Raith (H) 16th Dec

[JUSTaway]

Some people have an absolute aversion to teams playing out from the back, obviously Guardiola changed how football is played a lot, but I think the change in rule to allow teams with goal kicks to have possession in the box encourages it even more and is just as big, its a lot easier for teams with lesser skill level to build from the back now. As I said, I don't have a problem with it, but some of the decision making from our keeper on Saturday playing it to defenders facing their own goal and marked was crazy, Raith boss will have his team all over that on Saturday. I do think nerves and frustration played a part in the atmosphere Saturday.

[arab1970]

Some people have an absolute aversion to teams playing out from the back, obviously Guardiola changed how football is played a lot, but I think the change in rule to allow teams with goal kicks to have possession in the box encourages it even more and is just as big, its a lot easier for teams with lesser skill level to build from the back now. As I said, I don't have a problem with it, but some of the decision making from our keeper on Saturday playing it to defenders facing their own goal and marked was crazy, Raith boss will have his team all over that on Saturday. I do think nerves and frustration played a part in the atmosphere Saturday.

can you tell me when that happened and what defender it was? I dont have any memory of that happening. There was the one with holt in the 2nd half but he was just getting in the way of a pass out wide

[ROMA84]

Still 9 points to play for between the teams, a win to keep us top would be great and achievable.

[Handsup]

This game will be a real test of nerve, who wants it? Who maintains game focus? Should be a belter!

[JUSTaway]

can you tell me when that happened and what defender it was? I dont have any memory of that happening. There was the one with holt in the 2nd half but he was just getting in the way of a pass out wide

First half, their first real chance, when the keeper played it to Holt and he had opponents all over him, slipped, and they had a one on one with the keeper, can't remember if he redeemed himself with a save or someone cleared off the line.

[tHeArAb]

First half, their first real chance, when the keeper played it to Holt and he had opponents all over him, slipped, and they had a one on one with the keeper, can't remember if he redeemed himself with a save or someone cleared off the line.

Was that not the Docherty slip?

[Whitfieldarab]

Gravity ❤ My favourite off that album.
Saw them in Cardiff 2002, brilliant band.
Hopefully it's Raith grounded not us.

I seen them live in Fatties back in the day and Danny McNamara was absolutely hopeless singing live but the band were good.....some really good songs though(but not live&#128585

[geofoxposse]

Currently the playing out slowly from the back has become predictable and teams set up against it. the rest of the play laterally has become pedestrian and predictable meaning we are easier to defend against.

[arab1970]

Was that not the Docherty slip?

yeah that was Docherty. The Ayr player was close to him but not up his arse he should have been able to deal with it.

Sibbald and Mochrie didnt seem to have a problem taking the ball in tight spaces. as a CDM its his job to take the ball off the goalie/defence with his back to play.

[arab777]

Some people have an absolute aversion to teams playing out from the back, obviously Guardiola changed how football is played a lot, but I think the change in rule to allow teams with goal kicks to have possession in the box encourages it even more and is just as big, its a lot easier for teams with lesser skill level to build from the back now. As I said, I don't have a problem with it, but some of the decision making from our keeper on Saturday playing it to defenders facing their own goal and marked was crazy, Raith boss will have his team all over that on Saturday. I do think nerves and frustration played a part in the atmosphere Saturday.

The reason why teams play out from the back now is modern data shows how ineffective hoofing the ball up the pitch is in comparison. Of course the risks are higher losing the ball in a dangerous area to surrendering possession half way up the pitch but 2 things, defenders and keepers just have to learn to get better at it but be able to mix it when options are limited or an opponent is particularly good at pressing.

Purists like Man City and Spurs can stick rigidly to it because of the players they have. Liverpool are a good example of a team that mixes it passing out but also killer balls up field when the opportunity arises.

A lot of the football we served up in The Premiership was mind-numbing. A familiar pattern of passes at the back then someone would punt the ball forward be picked up by the opposition and ball would come back towards us.