Double Jack D

This is why he's a regular starter for a top-end championship club rather than dossing about the part-time leagues. His talent is undoubted but the last couple of seasons we have seen a real improvement in the work rate and the dirty side of the game. Sure, he has off days where it doesn't work out but he puts in 100% week in week out.

He's had a couple of howlers but, for me, this has been out weighed by some absolute world class saves. He does seem to tickle a few Rovers fans into a foamy rage and I heard more than a couple of sarcastic comments when he caught a cross last night. I don't think he can be blamed for any of the goals conceded last night, in fact he has been error free since his flap at Arbroath a few weeks ago. I think the fact he's a big character annoys a few folk and any minor mistake brings over the top criticism. For me he is a fine goalie and if he can work on his weaknesses and have a more commanding defence in front of him, he could be a top level keeper.

The fact we didn't press but there were still gaps makes me blame the players executing the plan. If and buts but we didn't start with a high press because we have done that before and you handed us our arse. We started with 2 holding midfielders in front of a flat back 4, that should tactically nullify the threat that your first 2 goals came from. The argument you could make, with hindsight, is why didn't we start the game how we lined up second half. I couldn't blame Murray there to be honest as he was criticised following our game at Tannadice for having a powder puff midfield.

As frustrating as it was, what a belter of a game! Genuinely cant understand why Airdrie aren't right up there with us and DU at the top, I said before the game that they have easily been the best side we have played this season and they served up the goods again. I actually thought the Rovers line up was ok last night, however Byrne and Matthews failed to do the job they were there to do for the 2 goals in the first half. They were still really good, well taken goals but the holding midfielders job was to prevent the space that was given to Frizzell, we failed to do it and all of a sudden we are chasing the game and playing totally into Airdrie hands. Second half I thought we were excellent up until Airdries 3rd. We moved the ball quickly and you had the feeling that we were going to do it. Connolly's effort of the post is an inch over and I think we go on to win that. 2 mins later and Airdrie break brilliantly and what a finish to kill the game. Whilst I appreciate the increased fan base we seem to have this season, there are some folk that really shouldn't bother. Some of the chat I heard around me from so called "supporters" was absolutely moronic. This is the best Raith team probably in about 30 years, if you can't enjoy what we are watching I would suggest you find another hobby. League title is probably beyond us now, but promotion is still very much on the cards. We need to secure 2nd to give us every chance possible which I'm sure we will do. Last night was disappointing, but there is no reason for Rovers fans to be anything other than optimistic about the remainder of the season and the immediate future for the club.

I'm just excited about tonight and the last handful of games. 2nd place pretty much secured, anything more be it the title or promoted via play-offs is a total bonus. I won't be relaxed tonight at the game, that goes without saying, but this season is already a total success regardless of how the rest of it pans out.

Just to join in the Airdrie praise. I genuinely thought they would be bottom 2 this season but they have comfortably been the best team I've seen us play against. Well organised defensively, disciplined, hungry and quite explosive on the break with pace in the team and real attacking quality. Todorov also gives them that different option and genuine threat up front. ( Pars must really rue not having him this season). McCabe has done a great job and (unless they do go all the way to Premier League this season) they must be confident of putting in a challenge at the top end next season.

On the search every person debate. All this achieves is taking juice bottles off kids which is not the purpose of the bottle ban at all. Folk who want to conceal things will always be able to and I have no desire for all fans to be full frisked to the extent required to prevent the smuggling of these items into the ground. The action of handing out bans and criminally prosecuting any imbecile who throws items at players is how to deal with it. As well as the ban announced by the club, I'd hope Police Scotland take it further too. Fans should also expose any idiot amongst us who does so. If I had been next to the knob that threw the bottle on Saturday I would've done so, I was absolutely raging when I saw it.

Glad that someone has been identified and banned, there was more than one offender though. Absolute cretins. We were well beaten on the day, a very disappointing afternoon all round. Never even saw the pull on Stanton's shirt at the game. Should have been a penalty but there is no way I would want to rely on VAR for the call. Ref or linesman should be able to see it but didn't so has to go down as poor refereeing. Tony Watts goal was a class finish and great centre forward play from both him and Moult. We struggled with them both all afternoon, they really are top players when they perform like that. The throwing of objects at the United players was an absolute disgrace and an embarrassment to all decent fans. Hope all guilty parties are found and dealt with appropriately. Lewis Moults boot to Murrays face was similar to other incidents we have seen where red cards have been given. Most notably for us was the one against Liam Dick in the League Cup game at Easter Road.... with the same referee. Not a rule that I agree with but, again, shows the shite refereeing we have to put up with. The penalty was clever play by Moult and stupidity from Watson. 50/50 as to whether it was a penalty or not but the ref was given the opportunity to give it when Watson put his arms around Moult. I'd be screaming for it at the other end and we have been given softer ones this season. Killed the game as a contest. Again, got to credit Moult, it was brilliant forward play. All in all, the better team on the day won. IMO that has been the case in every game between the two this season. The title is still there for the taking but we are now into must win territory for our next 3 games. All the best United fans, play like that over the next 5 games and we'll have no chance of catching you.

2 turnstiles and no drums? Is that Police advice too? Absolute tinpot from United. Never known a club to shite it so much in advance of a game... absolutely rattled.

Decorum my arse, rattle the tinpot shitebags a bit more.

Spending £1m to win League 1 is more Old Firm-y IMHO.

It's as clear as day because they are fucking rattled by us. Glorious.

Fair. I've never known us to ever complain about a ticket allocation before. I'm not sure there is a precedent in Scottish Football for a home club being so rattled from a club significantly smaller than them though. It may have to be known as Dundee United-y. Or just Tinpot.

Pleasing that the neutral viewpoint on this is that Dundee United are absolutely shiting themselves about this game. Word on the street is that you have to have an existing account to buy home end tickets and new accounts are not being permitted to prevent Rovers fans buying tickets in the home end. The obvious side effect being a deterrent to casual/ neutral fans attending the Championship game of the season. Think we'll see the word "tinpot" a lot on this thread.

As a guy who grew up in the 80's, seeing the mighty, Barcelona slaying, Dundee United now proper shiting the bed about a home league game against Fifes "wee team" is fucking glorious. I sincerely hope it was the "sliding into sunday" tweet that done it. If we win the league this season, that "tackle" was the turning point.

That was mental... If they do release more blocks, what a stupid way to do it.

Is there a Rovers end tonight? Mon the Pars!

Openly admit I am pretty obsessed about beating and being better than the Pars. That is what rivalries are all about is it not? So yes, amongst my celebrations at last nights scrappy 1-0 win against a team that is not Dunfermline I did note that, with 8 games remaining, it is now mathematically confirmed that we will be the top team in Fife for the 4th season in a row. 8 games!

I really hope that isn't that attitude of too many Rovers fans....

I agree with everything being said about the timing of the game and the pressure it will put on already stretched finances. However, Lewis Vaughan deserves every Rovers fan who is capable of being there to buy a ticket and get there. f**k, even if you can't make it, just buy a ticket anyway. The sacrifice and effort this boy has made to become a Rovers legend deserves every one of us to purchase a ticket regardless of how shite, meaningless and poorly timed the occasion might be.

"We don't even hate you...."

Just watched the highlights. A lot to admire about that 2nd goal. The leap from Hamilton The attempted body check by Edwards The quick free kick from Vaughan The finish from Easton But by far and away the highlight is the cheating fraud of a right back jumping out the way of the shot and letting it nestle in the bottom corner. Just glorious, especially after his antics to get Easton booked.

Think the story is the polar opposite of that summary.

They fucking hate us alright..... that will be evident whatever the score tomorrow. They hate us even more coz the "wee team" fucking own them this season!

It has certainly helped, however I would suggest the boards investment in the team and recruitment strategy (which is funded by the pricing strategy) is also responsible for the improved on field performance. The crowds were up before our title challenge really materialised this season but certainly the crowds of recent weeks, and hopefully through to the end of the season, have been swelled by the title challenge. However, it's worth noting that we went top of the league at home to Kilmarnock just 2 seasons ago with a 1-0 win just before Christmas. Had that been this season it would've, comfortably, been our lowest home league crowd of the season. The increased crowds are more than just a reaction to a team at the top of the league.