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Post by Ramz on Aug 20, 2004 16:22:59 GMT -5
Well, here we go, our first `proper` derby in about 6 years and like all derby games we want to win - what are our chances? Unfortunately this is guesswork at the moment - not having seen stenny play yet - all we can do is support our lads and hope they GET STUCK RIGHT IN. The Warriors 0-6 win last week surprised many people and it will no doubt be a tough game but our attitude and excellent work rate in the Gretna game give us some hope.
Looking at the big picture (must copyright that expression) the first 2 league games (Peterhead + Gretna) were never realistically going to bring us many points - we are only going to get something from the strongest teams now and then if we are lucky.
I would say our season starts tomorrow, we should realistically be looking to get points from the other 7 teams and it would be sweet indeed if this started tomorrow - fight for it `Shire, make it happen!
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Post by Ramz on Aug 21, 2004 12:02:49 GMT -5
This was very hard to take. We have been `tanked` before but not in a local derby. It was really dissappointing that we only made about 3 or 4 half decent chances in the game and to be honest stenny could have had more. That said, on the evidence of this game they will be among the top teams at the end of the season looking sharp, fast direct and effective up front - if you can get decent odds on them going up I would take that bet.
As for the `Shire - don`t panic yet, we`ve still to play any teams in the bottom half of the division and any progress we have made will be judged against them.
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Post by Dodger on Aug 21, 2004 12:26:23 GMT -5
Sorry but I can't be as optimistic as Ramz. The second half performance was absolutely shocking. There was no organisation at the back at all and their third goal summed it up. How can a huge kick out go over the heads of 3 of our defenders and leave a striker clean through on goal?! Not even up to the level of schoolboy defending. I accept that we are without Denham and Oates, presumably our first choice central defence, but that doesn't excuse such basic errors as jumping under a high ball, something we were guilty of numerous times in the second half. I don't want to pin all the blame on the central defence though. Both full backs had poor games as well and Tony Mitchell was certainly at fault for the 6th goal.
Why do things like this continue to happen to us just as we think we are starting to improve? Hopefully next week will see us back to the level of previous weeks, but after today I'm running low on optimism.
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Post by VarisIan on Aug 22, 2004 3:05:49 GMT -5
It very much is time to panic.
This performance was totally inacceptable. We are not in last season or the season before.
We have made progress up front and in midfield but yesterday's defending was worse than shocking. When it started to go wrong instead of getting stuck in there and trying to do something about it players did the exact opposite.
First goal David Harvey let the winger get past him far too easily. Second goal the same player didn't put his foot in he actually pulled it away to let the striker get his shot in. For the goal that came direct from a kick out from the goal keeper, Jamie MacKay, who is not a central defender, run under the ball and Graeme McGhee didn't tuck in behind to stop the danger.
These are very basic errors which are very reminiscent of the last 2 seasons.
The team defended really well last week against Gretna. It was changed to the same line up as yesterday for the game against Dumbarton. I know that Chris Miller is injured but why is Gilpin not playing? Why persist with a formation that doesn't work?
Stenny are not that good. Elgin beat them 2-0. Ok it is clear that Elgin have moved on from last season but I don't think Stenny are as good as Peterhead and six nil is not nearly good enough.
I felt really sorry for Jamie Dunbar who tried and tried but it was one against eleven in the end.
I am looking for the mangement to spell out that this is unacceptable and do something about it before the rot sets again.
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Post by Gull on Aug 22, 2004 5:20:04 GMT -5
That result against local rivals (or anybody for that matter) is just not on. I agree the biggest problem was our defence yesterday and if the manager has options he should ring the changes eg trying Gilpin as keeper, Denholm in defence (if he is at all fit) and dropping McGhee or Newall to show neither is guaranteed a place in the team. We did`nt make much progress up front either it has to be said - although when you keep giving away the ball you will struggle to string together a decent attack and this happened as the whole team lost their confidence in the 2nd half.
Another point is when the game went to 4-0 we should have admitted that the game was over and concentrated on NOT losing any more goals, even if it meant we were utterly boring and negative - I think trying not to have an embarrasing score is a valid tactic.
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Post by Ramz on Aug 22, 2004 14:00:05 GMT -5
Don`t `top` yourself yet lads! Look, even I felt bad last night so I went staight home and stared glumly at the TV. Then one of my mates phoned and asked if I would come out for a couple of drinks - I was going to say no but I thought `a) am I going to stay here and have a dam good sulk or b) go out and try and forget some of what I had seen that day` - I decided to go for plan b).
Yes that game was bad but it is just too early in the season to jack in all hope - we are `Shire supporters for F... er, for goodness sake, we HAVE to be mentally tough. Going by the callander of last 2 seasons we did`nt say "we`re doomed!" or press the big red panic button untill at least October, lets not jump the gun now.
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Post by scottF on Aug 23, 2004 5:59:06 GMT -5
Its still early season, there are another three games to play yet.
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Post by VarisIan on Aug 24, 2004 0:23:30 GMT -5
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Tam Ward club member
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Post by on Aug 24, 2004 4:37:34 GMT -5
Read the article in the P & J don`t think Newell should have told the players that some of them weren`t good enough I think they probably knew this already. It wasn`t that the week before against Gretna or against Berwick. Newell should take some responsibility he doesn`t appear to have a contingency plan when things go wrong. The fans also know that some of the players are not good enough but they don`t care as long as the players apply themselves for the ninety minutes.
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esfc
Tam Ward club member
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Post by esfc on Aug 24, 2004 9:47:42 GMT -5
"It's clear some who are here will be going as they are not good enough and we told the players that in the dressing-room after the game."
out of context : what was said to the players was that on todays performance after last weeks it was not acceptable and if it did not improve then some may have to move on. No player was told that they were not good enough
One person in the stand who was among the shire support told the manager to F.... off as he was leaving the park
What contingency plan would you suggest with Thywissen, Miller. Livingston, Denham, out injured and Chris Newall playing most of the game with two cracked ribs.
The spirit in the dressing room is good and all the players felt bad on sat without being told they were not good enough.
Amazing how three lines in a newspaper set people off,
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Post by Strumps on Aug 24, 2004 13:50:11 GMT -5
Thanks for the info ESFC. Saturday was bad but even as we progress this season there will no doubt be the odd throwback to the bad days of the last two seasons. The Shire fans should understand this.
However, for Shire fans is just was so disappointing that we had to disintigrate in a derby game the way we did.
No matter what the manager deserves better than that kind of abuse you mentioned that he received. I personally didn't hear it but can believe that certain "fans" may have taken their frustrations beyond acceptable bounds.
I heard that Jordan Leishman has chosen to leave the club due to his limited time on the pitch this season. Anyone heard official confirmation of this ?
ps I have only now recovered from the Stenny Walk(back) !
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BUS
Michael Geraghty goal getter
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Post by BUS on Aug 26, 2004 14:55:30 GMT -5
Another Shire Shocker . To go from a reasonable performance at half time to total ****iis so depressing . Did Mackin sneak into the dressing room & give the half time team talk ? The game changed though when Mcauley was injured . They scored the vital second goal with " the extra man " and everything went down hill fast . We had trouble snuffing JP McBride ( No 6 ) before then so what chance does a centre midfield with less than 6 league games between them have ? In hindsight maybe he should have put Jamie Mck on him to give him a kicking .Too often the Offence would beat the first man and then have no one to pass to . It does not look good for Saturday . Game 4 and possibly 4 points adrift at the bottom already . Any one fancy a beer in Thornton before going to the Goth ? It only 10 minutes up the line & if you get the correct direction on the Fife Circle it still counts as your " outward " journey .
All hail to the Black & White hoops. Got to be one in a row away from home sometime !!!!!!!! Or are they saving for the man from Oz ?
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