partickthedog

Fair comment, and Zander does give the team better balance if he plays wide. Both Robinson and McInroy are better central, McInroy for his accurate shooting from distance, and Robinson just being generally busy, winning balls in the air against taller defenders and being nimble and quick to react in the box. Starting to argue against myself now, so happy to leave the call to the manager!

Absolutely agree that it would be harsh, but a fit and firing Robinson is one of our best players who could be vital in such an important game. I suppose that Zander would have to make way, but he should get some significant game time later, as both Robinson and McInroy tend to fade after an hour.

If Robinson is fully fit, I can see him starting. I would expect that O’Reilly and Bannigan will be on the bench with the hope that they can come on later.

I do agree with the sentence I have underlined. Nevertheless, however morally and competitively bankrupt it might be, there is at least a stateable case for "agreeing a draw" tomorrow, so that both teams are securely in the play offs, and then both teams are free to go at it if they so wish in the 2 subsequent league fixtures with a view to securing third place. I do not personally agree with this suggestion, but I can understand why some might regard that as a reasonable course of action (or inaction!).

Sad news indeed and thoughts go out to his family. Am I right in recalling that Willie was given a lap of honour (or at least an extended round of applause) at Firhill after winning something (perhaps most likely the Commonwealth Championship)? I have an even more vague recollection that there was a proposal to stage one of his boxing contests at Firhill, but I do not think that it ever came to anything.

Assuming that we regard Stanway, Mackenzie and Diack as regular members of the first team squad, I suppose that you also have some of the other younger players (Loney, Horn etc) who have filled out the bench for our recent games. It is, however, difficult to imagine such inexperienced players being pitched in for any substantial part of a game that is in any way meaningful in terms of league position and prize money. There might also potentially be a slight question mark, even if a game is totally meaningless for us. Just say that come the last day of the season, we are either 4 points ahead of, or 4 points behind, Airdrie (ie the final result cannot affect our league position) and we are playing Dundee United, who have had a slight stumble and are only 2 points ahead of Raith Rovers. Is there any issue over competitive integrity, and could we be sanctioned for turning out a severely weakened team and handing Dundee United the automatic promotion place?

It was encouraging to see Fitzpatrick just about back to his best yesterday. Very unlucky with the deflected shot which hit the crossbar and he pulled a good save out of their keeper in the second half. Several other runs and crosses, and one of the cynical fouls on him when in full flight would certainly have attracted a blue card and consequent sinbinning if that idea had seen the light of day!

Only fair to Zander that I should update my halftime post. He became much more involved in the second half and turned in an excellent performance. Stanway was also impressive throughout.

Very strange pitch and the wind does not make it any easier. Raith look more confident in how to pass the ball, but we have put together some decent moves too. Unlucky with the one that hit the bar, but they have had some chances as well. Level about right. Mitchell very sound. Difficult to comment on other players as the game so lacking in continuity. Stanway showing up well and Zander perhaps finding it hard to work his way into the game, which is fully understandable.

Apologies. Got my lefts and rights mixed up. I meant to put Aero on the right, especially as he has some experience of being right back and might even get the chance to do some long throws. I had not realised that all 3 of my centre backs are right-footed. I appreciate that could make the back line somewhat unbalanced.

I think that technically he was the second player involved. The third was Andy Dowie who was judged rather less harshly as he was younger and less experienced at the time.

I would quite like a combination of your personnel with Laukat's formation, ie Mitchell McBeth Neilson Muirhead McMillan McInroy Stanway Milne Robinson Fitzpatrick Graham Only drawback is absence of Neilson may leave centre midfield a little lightweight.

To be fair, it would be somewhat difficult not to spot Stevie Fulton. The third member of the trio redeemed himself with the promotion clinching goal at Falkirk in 2013 (Chris Erskine's memorable sequel was merely the icing on the cake).

OK. Less than 24 hours to go till kick off, so I will bite. What do folk think about the game tomorrow?

Surely that has to be Jim Duffy (based on his current appearance and then subtracting 40 years. He actually has not changed that much).