Tade & Lyle

Where to begin? There was so much wrong with our team, their tactics and their performance I quite honestly don’t have the time, or the appetite to write it all. (1) For me, the main issue is that I don’t think we created one chance in the whole 90 minutes. This isn’t just Paul Tyrell’s fault; let’s face it, he isn’t in the team because of his creative passing; but the team in general, and the tactics. Why were we playing 4-5-1 exactly? I presume we did this because Money realises that our midfield is the weakest link, as opposed to simply the weak link, and we needed some creativity in there in the shape of Hampshire. Fair enough, but why not play him in there as part of a 4-4-2? If we can’t create anything up front, we aren’t going to do it with one striker, are we? (2) You’d think if Money was good for nothing else, it would be that he could spot a good keeper. Aye right. The only time Hillcoat came off his line was to give the Stranraer fans some verbals and to flick the “V” sign at them. Nice one John. Willie McCulloch or John Hillcoat, ex Brechin reserve keeper? It’s a difficult one isn’t it? I don’t think I have seen him catch a cross ball once. Admittedly, yesterday they were difficult in swinging corners (as opposed to delicate chips into the keepers arms, which we have made our trademark) but you surely expect more from an experienced keeper like him. There’s more to being a goalie than the spectacular diving saves, surely Money must realise that? But what’s the alternative? There isn’t one. (3) The last time I saw us the one saving grace was that our defence was quite solid and was playing with confidence. Where has this confidence gone? As soon as we went one down the back 4, plus the goalie, just crumbled The two full backs, Lyle in particular, were appalling. Persistently mis-hitting passes, with Lyle also being culpable in two of their goals. And remind me why we play a right footed player at left back? (4) After the Arbroath game, the one dramatic change from last season was that the team gave loads of commitment to the cause. We might not have liked Tade’s antics yesterday whenever anyone went near him, but at least he gave his all . Typified when he dived, OK, not for the 1st time, to score with a header from the corner, while our two centre halfs stood back to make his path to the ball as clear as they possibly could. It is just so reminiscent of last season. Different players, but same problems. (5) And finally, who does that wee gnaff Lindsay think he is. When you get subbed you shake the hand of the player going off. You can maybe get away with it if you have had a good game and don’t deserve to be subbed but he was hopeless. I can’t even be bothered to find out what his first name is, as in 6 months time he’ll be lucky if gets a game for the Juniors, never mind Stenhousemuir. I don’t think getting rid of Money at this stage is the answer. We are not going to win the league but we should be good enough for a play off position, and given the quality, or lack of, in this division, a decent run of results from January onwards should be enough to get a play off place. So I would be inclined to give Money till early December and reassess then. Although having said that, if there are (m)any more performances like that, he might make the decision for us. East Fife will be quavering in their boots. I am so pissed off I can’t even be bothered to mention the fact that Keogh should have been sent off at the end for his assault on John Dempster, or I wonder if Frank McAvennie had a good day out at the game. I guess he turned up when he heard there was Hen Do in town.