scottyboy

James McPake assessment of the Rovers game. “It doesn’t matter a jot. You can have as much of the ball as you want, you can have as many corners as you want, but ultimately, you’ve got to put the ball in the back of the net, and that’s what Raith done.” Derbies have been like that this season, it must be pretty sore? “The team deserved that deserved to win the game today won it. Raith deserved to win the game, they scored two goals. It’s sore alright, any game you lose. When you’re here with a big travelling support, you’re desperate to win the game, but they deserved to win the game. “You can see the reason they’re second in the league. They don’t need to have the most of the ball, they don’t need to have most of the chances, but at the top end of the pitch, they make sure, when the chances come around, they take them. They did that today.” Did you have a view of the incident with Matty early on in the penalty box? “No”. Do you think the free-kick that led to the first goal was a bit soft? Some of the players were unhappy with it? “I’ve not seen it back, but it doesn’t matter. The goalkeeper’s got to be dealing with it better. It’s a poor save, we don’t follow it in, Stanton’s in acres just to knock it in if I remember correct. If you parry the ball back out into the middle of your box, then you’re going to concede a goal. Whether the free-kick’s given or not, then they maybe could’ve got the shot away and it gets parried out, but I’m not going to make excuses and say it was a free-kick, it wasn’t a free-kick. “There’s one at the second goal, which we couldn’t see from where it is either, but we’re that naïve we allow them to take a quick free-kick and, all of a sudden, you give it to player like Dylan Easton, and he’s going to find the net. We’re naïve in that one, and just a poor individual mistake in the first one.” Kyle Benedictus lasting 90 mins a positive? “I thought he was excellent. He really was. It’s not easy for him coming back here. We were swithering whether to play him on Tuesday against Airdrie, but we decided to give him the extra few days training. I think he cruised through the game for everything he had to do. It’s great having him back because he is our leader, and you could hear how vocal he was on the pitch. “He’s hurting in there. Of course he is. He wanted to come back to this club where he played for so long – he had a great time here – and win for us. He’s in there, he’s annoyed, he’s frustrated, but I was pleased with his performance, not too many more.”

We had some entertaining football with AJ, especially when Faisal El B was on fire, then probably the first season in Championship, then it's been no too exciting since.

TBH its been a lot of years since we've enjoyed a decent style of football. Infact way before Stevie Crawford even.

Good luck. Sorry I only had a wee bit loose dross.

You'd think there would be a decent goalkeeper playing at a lower level, wanting to go full time, unless they not as good as Mehmet. Let's hope our strikers can stick the ball in the corner of the net on Friday and get us a goal. A goal would be a start, after the last 2 games.

Definitely switched off. I thought the ref was gonna blow for them to take it again, as wasn't sure if the ball was moving, but you still have to be ready for it. Mehmet a decent shot stopper, but palming it forward instead of away to his right backfired. Think the game against Utd might be similar to today's. We actually hit the target a few times today and goalie had a couple of saves today were the only plus, but end result the same. Back in the **** again and needing a big fly to lift us out.

I would agree with some of that, although we have had a go our last few matches. Hughes downfall was trying to pickup points without having a go. As soon as we lost the first goal it was over. If we scored first, it was park the bus and try hold out. Board are a lot to do with this regarding retaining some of the relegated players and flinging money at the academy. Should have had a clear out when McPake took over imo.

Nobody going to turn it round this late, with those players. Here's a stupid question. Did you honestly think we would win today? My answer would have been, a draw at best. They really are miles ahead of us.

Too late to change it now. New guy would have the same players to pick from. If we go down, we're back to where McPake started 2 years ago. If we do drop down, he would have to go.

Here's our stats and table. We've lost the cushion of played less games now. I reckon a dogfight for relegation from now on in. Might even go to the last day.

If he is injured, then it will weaken us. We shouldn't just have to rely on one player to get us a result though. He's no Diego Maradona. Hopefully McPake will have a plan B in place if missing. Hopefully play the same pressing football we have in the last 2 games, with making the goalie work for his money. Think if we keep it tight and play for a 0-0, it won't end well. We just need to score first.

Am I right in believing this is the price for away fans only? Also I was told we're the only fans they charge £24. Don't know if that true, but truly shocking if so. Championship football not worth that.

They cant afford to get beat. The title race will be over if they do and will know its a Play Off.

At best, I'd say we capable of taking a point, which would be decent through there. I'm gonna predict we'll get beaten again, as they'll need the win more than us and I reckon we'll be cautious in our approach. I can't see them collapsing again, like the Arbroath game. 2-0 Raith.

Watched the highlights of the Airdrie goals. No guarantee he would have got near the cross, for the 1st goal. 2nd goal was a screamer. Gordon Banks wouldn't have got that. We got beat because we couldn't hit the target. It is that simple. We had a similar start to the Ayr game, especially on the front foot, creating chances from the off. If Kane had played, maybe he would have made the goalie make a save.

We played better first half. 2nd goal finished the game off. Not much between the teams, apart from the finishing. We probably should be hitting the target with chances created. Hopefully we make some v Raith. Still in the dogfight to avoid Play Offs just now, still a bit to go and probably some ups and downs before then.

Should have been a penalty for a hand connecting with the ball above the Airdrie players head. Even game. We not playing too bad, some good chances missed.

Hopefully we don't get too carried away like the headline below. Ideal situation just now is getting 5 points clear of ICT. Anything above that can wait a few more weeks.

Looking forward to this. Enjoyed the last match. Another do not draw game, but reckon we could win again if we play on the front foot and take the game to Airdrie. 1-0 Pars. We'll be in a strong position if we take maximum points.

I would imagine they wouldn't be happy about losing their investment, but like you say, if not sustainable then maybe they will write it off and move on. I honestly don't know what any of the current board are like, or would even recognise any of them. Think if we can stay up, it would make a massive difference.

Was the shareholders meeting a few weeks back anything to do with this? If so, maybe they could give more info on it, unless they've signed the DAFC official secrets act.

First called that 40 years ago and forever remembered with it.

We not out the woods yet, but winning on Tuesday night would heap more pressure on the teams around us. We looked confident on the ball today. Best we've played in 2024.

Some tough games coming up, but don't think we should fear anyone after today's performance.