BAD NIGHT: Raith 3-0 Queens, Cowden 0-1 Falkirk

[Bluehome]

Watched the "highlights" and thought the midfield looked non existent defensively.
And what was Clark doing at the first goal? Could he not have put that over the bar? He actually looked quite shaky in all the bits shown. Don't want to single him out, but maybe a rest would do him good. Defending was terrible which, as I say, I think started with the lack of cover from midfiled.
Think we need McKenna back for the tough games coming up.

[jardi]

Like many I watched the BBC report and was horrified to see Durnan booked after just 5 minutes.

That was probably the turning point of the match, leaving big Mark on tenterhooks and the rest of the team worrying that one wrong move and they'd be down to 10 men.

Indiscipline has cost Queens dearly this season, along with defensive lapses, poor goalkeeping and a lack of cover in the shape of a striker.

That said, it would appear that Fowler decided not to risk Durnan being sent off and chased the game by putting on Gavin Reilly to try and salvage a point.

After 56 minutes though, I reckon McKenna would have been the better substitution, keeping the defence strong, with Gavin coming on for Lyle a few minutes later.

However, it is easy for us to sit 100 miles away from the action and speculate on what should have been done, but to me it looks as though he's tried to chase the game, a bit like Queens did in Copenhagen and unfortunately we paid the penalty on both occasions.

We

[Tam_o_Terregles]

Was at the game. Stats aren't always reliable and the score isn't always a fair reflection either.
Having said that we created quite a few chances but took none. Great and crucial save from a Dowie header when it was 0-1. Break away second goal when QoS had been pressing for a good spell ended the contest.
Raith started more brightly and worked a clever opening goal. We woke up and the game went from end to end for the rest of the first half.
Zander didn't have a confident game and his kicking out was woeful at times. There was quite a bit of loose passing, giving the ball away in dangerous positions. After the second went in, heads did drop and after that Raith could have had two or three more goals. We weren't great, Raith had more cutting edge but we gifted them goals two and three.
Even before the game, Falkirk"s run of fixtures looked a breeze compared with ours. Wouldn't be surprised if our game v Bairns is meaningless by then.

[deek5trans]

One eye on the hearts game know doubt...

[mainstandman59]

[quote="jardi"]Like many I watched the BBC report and was horrified to see Durnan booked after just 5 minutes.

That was probably the turning point of the match, leaving big Mark on tenterhooks and the rest of the team worrying that one wrong move and they'd be down to 10 men.

Indiscipline has cost Queens dearly this season, along with defensive lapses, poor goalkeeping and a lack of cover in the shape of a striker.

That said, it would appear that Fowler decided not to risk Durnan being sent off and chased the game by putting on Gavin Reilly to try and salvage a point.

After 56 minutes though, I reckon McKenna would have been the better substitution, keeping the defence strong, with Gavin coming on for Lyle a few minutes later.

However, it is easy for us to sit 100 miles away from the action and speculate on what should have been done, but to me it looks as though he's tried to chase the game, a bit like Queens did in Copenhagen and unfortunately w

[HurriedSnail]

Think some of the reactions on here are way over the top. At the end of the day its one game and 3pts. They have hard games against Hibs and especially away to Rangers who should be alot better under McCall by the time they play them at Ibrox. They wont fancy com ing down to Palmerston needing 3pts either. We should be winning our last 4 matches of the season. Everybody seems to have written the next two games off as though its impossible to pick up any points. Hearts will be in party mood and couuld be distracted. Hibs just been beaten by a piss poor Rangers side. Rangers at home very winnable. Lots to play for and Falkirk are gonna slip up somewhere.

[rjc_1988]

If i read the possession stats correctly we had nearly 60% of fhe ball the other night - a very high figure away from home. Normally that would give you a great chance of winning the game.

It is always easy to look back at the end of the game and say how comfortable it was for Raith. The reality was that there were long spells in the second half when they couldnt get out of their own half - if the Dowie heder had gone in we would have been favourites to go on and win the match.

That said by relegating Reilly to the bench we also put c. 15 goals on the sidelines and I think when selecting the forward players the manager has to ask himself where are the goals coming from. No Russell so we have Danny, Paton and Lyle? If Lyle doesnt score - will Danny and or Paton? The stats say no I'm afraid! Reilly has been quiet of late but with Russell out we were seriously limiting our probability of scoring. The stats dont lie.

Our shooting was woeful - we had plenty of good moves but some playe

[HurriedSnail]

Regardless of the blank in front of goals if you concede 3 goals your not going to win many games. Think the bigger problem must have been in defence. Not surprised Reilly was dropped he has been dire of late, far too lazy for me, lacks anticipation of play and poor first touch.

[rjc_1988]

Agree on the poor defending - to be fair to central defenders I think the central midfielders did not protect them properly.may need a third central midfielder against hearts.

Reilly has been disappointing recently but if you decide to drop him you have to be sure that the alternatives are likely to get you goals.

Russell can be a frustrating player but he makes runs that can lead to goals and he is a miss when he is not available.

[mainstandman59]

Regardless of the blank in front of goals if you concede 3 goals your not going to win many games. Think the bigger problem must have been in defence. Not surprised Reilly was dropped he has been dire of late, far too lazy for me, lacks anticipation of play and poor first touch.

'' FAR TOO LAZY''...What the hell are you taking Pal? whatever you may say or think about Reilly, one thing he certainly is not is Lazy. An unbelievable statement.
Dire of late? How about being rushed back from an injury far too soon??