Mr November

I think that’s four very worthy nominees. I wonder if the vote between Dunfermline players will be split, I reckon being up against three Cove players last year probably helped Easton stand out. I do think Gallagher is in with a chance and I’d be delighted for him it he wins it.

It was bizarre wasn’t it? I’m not criticising anyone who went, I know I had people with me who don’t attend regularly, but it did feel like the usual core support was really diluted and spread out that day. The silence was bizarre though, it was genuinely like being in a library. The Montrose game the week before had a big crowd, though that was helped by everyone being already being emotional and annoyed at how bad we were until Callum Smith turned the game around. Like you say, I’ve never experienced an atmosphere like that play-off final. I don’t want to look back at the thread but I’m pretty sure at the time most of our more level headed supporters were cautiously optimistic ahead of that second leg, though wary that Queen’s Park were a tricky team. There were certainly some though who seemed expectant that we’d romp to victory on a better pitch than Firhill. Those posts, much like the ones bamming up Falkirk at this stage, give me the fear.

I think a lot of the prominent fans on twitter are quite young, which maybe explains them being a bit more excitable. I find the facebook page to be a real mix of misery and high expectations/overconfidence. On the whole I think our fans on here, in this thread anyway, are a pretty reasonable bunch who are realistic about where the club are. I reckon it’s the same for most clubs having seen comments on social media in other club threads.

Last year’s final was awful for that. We had a big crowd in but the stadium was silent, the full thing had a lot of nervous energy. As soon as Queen’s Park equalised it felt like it could be a struggle and by the time Murray had taken off all our good forwards it felt inevitable we weren’t going to win, you were just waiting on the second goal coming. I felt pretty good about the play-offs a few weeks ago but the closer we get, the more I’m starting to feel the same way as you. I think it’s hard not to when since the last league win it’s been almost 20 years of disappointments. What I would say is I don’t care at all where we finish in the league as I’m equally as concerned about playing Falkirk as I am Cove or Hamilton. If this team turn up they’re more than good enough to do it, it’s just whether they’re able to do that for long enough over four games.

I think this will be our ninth attempt since they were introduced in 2006. Since then we’ve lost six finals (2007, 2008, 2009, 2012, 2021 and 2022) and two semi-finals (2010 and 2017). It’s a remarkable record, though caveated by us still ending up in the second tier after losing the 2008, 2009 and 2012 finals because of other teams financial issues. It’s the sort of thing that others think is lucky but actually just leads to us circling the drain for another year. The last two seasons have been frustrating as we’ve put in big performances in the semi-final second leg only for it to be for nothing. The 3-2 Cove game in 2021 was a cracker, with the two late goals and then Gallagher scoring the winner with his thigh in extra time. Last year we had the Montrose shenanigans, coming from 4-1 down to make it 4-4 (Gallagher’s other thigh scoring the equaliser) before Afolabi turned into prime Olivier Giroud. I still laugh thinking about the nonsense that went on that afternoon. As you say, last year will always feel like the perfect opportunity. It came down to winning a home game against a team we finished 21 points ahead of and yet we couldn’t manage it, though Queen’s Park absolutely deserved it on the day and across all four games. It’s hard to call this year. This team have it in them to batter any of our possible opponents, however could also easily struggle to play consistently well across four games.

Alloa Athletic 1-3 Dunfermline Athletic Clyde 1-2 Montrose Edinburgh 3-1 Airdrieonians Peterhead 1-2 Falkirk Queen of the South 2-1 Kelty Hearts

I don’t think there’s any argument that McCabe would be one of our best 11 players but the team has more balance without him in midfield. McMaster sits a lot higher and while he doesn’t have the same range of passing as McCabe, he allows the team to be more progressive. Devenny’s running is really useful too and provides a good balance to Frizzell’s movement and quality on the ball. I’d play McCabe at centre back if ATS is out but ideally I’d have him in the dugout, with him or Telfer to come on if we need more control in midfield.

It’s been said before but there can’t be many teams in Scotland who’ve gave more youth players a chance than Airdrie since 2010. From Jimmy Boyle’s time up until Ian Murray came in it seemed like everybody got a chance unless you were particularly rubbish. It leads to guys like Chris O’Neil, Dean Cairns, Sean McIntosh etc. all playing a lot of games without ever doing much then people being very upset when they leave, only for them to all drop down several levels. That’s not even touching on guys like Graeme Goodall, Conor McLaughlin, Grant Drummond etc. who just seem to disappear completely.

Tottenham’s antics at Anfield today reminded me of the time Airdrie equalised in the 93rd minute to make it 3-3 up at Brechin only for Alan Trouten to score a winner a minute later. The team that night had a midfield three of Nathan Blockley, David Sinclair and Liam Watt, with a front three of Liam Coogans, Lewis Coult and Keigan Parker We might still be stuck in the same league, but we at least have a lot more quality these days.

I generally agree with you to be fair. Players take a lot of abuse and I have no issue with them giving some back. I get why Paton has done it today but when it’s someone most fans couldn’t pick out a line up then it just feels like strange behaviour. It’s absolutely not worth getting upset about in the way some people do though.

Especially when I think Raith are the only team in the Championship with nothing to play for, while League Two still has the relegation play-off spot up for grabs. It is a shame that next week’s fixtures are essentially meaningless, though I’m mostly relieved that Airdrie don’t need to go to Meadowbank and get anything to make the top four which had been a fear for a while.

They were excellent. Admittedly Airdrie were weaker in midfield today (both physically and in terms of quality) but those three bossed whoever we tried in there. I’ve been really impressed by Todd this season, he’s exactly the kind of player we need in there and while Wilson is made of poppadoms (any contact today seemed to leave him needing treatment) he’s a very good player at this level. I can’t say I’m too fussed about the game itself. Airdrie were poor throughout but we already knew that we had a good starting eleven and not much quality beyond that. Salim did alright and took his goal well. Byrd had a shaky start but was probably one of our better players. Euan Deveney put in the worst individual Airdrie performance I’ve seen since Jay Riley, he’s hit and miss at the best of times but he seems to be someone who needs a run of games to be at his best. The Paton celebration was a weird one. I was at the other end so couldn’t read it but apparently it said justice for Rico. Fair enough, not worth getting into it as the court decision said it all, but a bit like the Kyle Doherty one at Clyde a few weeks ago, I don’t think many people even knew who he was before he celebrated like that. As I said the last time we played Queens, he’s a very good player but an odd character.

Hitting form at the right time.

I might be in the minority but I always preferred Paul McKay in midfield for Airdrie. Technically he’s miles off the standard of midfielder we’ve had since he left but for that team he did pretty well. He’s a strange player, no real standout attributes but he was pretty good at making runs into the box and being a nuisance. I know some people have their own ideas why he played regularly but I think it’s telling that Ian Murray trusted him so much he’d play him anywhere, even on the wing at one point. Saying that, starting the lockdown season watching a stream of us toiling to a 2-0 win at Stenhousemuir with Paul McKay as a number 10 was quite depressing.

He's in my all time worst Airdrie team, which is saying something. Didn't seem interested and definitely didn't have the ability to make up for it.

It’s a strange situation. We’ve played young players in the League Cup and Scottish Cup but despite being on the bench loads in the league, I don’t remember any of them playing a league game at all. I’d assume if contracts were an issue then they couldn’t be named on the bench but I could be wrong.

He had a loan spell at Airdrie in 2019 where he looked very out of his depth. He joined on loan from Hamilton at the same time as Leon McCann but McCann looked miles ahead of him at the time. He’s really kicked on over the last couple of seasons now, though it is a very big jump as you say.

Salim is tailor made for the big haddy striker turning up in the play-offs role.

I think you’re not allowed to play for your parent club until the next transfer window after going out on loan, though I could be wrong. I’ve got absolutely no intention of going to Meadowbank but Bright playing could change that.

I’m expecting a mostly full strength team on Saturday, with anyone who has even the slightest issue rested just to be safe. I’d be playing a nonsense team like this on the last day though: Hutton Watson - McCabe - Byrd - Deveney Stanway - McMaster - Telfer McGregor - Salim - Dixon I’d even throw in a few of the youth players for Watson, McCabe, McMaster etc. if possible.

Airdrieonians 2-2 Queen of the South Dunfermline Athletic 3-0 Clyde Kelty Hearts 1-1 Peterhead Montrose 2-2 Alloa Athletic

He did, Hamilton was a straight swap for Benedictus and stayed there when O’Hara went off. It was a back five, Mochrie and Chalmers sitting and Mahon ostensibly on his own up front but mostly sitting deep too.

Firstly, main thing today was getting the point to ensure top four, so job done. I’ve said before I don’t really care where we finish, I don’t think home advantage counts for much so the fact we’re in there is all that matters. Dunfermline are a horrible team to play against. I think a lot of people look at their defensive record and think they’re Duffy-esque agricultural monsters but they’re just a really solid, well-rounded team. The first 20 minutes might be the best a team has played against us all season and up until the first sending off it was a really even game, with both teams very up for it and playing some nice stuff. I did say when it went to nine men that Dunfermline might be the worst team to play against in that scenario and I think they showed, as they’re just so well organised and blocked any space. I was going to say I’ll be glad to see the back of them but I actually hope we meet again a few times next season! A mixed performance from Airdrie. After a tough start we came into the game and looked more dangerous going forward. Ballantyne and Smith did well down the left, with the former my man of the match once again, he looks a different player at left back. We really struggled against a very compact nine men though. I thought we had the right idea, trying to stay calm and create an opportunity but it just didn’t work at all. McGregor was worse than a man down, he took Edwards on once, lost that battle and was then too scared to try it again. I’d have brought Salim on just to cause some chaos and give us an option for crosses. On the red cards, the first was as clear a red as you’ll see and I think Benedictus knew that. He’s been one of the best players in the league this season but he’s had a few tough moments against Airdrie. The second was a bit more debatable. O’Hara did raise his foot high but I was very surprised it was given as a red. I thought McPake handled the situation pretty well to be fair to him while the rest of the coaching staff were going mental. My opinion of him has went up a lot this season after seeing how he’s conducted himself in the 4-3 game and then today. McCabe, Fordyce, Comrie, Hamilton and Otoo must have about the lowest average height for centre backs in a League One game in a long time.

Been the opposite of this so far, both teams going for it and unfortunately Josh Rae closest to scoring.

Yeah I suggested him a while ago, think he’d fit our style of play and as you say very impressive numbers. I think he is under contract for next season but can see someone going for him either way.