Spider Rico

Ultimately we’ve left it far too late to build a fit for purpose squad and all that is likely left available at this stage will be “more of the same”. In his own words, “the Director of Football signs the players” so we know where the blame lies on that one. The scenario that was suggested by some of things improving significantly as the players become more familiar with the system/methods feels unlikely at this stage as, amongst other things, it would require the sustained buy-in of the players for many months . The evidence of the last few weeks suggests it’s already gone. Terrible vibes.

I see a fair bit of reference to us not having a “plan B” but does anyone actually know what our “plan A” is supposed to be?

What’s amusing/depressing (depending on your point of view) is that the phrase used in public repeatedly before the season by the director of football and head coach was “aggressive exciting football”

I can’t even see any realistic path to things improving in the short or medium term. Its too late to meaningfully improve the squad and we’ve basically going all in on this “model” That being said whilst we’d still have lost, I don’t think we concede 4 in the first half with Thomson in midfield and Bannon at centre half.

No charge, only price you pay is having to watch QP and Ayr play football

I see the Ayr fans are in sections P4 and P5 of the stand (I.e to the left of the home support closer to the corner) rather than over the other side like the Dunfermline fans were on Saturday. Basically back to what it used to be like which is disappointing for both set of fans

We won against Ayr at Ochilview, Thomas penalty and an own goal.

I think the concern is with the other end of the table in mind, especially after the dross that was served up on Saturday. And the criticism on squad depth is being aimed at the Director of Football

Take a look at the Dunfermline match thread for insight into our “tactics” and squad building

Unless we make a triple substitution, bringing on 3 youth players and it’s back to 5-5

Get this man on the coaching staff

Other tactical innovations seem to be: 1) floating all set pieces directly to the opposition goalkeepers hands 2) aim all cutbacks directly at the opposition centre halves for an easy clearance 3) no more than 2 (ideally 1) Queen’s Park players to be allowed in the opposition box at any time during open play 4) tracking runs is optional

Both teams will lose this 3-0

It’s possible that is the case with Veldman but Beuker (the Director of Football) has no excuse as he has been here long enough now and also had a spell as caretaker manager (where we barely won a game.) A few times I’ve seen reference being made by either or both of them to the “direct” style of opponents. Taking yesterday as an example, I wouldn’t describe the way Dunfermline played as “direct”, certainly not in any negative way. What they did was expose the acres of space we left behind our defensive line with good through balls and well timed runs. And they knew it would be easy enough to nullify our attacks by getting bodies defending their box.

Yep his mate Marijn needs to take his share of the blame for the lack of squad depth. Scraping the barrel of the loan market is all we have left now but I don’t get the sense he is even interested in doing any more.

Hopefully Veldman refused to do a post match interview for QPTV as well so we don’t have to listen to his pish

You’ll never have a better chance to turn things around than playing us at Hampden on Friday

I guess the Dutch have a different definition of exciting aggressive football which is what we were promised

I’m very much at “the concerned stage”. With a bit better execution, Dunfermline could have been comfortably ahead in the first half with the number of times they got in behind our line. I thought they looked well organised and threatening. Our squad is quite weak, lacking in depth and, whether due to coaching or lack of confidence, refuse to shoot when in and around the box. Hepburn was twice guilty of this and didn’t even put in a decent cut back either. Wasteful. Our set pieces are a joke and looking at the (lack of) options we had on the bench today, it’s likely we will ensure many more days like today in the weeks ahead unless 1) we luck out in the loan market before the end of the month 2) Robin Veldman makes some fundamental changes

A reluctance of QP players to shoot has been a source of frustration since January

My point possibly came across as a “Raith have more resources than us” comment. That genuinely wasn’t the intention and it would quite rightly be ridiculed. Was commenting on the fact you guys have realised the value of squad depth and having potential game-changers on the bench whereas our bench (through choices made by our director of football) is full of kids.

The contrast of Raith being able to bring on the likes of Easton and Vaughan to try and win them the game, vs what we had, is quite something

Dreadful seven days No new signings for a squad crying out for more depth, two defeats, confidence drained from the young players and senior players no doubt pissed off at being dropped/subbed

“Take off your experienced players when trying to hold a one goal lead with ten men”