VinnyPar

I just can't see McPake moving on the likes of Chalmers, Wighton etc even if he could, he extended their deals in the first place

Josh Edwards in championship team of the year

Must admit the way I read it was existing players were signed with the knowledge that a training facility was in the works, not new players. Could be wrong though, this is the article for anyone interested - https://dafc.co.uk/training-ground-adds-professionalism/

If we could get Kane and Walcott in the door permanently this summer it would be great business.

Couldn't agree more, I thought that was a bizarre sub by McPake tbh as it left a massive gap in the midfield. Chalmers didn't exactly have an amazing game but he wasn't the worst on the park (Edwards comes to mind). Otoo was basically a one man midfield towards the end, but to be fair he still absolutely bossed it. Think we will end up making a bit of coin on him.

Raith and Arbroath, both away from home.

Agree to disagree on the United game I suppose but being at the game yesterday Hayes was definitely playing in the right of a 3, with fisher being a straight swap when he got injured.

I wonder if they switch between the shape depending on press triggers / team in possession. Either way, whatever they are doing is working. I'm just glad McPake seems to be changing things around now. He has been dealt an incredibly shit hand with injuries this season so fingers crossed everyone keeps healthy for the final games and see where we get to.

Aye that's exactly it. Clearly KRH against United wasn't given many (if any) defensive responsibility as he was always high and wide lookin to make things happen. Getting Hammy and Otoo in midfield and Bene back in the covering centre half role has completely transformed us. Special mention for MFW as, apart from the Morton game, he's been absolutely outstanding and strolls through games at this level. Really hope we've put a deal in front of him to ponder.

We played in a 5 the whole game, as we did against United. Not sure why people think otherwise? MWH has been playing RCB.

Yeah exactly that I'd have Jak in that left AM role (which he was sort of drifting in and out of against United anyway) and have Kane as the focal point.

Apparently Chris Kane has trained all week so he should be involved tomorrow, probably goes straight in for summers who is a doubt. Wighton had surgery today as well.

Couldn't have summed it up better myself, should be getting him tied down on a new deal. It's a shame that we are hamstrung with McCann/Wighton for another year as ideally we'd be moving one or both of them on.

Did he aye? Same team as last week.

Think Wighton is complete done at this level tbh

Manager has confirmed Otoo has been playing with a groin injury so that probably explains his early departure against Raith. Fisher and Tod will be back in the squad and Breen is to start training next week. It doesn't sound promising on the Chris Kane front though, get the feeling he won't be back until next week.

Always read the fine print before losing your head folks.

Trouble is that some of those players that probably need moving on were given new deals by McPake. Those that come to mind are Wighton, Chalmers, Mehmet. Maybe even add Breen to that list tbh.

Few thoughts on Tuesdays game and looking ahead: - Goals change games, 3 great chances fall arguably to the one player in the team you'd want in Matty. Got to be working the keeper. Then there's the Miles header off the line followed by Hammy shanking it wide and then the Jakubiak chance second half - Good to have options again, I'd be gob smacked if Bene wasn't in from the start on Saturday. Wouldn't even be against a back 3 with Walcott and Hayes either side of him. - I thought it was a bit naive bringing KRH on, he's not played any football since November and that showed. Even more so when Moffat who had a brilliant game against Ayr was on the bench ready to go in the same position. - MFW was my MoTM. IMO he's improving every game, hardly lost a header and is very composed on the ball. I hope we can convince him to sign a permanent deal. Likewise I thought Hayes had another good game and as he gets match fit will be an import player for the run in. - We are clearly going to be very reliant on Chris Kane for these last 9 games as it's quite obvious how important he is for carrying us up the pitch and bringing other forward players into things, don't mind McPake doing his best to make sure he's as fit as possible for the last games. - I really can't get my head around starting Summers in front of Moffat, I actually think McPake was expecting Airdrie to persist with the common playing from back and eye catching football so was trying to crowd the midfield maybe? Either way it clearly backfired as we lost that spark that Moff gave us to get high and wide and get balls in the box. - How frustrating is Mehmet, the last 3 home games I've noticed Josh screaming at him to come out. Even seen him saying stop being so hesitant which describes him perfectly. He's a good shot stopper but that decision to give him a 3 year deal is really backfiring. I doubt the club will be happy with that sort of wage sitting on the bench so reckon we'll have to persist with him for next season as well. - If we have Kane back on Saturday I still think we can get something from the game, we really need to be looking at 4 points from the next 2 games to give us a cushion on the bottom spots. I do think we've got enough about us to keep ourselves in the league but if and when we do the summer will be very important and we have to get it right.

Kane waiting on the results of a scan

Do you have an injury to a left back? I remember Musonda playing there for Raith at East End in our relegation season and he was awful.

Surprised at that. Thought Hayes was very shaky and suspect but MFW strolled it with Hamilton.

Bene back in the squad tomorrow, some positive news at least.