I enjoyed today's game (well, yesterdays now) and felt it was a massive improvement on the previous two Premier Sports matches (a low bar admittedly).

Ferry makes a hell of a difference to us. That was him after only two days training btw. If he does depart this window then we better have a helluva replacement up our sleeve because Naamo is certainly not the answer (nor is Neil Farrugia).

Apparently, so long as we beat Spartans by about 2 or 3 goals, we have a very good chance of progressing as best runner-up, even if Montrose don't slip up.

I'll give Goodwin a rare bit of credit tactically btw, for subbing off the awful Agyei and going more attacking with Eskesen (and actually playing him as a No.10 at long, long last). We do not need 3 CDM's against Arbroath at home and i'm glad he rectified it early. Same again on Tuesday please. Let the flair players play.

There were positives tonight - Winning, scoring goals, three strikers scoring.

And negatives - Entire midfield were garbage (bar Eskesen).

Finally, wtf was that colour clash all about with the strips? Was very hard at times to see who was who in the sunshine, albeit i'm slightly colourblind.

My player ratings -

Walton 6 - Has literally had nothing to do in all 3 matches. So hard to judge him, thus far.

Rawlins 6 - Thought he was 'ok'.

Esselink 6 - Seen him getting slated a bit on social media. Thought he was ok, personally. Two clean sheets in both the games he's played in. Can't ask for much more than that.

Forbes 6 - Again, haven't lost a goal when he's been on the pitch, so far. Can't ask for much more. Still think his long passing has to improve significantly though.

Ferry 8 - Our best player by miles. For the love of God, play him in every single match until the day he departs and stop trying to push him out the door ffs. If a suitable bid comes in, it comes in. But just get on with it until then

Tait 6 - Wants the ball a lot, but have yet to see him do anything of note with it. Not quite seeing the hype, as yet.

Agyei 5 - Slightly worrying that he has started the season so poorly. Was abysmal tonight and was poor against Stirling also. 

Sevelj 5 - Two seasons in a row he has started very poorly now. Garbage tonight. Lost count of how often he gave the ball away. He better get his finger out because once Farrugia is fit we have a lot of midfield options.

Randall 7 - Good debut i thought. Lovely pass to Sapsford for what ended up the 2nd goal. Good to see he can play right wing as well as on the left.

Metsoko 7 - He impressed me in his first start. Scored one, another goal chopped off and a (beautiful) assist for Sapsford's goal. Also hit the post. Think he is going to be decent. Looks a handful.

Sapsford 7 - A mixed game for Zac. He frustrates the life out of you at times, but then once in a while he pops up with a goal like he scores today, which was a great finish. Glad he has a couple of goals under his belt early in the campaign. Big season for him. Needs to start really believing in himself and running at players like he used too, because he's a right good player wee player when he's on it.

Subs -

Naamo 5 - Constantly flatters to deceive. I don't get Goodwin's fondness for him. I'd be looking to get him out the door tbh.

Rose 7 - Happy that he got his first Utd goal. Technically i think he's a poor player, but you can't dispute that the lad knocks his absolute pan in. Pressed Arbroath defence and Keeper constantly. He got lucky somewhat with his goal as it was actually a bit of a sclaff, but nonetheless, it hit the back of the net and i'm hoping it subsequently might breed some confidence in him. Always good for a Striker to get off the mark early, as the longer it goes on it can be a noose round your neck.

Eskesen 7 - He massively helped change the game in our favour imo. Huge difference having a midfielder who actually wants to create for the forwards and get forward. Nice assist for Rose's goal and got in good positions in one or two other occasions. Should have burst the net open with one of his chances. Must start him as No.10 against Spartans and see if he can build on it.

Camara 6 - Quiet. One atrocious attempt at a shot near the end. What has happened to the Pan who covered every blade of grass and looked our main man? So safe in his play now. Only playing short sideways passes.

Leiper 6 - Again, i liked that the young boy just wanted to attack. Hopefully we get to see him have another wee cameo against Spartans.

 

redford_must_score wrote:

Agree about the strip clash Tek. A couple of times I thought we'd played a defence splitting pass only to realise it was an Arbroath player who received it.
How that was thought to be acceptable I don't know.
And I'm also so slightly colour blind on shades of colours so it wasn't enjoyable.

I can only assume Arbroath's new away kit isn't out yet, but the ref should have just asked us to play in ours in that case.

Tinpot stuff.

Thought the ref was very poor actually, whilst i'm at it. Wouldn't let the game flow and gave two very harsh yellows to Randall and Bert (the former a disgraceful decision actually).
 

Tek wrote:

redford_must_score wrote:

Agree about the strip clash Tek. A couple of times I thought we'd played a defence splitting pass only to realise it was an Arbroath player who received it.
How that was thought to be acceptable I don't know.
And I'm also so slightly colour blind on shades of colours so it wasn't enjoyable.

I can only assume Arbroath's new away kit isn't out yet, but the ref should have just asked us to play in ours in that case.

Tinpot stuff.

Thought the ref was very poor actually, whilst i'm at it. Wouldn't let the game flow and gave two very harsh yellows to Randall and Bert (the former a disgraceful decision actually).
 

 
To add to the strips clash Walton’s jerseys was the same bright yellow as the referee, but it’s good to get back to the general chaos of Scottish football after a summer of World Cup water breaks and a ridiculous 30m half time in tonight’s final

I feel sorry for whatever left back we sign, he is on a hiding to nothing. It stands to reason he'll be miles away from Ferry's level, as we are not away to pick up a player worth ~£2m for nothing. Hope he gets the time to settle in before getting written off. The lads in front of me last night had Metsoko down as a dud after the first 10 minutes. Football fans are fucking mental at times.

Arabdownsouth wrote:

LarsErikKjell wrote:

I feel sorry for whatever left back we sign, he is on a hiding to nothing. It stands to reason he'll be miles away from Ferry's level, as we are not away to pick up a player worth ~£2m for nothing. Hope he gets the time to settle in before getting written off. The lads in front of me last night had Metsoko down as a dud after the first 10 minutes. Football fans are fucking mental at times.

 
Metsoko takes up really good positions tbf and once fully up to speed could be a real threat this season. Interested to see what Mehgrem can add also.

 
When he scored his goal they were saying how he almost fucked it up and missed. Not a clue why some people go to the football if they don't get a wee bit of a joy from it. Great assist for Sapsford too.

Having the 3 options of Sapsford, Metsoko and Rose really gives us options to mix up our play this season. Not even sure myself which one I'd pick to start against Rangers.

LarsErikKjell wrote:

I feel sorry for whatever left back we sign, he is on a hiding to nothing. It stands to reason he'll be miles away from Ferry's level, as we are not away to pick up a player worth ~£2m for nothing. Hope he gets the time to settle in before getting written off. The lads in front of me last night had Metsoko down as a dud after the first 10 minutes. Football fans are fucking mental at times.

 

I think we'll be pleasantly surprised, announcement soon.

Tuned in seen the strip clash, the work experience ref, the Tory on the sideline, feared the worst.

Very comfortable, shoul've scored kore, front three loko like they'l cuase issues for most teams, Sapsford puts in a lovely ball from wide, with better understanding/ that'll be a useful weapon.

Not much to moan about ,build on this on Tuesday and we're in a better place, still a few players to come in and a few to come back from injury/building fitness.

All aboard the Shedcoaster!