Friday Dec 27th (H)

[TerryTheTerror]

I thought Harkes was excellent yesterday. 🤔

[stokearab]

I thought Harkes was excellent yesterday. ��

Yeah I thought so too. I think he sometimes lacks a wee bit of confidence to play the ball forward and risk a misplaced pass so plays it to a United shirt where he knows it won't have that risk. It's not a style that we Scots are very patient with at times because we often want the ball to go forward regardless if we lose possession. In most European countries players are coached to keep possession at all costs and not to play a forward ball unless it has a high chance of being collected and controlled by a team mate.
If we could fit another creative player into the midfield I think Harkes would be even better.

The worry for me yesterday is that we didn't really create any flowing moves that played through Ayr for Shankland.
And yet we won easily.

[Arabdownsouth]

I thought Harkes was excellent yesterday. 🤔

I just don't get it with some folk, Harkes is a key part of our most successful midfield pairing for about 4 years, he's been excellent in my opinion. I have no clue why anyone would want to break up the Butcher/Harkes partnership unless they are looking to end our winning sequence? There is no need to change the side from Saturday in my opinion, a hungry Appere off the bench would be a great option if we need to change things around.

[Chick A Saw]

Wld drop harkes play Apere shanks Clark from the start. Harkes and cammy on bench to change things up if required. Apart from the goal yest I didn’t think harkes played well. Gave to much away, soft in the challenge and to negative at times.

Wasnt there yesterday, but i have been a bit critical of Harkes as i believed that people were riding along on a wave of hype around his arrival story. Thats maybe because i was going to games with comments made on here in mind, and although i saw something, he really wasnt matching up to the height of the pedestal some put him on.

Since his injury delayed start to the season though, he has improved game by game and i now think he is one of the undropables! I would even say he is now showing a level above us now, which can only bode well for the future. Next thing he needs to add is plenty more goals.

I also think we now have 12 players who i consider as undropable with 4 regulars on the bench who can do a job.

[JUSTaway]

yeah Harkes and Butcher are our best central midfield combo, bit of muscle and energy. I certainly wouldn't be against apperre starting for Stanton or Clark though, he is different to what we have up top, and an obvious outlet with his pace and strength, Clark is playing ok just now and scoring a few goals, but he can be found a bit wanting in other areas.

[Arabdownsouth]

yeah Harkes and Butcher are our best central midfield combo, bit of muscle and energy. I certainly wouldn't be against apperre starting for Stanton or Clark though, he is different to what we have up top, and an obvious outlet with his pace and strength, Clark is playing ok just now and scoring a few goals, but he can be found a bit wanting in other areas.

Stanton and Clark are currently doing well though, if you go dropping players that are performing you're going to cause that form to drop in my opinion. I get that people want to fit Appere in but let him affect the game from the bench on Friday for me. Players fighting for a place in the team is exactly why we are 13 points clear, long may it continue.

[offshore_arab83]

Wld drop harkes play Apere shanks Clark from the start. Harkes and cammy on bench to change things up if required. Apart from the goal yest I didn’t think harkes played well. Gave to much away, soft in the challenge and to negative at times.

Eh? you canna be serious, Harkes along side Butcher is the best midfield pairing we have. so you would drop Harkes and Play Appere in Midfield next to Butcher then yeah?

[Whitfieldarab]

yeah Harkes and Butcher are our best central midfield combo, bit of muscle and energy. I certainly wouldn't be against apperre starting for Stanton or Clark though, he is different to what we have up top, and an obvious outlet with his pace and strength, Clark is playing ok just now and scoring a few goals, but he can be found a bit wanting in other areas.

Agree with that.

[Chick A Saw]

I hate stats and percentages but here goes!

I think Appere is being managed through the season which at his age is fine. For assists, McMullan and Appere are the driving forces in the team, but when looking at goals, Appere, McMullan and Stanton are on 3 each in the league. Purely for goals, i would have Stanton(11 shots, 82% on target), McMullan(18 shots, 72% on target) both starting, with Appere(18 shots, 44% on target) on the bench.

As for Clark, he has the least minutes, most shots 22, with 41% on target(9) with 6 goals he starts as well!

[Arabdownsouth]

I hate stats and percentages but here goes!

I think Appere is being managed through the season which at his age is fine. For assists, McMullan and Appere are the driving forces in the team, but when looking at goals, Appere, McMullan and Stanton are on 3 each in the league. Purely for goals, i would have Stanton(11 shots, 82% on target), McMullan(18 shots, 72% on target) both starting, with Appere(18 shots, 44% on target) on the bench.

As for Clark, he has the least minutes, most shots 22, with 41% on target(9) with 6 goals he starts as well!

Can't disagree with any of that