northstbuddie

My post or Adams' comments? I was only quoting what he said on camera but I don't agree with what he was saying - probably in the heat of the moment. However, because of the resources disparity between clubs in Scotland, most games are set up with the 'poorer' club 'keeping their shape' and making themselves difficult to beat. There are 5 or 6 clubs who are considerably better off than the rest and the result is most games are one-sided and relatively boring to watch. The emphasis at most Scottish clubs is on defence and holding the midfield. It is only when these same 5 or 6 clubs play in Europe that they get found out because often the boot is on the other foot and the opposing teams are actually primed to playing attacking football, without necessarily leaving themselves open at the back. After all, when was the last time Scotland produced an international class forward?

Adams' ill-judged post match criticism is hardly likely to motivate his own players - but opposing teams might have a point to prove when playing Ross County..

Both teams played better against the wind - I lost count of the number of times passes were overhit especially by Motherwell. Derek Adams was slagging off the generally poor standard of Scottish football on Sportscene and said that the team he left in the English second division (Morecambe) was "a hundred times better" than his current team in the top flight of Scottish football. He was obviously including the Buddies in his criticism since we just played Ross County last week.

Guess we'll be competing with Livi v Kilmarnock for last spot on Sportscene. I thought we started ok against the wind but struggled to repeat the performance in the second half, with the wind at our backs. Justice was served with our penalty miss - Motherwell had the better scoring chances in the second half playing against the wind.

While the 'new faces' - Nahmani and Small - freshened things up, a few of the 'old regulars' played their part, especially Kiltie, Gogic and Tanser. And 'the' save from Hemming could qualify for save of the season. A special word for Nahmani - he looks as if he could be a quality signing, but too soon to say, as he has been given so little opportunity so far. Also, Alec Greive did not even come on as a sub, but he too, I'm sure, will prove his worth in the longer term.

Cheer up everyone. We're in good company - Hearts, Hibs and Aberdeen all lost tonight and Motherwell did a 'St Mirren' last night against Ross County.

At least this latest defeat has revitalised this forum. But hey - we're still in fourth position. Enjoy it while you can!

Instead of finishing in the top six, we are now entering a phase where we're struggling against dropping into a group of four fighting against relegation - despite our promising start to the season! Despite our present position in the league, it's now a battle between ourselves, St Johnstone, Livingston and Motherwell against relegation. Currently these are the four teams on a downer. However, if we can regain our earlier form - all is not lost - although there's no sign of that happening. PS: Aberdeen are definately on a downer but probably have too much quality to go down under a new manager.

Now there's a surprise!

Another missed chance by the Buddies. Can we avoid a leek at the back until final whistle? Sounds like a draw going by the ineptitude of both teams.

What about St Mirren?

It is one of the biggest shadows hanging over Scottish life - that this persistent sectarianism is not dealt with by the police and football authorities. We must ask - why is this so? I think we all have our own ideas on this. Contrast this with the action taken in Europe where it does not seem to be a problem in dealing with this cancer.

Since Elvis started this thread - let's keep in the spirit of things and look on the darks side. We are carrying a small competent squad and so far we have been dealt kindly with few injuries. What will happen if that changes as is likely?

In the real world, there is little between the 10 clubs below the 2 sectarian clubs in Scotland. Results like today's will happen - but how can we react? Our defence needs addressing.

We competed better in the second half especially after their second goal and did not just give them possession as we did for large parts of the first half. Did Celtic impose themselves on us for large parts of the game or did we just allow them to do so, by 'keeping our shape' and falling back with everyone behind the ball, thus giving them the centre of the park? We missed Bacus' energy in the middle and O'Hara was again a shadow of the player he was last season. I am one of Ryan Strain's biggest supporters, but he needs cover when we are on the defensive for large parts, as we were here. Taylor, Fraser, Gogic and Tanser were immense, but my man of the match was Hemming.

We will have to play more to our potential in the second half to get anything out of this game .

Gogic was within a metre when the ball was struck. How was he supposed to get out the way?

We are showing this average Celtic team far too much respect. We are literally allowing them possession of the ball and dictating the play with hardly a tackle being made. An inferior complex if ever there was one. Someone marking McGregor would help our cause.

Sitting back against Celtic is not a good idea. We competed well until the penalty.

Justice is done in the end.

The guaranteed penalty has been given.