Lichtie78

Huge game next week...reinforcements to the squad are an absolute must, no excuses. For all that's said about "oh our season won't be defined by points against United etc" other teams continually manage to get points against them whilst we lie down and get pumped.

Tbf I retyped that post a couple times and left out a bit saying hopefully he's just the type who needs game time to get fit. He's someone I've had my eye on for a few seasons and I'm excited to see him for us.

Ever year we have been in this league teams at the bottom have taken points off the top teams so these games shouldn't just be written off.

Frustrating that we have been putting in decent performances but been completely hampered by having so many players out/playing out of position. Have to admit was slightly concerned with Innes Murray, he looked pretty unfit. Can't afford to be carrying players like that in the championship. Hopefully we can get some new players in asap and convert these good performances into points on the board.

We've never replaced him properly.

Think both things can be true. But he was double marked, and sometimes triple marked at all times. Nobody apart from Hylton or Bird are capable of creating anything.

Can't really afford Jacobs on a booking as he's terrible for late tackles and the squad can't cope with a suspension. I think Slater is an okay player but his set pieces are an absolute abomination, tonight and Saturday we wasted every single set piece with his pish floaty deliveries.

Also the game against ICT he came on and shelled the ball out of play a good few times. Just don't think he ever properly won the managements trust, but also think we barely saw him in his best position (number 10 imo). I heard him and dick had an argument after the QOS game, but imagine McIntyre will give him a chance at least.

Think this weekend might be too soon for you - great news it's reopening though. A proper pub.

Kev still does this.

Not sure what you mean by this?Loan market has never been for experienced pros. Since we have come into the championship Miko Virtanen, Craig Wighton, Ben Williamson, Chris Hamilton & Jack Hamilton have all been young lads who've come in and done well. Dick & co seemed to abandon the loan market in the last couple seasons, but I wonder how much of that was to do with Prem clubs not wanting to loan us players due to the way we played, and how Dick used them (Was not a fan of him but Hancock playing left wing for example). I hope that with a fresh start at the club under McIntyre we once again will be able to use the loan market well.

What relevance does this have?new manager under no obligations to keep any of the existing staff regardless of how long they've been here. Not as if Malcolm has a glowing coaching record either is it

Don't want to take over the EF thread but the last 2 seasons have been absolutely grim and I imagine it has taken a lot of out Dick. So it would be nice if he could finish on a high somewhere. Not hard

Would love to see Dick & co pitch up at yous and do well. Deserves a better finish to his career than what's happened at us.

Billy Dodds is a p***k

Was busy all weekend and still seems surreal that he's no longer in charge. At the moment I think the last season and a half are still very fresh in our memories, but as time passes the seasons before that will live longer in the memory, and rightly so. Pretty lucky in that dicks reign has coincided with me and my mates all being early 20s and being able to spunk all our money following Arbroath around the country, making some incredible memories along the way. Not sure how, but I hope there is some way our appreciation is able to be shown to him. Love him or loath him, there's no denying that dick absolutely was one of a kind, and the last of a dying breed of football managers. To him, Pink and Youngy thanks very much for the memories.

Is there a match thread for Saturday?Definitely sense a bit of apathy amongst the support at the minute.

Stevie Wonder could've seen this happening to Stowe when we signed him. Should've just been loaned out to a League One club initially til Christmas.

Arbroath to benefit from the new coach bounce here. 4-0 AFC.

Bit of discourse regarding Balde and Dow on the match thread so thought I'd chuck in my opinions for a bit of debate. Balde was a breath of fresh air when he came in, bundles of energy but quickly became obvious he wasn't a defensive midfielder. I think his best position is probably 10, but he's going to suffer like those before him (Hilson, and Dow presently) because McKenna is going to play near enough every minute there. Playing him any deeper is a risk because his passing at times is pretty poor. Next couple of months before January could be a crossroads in his AFC career, because at his age he probably needs regular starts to iron out the creases in his game. Dow was another player who made a decent impact last season, simply by being a decent professional who knew what was expected of a player in the championship. As mentioned before, I think Dow's position is definitely in the role Mckenna currently occupies. He's neat and tidy but playing on the wing is not for him. He can't really go past a full back (although when he comes inside seems to try and beat boys for fun) and his G/A return must be near non existent since signing. Once Hammy is back I'd like to see Stewart return to RM (same G/A issue but he's a genuine out ball) and Dow used off the bench to either replace McKenna or sit a bit deeper when chasing a game for example and spraying the ball about.

I'd imagine we could match whatever Hylton gets offered elsewhere, and it'll be more a case that the full time (proper) lifestyle is the deal breaker for him.

Just seen that one of our pre-season trialists, Dayshonne Golding (aka man bun) has ended up in the highland league on loan from Cove.

Definitely a confidence issue - we make openings where normally you'd get a shot away, but instead overplay it and the chance passes. Hopefully comes with more positive results.

I think we've been too accommodating to away fans the last few seasons, and it's come to our own detriment. Another permanent segregation fence at the main road side corner flag would do fine, especially for games at this time of year.

I'd heard Charlie accies of Dundee were interested. But was just chatter after they played my mates team, not sure how much truth in it.