Pre-Season

[TONofmemories]

I think some folk are in for a bit of a shock. We're implementing a new system it seems and that's going to take time. 

[HamCam]

Last season was a season too far for Broadfoot. Nothing against the guy but he cannot be a starter if we are serious about giving it a go this season. My fear though is Imrie is a stubborn manager and when he likes a player they are rarely dropped. Other than that I do hope we have a proper No.9 in mind otherwise the danger is we might look the part but not being clinical will hurt us.

[DumfriesTon]

Cowshed is going to be unbearable this season if it takes a little time for the new style of play to become effective. Cries and moans of "get the ball forward" within about 5 minutes as we passed it round the back. Then some booing at half time. Seriously? 

Thought we played really well first half and controlled the game. Two Broadfoot errors. He has to be 4th choice. Had plenty of chances and we will only improve as the players get to know each other better but pretty optimistic about this season. 

Definitely need a hard man type in midfield though. Think we're a little powderpuff in there. 

[Scott]

What was the attendance? 

[irnbru]

5 minutes ago, Scott said:

What was the attendance? 

2200 I think. Not sure how the money is split but a hopefully a wee bonus to the budget. 

[Tubes]

Lots of positives to take forward from tonight against an established and physical side. Enjoy the change of style but as mentioned above, patience required.

Boyes and Delaney combination looks good so far. Ballantyne had a great 1st half. Plenty of energy from Davies and Moffat. Reynolds looks like he will offer us something different too. Lyall is going to be the key for us this season though, one step ahead at all times and gives us that vision we have sorely missed.

Hopefully just cameos for Broadfoot this season, appreciate the effort but legs are gone unfortunately and that was a tough watch in the first half.

Wilson and Gillespie has to be the starters in the middle for me, appreciate Blues has that energy and engine but just feel he still shys away too much when we need players taking more responsibility in there. Wilson offers us a lot in there.

Regarding any potential signings has to be a No9 and possibly another central midfielder who is quick, can play a simple pass and be able to kick fuck out of someone.
 

 

[TONofmemories]

Who was trialist?

[mcintyre_gmfc]

Just now, TONofmemories said:

Who was trialist?

The same boy that’s played all pre season, not sure of his name. That’s probably the most composed I’ve seen him in the games but still not good enough for a contract IMO. 

[vikingTON]

1 hour ago, DumfriesTon said:

Cowshed is going to be unbearable this season if it takes a little time for the new style of play to become effective. Cries and moans of "get the ball forward" within about 5 minutes as we passed it round the back. 

Given the collective aneurysm that certain Cowshed philosophers have had about 'hoofball' every three seconds in almost every home game in the past 20 years, the irony of this post is delicious. 

We can wish for patient implementation of a 'progressive' style in pre-season. But if the team isn't scoring goals at one end and can't keep weans out of a close at the other, then it will not take too long at all for frustration at that to be vented. The foundations of a competent team need to be in place and demonstrated first, regardless of what playing style you plan to develop. 

I'm relatively confident of our chances against St Johnstone in our cup group, but consider it more likely we'll come a cropper this Saturday. 

[dunning1874]

9 hours ago, TONofmemories said:

Bit far. Booing the team in a pre-season friendly, which btw i don't agree we should be entertaining, is a bit cringe. Sets the tone and could potentially drive a wedge between the players and fans from the outset. It's just a bit weird behaviour. 

I agree and I'd never do it myself, because it's pre-season and the results don't matter at all, but to an extent the club are wanting to have their cake and eat it if they expect every fan to treat it that way when they're calling it a real derby and charging £18. Not everyone is going to view it as a meaningless friendly in that case and they'll therefore react the same way they would at being 2-0 down through individual errors as they would in any other game against St Mirren.

[Ferguson]

Really hope that's the last we see of Broadfoot in a Morton shirt. Both last night and against the lower league teams he's struggled to cope against forwards with any hint of pace or strength and even as a 4th choice centre back he'll likely cost us points this season. Baird coming on really disrupted the game plan and Dougie was visibly annoyed every time he launched the ball forward, hopefully he can find his feet in the new system but it doesn't look to suit him at all. For me Corr has to start when fit and in an ideal world we'd have someone else in to cover.

[LargsTON]

1 hour ago, Ferguson said:

Really hope that's the last we see of Broadfoot in a Morton shirt. Both last night and against the lower league teams he's struggled to cope against forwards with any hint of pace or strength and even as a 4th choice centre back he'll likely cost us points this season. Baird coming on really disrupted the game plan and Dougie was visibly annoyed every time he launched the ball forward, hopefully he can find his feet in the new system but it doesn't look to suit him at all. For me Corr has to start when fit and in an ideal world we'd have someone else in to cover.

Baird should be given a bit of leeway.  He's never been the type to play it out calmly from the back and will need time to adjust more than the rest.

[dunning1874]

1 hour ago, Ferguson said:

 Baird coming on really disrupted the game plan and Dougie was visibly annoyed every time he launched the ball forward

This does present the frankly terrifying possibility of Broadfoot being selected ahead of him. Hopefully he's given the time to adjust, considering the patience granted to Broadfoot after spending a season handing goals to our opponents on a plate.

[Mr Toon]

2 hours ago, LargsTON said:

Baird should be given a bit of leeway.  He's never been the type to play it out calmly from the back and will need time to adjust more than the rest.

The midfield need to help Baird out. There is no need for him with our new style of play to be shelling the ball aimlessly forward except if under real pressure. If midfielders make themselves available to a short simple pass the 'problem' is solved.

However if it is a case of Baird winning the ball and punting it forward, or Broadfoot giving away a goal a game as he did early last season Baird gets my vote every time.

[Alibi]

I would have thought that getting Baird to look for a constructive pass where possible shouldn't take long.  Of course there are going to be times when a hoof up the park is a reasonable course of action when under pressure, but Baird is a professional footballer and something relatively simple like passing the ball to a team mate is surely not beyond his capabilities - however the midfielders or fullbacks need to be in position to create the option of a short pass.

[Ferguson]

6 minutes ago, Mr Toon said:

The midfield need to help Baird out. There is no need for him with our new style of play to be shelling the ball aimlessly forward except if under real pressure. If midfielders make themselves available to a short simple pass the 'problem' is solved.

There were a couple of occasions last night where Wilson and the 2 full backs were throwing their arms up in frustration at Baird ignoring them for a long ball, and I'd side with them as they did seem to be showing for the ball just as much as they did before but hopefully it's just one of these pre-season issues that iron themselves out in time.

I'm a fan of Baird, he's one of they guys you just want to do well and I hope he does come good as he's literally just a second to compose himself away from being effective. As you say, it's no question between him and Broadfoot until Corr is back to challenge for the spot.

[TopCat]

Baird is fine, it's another experienced centre mid and a central striker we need for getting an edge in tight matches. The new players we've signed look promising but lack experience at this level.

Hopefully there's enough in the budget to cover a Grimshaw/Power-type player at least.

[Jamie_M]

On 7/2/2024 at 8:13 PM, TONofmemories said:

Pitch has been quite poor for a number of years now, IMO. 

[TONofmemories]

14 hours ago, Jamie_M said:

Its a myth that we still have the amazing pitch we once had, mainly from 2003 onwards, under Marks tenure. It's been crap for a few years, probably down to lack of funding made avaliable to him to get it to the standard it once was. When was the last time it was relayed? 

Getting a 4/5 gold standard probably isn't all that difficult, no disrespect, but it's just not what it once was. Nearly every opposition manager complains about it and lately even our own manager complains about it being dry and too long. 

[Jamie_M]

30 minutes ago, TONofmemories said:

Its a myth that we still have the amazing pitch we once had, mainly from 2003 onwards, under Marks tenure. It's been crap for a few years, probably down to lack of funding made avaliable to him to get it to the standard it once was. When was the last time it was relayed? 

Getting a 4/5 gold standard probably isn't all that difficult, no disrespect, but it's just not what it once was. Nearly every opposition manager complains about it and lately even our own manager complains about it being dry and too long. 

Not refuting it.