Dunfermline - round 3

[Chick A Saw]

How did Butcher do at the back?

Like he was meant to be there!

[Chick A Saw]

I am reading quite a bit about Pawlett missing a sitter, but if its the move im thinking about, their keeper got enough of a touch and the ball hit Pawletts back foot! But something else happened after, 5 minutes to go, i missed it as i had to leave early.

[Arab 8010]

It wasnt a sitter, it was a great touch from the keeper from Shanklands cross/cutback

[dreamoftangerine]

Cheers Chick...sounds like he slotted in without a problem. Would you keep that line up and formation therefore? (Maybe shifting Butcher back into mid for the hammer thrower matches)?

[Chick A Saw]

I really dont know DoT.

As much as i love Stanton and he did well for 60 minutes yesterday, he really did look like he was struggling and started to miss passes and some challenges after the 60 minute mark. I cant though say that the midfield was lost at that point, but them making a change at half time gave them a better share of the spoils. After yesterday though, i do think Harkes and Stanton are the perfect foil for each other and maybe should get a chance more often.

Butcher is my first choice now to be beside Reynolds, but there are too many games ahead where we need him in midfield, but i think the other spot has to be shared between Harkes and Stanton.

The Clark thing is difficult as ive seen him twice live and thought he did well. Yesterday especially he was back helping Robson, robbing the ball off the right back a few times, and with a bit more luck, should have scored. Maybe him and Appere should swap about a bit to see a bit more from Clark.

Main thing though is everyone was 7s and 8s!

[shedka]

Starting slowly has been a bit of a United trait for years, even in the good times. So many times I used to think United players wanted to scratch their ars*s for twenty minutes before starting to play. It would be interesting to check back through the years and see how many goals utd have lost in early play.

As you say, hopefully Robbie will have impressed on them the need to start at a good tempo.

They started just as I hoped, if we keep that going game by game then the opposition will have more to worry about than us

Was very impressed with Butcher slotting into CB as was a concern pre match for me going with Harkes and Stanton but it worked, Harkes was excellent, everyone done well though, Appere is a nightmare for defences, they don't just have to worry about the excellence of Shankland with his intelligence, movement and finishing, but Apperes running and strength which gives McMullan more freedom

Shankland should have had two assists aswell yesterday, the open goal Pawlett missed which he created from nothing and he one he nodded down fur Clark

What a support aswell, 2550 and mutual appreciation, so three games, max pts,we now onto Dundee at home Friday

[stokearab]

Started a thread after the Partick game saying this team will get better and better and this last performance bears that out by the sound of things. And we're far from a one man team, Appere making a real big impact.
Much better balance, drive, pace, and either Robbie has had a change of heart on attacking style or maybe the Board have had a word after listening to the support.
Either way, roll on Friday because the pressure is already on them to close the gap not for us to extend it. And that's what I was on about preseason when I said we need to dominate the league from the start and not have to play catch up as we have before.

[Chick A Saw]

the open goal Pawlett missed which he created from nothing

Pawlett didnt miss an open goal! The keeper got a touch on the cross to deflect it onto Pawletts back foot!