Velvet Donkey

I'd agree that the Dundee game was bigger, but not as important. Staying in the Championship now is more essential for the short and longer term than fluking our way into the Premiership last season would have been. Knowing what we do now, it would have been a short party.

Am I right that there is an option on Sheridan to extend?

Are Bannon and McLeish not contracted as well? And is Fox not out of contract? I'd make offers to Savoury and Welsh, and if possible Josh Scott.

A win in that final game against Dundee would have been spectacular, but yes, too big a jump and potentially disastrous. The reality is that our current squad is too weak for the Championship. CD has done a great job to strengthen and organise, and yes we have a core of very talented players but we are where we deserve to be. Our bench is very short of Championship quality. If we stay up, I'd be very confident we can build strongly from that core, and I'd include McLeish in that. Not to be too brutal, but I'm only keeping about two of our defence.

The interview with CD didn't make much of it, but suggested he might have made it today, so hopefully back for Saturday. No word on Fox though, who didn't make the bench. After today, I'm just happy for us to stumble over the line and retain our place in the Championship. Next would be securing / extending Thomas, Thomson, Josh Scott, Savoury, Welsh and Paton to add to Ferrie, and build from there. Glad we tied down Liam McLeish too. James Crole?

Should I explain?

Possibly asking about concussion following his collision with the wall? If so, no news, but keen to hear. Most of us couldn't see it, and it wasn't on the highlights. But yes, has been very valuable this year.

Yep he was all over it. Longridge too.

A must not lose for both teams? As if the Championship wasn't random enough, the biggest uncertainty in recent times has been the standard of refereeing we get. Perhaps the view to take is that it all evens out, but it can really spoil a good competition. It was noticeable in Saturday's game against Raith that it wasn't dominated by ref interference, yet he was strong enough to not be hoodwinked by either team. We suffered against Ayr at Hampden last time around, and the recent Thistle game was refereed by Brian Graham. I don't keep track of who's who, but the ref that gave that penalty on Saturday up in Inverness was a shocker. How do you plan for that?

We don't survive that many corners under Veldman. Much more solid, and we will likely draw our way to safety. Hoping the Josh Scott sub was just for fresh legs rather than injury. Was my MOTM alongside Wilson.

Our highlights package is excellent. Thought we played very well yesterday, and now beginning to believe we will be fine. I still didn't feel the 3 points were ours at 2-0 though, but would have settled for a draw beforehand (as I will against Raith). I'm very much against the award of a penalty for innocuous ball-to-hand, but that's a clear penalty to me (couldn't really tell at the time).

Annoyed about this game already, with Thistle handing out 3 points to all the teams around us, but don't see the generosity being extended to us. We've struggled with Lawless and Fitzpatrick running at us and Brian Graham scoring for fun. Agreed. My only hope is that we take advantage of their goalkeeping options.

Jake Davidson doing a decent job for Hamilton.

Cillian Sheridan offering much more than I thought he had. Works well as a striking pair with Paton. Confidence returning throughout the team, but difficult to tell how good we were as Arbroath are in a really bad way.

Hmm. Didn't really see it that way, but best of luck.

I'm not dissapointed with that, we made a game of it. Played some good football and pushed for an equaliser, but left ourself open for a third. Good strike by Middleton. Our delivery from dead balls is consistently awful, and cost us a goal today.

Quite a lot of work at Lochinch recently. Re-surfacing and addition of new pitches.

Surprised to see no place, even on the bench, for Wilson, Crole or Hinds at yesterday's Challenge Cup game (perhaps some rule about eligibility?). Not sure what to take from that, but will assume all three are fit and in contention for Saturday. Not willing to believe the Sheridan stuff until I see it. Just such a bizarre move. Also, if he is a free agent and training with us, what are we waiting for?

Good news, I must have overlooked that, although I understood he was intending to go back down south sooner rather than later.

Fox?

No injuries. Clean sheet. Glad it's over. Calum Ferrie though.

I did on Saturday.

No May 2025 it seems.

I'm already wondering if we can make a pre-contract offer to McKenzie Carse before he shows too much leg to the rest of the leagues. A bit soon to judge, but a good pedigree and would seem to fit the mould (if we can afford him). However I was complaining at how wasteful Dom Thomas and McKinstry were in possession. I know nothing.

Very important 3 points. Thought we survived the first half without creating anything, but not looking as scary at the back as we have (despite the stats). We can play better, but Bannon solid, Bruce looking good, and Dom a great game with a very well-taken goal. The subs made a big difference, and Joshua Scott an impressive 30 minutes. Think we will only get stronger now with more options from next week.