three times and cried every time. It's a brilliant story - every Stenhousemuir deserves all the success we've enjoyed this season, but Donald Smillie probably deserves it more than most.
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I'm very pleased to see Darren Jamieson, Gregor Buchanan, Nicky Jamieson, Nat Wedderburn and Matty Aitken in the PFA League 2 Team of the Year. All five have had strong seasons, the goalkeeper and centre-backs especially, and they should be proud of being recognised by their peers.
Mikey Anderson, however, was robbed! He's the best midfielder in the division, in my opinion!
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Clyde are set to welcome to Stenhousemuir to New Douglas Park on Saturday for one of the more intriguing games taking place in the SPFL this weekend. The Bully Wee are fighting for their lives at the bottom of the division and although the Warriors have nothing to play for, I've no doubt they'll want to avenge the 6-1 humiliation the last time the sides met. It's shaping up to be a tasty encounter!
I don't know how Gary Naysmith will approach this one. Nicky Jamieson and Nat Wedderburn are unlikely to play again this season, while a number of players missed out against Elgin City last weekend through illness and various other ailments, so I'm not sure if we'll field the same rag-tag assortment of first teamers and fringe players but regardless, I hope we can do a number on Clyde and get our own back on them. We can have a big say on what happens at the bottom of the table between now and the end of the season, and I'd to see a couple of wins here, starting on Saturday.
Clyde have given us some bother this season, and that's even before you add in the 6-1 game from February. They should have beaten us in our first meeting, a 2-2 draw, but they were hopeless in the 2-1 defeat after Christmas, and only came into the match right at the death. There are some very good players in their ranks - Jordan Allan's performance in the last encounter was probably the best I've seen from an opposition player this season and we simply could not handle him.
Who knows how this one will finish! Probably a hopeless draw.
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First of all: what a pop to see your team given a guard of honour by the opposition! I loved it!
We really should have been out of sight long before Elgin City equalised. We created more chances across the 90 minutes than we'd done in our previous five matches but we were profligate and careless - Euan O'Reilly should have buried his chance midway through the second half and I can't quite believe he didn't score. Even although there was nothing on the line for Stenhousemuir, I'm still annoyed we didn't win. Imagine letting Bobby Jones score against you! How embarrassing!
Nevertheless, there were some good performances from the home side. Ross Taylor turned in a really strong performance all game and was just too damn hot for the Elgin defence to deal with. His goal was lovely, cutting in from the right and drilling home a powerful shot with his left (something that suggests there's more versatility to his game than just running down towards the byline), but his ability to draw fouls and bookings from the opposition (three yesterday!) is vital too. I hope he can use the remaining games to really push for our first choice XI going forward. Kyle Jacobs had a decent game and showed up well in midfield, so too did James Berry alongside him. Some other fringe players, however, looked off it, and I can't imagine we'll be seeing them next year.
Elgin started both halves on the back foot, but finished both halves strongly. Mark Gallagher is an excellent central midfielder and really grew into the match, while Allan Hale (left) timed his substitutions well - the introduction of Jones and Dayshonne Golding really gave them a presence they'd been missing, and Golding certainly rattled Edin Lynch before playing a big part in Jones' goal. They've improved immensely over the course of the season and it'll be interesting to see what they can achieve next term.
All in all, a good, enterprising game of football played out in difficult conditions. Fair play to all involved.
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I'm not sure if everyone's had the chance to read Ross Meechan's interview with the Falkirk Herald but it's worth checking out!
I've never heard a player speak so effusively about Stenhousemuir before. There will be players who have enjoyed their time at Ochilview and have spoken about their fondness for the club, but this must be the first time someone has been so positive and glowing about what Stenny means to them. It's wonderful that he's taken the club to his heart like this.
I didn't think it was possible for him to go any higher in my estimations but here we are! A hero!
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One question remains: who's the Player of the Year?
While there are strong arguments for Darren Jamieson, Mikey Anderson and Matty Aitken, it feels like it's a straight shoot-out between Gregor Buchanan and Nicky Jamieson. Both have had sterling campaigns and both have played an enormous part in our success, but I feel it has to go to Buchanan. He's been an incredible signing and his presence, organisation and leadership have made everyone around him better.
I thought he'd be a good signing when we brought him in from Dumbarton but he's been better than anyone could have anticipated!
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Just now, Melanius Mullarkey said:
Show some respect, please. This is the 2023/24 League 2 champions you're dealing with here.
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30 minutes ago, Hard Graft said:
It would be good if before the match all the players in the squad were introduced onto the park individually so that the fans could applaud and acclaim their efforts on this momentous occasion.
I would also like the club to consider a Hall of Fame, not just for this group but for former players and individuals who have contributed much to the club.
The Elgin City team will have to form a guard of honour and clap us onto the park. What a pop!
Every single member of this team should go into a Stenhousemuir FC Hall of Fame. I would also include Mark McGuigan and Terry Christie to go in alongside them.
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I disagree! Let's try and get an elusive win with the best players available first and then have a kickabout down at Stranraer on the final day of the season.
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Stenhousemuir - the 2023/24 League 2 champions! - take on Elgin City on Saturday afternoon. There isn't much at stake here - Stenny have finally won thee title and Elgin are probably safe - but I cannot wait for this game. I'm really excited to spend the afternoon with my fellow supporters and see this group of players in action again. This is the most likeable squad we've had in my 20 years following the club and I want to enjoy watching them between now and the end of the season.
The game against East Fife was a brutal spectacle but I'm putting that down to the blustery conditions rather than the quality of either side. Stenny are superb defensively, and I'm confident of maintaining another clean sheet here, but there are obvious issues further forward, and it's just not really clicking at the moment. With no pressure, it might relax our attacking players and we might see something more fluid and entertaining as we're struggling to create chances, let alone put them away. Everything seems to be a little too precise at the moment and I hope to see a couple of goals in our favour this weekend.
Elgin City have improved since Allan Hale came in, and they're a good side at Borough Briggs, but they don't tend to travel well, picking up just eight points on the road all season, and I hope we can take full advantage. I'd be inclined to go with the same team that start against the Fifers last time out:
- Matty Aitken -
- Euan O'Reilly - Matty Yates - Adam Brown -
- Mikey Anderson - Nat Wedderburn -
- Kinlay Bilham - Edin Lynch - Gregor Buchanan - Ross Meechan -
- Darren Jamieson -
I fancy us to win this! Let's go out there and enjoy ourselves and show everyone why we're the champions!
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Yesterday was the best day of my life. I've come to terms with winning the division for a few weeks but to have it finally confirmed is incredible. Nothing will feel as good as this. I am head over heels in love with this club and this group of players. Heroes.
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1 hour ago, Clyde_MM said:
Hoping for a Stenny win. Partly to get the title confirmed but mostly just to pump the breaks on the East Fife juggernaut. Given our position, it would be preferable they pitch up to Hamilton in a few weeks with nothing to play for.
Even if Stenhousemuir have nothing to play for by this stage of the season, I imagine everyone associated with the club will want to avenge the 6-1 defeat to Clyde in February.
No mercy!
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Adam Brown has agreed a new 12-month contract with the club. I think this is good news - he's a fine player and his set-piece delivery has led to numerous goals over the course of the season, but I do wish he'd contribute a little more in open play. His strike against Peterhead earlier in the campaign is undoubtedly the goal of the season.
The squad is really coming together for next term. I reckon we'll need to add about five or six good players in the summer, but that can wait for the time being!
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8 minutes ago, Granty1903 said:
Will We get to go towards the away dugout as well
No. There's a car park there.
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All roads lead to the weekend's match: if Stenhousemuir can beat East Fife at Ochilview, they will win the first league title in their 140-year history. What a moment! What an opportunity! I wish I had a fast-forward button on life; I'd be mashing it until we reached Saturday afternoon.
The Warriors are not in tremendous form at the moment, drawing their last four matches and scoring just one goal, but they're defensively resolute and have set a League 2 clean sheet record (18). Nicky Jamieson is likely to miss out with an injury but Edin Lynch is a reasonable deputy, so long as he's asked to do nothing more than head and kick the ball in the direction he's facing, he should do alright. Although there are clear issues further forward, we did at least create some decent chances against Dumbarton last time out, and Ross Taylor should have scored when teed up by Matty Yates. We gave it a good go, and I'd like to think we'll approach this match with the same mindset.
East Fife will be difficult opponents. They're the division's most in-form side, they've clearly improved under Dick Campbell and they'll pose a tough challenge. The matches between the two teams this season have been close. Regardless, I'd fancy us for this one - given what's at stake, given the expected attendance, I trust in the players and the manager to see us over the line. I wouldn't mind us going with the same XI that started at the Rock (with Lynch coming in for Jamieson). I can understand the calls to play Matty Aitken from the outset but he's been poor for a couple of weeks now so Matty Yates should keep his place as a "nine-and-a-half" or whatever:
- Matty Yates -
- Euan O'Reilly - Adam Brown - Ross Taylor -
- Mikey Anderson - Nat Wedderburn -
- Kinlay Bilham - Edin Lynch - Gregor Buchanan - Ross Meechan -
- Darren Jamieson -
I'm pumped for this one! I'll see you there!
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Matty Aitken has scored twice in 2024 - against the Spartans in January and against Bonnyrigg Rose at the start of the month.
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The big game of the weekend sees a resurgent Dumbarton taking on Stenhousemuir, the stuttering, soon-to-be champions, at the Rock on Saturday. I'm looking forward to this match - the three previous meetings between the teams have been good and I'm expecting the same here. Although you can never fully trust a Stevie Farrell side, the Sons appear to be getting their act together at the right time and look a decent bet to make an impact in the play-offs; Stenny, meanwhile, will clinch the League 2 title if they win and Peterhead drop points at Clyde, but on current form, you're hard pushed to see the Warriors keeping up their end of the bargain.
Stenhousemuir were defensively excellent against the Blue Toon last weekend but are really stuttering further forward. Almost all of the attacking players are out of form - Matty Aitken has been in the doldrums for a while, and if he's not playing well, the whole team seems to suffer, while Matty Yates is going through the motions. I don't think Bradley Rodden or Jordan Kirkpatrick made the most of their opportunity against Peterhead, although Adam Brown and Ross Taylor haven't done much coming off the bench recently either. It's hard to know what Gary Naysmith will do for this one but I'd like to see us go back to the tried-and-tested XI and give it a go. Let's try and win it! I'd bring Taylor back into the fold because he's really saved his best stuff against Dumbarton.
- Maty Aitken -
- Euan O'Reilly - Matty Yates - Ross Taylor -
- Mikey Anderson - Nat Wedderburn -
- Kinlay Bilham - Nicky Jamieson - Gregor Buchanan - Ross Meechan -
- Darren Jamieson -
I think we can win this one but I reckon it's more likely to end up in a stalemate and we'll be handed the title when the games simply run out. I don't think there will be a lot of football played - the pitch looks in a lousy condition, and this was before Broomhill took on East Kilbride on the Sunday. Either way, I will see you all there!
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The team from A View from the Terrace are filming a wee film at Ochilview this weekend to celebrate the team's first ever title win*. They're looking for photos, videos, anything that captures what it's been like following the club over the past few decades. Please do get in touch if you have anything at all!
* I appreciate it's not yet wrapped up but something outrageous would have to happen between now and the end of the season.
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Stenhousemuir -vs- Bonnyrigg Rose (Saturday 27 April 2024) - Title day, baby!
in Scottish League 2 General Chatter
Posted
When has a trophy ever been presented before a match?