CALDERON

The run of games between Tannadice and the next Utd game were always going to determine how credible any title challenge was. There was always the chance Utd would get their shit together and go on a run. They haven't really done that, they've dropped points on 3 different occasions. The fact they've still overturned that points gap with the game in hand, just goes to show how awful our form is. Taking the lead in each of the last 4 home games, yet dropping 10 points, is fucking awful. I dont know the exact reasons for that, but its a massive area of concern. I wasn't there today, but doesn't sound much different to the story of late. It's absolutely vital that a defender comes in. I'm sure it's being actively looked at, as losing O Reilly and signing 2 attacking players would not look good at all. It's frustrating, but rhetoric of our luck running out once the late goals dry up is proving to be correct. We've shown nowhere near enough in terms of seeing games out or taking control of them. The run of games we've had since beating Utd is about as kind it could have been - its a fucking massive opportunity blown.

I don't think we played badly at all yesterday, like around 95 percent of the games this season there was very little in it and could have went either way. Issue being we are no longer clinical in front of goal, and are still giving cheap goals away on a weekly basis. The defence is the obvious concern, but I'm sure those responsible for recruitment are aware of that and there's still time to address it in the window. If young centre backs don't get a game when we have no senior centre backs available, you really do have to ask if theres much hope for them at the club. Corr hasn't looked quite up to this level yet, although he does look like a promising player, but you'd have to argue pretty hard to say he couldn't get into that back line yesterday. I do get the point around finances and what we can afford to do, but that doesn't quite match up with bringing in another midfielder in this window.

Falkirk still look a very good bet, but if things do look a bit more nervy, Mcglynn isnt exactly known for dealing with pressure well.

Playing with no centre backs, conceding shit goals, and having 2 centre backs on the bench is frustrating at best. Thought the game was there to be won today to be honest, but didn't take advantage of the momentum when we had it and we really are struggling in defence. Big couple of weeks ahead - its either going to be a case of bringing players in (and adding to an already large squad) or hoping that Murray and Watson can show a consistent run of fitness for 4 months.

Looked like Kev really had to do better there.

They are warming up as a back 4 with Millen and Brown in the middle and Mullin right back.

1.1k is fucking good going to be honest. I imagine a few folk like myself are holding on to see what the weather does as well.

I don't think we were particularly bad today, probably a bit unlucky to lose over the 90 minutes. I'm not overly convinced that's a different outcome with a first choice backline though. The real issue is not putting games to bed when we have the ascendancy and have periods when we are controlling possession. That has been a consistent issue all season, and for all the attacking options we have - we don't have enough threat in the box at times. Some really decent corner kicks and balls in the box, but if Hamilton doesn't make it stick, there isnt much there. My fear is that we've got what we can out of the current system and personnel as it stands. We relied heavily on late winners or edging games out, but you don't have a good season by consistently doing that. If you lose that element to our game, theres a side with bang average form on display. We've dried up on that front, still haven't been able to make our mark on a complete game, and are starting to throw goals and points away from winning positions. Certainly not saying that we have suddenly become a bad side, but something does need changed even if we are to finish in 2nd place. The reaction to that Utd win has been extremely poor, 3 home games against teams in a relegation battle where we have had a lead - and 7 points thrown in the bin. In an ideal world, in terms of what we need, I think we need another centre forward (too much depends on Hamilton), another Centre half (too much depends on Murray/Watson staying fit) and another full back. We have a huge squad as it is though, so that wont happen.

The alarm bells started ringing for me after seeing how quickly we folded from 2-0 to 3-2 against Partick. We ultimately won that, but ever since then we've looked a fair bit off it, minus the Utd game. Ultimately, we were in control of the game at 1-0, but despite the wealth of attacking players we have we didn't create anywhere near enough. At 1-1, it just felt like that was it. Can't win every game by the skin of our teeth. Didn't think we had the squad for a title challenge without the right reinforcements, but the speed at which we've folded is really concerning.

Controlled much of the half, but have threatened anywhere near enough. Very, very familiar story.

Not playing great whilst still winning late on has been a speciality of ours this season, but that feels like a pretty significant result tonight.

Pitches like that should be nowhere near the top two leagues.

I mean, Hamilton Accies have had a couple of decent spells in the top flight.

I'll know how I feel about when I see if anyone comes into replace him. As it stands right now, that's a blow.

Yeah he went 3 at the back when Mcgill came on, and it was a bit of a mess to be honest.

I wouldn't be surprised to see Gullan follow Ross on loan to Falkirk to be honest, and see Masson/Hannah loaned out in some capacity.

There was nothing of note after that - we didn't lay a single glove on Airdrie after that point.

Aye, agree with that. I've personally given it big licks, especially when leaving grounds a fair few times this season. No issue there. Again, thought Airdrie were superb and laid the blueprint down for how to play against this Rovers side. Taking Easton, Mullin and Vaughan off in the same go pretty much killed any chance of getting back into the game, mind.

Yeah - Dundee Utd have dropped points twice in the last 4 games - yet have gained ground on us. That really isnt great. Like you its something I've seen coming, and didnt see much today that surprised - but I was disappointed at how we played after the subs came on. Total lack of any cohesion or structure at all, really hoped we'd left that kind of desperation behind us last season.

Airdrie were excellent today, tactics were absolutely bang on. Murray got almost everything wrong today, but the way we tried to get into the game in that last half hour was really fucking terrible.

Obviously a brilliant first half from Rovers. I expected top 4 at least given how well Murray was backed, but didn't think for a moment we would be top at this stage of the season. Don't think we have been lucky, so many times this season I've turned to my dad at the 85 minute mark and said "ill take the draw here", and we have pushed on to win it. Fair play. I certainly didn't think we would be here after 80 minutes at Firhill on opening day, which saw Ian Murray run about 10 yards onto the pitch in absolute fucking rage at one point. However, I do agree that Utd will likely take charge at some point. Example being the past couple of games - Arbroath are easily the worst side we have played this season in the league, and we were pretty fortunate to take 4 points from 6 - Utd have taken 13 goals from them! Dropping points on Saturday was absolutely criminal, and its not the first time this season we have thrown away or come close to throwing away points from an extremely comfortable position. The way we have won games isn't sustainable in the medium term. And they have conceded less goals all season than we have in our last 3 home games. There hasn't been anything at all between ourselves and Utd in the head to head games - however its their ability to take charge of games, and our inability to do so, that could (and in my opinion will) be the difference between the sides. Not a hope in hell they throw points away like we have in our last 2 home games. I felt that how we reacted to the win at Tannadice would be really defining, and I'm still disappointed at how we reacted in the 2 home games that followed, from really really good winning positions. Having said that, if we can keep in there until the next head to head in February, then it should set up another cracker of a game at least. 1st world problems though, and I'm probably being extremely harsh. 2 years ago I thought the Rovers had changed forever, irreparably so, following the Goodwillie saga. To go from sitting in 1k home crowds, and an away support of around 80 at Kilmarnock - to almost 4k gates at Starks and a 2k away support at Tannadice is some turnaround. Easy to back a winning team I guess, but I do hope we are able to build on this enthusiasm - and to be sitting a bit disappointed at not being more than 3 points clear in the new year is probably bottom of the scale of problems to have in this league. Hopefully we can tie some players down on longer term deals though. If we don't get promotion this season, it would be important to keep building and try and keep momentum going.

Even if we do get Watson back soon, how long does it take him to get up to speed, and can we keep him fully fit for the remainder of the season? The words "Lewis" and "Stevenson" were mentioned a fair few times in chatter on Tuesday at the game - however you could say that about every transfer window for the past 5 seasons.

Dunfermline remind me of last seasons Rovers team - decent enough without that killer edge. They'll be fine in terms of relegation playoffs, and there's something to build on next season, but it would be hard to see them secure top 4 without getting some players back pronto. Thought having Brown and Byrne back today was vital, for as poor as Brown was on sat he was immense today. Great crowd today and great effort from both sets of fans. Great to have the new year derby back again. Its dissapointing to see violence creep into this fixture. Even before today, seems to be more scraps kicking about in and around the town before and after these games. Absolutely pointless, and not on the spirit of how this derby should be. Should be 90 mins of relative hostility, but ending in fans able to walk down Halbeath Road/Pratt Street like any other week. We are all just fans following our team.

I actually think we got away with one there, to be honest. Playing Dabrowski, and him being in no way able to kick a ball, invited us to give the ball away needlessly - through forced throws/roll outs, or goal kicks that weren't very good. Add to that the delayed reaction for the goal. 2 very good saves second half, but I think Dunfermline didn't do nearly enough to test him. In the end, job done. Not particularly pretty at all, but did what we had to do. I thought Dunfermline were a stick on for top 4, but that was a poor side today. Granted they have players out etc - but they have zero cutting edge up top.

"We fucking hate you" "If you hate the fucking Rovers clap your hands" "We are the Rovers, haters" Why do Raith fans obsess over Dunfermline so much???!!!!