I think we will win by the odd goal but I think the chances of winning the group stages went when Ayr turned over Falkirk.

At best we will get knocked out on goal difference.

A word that Jim uses quite a lot is "frustrating " and again these group stages are proving just that.

Wednesday was not the game to get minutes in the legs for some if we wanted to progress, it was a time to try and recover a negative goal difference which this group will come down to imo.

There will be little sympathy from anyone should we fail to get out and a rocky few weeks lie ahead I fear.

CCX2 2010 wrote:

I think we will win by the odd goal but I think the chances of winning the group stages went when Ayr turned over Falkirk.

At best we will get knocked out on goal difference.

A word that Jim uses quite a lot is "frustrating " and again these group stages are proving just that.

Wednesday was not the game to get minutes in the legs for some if we wanted to progress, it was a time to try and recover a negative goal difference which this group will come down to imo.

There will be little sympathy from anyone should we fail to get out and a rocky few weeks lie ahead I fear.

 If we win on Saturday then we only need to beat Buckie on Tuesday to finish on 9 points. No other team in our group would then be able to get more than 9 points either so I think we'd likely end up winning the group, probably could do with scoring a few goals in both games though right enough.

Arabdownsouth wrote:

CCX2 2010 wrote:

I think we will win by the odd goal but I think the chances of winning the group stages went when Ayr turned over Falkirk.

At best we will get knocked out on goal difference.

A word that Jim uses quite a lot is "frustrating " and again these group stages are proving just that.

Wednesday was not the game to get minutes in the legs for some if we wanted to progress, it was a time to try and recover a negative goal difference which this group will come down to imo.

There will be little sympathy from anyone should we fail to get out and a rocky few weeks lie ahead I fear.

 If we win on Saturday then we only need to beat Buckie on Tuesday to finish on 9 points. No other team in our group would then be able to get more than 9 points either so I think we'd likely end up winning the group, probably could do with scoring a few goals in both games though right enough.

 

Reversed positions from last season ADS, it's me being pessimistic and you the optimist 😃

Time will tell I suppose but I think Falkirk and Ayr will hammer Stenny and Buckie

Arabdownsouth wrote:

CCX2 2010 wrote:

Arabdownsouth wrote:

 If we win on Saturday then we only need to beat Buckie on Tuesday to finish on 9 points. No other team in our group would then be able to get more than 9 points either so I think we'd likely end up winning the group, probably could do with scoring a few goals in both games though right enough.

 

Reversed positions from last season ADS, it's me being pessimistic and you the optimist 😃

Time will tell I suppose but I think Falkirk and Ayr will hammer Stenny and Buckie

 
Possibly but I think we will hammer Buckie too on that basis and if we beat Ayr then I still feel we should have enough. Could be wrong of course,it has been known 🤣🤣

 
9pts should be enough to qualify in the 3 best losers spots anyway which will do.

Decent first half, we look a threat going forward.

Sibbald is a wee bit below his usual standard.

Actually enjoyed that game, thought both teams were decent tbf, ayr look miles better than last season

Sevejl isn’t a right back glad we’ve got that out the way, Middleton has completely played himself out the picture with his 3 performances in this cup genuinely pathetic, watt obviously been told he’s got no future with club, actually thought Grimshaw came on and did a aright job in the middle- certainly put a lot more effort in than the other 2, and what a debut for Forbes that is a incredible free kick

Ferry is going to be a asset- serious player

I'm a glass half full kinda guy, Babunski, Trapanovski and Ferry all look very good acquisitions, some nice play, only let down by the final ball/finishing

The areas of concern, another CDM, front player, CB and and another striker, do seem to be the same ones the manager has identified.

Sevejl once up to speed will be fine, maybe even fill that CDM role.

The technical ability is there, but our game is often breakneck speed, most foreign players need a period of adjustment.
 

First time i've really had a good look at the boys this Season so apologies for quite a long post.

Thought Babunski and Ferry looked different class.

Babunski just an absolute baller and his delivery from set-pieces very good. Was also looking up and playing great balls over the top that better players would have read and been on too. We must, must, MUST sign someone with pace, who can play off the shoulder of a Defender, because they'd have a field day with Babunski's service. Very impressed with him technically.

Ferry was my MotM. Just endless energy getting up and down the flank and was constantly looking to get forward and even drive into the opposition box. Early days and don't want to build him up too much but his performance today reminded me of Andy Robertson at us. I am aware it was just against Ayr, but i actually thought they were not bad. A fit, organised team.

Other players who done well -

Trapanovski. Good skill and constantly beat his man and was cutting inside looking for movement. My only slight concern is opposition Manager's will quickly suss out his tactic of cutting inside and will brief their Right Back accordingly to just stand to the left a bit and not show him the outside. Can he be the type of winger who can also hit the byeline and get in a good cross? I guess time will tell.

Ross Graham. Never covered himself in glory at their goal, but other than that i thought he had a strong game and was very good in the air. Seems quite vocal these days too.

Another positive is i thought our passing was very good at times today. Particularly from the players i mentioned above.

Negatives -

Vicko Sevelj. For me the experiment to play him RWB didn't really work. He wasn't dreadful, he just wasn't particularly good either. That's three positions he's played for us in a week (CH,RWB,CM) and he's been underwhelming in all. I hope Goodwin doesn't just stubbornly play him because he's his signing. He will need to earn his shirt.

Craig Sibbald. My Mr Consistent at Utd but wasn't at the races today. I'm not sure if he's struggling not having someone like Docherty beside him (probably), but everything he done today was a yard off it. An uncharacteristic off day for him.

Louis Moult. Led the line poorly for me today. Nowhere near enough movement off the ball for me when players like Trapanovski were getting in and around the box, they were looking for options and runners and he was to static too often. Lost a few 50/50s in and around the box, and was slow to react to the one chance he did have. We need more from him.

Glenn Middleton - No lack of effort but just poor stuff again from him and deservedly subbed off.

Tony Watt - Just a complete non-appearance from him again in his cameo. Totally unprofessional stuff.

Will finish on a positive. The main positive of the day. Brandon Forbes.

Best debut goal i've seen from a Utd player, i think. Definitely from a youngster, anyway. Take a bow young man. Was playing boys club football as recently as 22/23.

He is raw but he looks to have something about him definitely. I liked the look of him even in the highlights against Brechin 3 weeks back. Takes men on and looks to get forward at every opportunity. i just hope we don't try and coach that out of him.

On to Buckie midweek to play against the Highland league part-timers who will be playing their 3rd match in ten days or so. We need to get attacking them from the 1st whistle and then keep our foot on their throat when we get on top. Think we'll need 7 goals minimum to get through the group on goal difference.

Unless Stenny can do us a favour. Doubtful and better to just do our business and not rely on others.