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If last Satuday's game really was a "need to win" game this is now a "must win" game. We were absolutely honking in the first half and better in the second but the second goal was terrible by Clarke, Callachan and AMB (two lost men and a flap) and the third just beggared belief.
I'd go with something like:
Laidlaw
B. Paton
Iacovitti
Donaldson
Clarke
Spittal
H. Paton
Cancola
Hungbo/RCC
D. Samuel (dropping into the 10 role)
White
Callachan isn't firing at all, Alex Samuel offered nothing last week and we really need the points so try 2 up front with Samuel dropping back to help similar to how Curran used to work with Boyce. Can't decide on Hungbo/RCC on the left, Hungbo is faster and stronger but RCC may be needed to counter Devlin's pace down the left as he'll have Ben Paton on toast if he has the chance.
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I see you've included the forgotten man Donaldson in that lineup, couple of interesting stats re Donaldson.
We haven't conceded a penalty since he's been kept out of the team, the flip side is, last time he played was also the last time we kept a clean sheet.
I certainly don't rate Baldwin, but I think I'd rather see Randall back in , with Clarke back in the centre.
Laidlaw surely has to be given the start after m-bs last 2 games.
Agree with your comment about Callaghan, looks like the results are getting to him and affecting his confidence.
I like hungbo and he deserves to start, I wonder how he would get on if he was played in a no 9 position?
Livi will be well up for this after wiping the floor with st Johnstone away from home, so Malky needs to get his selection/tactics right for the beginning of the game, and not just for the 2nd half when it's too late.
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Fail to win this and we'll have gone the first round of fixtures without a home win. Mackay talked a good game about using the international break to make things click before promptly losing to St Mirren. Maybe this will be the game it all comes together, but he's sounding increasingly like a snake oil salesman. How long does Roy give it before he sees if anyone else can do a better job?
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Long-term plans are one thing, but you can't entirely sacrifice progress in the short-term. I remember when Derek Adams went to Hibs as assistant he was supposed to be the long-term successor to Colin Calderwood. Things went so badly under Calderwood that the atmosphere was too toxic for Adams to take over when he left. Not suggesting the same would happen here (Cowie has unlimited credit in the bank with County fans, in marked contrast to his boss) but it's something to be wary of. Not to mention that Mackay might get us relegated in the meantime.
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Laidlaw
Randall (if fit)
Clarke
Iacovitti
Vokins (if fit)
Hungbo
Cancola
H.paton
Charles cook
Spittal
D.Samuel
Time for a change in line up and hopefully a change in fortune , mackay can’t be far from the boot if we lose this one
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It's worrying that this far into the season, we genuinely have next to no idea of what our best lineup should be. Quality seems so lacking accross the board. Is there anyone we'd consider a "first name on the teamsheet" kinda player? Clarke if he was being played in the right place maybe? RCC and Spittal next just because they've had a handful of semi-decent games? I genuinely couldn't even attempt to throw a lineup at this one.
It doesn't help of course that I can't see any real tactics or gameplan at the moment. The formation is fairly clear, but beyond that I'm at a loss to what we're trying to do.
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I think i'd rather Watson over Donaldson if I'm honest. I also wonder how Hungbo would get on up front with White? The classic little and large combs could work there. Hungbo's raw pace would cause havoc.
Laidlaw
Burroughs
Clarke
Iacovitti
Ben Paton
Spittal
Harry Paton
Tilson
RCC
Hungbo
White
Interesting to note that last time we kept a clean sheet (vs St Johnstone) we played 3-5-2. Could that be an option?
Laidlaw
Clarke
Watson
Iacovitti
Burroughs RWB
B. Paton LWB
Tilson
H. Paton
Spittal
Hungbo
White
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This game went from must not lose a few weeks ago to being must win.
Our performances have been chronic and it seems to be a similar story most weeks.
I'd line us up like this:
Laidlaw
Randall (if fit)
Clarke
Iacovitti
B Paton
Tilson
Spittal
Callachan
Hungbo
RCC
White
There's no goals in that team or on our bench really maybe aside from Spittal who seems like he's having an okay season.
If we lose this game Roy surely has to sack the manager, He's been hopeless in his recruitment for the most part and we've not won a game.
Can see a 1-1 draw coming if I'm honest.
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its not surprising with the way the season is going that we have no idea of our strongest line up.
Both keepers have had challenges, the defence making mistakes, the forwards packing no punch.
The midfield goes unmentioned but I struggle there too. Spittal stands out because he scores and creates something.
Harry Paton stands out because he gives the ball away and fouls a lot - whilst he puts himself about I do see him as maybe the biggest liability around our own box. Tilson, Callachan and Cancola are pretty anonymous.
In the last game the defence got battered for an hour but what did they have in front of them?
I'd change the keeper for this game, I think Laidlaw at least adds an element of calmness. I hoping Vokins will be fit, if not then probably put Paton in there. Clarke needs to be in the middle.
Midfield, obviously Spittal, I might be tempted to try Burroughs as he looked fine against Hibs. RCC and Hungbo. Upfront D Samuel and White, Samuel took his disallowed goal well at Motherwell and I've not seen much else from the alternatives.
Whoever is out there, they are going to need to stand strong for half hour. Livi will come and look to get at us early when they know we will be feeling fragile. If we are not losing after 30, we will win!!
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Is Ben paton or Jack Burroughs ever going to get the chance in their natural position of centre midfield? Malky has been caught out big time by not adding back up full backs in the transfer window
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This will be my first game in person since the Rangers game, due to other commitments. Plain and simple, it’s a must win match.
Can anyone advise, will the vaccine passport app be needed for entry?
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Zero confidence for a result today. I hope they surprise me but doubt it.
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In the Ross-shire this week the manager " is still looking higher up the table than a relegation battle " and we can only admire is optimism on that score. However if we end the first round of fixtures winless who can deny we're in a fight for survival, so today and the midweek game against Dundee are must wins, even draws are becoming "pointless".
We need a settled team, and we need to cut out stupid mistakes.
In all the over the top racist criticism of the manager and his defence by people like myself, have we let slip through the fact that he just isn't up to the task of propelling our chairman's hopes forward and that like Owen Coyle, his best days as a manager were long ago ? The next two games are really crucial ( we said that about last week's too and look at the first half shambles !)
