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  2. Morton v Queen’s Park – Match Preview by Russell Gordon Morton draw the curtain on a month of misery by welcoming Queen’s Park to Cappielow Park supported by Dalrada Technology in the hope of finally ending a run of five defeats in a row against Callum Davidson’s resurgent Spiders. With the Glasgow side only a point behind Morton, albeit having played a game more, Dougie Imrie will see this as the perfect time to get back to winning ways against a team who have seen an upturn in their fortunes while Morton’s have declined. Match tickets are available at the below link: Fanbase | Select Ticket (fanbaseclub.com) Photo - GBR Photographs. Squad News The return of George Oakley to the starting XI last weekend was a welcome one for all of us, but it appeared to those watching on the Morton’s talismanic hitman wasn’t fully fit, impinging on his performance in the 0-1 defeat by the Fifers. Jai Quitongo also returned to the bench and got minutes late on as Morton chased down an equaliser, winning the penalty that Robbie Muirhead failed to convert, and barring any further setbacks, should be included in the squad. Imrie did point out that Iain Wilson, who has been greatly missed over the last month, has returned to training, but I suspect his return is still a good bit off. What will be of great concern to the Morton boss though will be the injuries to Lewis Strapp and Tyler French, with Strapp hobbling off early in the second half and French forced off late on. Should the full backs fail to make it, Imrie’s defensive options will be limited to the absolute bare bones, with only Darragh O’Connor, Jack Baird, Kirk Broadfoot and Calum Waters available. Imrie has intimated that he’s not been happy with the contributions of some however- stating that after knocking his door down to state their case for inclusion, but with options at a premium, what changes are made in forward positions will likely be made by necessity, rather than choice. Current Connections Grant Gillespie and Jai Quitongo both spent a couple of successful seasons at Queen’s Park, winning the League Two title in the locked down 2020-21 season, before playing their parts in a second consecutive promotion as the Spiders finished fourth and sneaked up through the play-offs, relegating Dunfermline in the semi-final, before winning a dramatic final against Airdrie to take the Spiders into Scotland’s second tier for the first time since league reconstruction in 1975 saw the leagues extended from only two tiers. Ryan Mullen made only one appearance for Queens in that title winning season, on loan from Celtic. There are no former Morton players in the Queen’s Park squad, although two former Morton managers have been involved in the club this term. David Hopkin was working in an advisory role around the time of erstwhile boss Robin Veldman’s departure and prior to Callum Davidson’s appointment. Fans of their Championship rivals may feel a tinge of disappointment that the Spiders opted for the far more accomplished Davidson rather than the former Morton boss, however. Hopkin’s temporary replacement, all round good guy Anton McElhone, is now in charge of the Academy at Hampden. Tale of the Tape Morton have had the better of this season’s encounters, but there’s no hiding from it, it’s made for difficult viewing. The first meeting took place at a rain-sodden Hampden in October when the flooding was so bad that the vast majority of the Morton support, and even Jack Bearne, couldn’t even get out of Greenock to make the short journey to the National Stadium, but despite other clubs having matches called off later in the season because of travel difficulties, bottom-of-the-table Morton were forced to play the match and emerged with a credible 0-0 draw from a turgid affair. Very much a point gained in the circumstances. With Morton’s form turning, the ‘Ton recorded their third consecutive league win as Queens, who had recently disposed of the services of Head Coach Veldman amidst a horrid run of results, were put to the sword thanks to an early Robbie Muirhead goal. Morton were made to fight for their victory though, with George Oakley sent off for a tackle on the halfway line that merited no more than a booking on 40 minutes, before referee Grant Irvine awarded the visitors a ridiculously soft penalty in first half injury time. Thankfully, Ryan Mullen was down quickly enough to smother Ruari Paton’s tame spot-kick. The Spiders huffed and puffed in the second half without creating anything of substance as Morton’s rearguard effort secured three vital points in difficult circumstances. Last month’s visit to Hampden was a similar damp squib to the previous visit, as the teams played out an insipid goalless draw, thanks in no small part to an uncharacteristically fine performance from Queens’ custodian Callum Ferrie, his late save from George Oakley’s point-blank effort being the most impressive of his stops on the day. Queen’s Park’s last victory over Morton was a 2-0 Challenge Cup success at Hampden in September 2016, and they’ve not beaten Morton in the league since April 1962. Photo - GBR Photographs. Opposition Analysis There’s a clear correlation between Queens’ improved form in recent months and the arrival of new manager Callum Davidson. After a start to the league campaign that proved to be very much a false dawn, those in charge at Hampden (or Lesser Hampden/The City Stadium, delete as appropriate) were forced into decisive action as the appointment of Robin Veldman, a Dutch youth coach with no knowledge of lower league Scottish football, and the introduction of a model that relied on kids to compete against experienced pros in a division notorious for its rough-and-tumble nature looked to be sending Queens heading back to League One with a whimper. The first half of the season only saw victories over fellow strugglers Arbroath and Inverness, but since Davidson’s arrival, things have seen an improvement, with the Spiders currently enjoying a five-match unbeaten run, and one defeat in nine. While the signing of former Scotland centre-back Danny Wilson attracted the headlines, the arrivals of midfielder Sean Welsh and striker Cillian Sheridan from Inverness have also been successful acquisitions. While the departure of Welsh was bemoaned up north, there were plenty Inverness fans who would have driven the Irish striker down the A9, but three goals since his arrival have helped the Spiders climb the table to a position that now sees them targeting the promotion play-offs, rather than worrying about what’s behind them. What’s Happening Elsewhere? The BBC Scotland cameras take a trip to the seaside for the live Friday night action as Ayr United host newly crowned SPFL Trust Trophy winners Airdrie at Somerset Park. While a home win would see Morton going into their match in seventh place, an Airdrie win certainly isn’t a favourable outcome either. Draw please. We’ll be looking for a favour from bottom-of-the-pile Arbroath against Dunfermline, who I suspect will collect maximum points, making a Morton win all the more important. Partick host Inverness, and with their victory over Morton a few weeks ago cementing their play-off place, a home win to keep Morton further from the bottom end of the table would suit all of a Morton persuasion. The division’s match of the day, and indeed match of the season, sees league leaders Dundee United host a big-spending Raith Rovers side who must be smelling blood as Jim Goodwin’s stuttering Terrors limps from one poor result to another, a run of form not befitting potential champions. While a home win would see United keep the title in their own hands, I suspect a victory for the moneybags-Fifers may see the axe fall on the beleaguered Tannadice chief- too late in the eyes of many of the United faithful. After Hamilton spoiled the party last weekend, we’re likely to see a new and not-very-welcome addition to the Championship this weekend as Falkirk need only a draw at Montrose to win the title and promotion from League One at the fifth, yes fifth, attempt. While poking hot needles in the eyes is a more appealing pastime for the learned observer, the match is a 5.30 kick off on BBC ALBA on Saturday night. Not for me. Photo - GBR Photographs. Betting Guide All odds are supplied by McBookie. All odds correct as of 7pm on 28th March 2024 and are subject to change. Please only bet within your means and visit BeGambleAware if you are struggling. Morton are odds on favourites at 10/11, with Queen’s Park priced at 5/2 and the draw at 5/2. George Oakley to score the first goal is 43/10 and Morton to win to nil is 9/4. Match Officials Referee- Chris Graham takes charge of his first Morton match of the season. He last officiated Morton on the occasion of our devastating 3-3 draw at Dens Park last season that saw the eventual champions salvage a late draw that proved a mortal blow to the ‘Ton’s play-off hopes. AR 1- Paul O’Neill AR 2- Calum Doyle
  3. Ahem, I'm sure he likes a 'banger'.
  4. They are all wet though? Seriously, unless its something like Tennents Super Lager which is fucking revolting and avoidable at all costs, you tend not to notice the strength until you get pissed quicker than you normally would. I always thought that most beer and lagers was between 4%-5% ABV as standard, and occasionally there were a few north of the 5% mark. Still, it is indicative of the times we live in when football supporters are being 'warned' about the strength of the local beer. Especially as most who will be travelling would have already experienced it (or similar) over the years.
  5. Yesterday
  6. The strength of average Lager in the UK started off very low in the 70s and 80s then peaked in the late 90s - Stella was 5.2% and has been decreasing ever since. Tennents is 4% and I want to say Carling is 4.2%. In the US light beers are generally 4.2% and normal lager is 5%. In Germany it tends not to go lower than 4.8% and even session beers can be north of 5.1%. In Poland you just can't find lager under 5. It's worth noting the same beers can be different by country. Stella is 5% in the USA.
  7. That song is an absolute banger. Amazing what you can do with a I, vi, ii, V progression. Put a beat under it and something catchy on top, Holly's your confirmed bachelor uncle.
  8. Seen this news story today: https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/scottish-news/scotland-fans-warned-german-beer-32461857 Since when have Scottish Football supporters needed a 'warning' about the strength of Beer, wherever it is, most of which are already readily available in a Wetherspoons or a UK supermarket.
  9. But the occasion is already as 'elevated' as its likely to be. And if someone with a smart tailored dinner suit is sitting next to someone in a Tesco bin bag, well, one is kinda being upstaged which kinda defeats that argument. To be fair, the majority of folk that go to these kind of things would already know how to dress for them, so it shouldnt be an issue. However, we're a club supported by predominantly white, working class males - we're not a 'Lodge' and we aren't golf club wankers* - the kind of attire most people would wear to a day in hospitality should be fine. *at least most of us aren't. reminds me of this:
  10. I draw the line at clip-on ties. It elevates the occasion if people put the effort in. It makes it feel more special. It is also, counterintuitively, egalitarian: nobody can really upstage anyone else if there's a dress code because it means the expectations are clear and people won't feel under- or over-dressed. Black tie is obviously an exception but people also mistake dressing smartly for dressing expensively. I generally wear slacks/chinos and a button-down collared shirt each day and these cost me significantly less than a graphic t-shirt, for example.
  11. Smart (or Smart-ish) Dress should be acceptable, otherwise the place will look like a queue for the Lourdes bus. Jesus would go down a treat, turning water into wine etc. He'd save his table a fortune. Next.
  12. Dressing smart pisses me right off. On that basis Hitler would be welcomed with open arms whilst Jesus would be told to bolt! Same shit at hospitality....what is wrong with society?? Oh aye.....100 bucs for the night plus bevvy and you want people to pay another 100 to dress "smart". What a pile of shit.
  13. Is that what we have to reduce ourselves to if we are having a 150 year knees-up? Sitting about in Tesco clobber? Seriously, Fuck that.
  14. A mere six days later everything is here. I will say the polo shirt is acceptable but not the best quality. The badge is reverse-sewn and the FC bit looks slightly dodgy as others have pointed out. It's thin material and feels very artificial. However, if you want to support the club, there's nothing wrong with it. Just don't expect bespoke craftsmanship. The rest of the tat is fine, if clearly high-margin (for example the actual magnet on the fridge magnet is tiny and I reckon a stiff breeze would knock if off the fridge) and again if your aim is to support the club I recommend it, but if you're looking for top-quality items to last a lifetime, this isn't it.
  15. It's 150 years, rent one if you have to or nip to Tesco, I'm sure they do them for well under a hundred.
  16. Last week
  17. The average Morton supporter would normally only wear a black tie for a funeral though. Smart dress should be sufficient for these kind of things.
  18. Fair point. I'd completely forgotten that, in fact. That should be black tie imvho.
  19. It's not the 150th anniversary Gala Dinner though. That's pencilled in for October.
  20. Honestly I don't think black tie was unreasonable for the club's 150th anniversay.
  21. I wonder if the unforeseen circumstances surrounding the rescheduling of the AGM were that the notice was provided to shareholders on 19th March, which is less than the required 14 days notice required for a 28th March meeting. I may be wrong, as my knowledge of company law is somewhat limited, but I believe the new date of the AGM now falls out with the required ten month timescale from the date of the accounts, which would have been 31st May 2023.
  22. Two climb downs in 24 hours - first the dinner is reduced from £99 plus VAT to £99 including VAT, and now changed from black tie to formal. Add that to the “unforeseen circumstances” for delaying the AGM and things don’t appear to be going too well at Cappielow. Does nobody check things before they go public?
  23. A step in the right direction but still tone deaf to many fans in Inverclyde who are experiencing a cost of living crisis. I remain to be convinced this is the right message to be sending out for a fan owned club. Just seen the event is now no longer black tie. I can only assume the pushback to the original proposal has required a response.
  24. If I remember rightly Imrie has previously commented he did try to get a couple of players in on loan but others were able and willing to offer/contribute more than Morton.
  25. It's maybe the case that Dougie was reasonably happy with the squad and didn't anticipate we'd be so affected by injuries in February and March. He already has another striker lined up for next season ) and I would hope that Oakley could be persuaded to extend his contract so other than a short term signing until the summer, what did we really need prior to the transfer window closing? We were on a decent run and it would have been reasonable to expect that to continue in some shape or form.
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