CoveRangers1922

After a thoroughly deserved win at New Bayview in October, East Fife will be hoping to repeat the same feat at Balmoral on Boxing day. Fifers were clinical that day with sublime first half goals from Connell and Mercer along with an Aaron Steele header to open the scoring. Since that loss Cove have picked up form and gone 11 unbeaten in all competitions (8W, 3D). Shay Logan will miss this game due to suspension, Ryan Strachan and Iain Vigurs are doubts due to injury; otherwise we should have a full strength side to choose from. Many might predict a home win but football is far from predictable. 13 goals in the first 2 matches between the sides.

Agree about Rory, he'd get plenty of goals in a Montrose side for sure. Holds the ball up well and a clinical finisher. To be honest I doubted if he was the right signing when he first came to us given his age and dip in form at Peterhead but he's been brilliant; improving as his tenure goes. Got 18 months left on his contract and at that time will be 36. Hester I saw a fair bit of when we were in League 2 and was very impressed. He partnered Shane at the time and was some front line. I'd have gladly taken either then. With Elgin struggling I wonder if Kane will be wanting away and if Elgin will look to cash in. Admittedly under a lengthy contract. Pace and a natural finisher. Undoubtedly could score plenty in L1

Outside looking in you're just needing a striker capable of 15-20 goals a season. Not easy to find someone like that, however, add that missing piece to the puzzle and you'd be golden. Think Rusty would have notched a few? Suspect SP will already have his targets lined up and will strengthen with loans in the window. Webby fairly banging them in, 13 in 18 games? Granted a fair few pens but still some return. I'll be at LP on Wednesday. Looking forward to watching Montrose in a neutral capacity.

A freezing foggy Balmoral, i swear it was clear skies and a bit warmer a couple of miles inland whilst travelling to the ground. Didn't think there was much between the sides in first half until Masson scored a curling shot into the top corner from outside the box. After that, and going into the second half I expected a bit more fight and pressure from the Wasps but it didn't materialize and Cove looked more likely to add to their tally which is how it panned out. First half Sena especially was finding space, Boyd looked lively on the left and capable of creating something. Felt Henderson was quite isolated at times and wasn't able to use his pace effectively. He could be done with a supporting striker to play off of. Not sure that's Sammon although at least does pose an aerial threat and gives an outball. For me, Alloa are better than their league place suggests and should be looking up not down. Replacing BF with someone who can motivate and inspire the team might be needed sooner rather than later. As for Cove, I thought we improved when Vigurs went off to be honest. Blair was outstanding in CM with some great turns and forward runs. Fyvie did well alongside him. Mitch's finish was top notch. Today was our 6th consecutive league clean sheet to go with 5 straight wins. * Even at 2-0 down, from the sidelines, I could hear Andy Graham organising the players around him, being vocal and telling the younger lads we're still in this. Consummate professional & leader.

Montrose 2 - 1 Peterhead Airdrieonians 1 - 1 Alloa Athletic Cove Rangers 3 - 1 East Fife Falkirk 2 - 0 Clyde Queen's Park 3 - 0 Dumbarton

Nice crisp winter day with no wind so should make for an entertaining game. I fancy some goals in this game; not sure we'll see 7 like your last time at Balmoral but who knows! Wasps have a strong centre defence in Durnan, Howie, Graham. I like Taggart at RB. Hopefully Rory starts as he'll be needed to win some aerial balls / hold it up and allow Mitch to get knock downs. Should see Masson back in the starting lineup ahead of Harry.

Been asked a few times but always happy to say our Fanzone is the best shout. In the ground, albeit it's a glorified cabin but does the job. If you're looking for external to the ground then there is very little quality within a 2 miles radius. More like restaurants with bars in them rather than pubs. Wellington being the closest and within walking distance. Aberdeen city centre is the better choice then bus or taxi thereafter which is far from ideal admittedly.

Cheers @Marshmallo Wholeheartedly agree with @Jan Vojáček who is a class act and it's a joy to read his posts; a wordsmith on paper and top notch commentator. Fellow Son @The Moonster is always on the button with his opinions. Warrior fan @Francesc Fabregas is very insightful. One of the best. Having never reached the dizzy heights of the Championship my knowledge of the particular posters in that division or above is more limited but lots of quality reading all throughout the forums

Trouten will add something different to the side and will be a danger. He's proven and clearly Scougall and Cawley have quality. I see Mendy has missed the last few which is probably a blessing for many Wasps fans. He looked a bit shaky at the back when I've seen him so far this season. Big Andy Graham and Durnan or Howie probably the better/best option in CB position. Henderson, I thought like probably many others, might be attracting some attention from a few Championship clubs. If playing alongside a target man such as Rory I think he could score a ton at this level. Over the last couple of months we've managed to start our best XI or close to it. Our defence is looking stronger and with Shay and Milne we have got solid wing backs. Yule and Masson on the midfield flanks are doing well, especially Blair, and as of late Vigurs and Fyvie have been impressing. Rory outscoring Mitch I didn't quite expect but the latter is jointed top with assists in the league so he's doing more than his bit. Enjoy the hospitality. Cattle class for me, as usual!

Cove, on a run of 1 defeat in their last 17 in all competitions, welcome the Wasps to Balmoral on Saturday. That run includes 7 clean sheets in the last 10, 26 goals for and 6 conceded. All good runs must come to an end; will it be this weekend? Alloa's nice run of wins against QP and Airdrie and draws against Falkirk and Montrose has frustratingly been undone somewhat with 1 point in their last 3 games. Having watched the highlights of the last game it seems a plethora of chances created but one of those days when it wouldn't hit the net. Cove have improved since our last meeting, which was tarnished to a large degree by Senna's challenge in the first minute which resulted in Alloa playing the rest of the game with 10 men. Even then Alloa levelled and Cawley's effort almost put them in the lead shortly after. Will be a good contest this weekend. Looking forward to seeing Henderson play. Is he due to go back to Hearts in Jan? 10 goals in about as many games I'm sure Hearts will be tracking his progress very closely and many other clubs will be inquiring about his services. For the Wasps sake I hope he stays although I'd take him at Balmoral in a heartbeat. My personal opinion is that we won't keep Ola beyond December and instead try to strengthen our top line by bringing in a high calibre of player to challenge Rory and Mitch. We could be missing Shay Logan after he got a straight red in the 94th minute against Falkirk for a "rude gesture" although allegedly he signalled 3-0 to the home fans. Might be rescinded but if not Scott Ross will cover RB. The weather is even looking benign at 6 degrees, dry and no wind. Let's hope it stays that way and both sets of fans see an entertaining game.

Clyde 0 Airdrie 2 Cove 3 Alloa 1 Dumbarton 2 Peterhead 1 East Fife 0 Falkirk 2 Montrose 1 Queen's Park 1

If you get a chance to see the highlights of Falkirk Vs Cove you'll see a wonder goal / goal of the season contender from Morgyn Neill. Couldn't believe it myself but a 25 yarder pinged into the top corner from a slight angle too. Unreal!

Was it a v's and a middle finger? Or lino just got it wrong? Shay looked shocked but wouldn't put the former past him

There was some build up prior to it but you're right one killer pass and split the defence apart. Exactly next goal would be huge for Falkirk and get them right back in it. By no means is this over.

Nice inter exchange of passing and quality finish from Rory.

Rory huge chance missed there.

Hew not been on the bench in a while. Not sure if injured or not. Not missing him

Morgyn Neill, he'll never score a goal like that ever again or even get close.

Here's hoping Rennie is calling the recruitment shots and not Holt. If so, your days of Ross, Wilson, McKay quality players might be behind you.

Glad you have Seb and not us any longer! Saying that today will be the day he scores. Our ex-Falkirk player, Leitch, isn't getting many games or places on the bench as of late

I've seen us play to our offensive best a few of times this season but clearly that's not enough. The last month or so we've looked more cohesive as a unit and had a decent amount of clean sheets. Something in my bones is telling me this is going to be a tough test. I know you have struggled lately and recruitment is needed but you still have quality in certain areas and Morrison is a big threat.

That's our kit man's van. Pretty slick, just the hubcaps letting it down!

Cove start almost as strong as possible. I'd have had Masson on left wing but Scully will give more defensive quality. Formation will most likely be below. Good to see Shay back in the team. He's improving each game looking like a player who could still play in the higher leagues. Rory starting is a big plus.

I'd take a point but think this will be a tough fixture for us with all that's gone before it in the last week. A win for Cove and we're 12 points clear of Falkirk and that would be a mountain to climb. Not impossible, far from it, but would need a very good run in. Important we are full strength today. We were missing Shay Logan, Iain Vigurs on Tuesday and Rory was a sub. We played Fraser in a number 10 role and Mitch just ahead of him which I don't think works. We need Rory to hold the ball up and Mitch play close to him and get the knock downs. Very intrigued to see how it pans out. Unfortunately not attending TFS. Only my 2nd missed game including cups this season. Will catch on stream.

Very good odds if within 6 points after a win today I reckon. To be honest I fully expect a bounce from Falkirk and have predicted them to win. Sheerin gone, new manager in, desperate to heal wounds from last week, against Hartley, against the team currently top. All of these things will give the home side real desire.