Jan Vojáček

Turns out he's as bad as everyone else there...

I'm afraid he's just signed for Thorniewood United alongside Ross Forbes. In other news, I have a new job as the Director of Football at a West of Scotland League side...

Think we might be seeing the reason why there was no heartfelt tribute on the website...

That's the guy! Hang on, I've just seen our match preview. No Sean Crighton tomorrow. Oh Jesus. So we're going into this game with one natural centre-half? 18-year-old Gallagher Lennon, who has looked out of his depth since signing. Or with Mark Durnan, who hasn't played since October having to play for a full 90 minutes. Praying Durnan is something close to being match ready. If he is, then I'd start him and Newbury together. And Blair Malcolm at left-back. If he's not? Well I've no idea really. Lennon and Newbury? Two centre-halves with a combined aged of 36 would be a giggle.

Ironically his ability to send off players wearing a Sons shirt is probably at the bottom of my list of worries for this. So maybe it's a good time to get him. I had hoped we'd never get see him again after the relegation season where we have six players sent off in the league all season. And he sent off five of them. In two games. In fact he's sent off 6 Dumbarton players in 6 games. So if I was a betting man I'd be lumping on at least one red card tomorrow. Given we haven't seen him since early 2022 I had kind of hoped he'd been fast-tracked to the big leagues, but obviously not. Maybe he'll even things out, reduce East Fife to 8 men in the first-half and we can get up the road with a 1-0 win and our playoff place secure

I remember hearing a story that he threatened to "deck" another individual involved with the club during a particularly heated exchange As you say, I'm sorry to hear of his passing for his family. I'm sure he was a different man away from business. But he wasn't someone who made many friends in his time at DFC I think it would be fair to say.

He started on the left of a back three against Banks o'Dee, fell on his arse and gifted them a goal. But (leafing through my wee teamsheet notes) I think that's the only game he's started for us in defence this season. Sure he moved there for a bit against Rangers as well when Blair was toiling mind you. I remember finding it weird when we signed Shiels and started the season with four left-backs in our squad (Young, Wylde, Malcolm, Shiels). Yet here we are playing a central midfielder there. And there doesn't seem to be a half decent option in the squad.

Losing Durnan in October, Long in December and Shiels in January has just been a serious of really major blows. Greig Young too looked a class act early in the season; especially in that game at Ochilview. It doesn't absolve Faz of blame. But I do feel for him with regards to the injuries/departures. Losing three of the best players in the league (all defensive players too) across a four month period is something most teams would struggle to deal with. I'd guess that Long and Durnan will be two of our best paid too. Our defence looked like it was (at least) three players short of being remotely competent going by those highlights. Is there a reason Blair Malcolm hasn't played at left-back yet that I'm forgetting? I think we all expected him to be our LB at the start of the season. God knows he has his flaws (namely his inability to pass to a teammate) but he's an excellent tackler and would surely be a better option than Lennon or Blair in that position? Especially given Newbury looks far better in defensive midfield than either Blair or Malcolm.

Anyone who has ever had anything to do with a live broadcast at a lower league club can relate to every sentence of that. It's a minefield, especially when you've got a small number of volunteers who are already working flat out. We had constant issues with Pixellot when I was on the stream and you just feel helpless at times; especially because you know how frustrating it is trying to watch a game where it keeps breaking down. Really appreciate the effort that went into streaming it last night, and the second-half was absolutely fine (streaming wise, not football wise...). Couldn't really disagree with a word of Brian's commentary either. I only missed the second goal too. Which was unfortunate. I'd have far rather have missed the entire first-half than managed to catch three goals

I agree with all of this. I would also say this is the lowest point for the club, arguably, since 2007-08 when we just avoided being club 42.

Brian Martin. Let me assure you, you are not the only man staggered that Ruth has been kept on for 90 minutes here.

Ruth and Newbury playing 90 minutes is not a good idea.

He started three games last season, so I wouldn't read too much into that. He did score four in 12 for a dreadful Falkirk as an 18-year-old in League One.

He's our best player by a mile and just about the only guy in this squad who is capable of stepping up to full-time football. There's not a chance he'll be playing in League Two next season. And you can quote me on that when he's leading the line for us in League One

There are times where covering Sons as part of my job is great. And there are times where I miss the freedom of my previous life

I'd have hooked Ruth and Newbury at half time to protect them for Saturday tbh. I've got serious fear about Ruth getting injured.

Aye

Get Durnan and Cal Wilson on for some minutes in the legs at half-time. At least get something out of this.

I'm extremely proud of the willpower I showed to avoid the eight hour round trip to this on a weeknight. What a goal that was btw. Absolutely honking defending. But that goal was superb.

Aye, same here. Hope it's sorted for our second-half goal avalanche. Don't want to miss that.

I've only managed to see about three minutes of this game. And it's 90% players being booked.

Ones a centre-mid to be fair. If that makes you feel any better? My stream is away again.

The stream lives!

That's my stream completely brown bread now.

I'm in. The stream is quite jittery mind you, so I watched Ryan Blair put the ball into his net under absolutely no pressure there in slow motion.