GG Riva

😂🤣😂 I know the match sponsor, was speaking to him about 2.15 and he was perfectly sober then, but who knows what happened after that. 😃 It's Otoo, btw and he's no relation to Samuel Eto'o, who would be a great signing, whatever age he is now. That was a disciplined, professional performance, against stuffy opponents today.

That's the first time, to my knowledge, the players have had a Thursday off. We used to have the school visits on Mondays, but that is normally their preferred day off now.

Unusually, the players were given Thursday off this week. It's normally a Monday, or Wednesday if we have a game on the Tuesday. Superally can rest easy now. 😉

I think Goodwin demonstrated he's a good manager at Alloa and St Mirren. He (or someone else) made some poor signings at Aberdeen. No manager is going to get everything right all the time. AJ was a very good manager for the Pars when he was first appointed. He worked very hard to be a success, often travelling the country to midweek games, to scout new players. He would never sign anyone on a recommendation, but had to see them play for himself. That's fine for assessing their ability, but not their character and attitude. When SC replaced AJ, he told us at a supporters meeting that he'd never encountered a playing squad in which so many players had a poor attitude. That ultimately cost AJ his job. Perhaps it was a similar situation for Goodwin.

You've summarised that very well, Ally. Alloa will be a tough nut to crack, especially at home, where paradoxically we find it harder, perhaps because our opponents are harder to break down. A single goal may once again be decisive....

😃😃 I pictured you quite differently, DP. A big, brawny, Rob Roy type.... 🤔

Are we going to speculate whether our manager will be away, every time a vacancy at a higher ranking Scottish club crops up? There must be a good chance we'll be playing the Arabs in the Championship next season. 🤔 Come to think of it, that could be a decent league next season if we go up and Falkirk join us. We could also have both Dundee clubs and the wee team...... 🙂

Our away form has been pretty decent this season, so hopefully that will continue. A draw would be pretty rubbish as it's 2 pts dropped and would put us under pressure if Falkirk were to win. I think McPake will have us going for the 3pts and we'll be rewarded for our positive approach. 2-1 Pars.

I get where you're coming from, Al, but we need somebody to hate - a target for our primordial tribal emotions. Take away that scummy six fingered mob and who do we substitute them with?

For all that Falkirk are one of my least favourite clubs, I don't want to see them go under. Intense local rivalries are the lifeblood of our game and the atmosphere they generate make these games very special. I hope they can join us in the Championship next season.

The BBC was very fortunate to have two top class commentators for many years, in John Motson and Barry Davies. There was very little between them, but in the end, Motson became the de facto No 1. Motson was given a second consecutive WC Final after it had been promised to Davies four years earlier. He`ll be taking over all the top games at the Big Fitbaw Stadium in the Sky now. 😉 R. I. P. Motty.

Ross`s daughter, Laura posted this on FB :- Dad`s funeral will be held at 2.30pm on Tuesday 28th February in The Purvis Suite at his beloved East End Park. There will be no service at the crem, but instead dad will come in to EEP and we can say goodbye to him in his `church`. Guests are invited to wear black, white and red, and instead of flowers we will be taking a collection for Ward 42 (the Stroke Ward) at The Vic for those who wish to contribute. The staff there showed incredible kindness and compassion, not only to dad, but to the whole family last week. We simply cannot express how grateful we are to them for helping make such a hugely difficult time that little bit easier for us. We would also like to express our thanks for all the kindness, love and support shown to us all since dad`s passing from so many people. The cards, flowers, gifts, visits and messages have been overwhelming, and really have helped us in the past week. Not only have they shown us what amazing friends we have, they are a true testament to how much everyone loved and will miss dad. As so many have said recently, he truly was one in a million 🖤🤍 https://www.dunfermlinepress.com/news/23327480.dunfermline-tributes-paid-legendary-former-teacher-ross

A win would be an excellent result and is certainly not beyond us, as Airdrie are unlikely to sit in, so that will give us opportunities to get forward and create chances. Our away record suggests we will take something from the game. A draw would be a decent result in what is likely to be a tricky game. Get that first goal Pars.

I'm not at all surprised that Alloa took something from the game and I'm not being wise after the event. I had a bit of "inside knowledge." A good mate of mine was at the Kelty game on Saturday and I was speaking to him on Sunday. He said he doesn't know how Falkirk are second in the league because they were absolute (something that rhymes with) white. 😃 He added that Kelty were all over them and lost to a poxy last minute deflection, describing the result as an absolute travesty. Now admittedly, that was just one fan's view of one game, but he is an ex pro and I`d like to think he has an opinion worth considering. For this reason, I don`t think we should be looking over our shoulder, fearing the worst every time Falkirk win a game and we don't. In any race, the front runner just concentrates on his own performance, stays on his feet and runs at a pace he's reasonably comfortable with. I can guarantee it's a lot harder for the chasing pack. 🙂

No, they haven't but should have been. I think they finished bottom one year but we're saved by reconstruction and there was also a season when they finished second bottom but beat us in a play off. There was also a season when they beat league leaders Rangers at Ibrox in the very last game, to save themselves. Rangers were still champions thanks to Celtic beating second top Hearts at Tynecastle. 😃 As for your impression of Yogi, you're not so much agonisingly wide of the mark as hitting the corner flag. Ask players who have played for him if you're in any doubt.

Many of you will be shocked and saddened to learn of the sudden death of Ross Allan, who taught Business Studies in St Columba's HS throughout his entire career. Ross originally hailed from Lochgelly and went to school with Jim Leishman. Although he couldn't rival Jim's ability on the field he was every bit as passionate about the Pars off it. He was a regular at EEP and at many away games for over 60 years. A much loved friend and colleague for 35 years, Ross was born to teach. He had that wonderful knack of being able to entertain his pupils by making learning fun. I don't know if he planned some of the madcap things he did or if they were spontaneous but it doesn't really matter, the kids loved him for it and looked forward to going to his classes. We both retired on the same day at the end of the 2010-11 session. I'll never forget his entry that morning. He marched gleefully into the staff room, in full Highland attire, right arm aloft, clutching a bottle of Buckfast. 😀 RIP my friend. The world is a poorer place without you. 😔

Admittedly, being 7 pts clear is better than 5, but we're still in pole position and I'm certain Falkirk and every other team in this league, would be delighted to be in our position. Our squad is a bit threadbare in some positions, but it's held up pretty well so far. We won't win every week, but neither will Falkirk. Let's just see what happens on a game by game basis. Plenty of time for recriminations if it all goes tits up, but hey, it might never happen. I believe the manager did try to bring in a couple of quality players in January but they didn't happen due to factors out with the club's control. Unfortunate but not his fault. Should he have identified an exhaustive list of players who could get us over the line?

Not surprised, Digs. With all due respect, he'd have been playing at a lower level when he played with you and his experience would have made up for his age, assuming he kept himself reasonably fit. The experiment happened when the Pars were pushing for promotion to the top flight. Tbf, he'd never played at the back before and much of the "havoc" was caused by a lack of understanding with his fellow defenders, so you'd have two going for the same ball or leaving it to the other.

😨 I remember Jim Leishman, experimenting with John Watson at centre half. He caused more havoc in our box than he ever did in the opposition's and the experiment was abandoned after 2 or 3 games. 😃

It's really impossible to say. Do you think the Pars have a deal(s) in the bag and are holding off announcing them to keep us in suspense? Far more likely that targeted players (and their agents) are holding off giving a definitive answer until the last minute to see if any better offers come in.

Murray was excellent for us, similar to Benedictus with whom he played at the San Starko. Been a while now, but his experience would be invaluable in the run in. Would help negate the loss of Fisher.

Back on topic. This will be just as tough a game as last week's and the last time Montrose were at EEP. I don't see us winning by more than a single goal as they are unlikely to make life easy for us and fully expect them to keep it tight and look to Nick one on the counter or a set piece. 1-0 Pars... 🤞

Any team can lose a game, but to lose 6 - 0 to an opponent, also on a poor run of form, takes some explaining. They were all supposed to be fully behind the manager and should have been hurting and busting a gut to make amends after that dreadful result v Darvel. This is the same team who came close to earning a draw v Celtic and led Rangers 2-1, going into stoppage time, just a few weeks ago. They weren't useless then, so why are they useless now?

I find it astounding that the BBC report makes no reference to the crude and dangerous tactics employed by Liverpool players in the latter stages of the game. The raking, studs up "tackles" by Fabinho and Robertson could have resulted in serious injuries and should both have been reds. I thought "omerta" was a tradition exclusively enjoyed by the Mafia.

Lucky doesn't begin to cover it, Al. It was scandalous. I'm tempted to say corrupt, but perhaps the ref was just really poor. He shouldn't get another top flight game after that performance. So glad Brighton nicked it at the end.