ICT (h)

[geofoxposse]

From what I saw - and it was little as the stream was so shyte again - we simply didnt compete on a man to man level and win each battle. too much fannying around to allow the defense to pack and be organised. No real services to Watt or Moult.

Middleton is starting to improve and actually starting to beat men but even after doing some great work manages to hide.

We are low on quality replacements, the first choice should win this league but the second string, not.

Freeman just isnt at the right level and really need to wokr significantly. he was stripped by his attacker for the goal quite easily. his positional sense was poor and distribution (like a few on saturday) was not good enough.

Cudjoe simply not the level of quality, no speed, no real guile, several balls to feet and did nowt with it.

Mochrie just falling short still, needs some serious competitive matches.

Left side of the park was good, so it meant Big dunc could afford to send players over there whereas right side was pretty gash and could be lighter.

[sultan_of_arabia]

I don't feel I have enough to complain about lately so I will jump on the chance to agree that Freeman and Cudjoe are garbage.

Other than that there is an imbalance in quality on the right and left although with Grimshaw we are solid enough on that side and Fotheringham I see potential. He keeps up the form of the last couple of months then it gives teams enough to think about that they can't just double up on us on our left. Width is key in this league though as teams will sit back against us.

Middleton is really stepping up, the track back and tackle in the second half was class and overall he is probably our most critical player at the moment. Take him out then our attacking 4 suddenly look much less creative plus when he is on the park it allows McMann more space in the last third.

This could come back to bite me but we will win this league regardless of our shortcomings when we will be missing either Sibbald/Docherty, Moult/Middleton or Gallagher/Holt. All the other teams have bigger issues and less quality than us.

[TerryTheTerror]

Jezo, one dodgy result (and not even a defeat) and all of a sudden we have huge problems? Bottom line is we were missing two of our best players in Grimshaw and, especially, Docherty.

[Stoke_Arab]

When our first 11 starts more often than not we win the game. We badly missed Dochertys drive and distribution. Maybe need to strengthen there in January.

ICT were not what I expected, got the ball down and played some decent football.
Their goal was as much the fault of Gallacher as Freeman because Gallagher was getting frustrated and started playing longer hopeful balls, one too many got cut out and most of our back four had committed too high.

It was obvious by HT that we were struggling to break them down with that formation and I felt he could have changed Kai for Cudjoe earlier, but not like for like positionally. Would like to have seen Cudjoe a bit further inside, closer to Moult, playing one two's in an effort to get one or other in on goal because Dunc had figured our tried and tested threat from the wings.

A wee bit lucky Raith dropped points but onto Friday we go.

[shedka]

I'd argue its Raith who have been lucky, Airdrie had the more chances against them and Dunfermline the week before their keeper was man of match before they stole it at end

[Kdyteejay2]

I'd argue its Raith who have been lucky, Airdrie had the more chances against them and Dunfermline the week before their keeper was man of match before they stole it at end

Their goalkeeper is doing this on a regular basis apparently.

[JUSTaway]

Bit harsh on Cujoe, he was arguably one of our best attacking players at the start of the season, esp when Middleton and Watt were struggling, came off bench and scored against Arbroath. He's not slow, but his sheer size makes it difficult for him to get away from opponents over a longer distance, so he really needs a full back to be able to get up alongside him, both him and Freeman are too small to play on the same side. Think he will struggle with step up if we go up, just due to his size, might be better in the spot behind the striker.

Middleton has been playing well last 5-6 games, good attitude, plenty of assists, but missed some sitters. We couldn't agree between us if he was shooting or crossing with those two gilt edged chances first half Saturday, he's been getting half a yard on his full backs and whipping some brilliant balls across the goal lately, but seemed to suffer brain freeze when Saturday when he had time to think.

[Whitfieldarab]

Jezo, one dodgy result (and not even a defeat) and all of a sudden we have huge problems? Bottom line is we were missing two of our best players in Grimshaw and, especially, Docherty.

Ken🙄

I actually enjoyed the football on display in the 1st half by both teams it was end to end stuff with plenty chances but the 2nd half was absolute guff with both teams a bit cagey and sloppy passing all over the pitch. At the end of the game I felt a draw was fair so no complaints and on we go to another tricky away ground on Friday to hopefully remain unbeaten.

[tHeArAb]

We struggled to break down a team who parked the bus for 45 minutes. That is all.

They literally had two lines of five across their own 18 yard box. Thankfully they're the first team to really do that to us this season. It's was happening almost every other week last time we were in this league.