Diamond Oracle

Majority is full time, with just a handful of part time players as I understand it.

I don’t think Leon has progressed at all since he left us. I would imagine we could get way better LBs than him. I’d definitely take Morrison and Henderson though. Think they’ve both been standouts for Falkirk this season.

I’m not overly confident he’ll be here next season. He gets asked in the Airdrie Fan TV video and his answer isn’t convincing! From a purely sentimental point of view I’d be gutted if Smithy left as he’s been a really important player for us for the past couple of years and he’s stepped up for us in some big games. However as you say, I think he’s regressed from last season and has been particularly poor for months now. A player that, if he plays to his full potential, could be an asset for us in the Championship. However whether he’s able to do that next season who knows.

I think the Championship is probably a bigger step up than I thought based on those two games against Hamilton. Physically at least their players were faster and stronger generally than we’re used to in League One. This is how I would see our current squad: Goalkeepers David Hutton - Keep (as 3rd choice) Josh Rae - Keep Defenders Cammy Ballantyne - Keep Lachie Byrd - Release Euan Deveney - Release Callum Fordyce - Keep Aaron Taylor-Sinclair - Keep Craig Watson - Keep (as squad player) Midfielders Justin Devenny - Keep Adam Frizzell - Keep Rhys McCabe - Keep Lewis McGregor - Keep Dean McMaster - Keep Ben Stanway - Release Charlie Telfer - Keep (as squad player) Forwards Calum Gallagher - Keep Gabby McGill - Keep Callum Smith - Keep I think that would give us a solid base with space for 5-6 quality additions to improve the starting 11.

Do Kelty provide a stream?

Well I got my wish at least. I thought we were poor for a lot of that game today, but our quality shone through in the end. Telfer looked really good and will fit into our team well. I don’t think ATS is going to improve the team at all, but he should be okay as cover. I really don’t like Jamieson’s attitude, it seems totally at odds to the rest of the team. He’s a player that’s great when you’re 3-0 up, but not somebody I’d be relying on if we’re up against it. Young goalie did well as well again today, albeit his kicking could improve. Fantastic to see Smith back on the scoresheet as he’s been off the boil for a few weeks. A couple of games left of the first quarter of the season and we’re looking in decent shape. Still a few gears to go through as well.

I wouldn’t start Jamieson and I don’t think Wiley should be anywhere near the starting 11. I’d go: Henderson Watson - McCabe - Fordyce - Deveney Telfer - Devenny - Frizzell McGill - Gallagher - Smith If Telfer isn’t fit enough yet I’d move McCabe into midfield and start ATS alongside Fordyce. After last season I hope we absolutely batter Clyde. ETA: I’d like to see McMaster given some game time today as well. Looked really promising in early season before getting injured.

Wonder if we’ll appeal Ballantyne’s sending off. If not we’ve got to line up like this on Saturday: Henderson Watson - Fordyce - ATS - Deveney Frizzell - McCabe - Devenny McGill - Gallagher - Smith

Clyde 0-4 Dunfermline Athletic FC Edinburgh 3-1 Peterhead Falkirk 2-1 Alloa Athletic Kelty Hearts 0-1 Queen of the South Montrose 1-1 Airdrieonians

I wouldn’t be disappointed with a draw next week

Despite the appalling result yesterday, I’m not overly worried. When it was 11 vs. 11 Edinburgh struggled to get out their own half. McCabe’s naive tactics were to blame for the heavy defeat in the end but I’ve no doubt he’ll learn from this. You cant expect to appoint a 29 year old manager and for him not to make a few catastrophic mistakes along the way. I’d like to think we’ll be back to our usual selves next week. McAllister being suspended will definitely help!

Embarrassing result in the end and tactically very naive from McCabe thinking we could continue to play our high risk football with ten men. Hopefully he learns from this. That being said, I can’t help but feel we’ve been done by the referee here. That was never a red card in a million years. Even if it did hit his hand (which I’m not convinced it did) the ball was going miles wide so couldn’t have stopped a goal! Sickener. Hopefully we appeal the decision and Ballantyne is back available next week at Montrose. Whether we had lost 1-0 or 10-0 today it’s still zero points. Take it on the chin and move on. Reluctant to criticise any individuals too much but I feel Wiley is just too slow and ponderous on the ball. Really doesn’t suit our style of play.

Airdrieonians 2-1 FC Edinburgh Clyde 1-1 Alloa Athletic Kelty Hearts 0-4 Falkirk Peterhead 1-3 Montrose Queen of the South 0-1 Dunfermline Athletic

Alloa Athletic 3-1 Peterhead Dunfermline Athletic 0-1 Airdrieonians FC Ediburgh 1-2 Clyde Falkirk 2-2 Queen of the South Montrose 1-0 Kelty Hearts

We are massive