Full time 2-0.

Good headed goal from Murray and a quality free kick from Fraser.

Decent performance I thought, keeper and, full backs good, the centre halves were shocking, Willo and Murdoch were excellent, Fraser and Obadeyi good, Murray decent, VDV quiet.

Subs had no impact at all.

Deserved victory - onwards and upwards.

Progress to the next round is all u can ask for in a cup so job done.

Van Der Velden is class, Fraser played well, Flood and Murdoch look like they lol boss most games this season, Robson played well, Bell had very little to do, thought the rest were poor, Donaldson and Durnan very poor and Toshney, while ok going forward shocking defensively. 

Dunfermline might scrape a play off place, but they'll be nowhere near the points total of the top 3, tougher tests ahead. Hopefully we can sort that bloody defence out.

My thoughts on today....

Good solid win that we deserved and progress from a tough group ultimately achieved so from that point of view a satisfying result all-round.

Willo was my motm.He is looking better than ever going on today. Was all over the park and completely bossed the midfield. Unlucky not to score also.

Murdoch done ok also. Likes to get stuck in and reminds me of Paton in that regard.

The three attacking midfielders all done well. Really taking to Obadeyi. Loving his directness and turn of pace. He also puts in those low whipped crosses with pace that make defenders panic into mistakes at times. I hope his injury isn't too bad as he's already an important player for us

Fraser had a good game (the hairband must be working),and VDV looks a very tidy player indeed. Very good game awareness and looks like a naturally fit guy (he's only 6 months younger than Guy Demel too).

Murray took his goal well and what I like about him is that even if things ain't going for him he keeps plugging away which is a good trait to have in life. He didn't let his head go down after missing those two chances in the 1st half. He'll get 20+ goals this season if he stays fit.

Jamie Robson had as good a game as I've seen from a Utd defender at 18.He's ready to challenge Dixon for that LB slot now and may end up making that jersey his own.

Now the negatives...

One or two of my Hun acquaintances referred to Cammy Bell as a 'flapper' when I asked their opinion on him. Sadly I'm beginning to think they were correct in their verdict. Don't get me wrong he's a decent enough shot stopper but he flapped once again at a bread and butter cross from a corner and was lucky a Dunfermline player never anticipated his error. That's two or three flaps now and I worry he'll cost us goals in the future if opposition teams target this chink in his armour and put player/s near him.

Toshney I don't rate.Never understood the hype at Dundee and defensively he looks a bit of a big haddie to me at the moment. Delighted if I get proved wrong over the course of the season.

Donaldson just a big fairy.Can't head or tackle very well and positionally not great either. Pretty fucking problematic if your position is Centre Half.

Durnan I actually thought was 'ok'. If he was playing beside an Andy Webster or Lee Wilkie type I think he'd do fine. Unfortunately for him he's always played beside a Donaldson, Dillon or Gunning.

We badly badly badly need a big fuck off Centre Half. A Captain.

My other minor criticism (well more a comment than a criticism actually ) is that a lot of our attacking players are all much of a muchness. VDV, Fraser, Spittal, Cammy Smith even Anier are all more the 'link-up' type players in the final third rather than out and out penalty box forwards.

Get a physical penalty box striker who can head the ball and the aforementioned big 'Fuck off' Centre Half and I think we all have reason to be pretty optimistic about what this team could achieve this season.

What happened to thon El Bahktoui?

Injured or sold?

Deffo require a left sided centre half who will play every week and I'm sure we'll get on in the next month, personally would like to see Toshney play right centre half over the others.

Think Ray would like another striker but imagine he would need to move one or two in first to get him.

I'm amazed Donaldson is getting so much game time after is Gayfield performance. Agreed Toshney isn't great and has a Callum Morris feel to his game and I think we'll see I'm suspended as much as playing.

Anyone else thinking Souttar and Durnan may be our best CH combo?

However, loving the way we're playing going forward. Good start from RM.

As things stand then, who is our best two?

Its glaringly obvious we need a proper CH who doesn't flap and wins headers


Have to say Toshney didn't impress me at all today but I'm expecting better to come from him, Willo and Murdoch look the biz.

Flood and Murdoch were excellent, what a difference in that part of the pitch from last season.  Thought we were very comfortable for the most part today - have read a lot of people tipping Dunfermline to be up there at the top end of the table, have to say on that showing I'm not convinced - just one game though I suppose.

Jamie Robson is going to be a very good player for us.

I wasnae in a fit state to post anything last night. Ended up on the spree for a few hours after the game, and when me and the young lad came in, we had missed a surprise family birthday bash my wife had arranged, so got my ears bashed instead.

Thought it was a very good game, and in the end a fairly comfortable win.
Bell didna have a lot to do, but he did make a few good saves, esp. the Donaldson faux pas.
Donaldson had a no bad game apart from his faux-pas on the by-line. Looked to be injured for a wee while before half-time and thought be might be hooked.
Durnan was a wee bit flaky good, but did have a few good headers forward
Flood was pretty outstanding, some of his tackles were top class
Fraser's goal was top class. I've been one of his critics in recent months, when he runs about holding onto the ball then eventually losing possession, but most of that was due to there no being anychunt within 20 yards of him.
Murdoch looked very comfortable. Him and Willo in midfield are a good pairing
Murray caused them loads of problems. he shoulda scored a couple. Still dinna like him being up on his own
Obadeyi's pace is something we can use to our advantage - paired up front with Murray -
Robson started a bit nervy, but he came into the game very quickly, and was part of the proceedings  for Murray's goal
Toshney was a bit off today. A couple of swiped clearances, which coulda been dangerous
Van The Man Velden showed off some very good classy passes, but he didna have a lot of the ball. He was involved in the build-up for Murray's goal tho. Still on the wait and see bench with him

Anier has plenty strength. Was it no him that got us the foul for the 2nd goal?
Spittal didna do lots, he gave away possession one or twice
Telfer wasna on long enough to have much of an effect on the game

MOTM for me was either Willo or Robson

It was a good performance. Only criticism was that we are guilty of being caught out of position, a hang-up from last Season.

Tek wrote:

Andy wrote:

He's on trial at Blackburn TEK, if he doesn't get a deal there The Fun are offering him a deal.

 
Hopefully Blackburn like what they see and offer him a deal cos that would be a great signing for the BNB's imo.

Signed for the Fun, 3 year deal.

Andy wrote:

Tek wrote:

Andy wrote:

He's on trial at Blackburn TEK, if he doesn't get a deal there The Fun are offering him a deal.

 
Hopefully Blackburn like what they see and offer him a deal cos that would be a great signing for the BNB's imo.

Signed for the Fun, 3 year deal.

 
Bastards.

Very good signing imo.