bridge of allan bairn

A lot of chat about Gary Oliver this weekend. I had a feeling he was one of our better finishers and checked out the stats this morning. He arguably has a bit more composure in front of goal than our other strikers. His goals to shots ratio is by far the best in the team at 42%. Calvin Miller (25%) Callumn Morrison (23%), Ross McIver (18%) and Aiden Nesbitt (17%). His goals to minutes on the pitch is a very impressive 108 minutes. Nearly a goal a game. Morrison (130 minutes), Miller (199), McIver (208), Nesbitt (279). We create a lot of chances but aren't that clinical (as McGlynn has said countless times) in front of goal. Obviously some of these players perform different roles and assists (Miller has 10, Nesbitt 8, Spencer 6), work rate etc comes in to it but its interesting nonetheless. We definitely need a clinical poacher, goal scorer for next season, not saying for a minute Oliver is him (he's not that type of player) but he has earned the right to be discussed as a contract extension and squad player for next season. Edit to add: As a comparison Burrells (highest in league) stats are 37% goal conversion and 126 minutes per goal. O'Hara (highest at Hamilton) are 19% and 197 minutes per goal.

No, but I thought the grass was too yellow! In all seriousness, credit where it's due, the pitch was in excellent condition for the time of year. Forthbank is one of the best places to watch football in Scotland IMO. Great view, terracing and seats (on all 4 sides), grass pitch, tidy, tannoy system is good, well laid out and when there is a good crowd very good atmosphere. It'll be one of the grounds (I hope) I'll miss visiting next season.

We could actually win this league without playing another game. Hamilton are projected to finish on 71 points. We currently have 72 points.

Can't believe there are 42 points between the two sides and with 24 points still to play for very likely to be more than 50 points by season end, quite astonishing. I think I tipped Queens to finish above us this season in the league predictor, shows how much I know. The Bartley experiment has been a mitigated disaster, and most people saw it coming from very early on in the season. I'm genuinely baffled, even with the cost implications, that he is still in position. Having said all of this, Queens have actually given us the toughest 3 games this season of all the teams in the league, with one draw and two narrow losses. I am hoping this is the game where we really turn up against them, and as McGlynn has been saying recently, give someone a "doing" that's been coming for weeks.

Thought we improved second half and Stirling faded a bit. Think Oliver is one of our best finishers. That's a tough away fixture so to pick up another three points is pleasing.

Been a tight game as expected. Midfield don't have control. We miss Henderson in there, but he's having a good game at the back too. Lot of misplaced passes. Couple of decent saves from long. Interesting second half ahead

We definitely miss Henderson in midfield. He's been great at the back too though

Happy with that team. With Lang out that's as decent as it can be

I would have thought so, but last game I thought so and when crowd came out was lower. Someone saying earlier north terracing roughly 650-750 (sold out) East stand approx 1250 (90 left) so maybe about 1800-1900 will depend how many are in south terracing on top of that...

Ten minutes to cut off and 89 tickets left in the East Stand. Suspect the opening of the South Terracing has prevented the East Stand from selling out. Great going nonetheless.

An hour of sales left and East Stand has 115 tickets remaining.

I agree with your QoS comrades, the more better quality posters on P&B the better and you very comfortably fall into that category. Your viewpoints and insight are missed.

If you want to sit in your allocated seat probably best get in early, that's what I did last time and am doing today. I like sitting up a bit higher to see better and getting out the wind and rain (if there is any). Stand not sold out yet but could do by kick off.

151'left now

No idea. I think we sold quite a few tickets on the day of the game last time at Stirling. My guess is there will be plenty of space in the south terracing, especially given the East stand hasn't sold out yet and tickets are the same price for stand and terrace. Those really wanting in the terrace probably bought early for the north terrace.

151 tickets left in the East stand

217 tickets left in east stand

Beat me to it

Since time began clubs have left grass long, watered pitches heavily or narrowed pitches to favour themselves to name but a few gamesmanship leverages. It's not nonsense at all, as you can see from Wenger's quote above, and that's at a much higher level.

I thought that too, was very long. When our play is fast moving passing, largely on the ground, its not really conducive. Wouldn't be surprised if its long ish on Saturday either.

I think it is trickier. It being the only grass pitch in the league must make it harder for our players and easier for theirs given what both squads are used to. That reflects in the fact they've struggled on our pitch (two 3-0 defeats from memory) and that it was a much closer late 2-1 victory at theirs. I also think the pitch was quite heavy last time at theirs. It's not been raining much this week so hopefully ground a bit firmer. They've added a couple of decent signings so fully expect another tough game. Great stadium to watch football though IMO, especially when it's full as it will be.

Based on their current points per game ratios, Hamilton will finish on 69 points. The same points total we currently have. With 9 games to go.

Another important win and drives a stake into the heart of any very faint hopes Hamilton were holding onto. Irrespective of what they do win the next 4 games in march and the title is ours at Montrose away. Sooner if we beat them points wise on a game by game basis.

No Lang massive miss. Presume Henderson in defence for him. Tait in midfield for Henderson. Mcginn on bench again. Miller benched for Ross. McCann benched for Mackie which is a strange one given he played a blinder Saturday. So rotation at play again, not sure why at this stage (unless mcann not fully fit, but on bench) Long as expected in goals this whole month. Would happily take a draw here, extend lead by a point and keep unbeaten run going, getting one of the tougher away fixtures out the way.

Update on the stats post yesterdays results. Based on points per game to date this season (as opposed to more recent form) we will finish on 91 points (2.54 ppg) and Hamilton on 69 points (1.93 ppg). We are on 66 points now, so theoretically 3-4 more points and we are there. It will probably take more, especially if their result yesterday isn't a one off good day. Still got a great chance of mathematically winning this in March, although it's possibly looking more like the Montrose away game now than the Edinburgh home game. As always depends on results the two sides have and these can be quite unpredictable as we saw yesterday. Cove away on Tuesday another tricky one (esp with Fyvie back now). Phenomenal position to be in though.