docspiderman

Losing late goals seems to have happened more in the last couple of seasons as well added to the inability or reluctance to kill off the opposition goes a long way to explain our lack of success. My blood pressure goes through the roof when we try to kill off games by passing sideways and back just outside our box instead of keeping possession by playing triangles inside the opposition half.

So virtually one game a month, if we are talking domestic cups, assuming we get to finals and basically a permanent number 2. If Butland is the choice, a number 2 to the third choice Palace keeper who has hardly played for some time. Decisions have to be made because McLaughlin never has and never could be good enough to be our number 1.

Weston is an example where like a lot of others we loan out, especially to part time teams, only get a few minutes at the end of games. We really need to be more selective or maybe loaning is just a nice way to bin these players.

Very much doubt it judging by our record over the past 40 years.

Sadly our record of putting players out on loan and getting them returning to play in our first team is abysmal. Adam and McGregor were successful years ago but the majority seemed to be unable to get starts regularly and some like Weston only get on for a few minutes at the end of games. it is quite sad that in a two team league in this footballing backwater where third place is often 30 to 40 points behind second that we fear giving a young player any game time even if it is an odd 5 minute spell late in games. As I said elsewhere it is a good thing the likes of Willie Henderson, Derek Johnstone and many other legends from the fifties and sixties were not coming through these days.

Better than being 3rd choice at Palace.

Just how many midfielders do we need or can use?

When would it be time then? Wait until he has been number 2 or 3 for another 3 or 4 years with next to no game time? We have to start giving chances to our own products some time.

Was at home; old friends who live in Australia were over for a couple of weeks and came to visit. Had the game on television and was hoping they would leave so we could go to Ibrox. Eventually got there just as the celebrations were ending.

Worry for me is that he has to show in big games and that he still has not learned the lesson that he cannot dally on the ball in old firm games. Also not sure that he would be happy to play in Scotland for another few years.

Shows that never judge a player in a friendly training match.

Absolutely, it is a good thing that the likes of Willie Henderson, Derek Johnstone were not coming through now since they would have no chance of any game time. In the 59,s and 60,s 16 and 17 year olds came into the team and became legends and when you take into account the vast increase in nutrition, health and conditioning of modern day teenagers who are probably the equivalent of 23/24 year olds then it is crazy that our youth are protected to the point of never being tested. I imagine Mbappe being told he was too young to be thrown into the two team backwater league that we play,

Great news if they do go, why we signed Wright who was not good enough for a poor Aberdeen side baffled me. On a business aspect Aberdeen must be having hysterics laughing at us for exchanging Wright for McCrorie who looks to be bringing them in £2 million..

Why play 3 CBs when for 34 domestic games teams sit back and defend against us and the other 4 games the scum play with one central striker and two wingers who hug the touchline? Maybe just ask the holding midfielders to do their job and slot in when the full backs go forward.

The big gap is quality of squad; they can bring on forwards from the bench who are goal threats.We have rejects like Wright, failed projects Sakala, Matondo and for a few games a season Arfield hits a golden spell and Roofe who has the quality and the experience to deliver but seems to be fit for a few substitute appearances.

When we look at the bench it shows how much more has to be done while getting at least 5 new first choice starters.

Groundhog Day, surely at least one of our coaches and players must have noticed that Celtic take quick free kicks etc. Surely our players have been told at some point in their football life to play to the whistle and not stand like primary school kids waiting for permission to move. Surely our full backs have seen or been told that Celtic wide players stay wide and then come into the box when the ball comes from their other side. Barasic always seems so surprised when he sees that he has given their winger 20 yards of space or a start. Surely Kent has been told to help out now and again. We fail time and time again to do the basics, to keep concentration, to hit the target from clear chances.

What was evident today was the complete lack of self pride from so many of our players. Nothing to play for but pride in their performances and the lack of tempo, intensity, the lack of determination and willingness to fight to win was clear enough to see that lack of pride. Then there is the lack of attacking commitment, it looks as if we pass the ball backwards more than forwards. I do realise that passing back or to the side is done to move the opposition and to create different angles but to me it seems to be the first instinct rather than make quick forward passes. Also of our free kicks inside the opposition half today only one went forward, the rest ended with us back in our half. The players are too happy to use the slow build up which gives opponents so much time to set up to defend which makes me wonder if our team fears the responsibility of trying to shoot for goal. It is all very well blaming lack of quality on the pitch and especially on the bench but other teams have less quality but at least they are prepared to dig in and fight for a result.

Good players learn, adapt and improve.Tillman has ability and skill but has not learned from his previous old firm experiences where the same criticism was voiced. That would worry me if I had to make the decision.

I doubt any keeper could have sprinted across his box from a standing start and got the ball before a speed merchant who was on his way. It was simply a howler from Souttar who passed back with no idea where his keeper was or just miss kicked it.

A maxing how people have such different opinions. I thought he was abysmal all through. Passing several times straight to the opposition in the first half.Made a couple of howlers in the second which should have cost us but didn’t then the shocker for their third and the one Lunstram got him off the hook.

He was abysmal but luckily only one of his errors cost a goal, there were two others that should have been goals and Lunsdram bailed him out at the end when he played the opposition onside. A championship player at best as long as he has another two central defenders to cover for him. Surely someone at the club would have seen his weaknesses over the years playing us?

Correct, what chance has any manager when he has a bench with a bottom six substitute quality in Wright and Colak etc.

Must admit I was wrong about Souttar, always thought he was hopeless but proved he is even worse than that. He got away with a few today which they passed up the chances he created for them like the one Lundstram cleared after Souttar played them on with his lack of football awareness.

He will have to do that or play a third central defender to cover Souttar.