Rousseau

Where do we stand with the points needed now?

I'm convinced it's the midfield, not the defence (although they play their part). Once they start punting balls into the box it's 50/50, so it's no wonder we start conceding. And, I'm still convinced we've been really unfortunate: 9 goals conceded in 3 games is abysmal, but how many were unfortunate?

Ah well, Tuesday is more fitting anyway.

We are piss poor at finishing games. We had sort of lost control of the game second-half. Raith weren't anything special, but we lacked that control. Again, we couldn't deal with the stupid punts into the box.

Eh, maybe not...

I'd like to see King come on for Miller, with O'Halloran moving central.

He does make sloppy mistakes now and again, but I think they're few and far between enough to make him worth that risk -- at the moment anyway: I may change my opinion if it continues!

It's certainly a worry, but every shot against us seems to be going in at the moment. You can't defend every shot. Like I said above, as much as complacency plays its part -- which it undoubtedly has -- those goals today were unfortunate. I felt the same way last week, despite the goals being more our fault. It's frustrating. Admittedly, the midfield is not shielding the defence well enough too.

As much as defensive complacency plays its part, those goals were seriously fortunate: a worldy snap-shot and a silly volley that deflects in? Fortunate. I don't think we're shielding the centre-backs enough though. It's been difficult to break them down, with their park-the-bus tactics, as we expected. And although we've created a few good chances, we've been a little slow. Miller has been poor, but the pitch is doing him no favours. We could do with Hardie!

Ha! Not bad for a team prediction, eh? Strong side, with more offensive ability. We need to score today, so Ball is a luxury; Halliday offers more offensively. I reckon it'll be a tricky game. Raith are always well organised and don't concede many goals. The players should know what's at stake, so it's up to them to go out and do the job.

Stark's Park -- A seemingly innocuous away trip to Fife could see us finally cross the line in our long struggle to regain our place in the Scottish top flight. Although we could cross the line today, we are dependent on Hibernian dropping more points -- not out of the question considering their recent form -- and need to make sure we do our jobs. A win is not as easy as it appears, as games against Raith have been very tight. Rovers have been on an excellent run of form, winning 7 of their last 9, including a 2-1 victory against Hibs. Their last defeat was against Rangers at Ibrox in a tight affair where goals from Forrester and Wallace gave us a narrow 2-0 win. Raith's form has seen them consolidate a play-off spot -- the other play-off hopefuls will not get an easy game against them. Rangers meanwhile have bounced back after a first defeat in 15 against Falkirk, winning a pulsating game against Queen of the South 4-3. The stuttering victory was only ensured after a superb period just after half-time where 3 goals were scored in quick succession. Three goals conceded suggest the defensive frailties have re-appeared after it seemed we were starting to tighten up at the back. Meetings between the two sides this season have been tight. Despite Raith being the only championship side yet to score against us this term, Rangers have only scored 1 or 2 goals against them -- omitting the 5-0 thrashing early on in September. Raith play a solid 4-4-2, with young, disciplined players throughout the side. On loan Ranger Ryan Hardie (who has raced to being Rovers' 4th top scorer this season dispite playing only a handful of games) is ineligible. But on-loan Leicester forward Harry Panayiotou returns to the squad following international duty for St Nevis and Kitts. Forward Ryan McCord is always lively and will be dangerous on the counter. Likewise Rangers will have Barrie McKay and Billy King available for selection again after international duty for the U-21's. Long-term absentees Templeton, Bell and Waghorn remain sidelined, but Zelalem seems to have recovered from his illness and will likely take his place on the bench. The return of the youngsters, again from international duty, will see them bolster the bench. I suspect McKay will return to the first-team, with Forrester reverting to a midfield position alongside Holt and Halliday, with Ball returning to the bench. I predict a line-up of: Foderingham Tavernier - Kiernan - Wilson - Wallace © Holt - Halliday - Forrester O'Halloran - Miller - McKay Going by recent form and previous meetings, a tight game is on the cards. Our defensive frailties suggest we could quite easily concede today, but with the title within our grasp I suspect we should see a strong offensive performance. Score early and we could see a scoreline similar to the early 5-0 game, but if Raith keep us at bay for the first half-hour or so, then we could be in for a long afternoon. Again, patience and craft in the final third is key.

No bother, I'll put something together -- I've got a bit on time on my hands.

I can cobble one together for today if needed?

Sorry guys, I've not really done many of these. I'll do the Dumbarton game if it's free?

I still think Little was better than his achievements/performances with us suggest. Ironically, he suits Warburton's game more IMO. I would have liked to have seen him stay around.

You can see the beginnings of this philosophy being implemented at Rangers. The real test will be what happens when Warburton leaves. I'd like to think what he's started will be continued, giving us a glimpse of La Masia at Murray park. Interesting that the Barca fans were crying out for balls lumped into the box at the beginning! Clearly, it's worked well for them, but the change in 'culture' on the terraces will take time. There is no doubt it's the right way. We just need to be patient. Good read.

No discussion needed. Superb.

I saw the third goal again (from Queens) and although Wilson did indeed turn his back on the shot, he was too far away to do anything about it; it was Halliday (throwing himself at nothing) and the other midfielder failing to close the space that was to blame IMO. If the midfield stay on their feet and close the space, the goal doesn't happen. The second we conceded was just mentally switching off -- even then it was lucky to find the net.

I think it was a bit of both. Omitting the penalty (Wallace slipped IMO), the second was switching off mentally and the third was dropping too deep and not closing down the man. We need to do better. It's not the whole game too; just when certain players go off. It doesn't excuse it though.

I know what you mean, but as long as it translates to better performances on the pitch, it doesn't really matter. We may have to step it up for the Prem? Same formula, but more of them?

Absolutely. Just going through the motions during longer sessions won't be too beneficial IMO. As long as it translates to better performances on the pitch.

What was King saying?

Sloppy goals to concede. We'll take the win though. We played very well for large spells, but the way we make it hard for ourselves will be a worry; it was mostly when Ball and Holt went off, so we'll need better replacements for those guys. How that cheat Russell stayed on the pitch I'll never know: clutching his face when he deliberately handled the ball? Embarrassing. (Falkirk lost 1-2 to Livingston.)

O'Halloran is getting very frustrated as he can't get into the game; he's working hard though.

We're struggling to break them down, with Queens playing quite an aggressive press. Despite that, we are controlling the game I feel. I'd like to see a few more long-balls; the few times we've tried it, to bypass their press, it's looked promising.