Jan Vojáček

The playoffs are a bit of a law unto themselves. So we absolutely could win them and I'm going in more confident than the previous two seasons combined. It's the first time I've looked forward to the playoffs since we won them under Alan Adamson (albeit three of the four campaigns since were to avoid relegation. Which isn't a great buzz). As we've seen with a ropey Brechin side winning them in 2016/17 and us defeating an Arbroath side who outscored us points wise comfortably (thanks to a ridiculous Stephen Grindlay performance) in 2011/12, there isn't really any way of telling how they'll go. Being a Sons fan has been really hard work since that night in Shropshire. It would be nice to have something to really get excited about again. Dare to dream and all that.

Just fractionally*

Funny game this, because you'd imagine both teams will A) Rest their best players and B) Neither will want to give too much away ahead of a potential playoff meeting. I'd imagine if you offered both management teams a point each and the opportunity to do something else with their Saturday they'd probably quite happily accept it.

Given that behind the scenes issues have been creating more serious threats than simply "dark rumours about the future of the club" for much of the last 15 or so years, I'll politely decline the opportunity to get my knickers overly twisted at this moment in time.

You've got Sir Andrew Graham at the wheel. You'll win every week next season regardless

I've written four opposition previews for next week's semi-final programme. If someone could do up a 'Four opposition previews' Peep Show meme for me as a reward then that would be greatly appreciated. Anyway. Annan are in really good form and are paying the price for a ropey start to the season. So I don't fancy us against then. There's hasn't been a great deal between us, Spartans and Peterhead this season (aside from the 6-2 win v Spartans a few months back). So any game there could go either way. Stirling Albion don't look in good form and would give me a nice local game. Plus we haven't played them this season. So, nae offence Binos, but I'm wanting you lot in the semis. I actually think finishing third or fourth suits us better with the home leg first too. We've had 'second leg advantage' in the previous two seasons and the games have been over by half-time in the first leg.

Why is it always the fans of teams who win every week who think that there's some sort of refereeing conspiracy against them?

I've just finished writing four opposition previews for Sons' programme for the playoff semi-final. It's all fun and games having unpredictable league positions until you're writing programmes for games that might never happen

Just give the ball to Kalvin and tell him to take a touch to open up space and then cross it. Simple game etc etc.

Right Neilly, it's the one you've been waiting for. GK - Darren Jamieson (Stenhousemuir) - With Brett Long's ankle in half, nobody else comes close. Good lad too is DJ, and the most transformative signing that any club has made arguably in Scotland this season. I was disappointed he wasn't up for divisional POTY at the PFA awards. RB - Matty Grant (Stranraer) - He's more of a winger these days, but I've seen him play at full-back for Pollok (and wing-back) and I like him a lot. Aggressive, tricky, decent on the ball. I'd like to see him in a Sons shirt one day. CB - Nicky Jamieson (Stenhousemuir) - Will deal with the step up to League One better than Buchanan. And the stats speak for themselves, Stenny basically don't lose when he plays (I mean they don't lose anyway, but they especially don't lose when he plays). CB - Stuart Morrison (Forfar Athletic) - Forfar's only interesting player imo. Stupidly aggressive in the air, a goal threat, good on the ball. Him and Jamieson together would be sensational imo. LB - Neil Martyniuk (Bonnyrigg Rose) - Not actually sure if he's that good, but his goal return has basically saved Bonnyrigg - even if 95% are penalties. Plus I couldn't think of any other Bonnyrigg player I'd want (Paddy Martin is good, but not Jamieson, and Josh Grigor is alright. But not Jamieson/Morrison). CM - Mark Gallagher (Elgin City) - Impressed me massively at Borough Briggs back in January. Didn't actually know who he was until half-time, but you can see what bigger clubs have seen in him. Looked like he had an absolutely terrific engine above all else and had no issue bursting box-to-box. CM - Rhys Armstrong (Spartans) - Another guy I knew very little about before this season, but I've been massively impressed. Only 22 too so I can see him going on to a higher level if he fancies it. I actually wanted Cammy Russell from Spartans, but he didn't fit my team under the one from every club rule. So Armstrong it is. CM - Andy McCarthy (Peterhead) - Such a pain in the backside. I spoke about him on the Terrace a few weeks ago as being one of my least favourite opposition players to watch, but also someone I'd take at us in a heartbeat. Breaking up play, winning soft fouls and generally being a shithouse. FW - Michael Ruth (Dumbarton) - I know he's only got 12 goals, but he's also not our penalty taker. So he's got 12 from open play, compared to Aitken and Henderson both of whom take penalties. I wouldn't swap him for any other striker in the division. He's the best forward we've had in years, his hold-up play is in a different league to basically every other striker in the division. His workrate, strength and general forward play is absolutely vital to our chances of going up. I just wish we'd find a way to play someone alongside him. He'd be even more effective if he wasn't winning high balls, running channels, holding play up and scoring goals all on his own. FW - Jordan Allan (Clyde) - Pair Ruth with Jordan Allan and you'd have a title winning strikeforce. He's always been a thorn in our side, but he gave us the run around in the 2-0 defeat at NDP in February. A more natural goalscorer than Ruth, the two of them would be superb together. Seems to have a good knack of getting goals in important games/at important times too. FW - Nathan Austin (East Fife) - I was shocked by how bad he looked in the first few games we played against EF this season. He looked absolutely finished. A guy going through the motions. Gradually though it's looked like the Nathan Austin of old has returned and East Fife are very lucky to have a player that good with such an affinity to the club.

Not being there when Kalvin Orsi scored a prime Maradona goal would be a very safe second in the most iconic DFC moments I've missed. Extremely glad Budinauckas made that save

Five straight clean sheets too. Nice.

I'm not really saying anything new, but that's a terrific signing. Calum Gallagher in League One is like Dwight Gayle was in the Championship down south a few seasons ago. Just a guaranteed goalscorer, who maybe isn't quite capable of taking that next step. So fair play getting him tied down early. That's as good a signing as any League One team will make all summer, and it's only April! He's an absolutely fantastic team player. Will work himself into the ground, do the ugly side of the game. Run channels, hold play up. All that good stuff. It still pisses me off that we had fans berate him every week for us because he runs in a weird, ungainly way. Sure, he's not the most aesthetically pleasing forward in the world, but I'd kill to have him back at The Rock. Genuinely lovely guy too with a really nice nature about him. As said above, he'll be one happily dishing out high-fives and selfies with the kids.

Agreed. Good atmosphere too with the Burgh Young Team.

Told you it would be tight Good competitive game that. And a draw was probably about the right result. Arthurlie missing a late sitter, but Pidge making a terrific save in either half.