Jaggernaut

This week and last week, not so many new posts on any topic. Is that because most people expect us just to qualify for the playoffs (again) and then fail to win promotion (again)? Or is there some other reason? Of course, people may have lives outwith the forum! I don't (well, not so much!).

For sale at McTears Auctions.... Estimated price: 50 to 80 quid! Why doesn't somebody make a batch of them? They would surely sell (though not at that price!)

Question: Is like for like replacements what we want when one or more subs is required? If so, then the implication seems to be that no changes in approach are to be expected, just more of the same, with slightly fresher legs. Doesn't that usually fail (at least for us), and lead to more criticisms of the manager? On many occasions (usually those where subs have failed to make any real impression, or they've come on ridiculously late) supporters have lambasted the manager for just continuing to plough the same unproductive furrow, having simply replaced one ox with another (my own simile!). Of course there are also cases where changing the entire balance and solidity of the team due to substitutions has also resulted in catastrophe (look no further than Thistle). I guess the question is: Is it better to try new things with subs, or to stick with the same approach, hoping for fresh legs and new motivation leading to a positive outcome? Actually, I'm sure there are examples of failures and successes for both.

Those highlights were entertaining throughout.

Ineptitude characterized most of the Thistle players. Basic ball control, passing, closing down, crossing (Fitzpatrick balloons his crosses over everybody's head every week!), it was awful, dreadful stuff to watch. Incapable of keeping possession of the ball against 10 men, yet all too willing to hit horizontal and backwards passes to each in other in our half for minutes on end before their red card. Neilsen had an absolute nightmare of a match. Great shot by Stanway and follow-up by Robinson for the goal, and Mitchell didn't do anything wrong throughout. But it was truly dire stuff to watch, which makes it a great win!😀 ETA: For me, Lawal of ICT was easily the best player on the park. Would like to see him in our squad.

Wasn't Slim Pickins one half of a duo with Fat Burns? Old school joke: A: D'ye know Baldy Woods? B: Naw. A: D'ye know Fat Burns? B: Naw A: Well, it dis!

That would make our victory even sweeter!

I'll need to scour the web for a free live stream.....

We should be prepared for similar dubious officiating.

Today's match at Tynecastle is not even listed on the Brit B*******ting Corp's list of Today's Fixtures. Of course, English women's matches are there. Nuff said.

Another trivial contribution: I remember checking years ago (why? probably bored) and finding that the most common surname of all the players who have ever played for thistle is:............................................................................... Gibson. Thank you.

Not to mention the year-round mild and pleasant weather. I should think that t-shirts and shorts will be all you need to wear in the little tropical paradise of Gayfield this afternoon.

I vaguely remember being disappointed when Joe McBride left, though I was really too young to take it in. But Tommy Gibb, yes, for me that was the real first heart-sinking loss. He was some player, and I always wondered why he never got to play for Scotland.

Happy to oblige! 746, Stirling Albion (home): G. Bennie, Alloa (Yellow Flag); W. W. Campbell, Irvine (Red Flag) 747, Stranraer (away): Mr A. McCririck, Kilmarnock; Mr J. McWhan, Dumfries Hero, Just for one day. 😇

From the matchday programmes: 746, Stirling Albion (home): R. H. Davidson (Airdrie) 747, Stranraer (away): Mr B. Padden (Ardrossan)

A good read, thanks.

Off topic, but I reckon that maybe after whisky, Walker's Shortbread must be the most widely exported Scottish product in the world. I've seen it on shop shelves in every of the many countries I've visited.

For a moment I thought the best man was Pete Ham, of Badfinger fame!

For anybody who hasn't yet seen it, the Ladies' League Cup Final song is up on Youtube.

Thanks; actually, that's what I thought it must have been. The kind of performance that makes you wonder about the officials' motivations.

The PTWFC highlights show no controversial incidents at all. But having seen some of the other refereeing performances in these games, I wouldn't expect anything less than dire incompetence.

All 18 players listed for Thistle on Saturday were Scottish. Isn't that pretty unusual these days?

That's my view on the game as well. On the others: Mitchell had a couple of good saves, and looked comfortable throughout. Thought Milne was careless at times. The McMillan and Lawless partnership worked mostly well, for the first time in a while. Fitzpatrick made some good runs, one terrific one in the 2nd half; his final ball too often lets the move down. Muirhead: had a good game. Neilsen: I'd rather see him where he played yesterday than as a central defender. BBG: worked hard throughout, unlucky his first burst through the defence and shot at goal wasn't placed slightly better. McInroy worked hard too, with some effective harrying of the opposition, not giving them time on the ball. A better performance than of late.

Definitely. As soon as one goes out for a shy, another immediately gets thrown onto the park from somewhere

Got a feeling that a underwhelming draw is tomorrow's fate.