Gave it a little bit of time before posting so as to let the emotions simmer down a bit. Obviously disappointed over how things panned out but I said before it was 50/50 getting through these play offs and so it proved - going all the way to penalties is about as 50/50 as it gets. The penalties themselves were an absolute shocker, however the fact their keeper was getting to jump a couple of yards forward off his line every time and getting away with it didn’t help. On reflection therefore, that’s us back at square one, yeh? No, not quite I would suggest.
The owners have really been at pains to say prior to these games that the results of these matches in no way would change plans for the Club moving forward and that another season in the Championship was a very real possibility. As such, they were clearly managing expectations for the fans about how difficult these play offs are, whilst simultaneously reassuring the punters not to worry - the direction the Club is rebuilding in will not deviate due to this. We have to have confidence in this process. The Snake and his hanger on cronies are gone - the Club is finally entering a new season without that albatross round her necks. That in itself is a positive development that eases the pain of Sunday.
I do feel that in contrast to the last couple of years we genuinely competed in these play offs, even in comparison to two years ago where frankly we rode our luck big style. ICT were put away in a straightforward fashion while the St Mirren game could have gone either way. I think back to the Accies game in 2017 and frankly I thought they were miles ahead of us, Simon Murray penalty or not. Consequently we are definitely closer but unfortunately still not quite good enough. We are probably back up to bottom three or four Premiership level which I accept is still not where we want to be but frankly better than what we’ve been since we went down, which is a scary thought.
Therefore, there is still a gap to be closed. How do we do that? Firstly, the lesson learnt yet again, is that we MUST win the League. These play offs are far too much of a lottery. We have just played 4 matches, conceded one goal, scored five and not lost in regulation time. Yet we’re still not up. The good news is that for the first time in three years we will finally have some stability moving forward. The core of the team will be kept together and there will be no more managerial roundabouts. The funds are there for the manager to add to what we’ve got which I would suggest should be an attacking midfielder and a good, reliable striker. We are undoubtedly more solid and will concede much fewer goals next season but the difference we clearly need to elevate us up to the next level is more goals. I’m pretty sure RN recognises this and will correct this.
Looking to next season, when comparing to our potential rivals we have take out the emotion of the weekend and look at things sensibly. We are, by some distance, by far and away in a better shape than most of our potential rivals. ICT look like their team is starting to break up with the likes of Polworth on his way and if they are signing the likes of Keatings then that says it all. The Funsters have an absolutely MASSIVE rebuilding job ahead and they’ve still not even got a new manager in yet while the clock is ticking by. Ayr will be nowhere near what they were last season. Partick are the team I reckon will end up being our closest rivals.
In summary, keep the faith. Despite what happened on Sunday, we genuinely are in a better place moving into next season than we have been for a considerable time. The funds are there for the additional signings we will need and frankly the League looks weaker than ever next year. We have to aim to be in a position where we are going up to be competitive in the Premiership not be cannon fodder that come straight back down. The games v St Mirren proved that we are not there yet. Gutting as it is, unfortunately we clearly still need a bit more reconstruction and another fizzy pop season to get us ready but I feel we are getting there. What I would say is that Neilson needs to get us off to a flier next season but I feel more confident than for some considerable time that we will.
It’s taken some time and it might not feel like it right now following Sunday, but the tide IS turning. Onwards and upwards!
P2BAA.
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