FIRESTICK BRIGADE- FIRESTICK BRIGADE  ATTENTION.

Wow that opening 15/20 mins was absolutely dreadful, genuinely couldn’t string 2 passes together, Lyall Cameron dragged us back in to that game- a very impressive debut.

Once we actually calmed down the last 60 we were in control, we really need to get a grip of games early doors, the amount of games we’ve went a goal down this year is worrying.

Sapsford and Bennie need dropped- Bennie was sort of coming into the game before he came off but seriously they need a rocket up there arse, wondering up, huffing and puffing.

The front 3 who finished the game should be starting next game, all 3 are direct and bring energy, farrugia gets a tough time but there is something there, he’s a big powerful lad

Not happy with the result. As most of us have commented we badly need a striker.

But we are dominating games this season. 60% possession and 27 shots in 1 game are stats we haven’t been coming close to in tbe past 2 seasons.

JerryDungle wrote:

First half hour was god awful, as bad as we’ve played this season. The players looked like they’d never even trained together, much less played together. But we were the better side after that, but my god, we’re gonna struggle to score goals this season, we have zero threat up front. Sapsford offers nothing there, he’s occasionally effective as an inside forward coming off the left, but he’s simply not a striker. Rose has to play for me. He might not look the most technically gifted, but he’s quick, and he presses properly and aggressively, which will give you some chances at some points.

Accepting that our strikers aren’t goons score loads, the best alternative for me is to move from a 433 to a 4231, and get a midfielder closer to the striker. We have good players to do it, Cameron, Yoro and Tait all are probably best played in the 10 anyway.

By god though, Bert has to do much better at their goal. That lack of aggression and switching off is exactly why he lost his place last season.

What’s the huddle all about btw? Is it some sort of tribute to Goodwin?

 
I said the same myself after the game that we should probably move to a 4231 with a No10 beside a central striker, IMO Rose the best option,
Bert needs replaced by Lovu. Bert loses far too many headers and for me was at the heart of the panicky disjointed opening 30mins


Overall the feeling after that was it was vital not to lose at home to a potential relegation rival.

There was a good few players who didn’t contribute today but that was an all timer from Sapsford. 

I genuinely think he is on the same level as Watters now and in terms of an individual performance i think that was worse than anything Watters ever produced.

Sapsford’s first touch, dribbling, pace, finishing, movement on and off the ball, anticipation of a ball and pressing/stamina have all disappeared, in particular today his first touch was just dire as it is for a few others but him in particular. I don’t mean to be harsh on him but genuinely that was one of the worst performances i have ever seen and his only chance he couldn’t even connect with the ball on. 

We DESPERATELY NEED a striker or we will be relegated.

Agree about 4-2-3-1

As our 4-3-3 could involve two of the midfielders holding and the other more forward it’s not a big jump away

We have bought some good midfielders so that is where our strength lies

Not giving up on Rose or Metsoko yet

I’d also add that I think Stirton can be a good striker and I hope he gets his chance next season

Genuinely horrific start to the game today. We could and should have been 2 nil down within 10 minutes. Thankfully for us Ryan Strain couldn't put the ball into a near empty net.

Genuinely felt we were getting played off the park and it was looking as if it would be every bit as bad as the 3-0 defeat of last season. Definitely were the better team once we grew into it though.

To utterly dominate the stats like this though and only scramble a draw after a defender scores a late header is very worrying. 

We have tried every combination of forward players and we just don't look like scoring.

We must sign two Strikers. One asap. And one in January. If we don't sign an out of contract Striker then we're in relegation trouble. It's that simple.

For Metsoko not to come on once again when we are chasing a game speaks volumes. Like others i don't think the budget has been spent wisely. There is a clear squad imbalance where we are overloaded in some areas and barren in others. This has been an on-going theme every season under Jim Goodwin.

I will commend the players for fighting until the very end. A draw was the least they deserved.

P.s. Best wishes to Jim Goodwin. I didn't think he looked particularly well at all in the picture the club posted. Whatever my thoughts on him as a Manager that pales into insignificance when it comes to a man's health. I hope he isn't rushing back too quickly. He should take the time he needs and only return when he feels fit enough to do so.

My player ratings -

Walton 5 - Distribution horrific at times.

Rawlins 5 - Just don't rate him.

Esselink 5 - Poor day at the office today.

Forbes 6 - Still unconvinced about him defensively, but done well at the equaliser.

Ciubotaro 6 - Not sure about him yet. Decent shot from him first half.

Tait 5 - Don't rate him at all. In fact i think he's shite.

Camara 6 - Was 'ok'.

Cameron 7 - Good debut and one of our best players when he was on the pitch. Good effort from him first half that Bain saved well.

Bennie 4 - Bowfing.

Sapsford 3 - My God. What has happened to him (i feel like i ask this weekly)? Atrocious today. First touch appalling and just looks like he can't beat a man or anticipate a pass or cross anymore. Never seen a fall-off like it from a United player. 

Merghem 4 - A real blow if he's injured long term. Actually think he's one of our better Summer signings.

Subs -

Randall 6 - A bit brighter today in terms of movement and possession, but just frustrates so much with his end product.

Rose 5 - Presses well, but that's it. Never the answer.

Farrugia 6 - Don't rate him at all but he done 'ok' when he came on.

Iqbal 6 - Good cameo. Looks promising.

Yoro 6 - Done ok. We were told he was an exciting No.10 who would score goals though. Looking at his positioning today at times it looked like we are playing him DCM. Good cross for our equaliser.





 

Strikers are a big worry, genuinely none of them look like scoring at all- the boy mestoko looks most capable however that derby performance was really poor, don’t think we should write him off just yet

Sapsford I thought was our best but his form this year has been dreadful, shadow of the player who started his United career.

Rose is a nuisance, doesn’t look like a finisher, need to see it again but the one at the back post where he over head kicked it, should have been buried.

Seen tait getting stick I actually really like him - he looks a player right now who is trying to do far to much but I do think his first thought is to be positive, think as the season goes on he’ll build up relationships with the wingers and striker. I’m hoping anyway

What's the fucking point in VAR?

That's a pen every day of the week on Randall.

Watching some of St Mirren v Celtic, the picture quality and angles are shite for deciding things, you either get the best tech or you do fuck all.