Fantalk

Specky Ginger · Joined: 16 Jun 2012 Posts: 4270 Location: Dysart

On to Friday night under the lights.

The first goal is going to be absolutely crucial.

We need to start with the same pace and intensity as last night. Wouldn't be averse to the same starting 11, although Corr will likely have to replace Watson, but it should have been Hamilton on instead of Rudden as he gives us more of an outball and given Thistle are likely to go long and direct after their second half performance last night, Hamilton gives us extra defensive presence at set pieces.
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Dougie Hill
Sar-chluicheadair a'gheama

WillieKirk · Joined: 08 Feb 2014 Posts: 1965 Location: Portobello

Totally agree with you there SG. On all points.
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Here Wee go again

stan drew rover · Joined: 05 Jun 2017 Posts: 870 Location: Work it out!

I reckon Hamilton was kept back deliberately with the rest of the playoffs in mind.
We needed a nuisance up front late on yesterday, and that's what Rudden was. A target man to hold the ball up and bring others up the park I don't think would have worked.
And now, Jack is fresh for Friday and next week

scotty · Joined: 12 Jul 2008 Posts: 9071 Location: Almost Dysart.

Unless I missed something, it seems the only casualties from Tuesday were 2 center halves Muirhead and Watson both went down within minutes of each other with apparent hammy injuries.

Rovers have options from the bench but are limited defensively, should the unthinkable happen and we lose another CB then I'd be all for keeping Brown in the midfield and shuffling Dick to CB with McGill in at LB.

I thought Aiden Fitzpatrick was a real handful and if McMillan had been fully on his game they could have done some real damage down our right hand side.

Who'd have thought that Vaughan and Stanton would turn out to be a great combination....and it just so happens they are our best players too, well fancy that!
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Competitive goals: Vaughan 19, Easton 11, Hamilton 10, Smith 9, Stanton 7, Mullin 4, Connolly 3, O'Reilly 3, Rudden 3, S Brown 2, Dick 1, Gullan 1, Masson 1, Millen 1, Mitchell 1, Murray, Watson 1, OG's 1,

Neil M · Joined: 16 Aug 2008 Posts: 2596 Location: Aberdeen

Partick will throw everything at us in the opening minutes. What we most definitely do not want to do is dilly-dally until they get the opener and level the aggregate-score. They would then look to hit us quickly with a second and put all the pressure onto us, in front of a large home crowd - even with one goal.

If we can bag just one early goal, Partick would then have a bit of a mountain to climb and it might change the tempo of the whole game. It would give us a safety-net and might make them desperate, jittery and careless. Our defence has done okay - but a few question-marks hanging over it now. Don't give the ball away too easily and don't let them test our back line too hard too often. If anyone, Jack Hamilton would be the man to get that early goal and let us relax and dictate play for a while. Might even afford us the space to build on it.

Neil M · Joined: 16 Aug 2008 Posts: 2596 Location: Aberdeen

badpress139 · Joined: 19 May 2015 Posts: 2635 Location: Glenrothes

Jack Hamilton for me. Need a bit strength up top and I don't see it coming from Rudden.

WillieKirk · Joined: 08 Feb 2014 Posts: 1965 Location: Portobello

Good luck tonight to the Rovers and all who sail. Friday night traffic has dissuaded me from going - can take about 1 hour just to cross Edinburgh from Portobello although I can see the lights of Starks Park from my flat. Hopefully will be there Tuesday and Sunday.
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Here Wee go again

Franco · Joined: 10 Oct 2019 Posts: 1204 Location: kirkcaldy

I'm afraid, Willie, that even if we win through tonight , there's no chance that the SPFL will allow us to play both legs of the Final at Starks Park. 😂
My son and I will be there thIs evening. I just can't stand the thought of losing to a team that we finished 12 points above in the league. The Playoffs may bring excitement and funds for the parachute payments, but they are unfair on the team which finishes the Championship second on merit.
C'mon The Rovers!

badpress139 · Joined: 19 May 2015 Posts: 2635 Location: Glenrothes

WillieKirk · Joined: 08 Feb 2014 Posts: 1965 Location: Portobello

But Sunday is away leg yes? Just as well I have been enlightened as I might arrive too early or too late. Expect onslaught as noted earlier for first few minutes by the Jags then they might run out of steam with 4th game in a few days.

maybe play Mathews, Corr, Watson, Murray and Dick across the back and Thomson, McNeill and Big Kev in goals 🤓
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Here Wee go again

Armagh Rover · Joined: 25 Jul 2008 Posts: 5749 Location: Nottinghamshire

Good luck to the team tonight,
awrra best lads just go out n do your best

red zebra · Posted: Fri May 17, 2024 5:42 pm Post subject:

badpress139 · Joined: 19 May 2015 Posts: 2635 Location: Glenrothes

One change. Corr is for the injured Watson.