CoveRangers1922

Coming off a dismal run and 120 minutes on Tuesday at the arse end of nowhere I'm not feeling overly optimistic about the game tomorrow! We are leaking goals and our attacks are purely one directional; long balls pumped somewhere close to Burrell. Conceded 2 or more in 6 out of our last 7 league games. Hopefully that stops tomorrow when we'll at least have full backs of Shiels and Doyle for the first time. Reynolds and Kerr maybe likely at CB. That isn't water tight. Gillingham has completely fallen out of favour and loanee Cameron Stewart isn't up too much. Binos should be full of confidence after a demolition of Kelty at home last week. I expect a tougher test than the last two visits to Forthbank. We need 3 points as we are limping along in anticipation of Fyvie returning to get us back on track. A quiet January window for us, with far more out than in, almost feels like we aren't really willing to gamble for playoff glory this season. I fancy us to score, likely will need two to get a win. BTTS at 4/6 isn't a bad shout. Binos score first they will take all 3 points.

Joe McGlynn is a brilliant piece of business in my eyes. Both he and Brody Paterson I would have taken and both would have strengthen our starting XI. Nearly all Cove fans would have taken Bavidge as well.

The run of 6 straight wins and undefeated in 10 all competitions came with the return of Fyvie. We weren't overly convincing at times but we were miles ahead of yesterday's performance. Without Fyvie we can't build or sustain attacks. Shouldn't have such a reliance on one player but we do. We resort to either launching long balls in the general direction of Rumarn and hope he gets scraps OR the SLOWEST build ups known to man allowing the opposition to set themselves. Tough watch from us yesterday. We looked a gang devoid of any ideas. Supposedly our disallowed goal wasn't offside and would have drawn us on level terms. We played so poorly that we can't fret over the loss. Queens were alright, did enough without looking overly spectacular. Moves you right back in towards contention of the playoffs. Brydon back certainly helps you lot, he and Efe strolled it. Hartley needs to get the begging bowl out and see if the directors can give him another signing.

McIntyre had his hands tied with us compared to Hartley in recent seasons before him it seems. Hartley now has his hands tied too to a lesser extent. Jim's signings were all 1 year deals or loans and his own contract was a 1 year rolling. It didn't look great for McIntyre early doors but he pulled off 3 fantastic late loans in Jack Sanders, Max Johnston and Charlie Gilmour and definitely kept us competitive until Christmas. Would he have kept us up? I wish I knew. We would have lost Max in January, Charlie and Fyvie had season ending injuries in late December and Blair Yule was out for 3 months at the turn of the year SO the writing was on the wall and it would have been a tough ask. If we kept Sanders, which I think we would have, and McIntyre leaned on Del and/or pulled a few more strings I think we would have remained 8th. At worst we would have got 9th. Hartley screwed us overly royally and relegated us.

Whoever mentioned Lawal's skinny pin legs and slight frame wasn't lying. Jesus, had to double take that. Already I can tell we don't own the ball enough in games to play to his strengths. He has a nice turn, bit of flair you can tell. We were completely and utterly useless today so won't just judge him on that game alone. Saying that, i have a feeling he'll be warming the bench for us before too long and used as an impact sub. Comprehensive and deadly from the Bairns today. Title is yours in January it seems

What a collusus of a centre back, great loan signing. He was outstanding for us; strong in air, physical and can bully forwards, knows his position and has a decent turn of pace for his size. Will he partner McGinty with Stanger dropping to the bench?

That's rough going although Accies game aside results seem better in general since the win on pens against Dundee United? It likely doesn't take that much improvement from your first half of the season to be right in amongst the playoff spots, as you are, you are within touching distance.

I agree that our squad, and Alloa's from looking from the outside in, this season have been too big and likely needed some trimming. We've managed to reduce to somewhere near a more sensible size but our options on the bench are limited far more than I'd like. Our bench will be fairly young, fairly inexperienced and with little in the way to change games from an attacking sense. Injuries is definitely our worry. Balint Demus (GK, 21) Jacob Jones (LB, 22) Cameron Stewart (CB, 20) Will Gillingham (CB, 25) Arron Darge (RB, 20) Sena (DCM, 24) Kyle Connell (FW, 22) Paul McGowan (CM, 36) or Ola Lawal (AM, 23)

This will be a continuation of the previous games against the sides I feel, tight and could go either way. Prior games this season have both gone the way of the visitors by a single goal margin. We're 1 win in 5, against a depleted Edinburgh City at Balmoral, and have conceded 2 or more in 6 out of our last 7 which is woeful. Hopefully the addition of Matty Shiels will improve that but we'll be without Mikey Doyle tomorrow as he's serving a suspension for 2 yellows against Accies last time. Fyvie is still 2-3 weeks away. Mitch will return from injury and partner Rumarn up top No Doyle means Darge or Sena at RB which is a real worry and only shows our lack of depth. With the January business now done according to Hartley today in the pre-match article, we will run with a squad of 19. At least 3 are out, including Demus (GK), so will be no more than 5 subs tomorrow. Lawal might be in line for his debut, maybe from the bench. BTTS looks nailed on but will there be a winner

Just read our pre-match and Hartley says he's finished in the transfer market this window. We have 19 players which is light, he recognises that. https://coverangersfc.com/2024/01/26/queen-of-the-south-preview/

A lot of fringe players outbound as you say which has clearly been needed to get a few in. We were inflated with players that weren't ready to make a claim for a starting XI place in my opinion. This window seems a bit more calculated and thought out than the madness of last year. Doyle and Shiels are good January business for us. A better calibre of player than of late. Lawal should definitely have enough to be a useful addition in our side and cause problems for most L1 defences, needs to add consistency, although a short term loan. Fraser extending is big. He stays fit then we have fantastic player to bolster our second half of the season and beyond. We're still short of a quality CB, that for me needs to be the next focus. Without that addition I worry our defence will still have a weak core and give away a few chances. We should manage to secure a playoff spot but still catchable by many. Fairly tight as it stands and think it will remain like that. Results go our way this weekend then we could open a gap (for now). Tricky away fixtures for yourself and Mo but Queen's will be a test for us. We're 1 win 5, that being to an EC side at their low point. Montrose are always solid, have done well so far, however, do need one or two in to replace Miller, Waddell and Masson ideally. They will battle to the end for a playoff spot. Wasps are starting to turn the corner under Big Andy, 6 unbeaten and 1 defeat in 9 (in the league), and will push us hard. Queen's need to be better second half than first surely or at least I expect that. They will put a run together somewhere. Kelty still in the hunt but losing Reece will be a blow if it happens. If that gap opens a bit more between Accies and Falkirk it's a slog to keep going knowing your destiny is playoffs. Accies will finish a distance above us and will have a really shot at promotion. We, on the other hand, will need hitting peak form at the right time and an element of luck.

Fraser Fyvie, 31 in March, signs a 2 year extension keeping him at Cove until Summer 2026 By far our best player, so delighted with this. Seems like we are making exceptions to the move to the proposed full time model which is sensible. Fraser recently started a job outside of football so will train PT as far as I know.

6 out so far in January is more than I expected even though I did feel like guys needed released or loaned out to a lower level for game time. Strange as Hartley signed them all in June/July and clearly has been ruthless. Most of the guys out on loan won't feature for us before their contracts end is my opinion. Shiels, especially, is a strong signing for us. We've been desperate for some width and with a slight change of formation we might see that from full back areas. Ola will bring some attacking threat to the central midfield so happy with the recruitment so far. Squad is smaller but stronger than the start of the season. I feel we'll go after 1 or 2 more before next Wedneday night. If Fraser comes back and stays fit we should be able to cement a playoff spot. Promotion through the playoffs will be very tough with Accies and the 9th placed Championship side undoubtedly going to be favourites. If we can take in a couple more with some quality then who knows which way the wind will blow. If we're still here next season, which is most likely, then hopefully we're in a better starting position recruitment wise than last season.

Thoughts on Ola then? His time with the Bairns is clearly over. His contract will end in the summer and you'll be looking for a higher calibre of player when in the Championship next season. For me, he should be a positive signing. Clearly got enough ability to stand out against other L1 teams just found it tough breaking into a strong Falkirk midfield.

Yeah could see this coming a mile off to be fair. Hartley regularly signs from his previous clubs and Ola had been frozen out after playing fairly regularly last season. Works for both parties. He'll be moved on from the Bairns in the summer when they go up as Champions. Although he hasn't played much this season for Falkirk, he's an improvement to what we have currently and should do us well. I like his attributes and alongside Fyvie should form an understanding. Still need wingers unless we're going 3-5-2 with Doyle and Shiels as wing backs.

Gallagher should be another very good bit of business from us. He's box to box, good ranging of passing, plays with his head up and can contributing to goal scoring opportunities. Golding settled in well so far? Feel you guys have strengthen this window and should be competitive and fight your way out to safety. If Shane signs then that obviously increases your chances even more.

6th one out. Mark Gallagher teams up with Dayshonne Golding at Elgin until the end of the season. Gallagher started the season brightly, showed he's got the ability to go box to box, can chip in with goals and assists so surprised he's been sidelined. Strong signing for Elgin. Hopefully Gal develops at BB. https://coverangersfc.com/2024/01/24/mark-gallagher-joins-elgin-on-loan/

Matty Shiels signs for Cove. Contract length not mentioned but guessing 18 months. Really happy with this piece of recruitment, kudos to Mikey Doyle!

Luke Strachan, returning from long term injury, joins Brechin City until the end of the season. Number 5 out this window. Needs game time and with Matty Shiels inbound his minutes will have been restricted. https://coverangersfc.com/2024/01/23/luke-goes-out-on-loan/

I really like this piece of recruitment if it comes off, very strong signing for Accies in my opinion. Reece is undoubtedly an improving player with a higher ceiling than L1. Will stand out even more in a side which has the majority of the ball.

Possibly Sam Campbell, CB, released from Motherwell and played on loan at Annan last season? Im not in the know but he'll find a club soon

He's been top quality for us since joining. He's motivating players around him, leading, and putting in maximum effort each game. Was a massive improvement upon Rio, Sena and Darge who all had minutes at RB before his arrival. Matty should be equally as good on the left side. Got a few more to bring in, I hope, in order for us to push on and have a decent second half of the season. Hope Bartley starts his business in, and out, soon too.

The Championship is undoubtedly a significant step up again as we found out the harsh way last season. I remember thinking Shiels had some strong games and/or looked competent in spells. He's still young, can and will mostly likely develop and therefore I'm happy with this piece of recruitment; he improves our backline, brings energy, threat from the left and at set pieces with his aerial ability. Hope Doyle is picking up a referral bonus for this one. Hartley loved a 3-5-2 with wing backs when we won L1 but we've changed away from that this season in large. Partly due to us not having 3 capable CB's to field. Need a commanding CB in in this window.

Thanks for the review and analysis, much appreciated and detailed as always. He's exactly the type of LB we need and clearly is versatile too which is a great asset. Whilst reading I was getting Harry Milne vibes which would be a dream come true for all Cove fans if he develops to that level with us. To think we started the season with Rio Davidson-Phipps and Jacob Jones as our full backs and now will have Mikey Doyle and Matty Shiels. Both seem cut from the same cloth and will offer huge energy, work-rate and ability. I expect us to threaten from the flanks more now, we just need to find a winger or two to play in front of them. Looking forward to listening to the chat with him when you post the link

Cove are about to sign former Accies left back Matty Shiels from Dumbarton according to the Sons thread. He scored in the Scottish Cup today. Will be an improvement on Jacob Jones who I suspect will be completely frozen out now. Happy enough with this move, he's full of energy, good in the air and offensively can supply and contribute to attacks. Shiels, 23, played 35 games for Accies in the Championship and looked competent for the most part in a struggling side. Seemingly Matty Shiels and Mikey Doyle were training together in the summer, have a link from their time at time at Hamilton so suspect this could have sparked the interest/move.