Not strange at all. He played in the draw at Ayr and ICT and in my opinion was the best defender in both.
I find it strange that he was benched after those games, just as I find it strange that after IMO Norman being by far our best midfielder last week he was dropped today.
It’s not strange to have an opinion.
I was thinking that Dobbie was having one of those ineffective games where nothing comes off and was wondering if the manager has the balls to replace him when he pops up with that late winner. Just shows you what I know and the importance of this phenomena to the club. Long live the King especially for next weekend!!!
watching dobbie closely yesterday and noticed that for most parts he had 3 partick defenders around him. With dykes playing a bit deeper I thought queens missed a trick as there was so much space as a result of dobies marking. As a result dobbie was having to try and keep it from 3 players rather than finding a strike partner in the free space. Obviously a tactical decision to keep dykes deeper and can't argue with it as we won but it was frustrating to watch
I thought Naysmith's defensive tactics were bang on. I have to applaud him for putting a defender at the back post at the corner near the end of the match when Jordan scooped the header off the line, - but that should be the tactic at every corner!
I thought Martin played with a lot more self belief and so I will plug away at requesting that the keepers continue to receive intensive training at cross balls.
Perversely, Dobbie's enforced absence with a hamstring issue might work to Queens' advantage! As Fatfan pointed out, in his post above, Dobbie was surrounded by 3 defenders (which has been the tactic for every club this season) and so allowing players to express themselves without feeling the requirement to 'feed the king' at every opportunity, might pose more problems for the opposition.
Against Ross County, I'd be tempted to bring Semple into midfield alongside Jacobs to increase the strength of the backbone, with Norman and Sterling on the flanks and Harkins at the top of the diamond, and Dykes as the loan front runner.
As someone suggested in an earlier post, Semple shouldn't be "staring" - he should be "starring."
Finally, regardless of whether Semple and Norman are leaving the club, we need to make the most of them while we have them, - not plan now for when we don't have them (by not playing them).........that is quite frankly insane, - particularly when we can consider replacements for them in the January window, - if and when they do depart.