Velvet Donkey

No highlights. Maybe an inconvenient view of the first goal given Rankin's comments?

Once again McGowan is the one that stands out for me in that Dundee team. Our defensive performance still a work in progress, but encouraged by David Boateng's appearance. And some dodgy moments aside yesterday, I haven't seen much to complain about in Eze's game. I'd like a look at him paired up with Naismith though.

Really don't think 2-0 reflects play, but our defence has been too ropey, and that strike has to be goal of the season.

Good on Logan btw to play in his knickers. If he has the brass neck to pull it off then fair play.

The Cove match report was quite amusing. Sure they could have nicked a point, but there was a huge contrast in the attacking intent, with only the score suggesting otherwise. Some of the forward play was great to watch, and it could have been a more comfortable afternoon if we weren't all aware that no lead is safe for us (the only team not yet to keep a clean sheet). I agree that our bench looks strong, and the only area I would hope to strengthen is a back-up for Ferrie.

I thought he did very well to come into that and play with such composure. For me one of the stand outs in an outstanding game. Murray's pace up front is phenomenal, and he put everything into it for 90 minutes. I agree with a previous poster that his game is more than being the one that gets the goals.

We spunked a two goal lead at home on Friday to a 92nd minute penalty defeat to Ayr. This little corner of the internet is all I can manage right now.

Can we change the thread title? Hawkwind then?

A much needed reminder surely, that despite a handful of what looks like good summer signings, and a positive result against Utrecht, we are much the same team that finished 28 points behind the League 1 winners. Some of the expectations going into this were baffling. Not so much the score-line, but the manner of the defeat is Owen Coyle's first major challenge. Have we got the leaders and fighters on the pitch? Two games in though. I expect results will be all over the place for most teams for a few more fixtures yet. 'Highest level of European football' is great patter, but I'll settle for 8th, and a bit more consolidation and organisation behind the scenes.

Really good. Appreciated.

From the sounds of it we were in the game, but the two late goals make it sound worse than it was. Definitely needing a couple of bodies in before the league starts Forfar moved the ball very well, and made things difficult for QP. I don't think you have too much to worry about as far as league preparation goes, especially if you can keep Slater on the park.

Yes, is maybe too early to tell, but the Owen Coyle brand of football does seem to be quite different to what we were watching last season where we seemed to play it around a lot at the back to draw the opposition and create spaces. I never felt it really worked. Now there is more urgency, playing on the front foot and attacking relentlessly with speed.

Glad not be hearing anything more alarming about Wullie Muir's condition, although concussion is serious enough. Tommy Robson has been like a new signing.

Liam Brown didn't feature yesterday it seems?

Can anyone confirm our game against Lokomotiva Zagreb today. So far I've seen 1pm, 2pm, 3:30pm, 4pm, 4:30pm, 'cancelled' and 'this evening'. I understand it was being streamed live.

Great news! Given the options he will have north and south of the border, the club have done well to secure him. An important deal. Club captain?

I'd like to think Thomson is ready to play alongside Brown. Otherwise agree.

Charlie Fox though. Outstanding. What's the chances?

'The pitch is a big leveller. Wait 'till we get them back to Airdrie and we can play our fancy football'. Delighted for the team, their passion, teamwork and organisation. A tortuous 210 minutes, but an historic victory to remember, and worth the miserable trips to Peterhead and Montrose, and all the one ones. It's really too early to say, but the Coyle era could well be exactly the right person at the right time. Yes, it's not fair, and hard one to take if you're an Airdrie fan. They were excellent and relentless this season. In my view a better footballing team than Cove. It's particularly unfair on Dylan Easton. An annoying wee shite, simply because he is a very good footballer. I hope Airdrie can retain the best of their team, and their manager, although I wonder if Rhys McCabe fancies Championship football.

He did look like he took a knock in the last game, but could well have been rested tactically. Yes he can be brilliant, and a game-changer, but also inconsistent, and wasteful with the ball. The return tie may well be his time to shine.

Yes this sounds most probable.

I agree with the comments here, but what still puzzles me is why we ditched Ellis. I understand the results weren't great, but to hear that the club were faced with Dempster or Beuker taking the role because there was no other option is baffling.

Congratulations to Cove Rangers. Worthy winners. Next season will be important, as I think the core of this team has served well, but needs to strengthen. Shay Logan and Fyvie being the standouts for me, but we all want a Megginson. Personally I think Hartley is a sound manager, and the progress and governance of the club seems well thought through. The Gretna shouts are easy to make, but the situation isn't going to change. The East Stirlingshires and Berwick Rangers will fall away, and more will follow Cove and Kelty. At the risk of being cheesy, the forum will be worse off without CoveRangers 1922. Ok, a one-man army leading a charm offensive, but always insightful input.

I think we all know what to expect in the play-offs. The momentum that was spoken of is a losers' mentality. To be fair, we have some good talent, and can look impressive, but we can't defend. As soon as we started sitting deep, it was more and more inevitable as the game wore on. A pattern we have watched all season, but now not managing even to draw.