Raith Against The Machine

Came to this thread with the specific thought of "That looks like a clear red card to me. I wonder if craigkillie has explained why it isn't one yet." Relieved to see I haven't completely lost track of the rules of the game yet. Staggered that the referee apparently doesn't have that down as a clear goalscoring opportunity. You'd think that's the kind of mad decision that's a tap-in for VAR, but we're well beyond hoping for anything resembling positivity or common sense from that shambles.

Yeah, truly perplexing that United didn't feel like they could use him in the summer. They'll surely rectify that in January. Their lack of options from the bench was startling at Tannadice last week, Chalmers would've made a huge difference. From what I've seen of them this season (which, granted, is only a handful of games combined) I'd take Chalmers over Kai Fotheringham. When you see the difference he makes to a fairly limited Ayr side, he'd surely be doing massive damage in a Dundee United side that's getting much more of the ball. I know Dylan Easton's good, but I'm not sure even he has the ability to "initiate" unprompted an opponent's studs into his own leg above knee height.

Two very different, very brilliant goals. I wonder if that gives the Rovers a bit of momentum and impetus that wasn't there at 0-0.

Presumably this will go down as a 3-0 walkover, with Ayr United FC having no option but to fold entirely after the release of that "Somerset Boab" video.

Strongly agree. It's silly to suggest we're not spending decent money. McGlynn was seemingly throwing daft money around, but we wouldn't have been in a position to sign someone like Jack Hamilton during his spell. There has definitely been an increase there. It's worth noting, however, that there's hardly an ounce of fat in the Rovers squad. Go back even to last year and there were guys like Connor McBride and Willy Akio hanging around where you're throwing money away. With the exception of Ross Matthews (who's been with us for a decade and is coming off a long-term injury) and Ethan Ross (who's out on loan at Falkirk and having his wages covered) every one of our senior players has contributed significantly this season. There's nobody who we're looking to offload in January. And beyond our senior players, we only have five younger guys, and three of those are out on loan. The Rovers are categorically spending money this season, but you can see almost every penny of it on the park. I think that creates a bit of a illusion. You'll find the likes of Caley Thistle will be a lot closer budget wise than you'd first suspect, because of the amount they're spending on jobbers who'll never be good enough for this level.

I think a call to our friends at the SFA is in order. Wouldn't want Lewis' absence to diminish the spectacle on Saturday.

No need to panic. We've created plenty chances and should be able to keep on doing so, but that's so, so stupid. It looked like Arbroath's early fight had died away after the goal but that's brought them right back into it. I don't think it's a challenge Dick particularly needs to make, but if he decides he must he can't be that blatantly obvious with the foul. Rookie stuff.

Doesn't grab headlines but when you see him every week, it becomes so clear just how good he is. Absolutely runs the show.

That's my thinking, and I suspect it'll be Murray's too.

I'd go for something along these lines: ---------Dabrowski-------- Millen - Brown - O'Reilly - Dick ----------- Byrne ---------- Connolly -- Stanton -- Smith- ---- Hamilton --- Gullan ---- Possibly overly attacking on paper, but we know Connolly and Smith can be trusted to do their defensive work when required. All going well, plan would be to bring Hamilton off as early as possible to rest for Saturday, and Matthews on for Stanton to get some minutes under his belt.

Heard yiz were all doubting the Rovers for a bit there. Do you no learn?

As per the SFA's wishes.

Really surprised nobody has stuck a yellow jersey on Sneddon at half time. It doesn't take a huge leap of the imagination to see a scenario where someone (most likely one of his own players!) mistakes him for a defender, or vice versa.

Shaun Byrne is so good, man.

Thanks Dunc, ya big fucking idiot.

It is, I've seen it.

Are you sure it's a battery farm you're building? Looks like a bottle plant to me.

lol

But a perfectly reasonable time for something that's completely made up.

Carson's out? Then this game better be on. He'd be a Ballon D'or winner if he only ever had to face the Rovers. Turns into a peely-wally Cafu every time.

Have I missed any kind of indication as to the severity of Liam Dick's injury?

Some nerd will be along with actual facts in a minute, but wasn't it 15 unbeaten when we went to Firhill in the fog?

I think this is the best episode of the podcast so far, if anyone hasn't listened yet but is considering jumping in.

Good God, that's exceptionally cool.

Tonight on Film4, The East Kilbride Chicken Mutant, 11.40pm [18].