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forgettable match. Strange 1st half, didn't really get going but we were 2-0 up, McMullan had another chance near break, that was it. Looked like game was going to open up, start of 2nd half first 5-10, but then we seemed to get caught up in a rut of our poor/square passing, and ended up spending the whole 2nd half containing them. Never had the feeling they were going to get back into it, but that had more to do with them being impotent in the final third, their best effort off the bar came as a result of a woeful attempt at a set piece from us, which summed it up.
Not sure why at home we are giving up that much possession, I think it just comes down to our inability to keep possession, the transition from centre halves to midfield is woeful, thankfully we had a proper left back and right back as an outlet today. Zero corners at home, Shankland barely getting an opportunity, improvement needed for Tue.
Also did McMullan have his boots on the wrong feet today???
Think some people must have been watching a different 1st half to me as I thought we were dreaful from start to finish......
Still a great 3 points in context though as it was clear to see some players lacking in confidence, the game to me highlights even more how baffling Robbies decision to mess about with the back 4 in previous 2 games was, the boys further up the pitch were clearly still far from their best but it certainly made a difference having the defence set up with players playing in their correct position looking calm and composed behind them.
I thought we were absolutely sterile throughout the game. Even when they hit the bar ( deserved a goal) we didn't react.
The inability to clear line to a tangerine short is amazing, we spend all day simply giving possession away, when it is controlled at the back square passing happens and sides know they just have to close the back 4 down early as a punt will ensue.
The absolute most important thing about Saturday was to win. It didn't really matter how (although we all want to dish out hidings) and we did. Job done IMO.
In complete agreement Terry, the consequences of losing that game could have been catastrophic #fansmeltdownrobbiesnewcontract.
So draw a veil over the performance & be ever so grateful.
Personally I am not shouting for anybody head, however its exactly the same issues as before the season started, Dunfermline could easily have won if they'd had a finisher (not even to Shanklands level), they created more, had more desire, more organisation and when they had the ball (which was most of the time) had a better rhythm.
The basics for a defender are to defend, if he can't see an outball immediately then it should be delivered up the park to the corners where a winger can try to make something from nothing, not headed down 5 metres to an opponent, try a crazy pass to an opponents feet. Frankly whats the point as they just keep allowing pressure to be heaped on them.
Reynolds and Brown did fine on saturday as dungy just didn't have a quality threat, against others they won't be so lucky.
It did look much more balanced with two full backs who knew the position, but between them and the midfielder ahead of them was like they were total strangers. The centre mid didn't/couldnt complete as they were give no room to control the ball. So backwards and sideyways passes were th only option.
When a player tried to thread a showing ball through a hole there was always an extra player back covering. The workmate and commitment teams make against us is the same as many teams rise against the OF, we have to adopt the same mentality as the OF or work, passes, skills etc.
As much as I hate to admit it and yes the OF cheat like the scabs they are, they are supported at every level by the system and policemen, the reality is that they also normally outwork, outplay and have an arrogant winning attitude, one which we have to get.