Well and Dons at Hame

Reality Check

Saturday saw the start of the biggest week of our SPL campaign. Three games, all of them hard, all of them at home and arguably the squad is at its most depleted. Steve Lomas has had an outstanding start to his managerial career but a first defeat had to come somewhere. It’s a shame it had to come at home, but being blunt, the fans on the day got what they deserved.

We took over 1000 fans to Tynecastle, brilliant in comparison to Hibs bringing 700 to Perth and Motherwell bringing less than 500. We made a tremendous noise at Tynecastle. We supported the team as though we actually cared. We did nothing of the sort against Motherwell.

Steve Lomas said that our attitude was wrong from the start, he was talking of the players but he might as well have been speaking about the fans. It’s really sad that our fans only make a noise when they are inebriated and away from Perth. We should be proud of our wee club; we are David in a Goliath league. Saturday gave us a massive chance to lay the first brick in our push for top six. The conditions were poor and the players should have been able to rely on us for support, encouragement and wholehearted backing.

Earlier in the year, we left Fir Park with a three nil scoreline which flattered us. Since then, they’ve scarcely lost a game. On Saturday, each of their three goals had elements of luck; but frankly they fully merited the win. The first goal was a muddle; the second goal saw Enckleman beaten by a shot he’d often save and the third deflected past the helpless keeper.

The passing from both sides was of a great standard; but Motherwell used the ball better. They rarely needed a first touch and that buys enormous amounts of time. The ball did the hard work for Stuart McCall’s men. Times without number they got into a two on three and made neat little triangles to get out of bother; often setting up counter attacks in the process.

The injury situation at McDiarmid was telling; Sam Parkin is miles away from being match fit yet was on the bench and appeared from it. Sam, to his eternal credit, played very well despite an unfortunate lack of bounce games. He remains a great player and thoroughly deserves some recognition for our supporters.

In midfield, Lomas was between a rock and a hard place as he had to choose between Wullie Gibson and David Robertson. In choosing Robertson, Midgie was allowed to keep his regular wide right berth. Robertson slotting in alongside a rejuvenated Murray Davidson. Muzz has had a stop-start season and that’s a shame given how brightly he shone at Pittodrie. He showed flashes of real brilliance against Motherwell and he’ll be a key player against Motherwell, especially if Mooner doesn’t make it.

His touch was back and his runs into the box were well timed. His finishing remains dire, though in fairness he is missing by less than he used to.... Lomas has been vocal in suggesting that if Muzz can add goals to his game, he’ll be a star in England. I don’t doubt that for a moment, but I do fear that he’ll never add that part of the game to his armoury. Jamie Adams would have been the ideal replacement for Mooner but the tough nut remains sidelined.

It’s hard to see anything other than the same starting line up against the Dons, the one possible change being Fran Sandaza replacing Finnigan. It was great to hear Steve Lomas talking about investigating the medical set-up at McDiarmid. He obviously has a vested interest in ensuring our players are in top tip condition. Our board are sensible enough to realise that injured players have no value, so we can be assured that Lomas will get support from Wee Broonie and his neeburs. He also spoke of not rushing players back and admitted, very candidly, that Sheridan was a case in point. These are changed days. Power to Frankie....

Following the game both Lomas and Wright attended a meet the manager night and both spoke candidly, with humour and humility. We are very lucky to have these boys here; they will do well for Saints. No doubts about it.

And so to the Dons game.

In horrendous conditions, Steven McLean rightly declared that the game should go ahead. On a personal level I wish it had been cancelled, I’m struggling with manful and I hate the TV deal. Another cancelled SKY game would have been awesome. Bottom line is that there was no reason for the game to be called off. I like Scottish fitba and I like these types of games. A bit of wind and rain makes a challenge for players and livens a dull game. We didn’t complain when we beat Hibs in similar conditions.

Turning to the team selection, Stevie tried a different tack and played Maybury at right back with Mackay in right midfield. It worked well too. Midgie has been drastically off-form, Wullie Gibson is in dish and Robbo has yet to play well for us.

Maybury put in a super performance, really composed and assured. Mackay supported well and got forward as often as possible. Compare him to Liam and there was little difference. His crossing is much better and he linked up well with both Haber and Maybury.

It was the right decision and if proof were needed that Lomas got it right, Wullie Gibson came on to replace Maybury and we lost some performance. The criticism of Lomas was bang out of order. Look at the bench, it was bare bones. The only possible mistake was starting Parkin, but the giant Englishman looked great against Motherwell and Finnigan hasn’t really done enough. Higgins is injured, May is on loan, Fran is injured, Reynolds is on loan, Kano is injured.....

Of course the head-bangers on the internet now want Enckleman dropped. It’s getting to the stage that they should probably be locked up. Peter Enckleman hadn’t cost us a point this season until three days ago. We probably would have lost to Motherwell even with Mannus in goal. Tonight was grim from the big man, but as I said after the Hearts game, he has earned the right to have a couple of poor games.  Throwing Mannus in against Celtic would probably be a mistake, unless the coaches feel Enckleman has taken a blow mentally.

It’s really quite sickening to see the way that he’s being treated. I am ashamed to be associated with such life-forms.

Incidentally, they are rounding on their own hero, Murray Davidson tonight. Muzz was terrific and helped to keep the score respectable. Yes he missed an absolute sitter, but we all know he can’t finish. He tackled hard, fought hard and passed well. I have no complaints and I’m sure Lomas was quite happy with young Murray.

Being blunt, I don’t know if we had a failure tonight. Enckleman had a mare, but the first is excusable. The second one was a gamble; he was caught in two minds and fecked up. Like a true professional he held his hands up and he’ll be really hurting tonight. I’ve no problem in admitting that I wasn’t impressed with him last year (and I was livid with him against Aberdeen in the season opener) but he’s done little wrong since then. I hope his detractors, who didn’t even bother going, feel utterly horrendous about their comments.

Maybury was great, McCracken was fine too. I don’t get the criticism of him for not playing offside at the first goal. In conditions like that, I want him back to clear up any spills. His passing was great and he works really well with Anderson. I’m glad Del signed him.

Callum Davidson didn’t do much wrong. I see his crosses getting slated, and he certainly hit some stinkers, but many were ideal for the conditions. We just couldn’t win headers in the box. Very unusual for Haber to be so quiet in the air. Says a lot about how well Aberdeen defended. Bit like Motherwell last season....

Liam Craig made one error of judgement in the final third and other than that he worked hard and won enough to hold his head high. His corners were really good given the circumstances.

Midgie came onto a fine game. He improved every minute and was totally committed to the cause. His passing was fine, his tackling was brave and his vision is always great. He knows when to press and when to hold. He’s a good lad.

Muzz – we’ve talked about and Cup Tie has also been mentioned. That leaves the front two. I always say that two great strikers don’t make a great strike force and there were signs of that tonight. They linked up very well initially; Haber usually ahead of Parkin. As the game wore on, and frustration crept in, they often played too close to each other. Haber is a curious wee bunny. He is skilled beyond belief but really needs to apply himself in games that aren’t to his liking. Lomas could be seen, giving him a rocket – rightly so!

I said to one the fringe players that we might have nothing to show from our three home games; I’m thinking I was right. Two freak games, is what we have just witnessed. There is no need to panic, no need to turn on our players and coaches, no need to consider bottom six.

You’ll notice that I haven’t mentioned Mr Anderson yet. There is no need. He strolled tonight and showed what I’ve known all along.

We are in this together. Together, we’ll get top six!