Number Eleven

It will be very interesting to see how this game pans out. While Peter Grant has gone, the players are the same and the same problem areas, in goal and midfield, remain. Can Greg Shields and Steven Whittaker get a better performance out of this squad? I think they can 2-1 to the Pars.

This announcement reads as though he is the only stepping down due to the personal abuse and attacks. If this is a true reflection then it is absolutely outrageous. Rather than our chairman resigning those responsible should be identified, banned from the club and, where appropriate, prosecuted. As I’m writing I realised that this should be happening anyway, where he stays or resigns. It makes a sad end to what has generally been a successful tenure.

I think it’s a very fair summary and a good read but I would like to have seen some consideration as to why the board appointed Peter Grant without a robust recruitment process? I think that question might go unanswered.

My understanding is it is against the rules to approach another club’s manager without their permission. There’s a good reason for this as it stops unscrupulous clubs unsettling other clubs managers.

I think this appointment is much more difficult than when Peter Grant was appointed. In the summer we had nearly all of a team that had qualified for the playoffs with weeks ahead to recruit new talent and coach a winning style. Fast forward a few months and confidence is rock bottom, the squad is lopsided and there are a lot of points to make up. The board have their work cut out and must learn from their mistake. Interview a range of candidates, consider previous success (and failure) and take advice from trusted contacts.

I would really like to think the robust recruitment process will include agreeing the criteria, considering applicants against the criteria, drawing up a short list and interviewing several candidates. The board must learn from their mistakes. The leak seems easy to plug - but is this the only one?

The statement is exactly what I wanted. Peter Grant is gone - there is no need to vilify him. There will be a robust recruitment process - I hope it will be a lot more robust than the last one!

Our first 8 league results were DLLLDDDL and on 5th October the board issued their infamous statement in which Thomas Meggle stated: "Both myself and the Chairman had a long chat with Peter on Sunday, and he continues to be up for the fight and is desperate to succeed but understands results have to change, and quickly." Since then our results have been DDDL. The results have not got better, we are still rock bottom of the league. The board are accountable for appointing Peter Grant and it is now time to remove him. They have been more than fair in giving him 4 extra games.

I see it now thanks. For some reason it appears before the Mark Connolly interview and the match preview on my laptop. I haven't bothered listening to it - does he say he's resigning?

The team has had really good support from the fans, given how poor the performances and results have been. There is simply no defence for the current position, no excuses. I note there is no post-match interview up on the official website yet - dare we hope?

It's sad to say that even when going 2 up I pretty much expected Arbroath to win. Now Peter Grant can't even claim there has been an improvement in defence or a run unbeaten. I've held back until now as I've always believed a manager needs time to build their team and put their plans into effect but the truth is Peter Grant's plan A was appalling and was abandoned and he hasn't even done a decent job of steadying the ship. I believe he's tried his best but he must go now for the good of the club, there is simply no way back without a change in management.

I think we’ll go with the same team again. Arbroath away is a difficult fixture but they won’t find us as soft a touch as last time. Their forward Nouble was a real handful but I’d hope Connnolly will handle him better. Scoring goals or even creating chances is a big problem and we need a lot more from the creative players. Could today be the day for the long awaited first win? I hope so.

We played well at times but without managing to get a shot away. Poor defending for the equaliser with the failure to put pressure on at the edge of the box. We’re difficult to beat now but still can’t win.

What a terrible draw. All I wanted was to avoid a Championship club, ideally get a non-league one. Not because it’s easier to win but for variety. Playing Thistle at least 6 times is tedious.

The trouble is that the first quarter has been so bad that 1 win doesn’t put us anywhere near back on track. A win on Tuesday followed by a defeat to Arbroath and we’re right back in it.

A useful point and clean sheet, Showing improvement on the home game. Ian Wilson getting half an hour is good. But 10 league games with no wins is a dreadful run. Fingers, toes and everything else crossed for Tuesday night.

I'll have a go at picking tomorrow's team. PG was cagey on big Vytas's chance of making it tomorrow and I suspect he won't and I think Breen will start in his place as the only change. 4-4-2 Fon Williams Comrie Connolly Breen Edwards Thomas Allan Pybus Dow Wighton O'Hara

The first quarter was terrible and hopefully we can start anew in quarter 2. I’ve strained my eyes searching for signs of improvement and I do think we have improved a bit since the home league game v Thistle. This improvement seems mainly down to Mehmet and Graham being dropped, changing the formation to 4 at the back and switching Comrie and Thomas to their proper positions. The team clearly showed fighting spirit to get the late equaliser on Saturday but is that enough to secure the elusive first league win? Thistle are a good side on their day but inconsistent. Hopefully we catch them on a bad day 1-1 draw.

I was pleased when we signed him and thought he looked a good Championship defender. He looked all at sea in the back 3 (not the only one). Replacing a signed player with an on loan one is a bit short-term but clearly there are reasons. it would be interesting to know what happened behind the scenes but a sensible move by the club to not wash dirty linen in public.

I’ve limited my selection to players I saw playing Hugh Whyte Bobby Robertson Craig Robertson Paul Smith Andy Smith Scott Thomson Scott Wilson Greg Shields Barry Nicholson Gary Mason

I’m a new poster here after being a regular reader and occasional poster on the other forum. I got fed up with the amount of negative posts and lack of perspective there. I noticed that some of the more reasonable posters also posted here and so transferred over.

A much improved performance with a better sense of balance to the team and real fighting spirit. It was good to finally score at home and a point was the least we deserved. Paul Allan played well and the Killie keeper was called upon to make a couple of good saves. A draw that feels like a win but still no win after 9 league games!

There’s not much in our recent record against Killie to give much hope of a first win. Even a first home goal would be something! I think this will be another defeat without much goalmouth action.