SHOOT!

In what was effectively the two most important matches of the season we managed to turn in our most insipid performances of the Coughlin era (Threave Rovers excepted). Quite how we managed to get through both these matches without seriously troubling the opposition goalkeeper once is quite damning. We do manage to create openings, but whether it is a lack of confidence or ability - you decide - we simply were not capable of getting the goals required. Defensively our team is strong. We don’t look like losing many goals and indeed the two goals we lost in the Arbroath came from a (debatable) penalty and deflected shot. Although Dumbarton deserve credit for having a shot at goal!! Over on the forum the debate has been reignited as to who should stay and who should go. Given that we now have next to no chance of promotion, we can resign ourselves to (yet) another season in the basement league, and face the prospect of another pre-season of players coming and going by the bucketful: Brown - keep. Has improved since his horror show at Threave and now looks like a very decent keeper at this level. Hillcoat - go; quickly. McEwen - my player of the season. Keep. Lyle - most improved player since Coughlin arrived? Keep. Smith - looks good. Strong no-nonsense defender. Keep. McCulloch - keep. I think we look a better team when he plays (at centre half) Gilbride - only on loan but I would imagine he would be released by Morton anyway. I would keep. Dillon - hopeless. Get rid. His crossing, even with his so called “better” foot, beggars belief. I have found myself squeal with anguish too many times this season because of this chap. Tyrell - keep, but only if he is going to play alongside a midfielder who can pick a pass. Because he can’t. Ferguson - will he ever be fit? Assuming he regains fitness, then keep, but maybe remunerate him on a “pay as you play” basis! He is a great player and I can’t help feel we would be closer to a promotion spot if he had remained fit all season. McLaughlin - this is a difficult one. He is a good player with nice touches. He looks a creative player, but he never actually creates anything! Having said all that he has started to turn in some decent performances recently and may be worth offering a contract for next season. Quitongo - great comedy value, hopeless player. Get rid. Gibson - he really is quite bad. Go. Hamilton - what a disappointment. I had high hopes for him on his return to Ochilview but he has been so disappointing. One of the main culprits in the “I don’t shoot” stakes. Lindsay - he’s a wee gnaff. Get rid. Hampshire - see “Hamilton” above. Came with a great reputation and has been hopeless. Has he scored a single goal all season? I can’t remember one. Go. Dalziel - hopefully he won’t prove to be a flash in the pan. Recent performances have not been great but prior to that he was really looking the part. I am not convinced he could cut it at the next level up but at this level he looks a decent player. Keep. Harty - keep, but I suspect he will want to play at least one level up next season. I had hoped it would be with us but that is not going to happen. So, all in all, another depressing season with very few high points which I won’t look back on with any great fondness. Following Stenhousemuir continues to be a labour of love.