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Stenhousemuir FC - The Warriors - The 2023/24 Thread


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Aye, although the games we've played in are effectively kickabouts with no consequence, the four matches have thrown up more questions than answers.

Will we be proceeding with this lopsided 4-4-2 formation? Does it get the best out of the players at our disposal? Why are players like Adam Brown or Mikey Miller playing out of position on the right? Why have we failed to bring in a specialist right winger? What's the best combination in the middle of the park? What's Craig Bryson's preferred role? Do we actually look better when he's out of the team and Mikey Anderson is played ahead of him? Can Tam Orr and Matty Yates click up top? How far away is Will Sewell?

I think a draw would have been the fairer outcome against Darvel last night - we created some good chances, with Orr inexplicably missing when one on one with their goalkeeper and Brown hitting the post late on - but I think, over the piece, we were second best, and I'll admit to being a little concerned going into the Betfred Cup group stage games at the weekend.

There's a lot of work to be done before the first league game at the end of the month, that's for sure!

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As we know, it's just pre-season and the players adapting and gelling together. The formation and midfield seems a bit of a headache with what's going on there. Not making excuses but as we know, Darvel are a team capable of making it up to League 2. Good test playing them. 

FF is right to point out that right mid issue. Has Corbett been tried up there in pre-season? Forbes can play on the right but I don't think he's the answer Swift wants. I'm more struggling now with his involvement than Bryson's. 

 

 

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Looks to me he wants to go old school Man Utd........a right mid (beckham) and a traditional left Winger (giggs)

It's early so hoping am way off but Niyah Joseph doesn't look like the answer at RW so we must be looking at similar to the above as tongue in cheek as it is.

Looks to me 4 3 3 suits the squad better with O'Reilly Orr/Sewell Yates as the three but who knows. We will get a better idea starting on Saturday, these are the proper preparation games, pre-season but with a competitive edge. Looking forward to it.

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3 hours ago, Francesc Fabregas said:

Adam Corbett at right wing? Are you smoking PCP?

Why not it was pre-season? He's excelled since moving to right back and has been positive going forward, creating chances and taking them, getting what 5 or 6 goals? It's not like I've said put Crighton, Wedderburn or Jamieson out there. 

As you said we don't look like we're bringing in any more players, small squad and have tried other players out of position. 

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If it's not looking good after four league games I could foresee some worry but absolutely nothing to worry about after four kick abouts. These games can't be an indicator for anything, years of watching pre-season will tell anyone that.

Players playing at half pace, no intensity, no crowd, trying boys in different positions. The same old, same old pre-season. It won't stop people trying to gauge how we are going to do and that's their perogative but ultimately it's a pointless exercise.

We could get a result on Saturday against Partick and the same worriers will be having us as league winners. Ultimately, just don't get too carried away about football at this stage of the season. Albion Rovers at home and from there on in is all that matters and that's when any judgement should begin.

One bonus right enough is it will hopefully put a lid on "This is our season" patter on Twitter. Every cloud.

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I went to todays game and thought for long spells you more than matched a full time Championship team, who should end up in the playoffs this season.

Neither keeper was overly busy and the game had spells where it felt very much like a pre season game but if I was a fan of the home team, I'd be confident of a decent season coming up in L2.

All the best for the upcoming season.

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Sad news regarding the passing of Adam Strachan at 35 years old. Played on trial for us in 2011 n scored in his only game. Remember his name coming through at Partick, was meant to be very very good though troubled throughout his career with off field stuff. RIP.

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Decent stuff yesterday everyone put in a good shift and we looked well organised. We contained them well I thought and although we won't start the season with a diamond it's good to know we have it in the locker when needed.

Anderson and Miller put in an absolute shift and a half if you don't have those kind of players that formation won't work.

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13 hours ago, Nigel Blackwell said:

Bryson. Thoughts? I’m a little worried.

Needs time.

First game of the season and back from a serious injury. He'll be looking after himself and  building confidence that he can still play. In his interview, he says he's "going to see how it goes".

Got to be a positive impact for Anderson though, playing beside someone of Bryson's experience. Thought Bryson was vocal on the park, organised the shape, closed down space and kept things going in midfield. 

We played quite well against an organised and better Partick team. Some nice play and showed confidence moving the ball around with one touch passing. Came alive when O'Reilly came on to be fair, which added a bit more directness to our play. Positives there despite the result.

 

Edited by Old Fashioned Stramash
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If there was ever any doubt about our strategic partnership with Hibernian having come to an end, they've now entered into an agreement with FC Edinburgh that will see their youngsters loaned to the League 1 side.

Good luck to all parties, I say!

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The diamond is fine against better teams we face in cup competitions and perhaps in some of the more difficult away games. It is not suitable for run of the mill league games. The more orthodox 4-4-2 is just garbage in general. He'll be out the door soon if he persists with it.

4-3-3 is the way forward. It makes the most of our strong central midfield and alows O'Reilly and to a lesser extent Yates to do damage out wide.

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23 hours ago, Nigel Blackwell said:

I watched the stream and thought Miller, Wedderburn and Anderson looked as if they carried on where they left off last season. Orr and Yates still have work to do. Why does Orr continually run down blind alleys?

Bryson. Thoughts? I’m a little worried.

I don't see any reason to worry just now.

After being out for so long at his age we have to just take it slowly and he seems to be getting about the park fine for the most part. Not seen much on the ball yet but I'm sure that will come as the match sharpness returns.

His organising and voice on the park was very noticeable on Saturday as well which wouldn't be picked up on stream. Constantly organising and encouraging those around him.

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19 hours ago, Burnsythebinman said:

swifty got red carded on saturday for what looked like holding on to the ball. how long will he be out for 1 or 2 fixtures?

In his interview he stated that referee stated holding on to the ball is a mandatory red card. Will be interesting to see how often this is enforced on the field. Swift will be able to stand behind the dug out on Saturday but if 2 matches then he will be in the stand for the second game.

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