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Topic Originator: summeragent
Date: Sun 5 Jan 22:17
Thought Lewis McCann played a blinder yesterday. His first goal was immense and the way he turned the defender and with a pin pointed cross was superb. Well done to the lad and to the whole team.
He has taken a lot of criticism undeserved. When you see the constraints McPake had on the team and how much better the team is now we can see the true talent we have.
I only wish John McLaughlin could have a longer spell as caretaker to see how things pan out.
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Topic Originator: AndyBird
Date: Sun 5 Jan 23:12
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Topic Originator: thebear
Date: Mon 6 Jan 00:17
I am not his greatest fan, but today he was immense. Cracking first goal
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Topic Originator: NMCmassive
Date: Mon 6 Jan 04:42
That’s the Lewis McCann we’ve been waiting on. He’s pulled things off from time to time and he always works hard but he needs to add a huge dose of consistency. It’s a big season for him, I think he really needs to prove himself and I’m hoping he takes his opportunity the second half of the season.
COYP
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Topic Originator: Berkey
Date: Mon 6 Jan 09:14
Everyone knows I’m not a fan of his but he deserves the praise for his best performance in dare I say a good few seasons.
If he can be effective in more games than he’s not that would make a big difference in our bid to recover this season. Think he’s only got an option for next year so playing for a contract too.
Let’s see if he can do it for 2-3 games in row.
The post below replying to me is by one of .nets finest champions of mediocrity!
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Topic Originator: Dandy Warhol
Date: Tue 7 Jan 13:35
I can`t help but feel McPake has been his problem, that was a damn fine performance against Partick.
I don`t wanna go down like disco.
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Topic Originator: wee eck
Date: Tue 7 Jan 13:57
McPake was always very supportive of McCann, in common with every manager he has played under at the Pars. I suspect that there has been a frustration that he hasn`t really fulfilled his potential. Maybe he can kick on now. At the end of the day it`s down to the player. Look at Kevin Nisbet. He was a relatively late developer.
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Topic Originator: Dandy Warhol
Date: Tue 7 Jan 14:22
Quote:
wee eck, Tue 7 Jan 13:57
McPake was always very supportive of McCann, in common with every manager he has played under at the Pars. I suspect that there has been a frustration that he hasn`t really fulfilled his potential. Maybe he can kick on now. At the end of the day it`s down to the player. Look at Kevin Nisbet. He was a relatively late developer.
He was, I meant in the respect that his tactics and negative approach held the team back.
I don`t wanna go down like disco.
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Topic Originator: Kaiser
Date: Tue 7 Jan 15:43
To be fair - It was only Lee Ashcroft he turned inside out for the fourth goal :-)
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Topic Originator: Ahoy!Ahoy!
Date: Tue 7 Jan 18:25
Is it a coincidence he seems more confident playing as a pair up front?
Usually he’s been on the left or up top on his own.
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Topic Originator: Raymie the Legend
Date: Tue 7 Jan 18:33
He’s most certainly not a left winger.
It`s bloody tough being a legend
Ron Atkinson - 1983
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Topic Originator: Berkey
Date: Wed 8 Jan 10:40
Mcpake didn’t really work for any of our players rather than just McCann! Not a single player improved.
I think it’s fair to say Lewis has had a number of managers in his 6 years in the first team squad and he’s played a significant number of games. mcpake hasn’t been the only one who has struggled to get any regular performances out of him.
We’ve been so starved of good performances (including in league 1) that when we do give an excellent performance we tend to go big on the praise in what could be a one off performance (as we’ve seen twice this season already)
I just hope the team can go again on sat and at least show mid table form until the end of the season so it’s not a late scramble for points to avoid the playoffs.
The post below replying to me is by one of .nets finest champions of mediocrity!
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Topic Originator: fcda
Date: Wed 8 Jan 10:53
Quote:
Berkey, Wed 8 Jan 10:40
Mcpake didn’t really work for any of our players rather than just McCann! Not a single player improved.
Not like you to make sweeping generalisations.
Off the top of my head: Josh Edwards and Matty Todd improved. The latter hasn`t been as effective so far this season, but he definitely improved.
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Topic Originator: Berkey
Date: Wed 8 Jan 17:42
Edwards was already a consistent performer was us but maybe you could say he has improved purely on where he’s gone now.
Hard to say on Todd, was one of our best performers at full back the season we went down, mcpake has put him in the middle since then so hard to tell if he’s improved as everyone did well in league 1 but being fair he has yet to convince that he’s a consistent championship player in the middle of the park.
The post below replying to me is by one of .nets finest champions of mediocrity!
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Topic Originator: wee eck
Date: Wed 8 Jan 17:55
If so many of our squad are no better than League 1 standard how did we manage to survive in the Championship last season? Most of our current squad were here last year and only Edwards has moved on to a higher standard so they must have made a significant contribution to our survival surely?
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Topic Originator: Dandy Warhol
Date: Wed 8 Jan 18:12
Quote:
wee eck, Wed 8 Jan 17:55
If so many of our squad are no better than League 1 standard how did we manage to survive in the Championship last season? Most of our current squad were here last year and only Edwards has moved on to a higher standard so they must have made a significant contribution to our survival surely?
We`re scraping survival in the championship, maybe suggests the majority are not far from that standard, we`ll see what the new manager can get out of them and find out I guess.
I don`t wanna go down like disco.
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Topic Originator: wee eck
Date: Wed 8 Jan 18:32
So they`ve regressed since last season?
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Topic Originator: parathletic
Date: Wed 8 Jan 18:40
Quote:
wee eck, Wed 8 Jan 17:55
If so many of our squad are no better than League 1 standard how did we manage to survive in the Championship last season? Most of our current squad were here last year and only Edwards has moved on to a higher standard so they must have made a significant contribution to our survival surely?
We survived by 3 points!
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Topic Originator: wee eck
Date: Wed 8 Jan 18:51
We`ve been along this road before. In a tight league like the Championship a 3-point margin is not to be sniffed up. Besides, quite a few posters on here think the current squad is under-performing and some even think we should be competing for the promotion play-offs. McPake`s sacking is seen as a result of his tactics and negative style of play rather than the inferior standard of the squad.
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Topic Originator: cammypar 1995
Date: Wed 8 Jan 19:06
Quote:
wee eck, Wed 8 Jan 17:55
If so many of our squad are no better than League 1 standard how did we manage to survive in the Championship last season? Most of our current squad were here last year and only Edwards has moved on to a higher standard so they must have made a significant contribution to our survival surely?
We haven`t really improved since last season we are still struggling near the bottom of the league. Is that down to mcpake or the overall quality in the squad remains to be seen. I don`t think we can say we have seen any significant contribution so far as the table shows.
c'mon the pars
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Topic Originator: fcda
Date: Wed 8 Jan 19:25
Berkey said, "not a single player improved [under James McPake]".
I could understand saying "no player had improved [I]significantly[/I]" but to imply no player improved at all is just rewriting history.
You seem to be trying to do that with Matty Todd, going on about him at full back in the championship. Correct me if I`m wrong, I thought he was always a midfielder and only played at full back because of injuries? He was decent there for a youngster but when he got a chance in midfield the following season he got better and better. Yes league one but still improvements. He also looked good last season after his injury, but has been less effective this season.
Were the improvements down to McPake? Who knows?
Would they have improved by the same or more under a different coach? Who knows?
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Topic Originator: Berkey
Date: Wed 8 Jan 21:34
I’d say we are about the same as last season, particularly the second half after we signed Kane. Which summer signing has made the most impact outside of Kane? Prob Cooper and he’s not really played that much.
Only difference this season that is making us think we might be better is that airdrie have completely chucked it.
For quite a few of our players there is no evidence they are underperforming, they are playing at the level they usually perform at or at a level they have never played at before. Certainly there’s no one who have overperformed this season.
The post below replying to me is by one of .nets finest champions of mediocrity!
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Topic Originator: McCaig`s Tower
Date: Wed 8 Jan 21:38
I agree that Lewis is yet to fulfil his potential. I thought he was going to kick on when he scored a couple of early goals a couple of years ago, but it hasn’t quite happened. But then not many reputations have been enhanced.
I’ve probably said before but several things haven’t been ideal.
One is that a lot of his appearances were racked up as a late substitute for game management purposes, so his goals per appearance ratio was artificially low. Inevitably this will create pressure to score.
Another is he played for a team that valued possession over goals. So while he may be doing exactly what is asked of him, he will get criticism over not scoring or creating enough.
It can be a vicious cycle – the team’s not playing well, so they fiddle about with the tactics and the formation. McCann isn’t playing well, so they try him in different positions, and fill his head with advice. Shoot first time. Take a touch. Pass. Be quicker. Look up. Keep the ball. Take your man on. Shoot more. Pass more. (Of course, it could be that the coaching is fine, and Lewis is just unreceptive, I don`t know).
Then you have the generally flat atmosphere engendered by the management team seemingly running out of ideas and enthusiasm. This will affect different players in different ways.
I suspect players perform better when it’s natural, and they don’t have to think about it. and when they are not under too much pressure. Two (related) ways of taking the pressure off are creating more chances, and having someone share the burden.
He’s scored some terrific goals this season. he needs to score more tap-ins.
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Topic Originator: Dandy Warhol
Date: Thu 9 Jan 07:10
Quote:
wee eck, Wed 8 Jan 18:32
So they`ve regressed since last season?
They`ve stayed pretty much the same, to quote you when it suits you, the table doesn`t lie.
I don`t wanna go down like disco.
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Topic Originator: wee eck
Date: Thu 9 Jan 09:34
That`s more or less what my original point was. They were good enough to stay in the Championship last season and still have a chance of doing so again. We`d all like better players at the club but that doesn`t mean those who are here at the moment are League 1 standard.
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Topic Originator: Dandy Warhol
Date: Thu 9 Jan 09:41
Quote:
wee eck, Thu 9 Jan 09:34
That`s more or less what my original point was. They were good enough to stay in the Championship last season and still have a chance of doing so again. We`d all like better players at the club but that doesn`t mean those who are here at the moment are League 1 standard.
Eck they are and remain 2 places above league 1 standard, really because Airdrie have been so poor, hopefully it`s been down to management but surely going forward we want more than perpetual survival?
I don`t wanna go down like disco.
Post Edited (Thu 09 Jan 09:54)
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Topic Originator: wee eck
Date: Thu 9 Jan 09:48
I never said anywhere that we should be happy with `perpetual survival`. I`ve said my piece on it other than to mention that John McLaughlan has spoken highly of the squad he`s working with. I`d be surprised if he thinks they are L1 standard.
Post Edited (Thu 09 Jan 09:49)
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Topic Originator: Dandy Warhol
Date: Thu 9 Jan 09:56
He`s not going to say they are though is he?
Hopefully the new owners want to see thr team doing better in the Championship than some on here.
I don`t wanna go down like disco.
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Topic Originator: da_no_1
Date: Thu 9 Jan 10:02
Quote:
Dandy Warhol, Thu 9 Jan 09:56
He`s not going to say they are though is he?
Hopefully the new owners want to see thr team doing better in the Championship than some on here.
That`s a bit harsh. I think everyone on here wants us to be higher than 9th. Pretty silly to suggest otherwise.
"Some days will stay a 1000 years, some pass like the flash of a spark"
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Topic Originator: DA-go Par Adonis
Date: Thu 9 Jan 10:40
I think anyone who watched the Thistle match would concede that there is enough quality in the squad to compete at the right end of the table.
I know some will point to results against Livi and Rovers earlier on in the season but, performance-wise, we were on a different level to those matches - and to just about everything else we`ve dished up since promotion.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I love it when we go sell Kevin Nisbet,
He's gonna pay for everyone this season.
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Topic Originator: Dandy Warhol
Date: Thu 9 Jan 11:27
Quote:
da_no_1, Thu 9 Jan 10:02
Quote:
Dandy Warhol, Thu 9 Jan 09:56
He`s not going to say they are though is he?
Hopefully the new owners want to see thr team doing better in the Championship than some on here.
That`s a bit harsh. I think everyone on here wants us to be higher than 9th. Pretty silly to suggest otherwise.
I would assume that of course.
In saying that certain posters talk up just about every situation, which is admirable in a way but doesn`t change the fact our general position is poor, at the moment on and off the park.
Hopefully shortly there will be more ambition.
I don`t wanna go down like disco.
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Topic Originator: P
Date: Thu 9 Jan 13:16
Last season was a car crash but a free pass was given to an extent owing to perception of unprecedented injuries and we survived with a late push.
Expectation this year was having survived that the. The players would kick on. They have not - this has been put down to the manager this time.
Any reinvention of last season to suggest the players are better than Div 1 standard is disingenuous.
These players are all in last chance coral and we will know soon whether it’s unfulfilled potential (which we have all hoped for) or they are just not good enough. Very few are proven to be the required standard yet.
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Topic Originator: wee eck
Date: Thu 9 Jan 13:49
`Perception` of unprecedented injuries? I must have dreamt it or rather had a nightmare.
It`s ironical that a lot of the players who helped get us out of L1 aren`t considered good enough for the Championship but on another thread we`re being encouraged to pursue a guy playing in L2 at the moment. Mind you, I suppose it will depend on him being identified as a prospect by data analysis if the potential change in ownership goes through.
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Topic Originator: summeragent
Date: Thu 9 Jan 14:41
My view, the players have been shackled by the defensive nature of the team set up, players out of position, the lack of confidence in the team due to poor results.
Honestly think we have a decent squad and I’m sorry players are being judged on McPakes tenure.
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Topic Originator: Playup_Pompey
Date: Thu 9 Jan 14:43
"I suppose it will depend on him being identified as a prospect by data analysis" Well more chance of his stats being picked up by data analysts on the other side of the world than our "chief scout" who sits in the dug out for the first-team every week.
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Topic Originator: wee eck
Date: Thu 9 Jan 15:02
He could be doing the data analysis anywhere, anytime surely?
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Topic Originator: fcda
Date: Thu 9 Jan 15:59
Quote:
P, Thu 9 Jan 13:16
Any reinvention of last season to suggest the players are better than Div 1 standard is disingenuous.
"reinvention"? Ah, this must be the .net [I]"league table doesn`t lie"[/I] paradox. We finished 6th last season, level on points with 5th, 2 goals worse off. Yes, not a lot of points in it, but is the same logic applied to all players of Morton, Ayr and Queens Park? All div 1 standard?
I`m not for a minute trying to say things are good. Until recently and last season included we`ve been around the level of teams in the lower half of the championship. Not cut adrift like Airdrie. So logic would tell you that the players are generally of lower championship level, some above that, some below it. Some of that might be due to the manager`s tactics, Impossible to say at this stage.
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Topic Originator: buffy
Date: Thu 9 Jan 16:27
Dave Honeyman used to do the data and match analysis on the laptop in the gantry.
”Buffy’s Buns are the finest in Fife”, J. Spence 2019”
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Topic Originator: Berkey
Date: Thu 9 Jan 16:50
That’s not entirely true though is it summeragent.
3 of the outfield 10 on sat were regulars the last time we were not good enough in this league. 4 when chalmers was on.
They have struggled under more managers than just mcpake he was just the latest.
Re Conor young, we don’t know if he’s going to be good enough but sometimes it’s a better option than persisting with players you know can’t take you any further than the bottom end of the championship table.
Post Edited (Thu 09 Jan 16:53)
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Topic Originator: wee eck
Date: Thu 9 Jan 17:08
I`ve never understood this argument that if you played in a squad that got relegated you`re never good enough for the level you got relegated from. I doubt many would argue that Comrie isn`t good enough for the Championship and Todd and McCann have their admirers too.
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Topic Originator: cammypar 1995
Date: Thu 9 Jan 17:40
Quote:
wee eck, Thu 9 Jan 17:08
I`ve never understood this argument that if you played in a squad that got relegated you`re never good enough for the level you got relegated from. I doubt many would argue that Comrie isn`t good enough for the Championship and Todd and McCann have their admirers too.
If we didn't`t sign kane and MFW in the January window we would have been relegated again.
c'mon the pars
Post Edited (Thu 09 Jan 17:41)
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Topic Originator: Rusty Shackleford
Date: Thu 9 Jan 17:48
Tobi, Bene, Hamilton, Otoo, KRH, Todd, Mebude, Fogarty, Kane, McCann, Wotherspoon, McCann & Comrie are all demonstrably good enough with the right coaching, application, energy and set up as evidenced by the odd really good performance.
A few others more than serviceable in the right set up
My own view is that we`ve had a chonic lack of energy/ambition from the top down and its filtered through the management and squad. McPake, a naturally cautious and pragmatic guy at the best of times was utterly beaten by the injury crisis, lack of support in the pre-season and his own failings as a young coach. It`s grew toxic.
I`m basing this purely on my own rudimentary understanding of the game but with a better than average understanding of management and psychology. People are perfectly entitled to take the view that they`re just not good enough but I`m confident they`re wrong.
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