Just seen the Mellis free kick. Well taken but what I was even more impressed with was the fact that 3 players followed the ball. Should the keeper had spilled the ball we had 3 players ready to take advantage. The Brum defenders were static while we showed an eagerness to get the ball. I'd say maybe 3 or 4 weeks ago those same players would have been virtual spectators but now it looks as if they are hungry for goals. Hope I'm right and the change in attitude and the determination continues.
I'm just about to set off to watch Raith Rovers play the other team from your fair city. What should I be expecting?
It should be a fair encounter mate. Dundee top of the league but do slip up and Raith at home, never easy. It's a nice day for football but 1 hell of a lot of rain yesterday so pitch will be heavy. TBH I'd expect a real good evenly contested game. Please do report back on how it was mate. I don't know who I want to win . I don't like Dundee but it would be good to have them back in the big league for the Derbies. But I've always had a soft spot for Raith. Maybe a draw would be nice. Hope you enjoy it mate.
I'm sure I will. I went to watch Raith play Hamilton last season and Alex Neil was in the Hamilton team. Raith are my brother in law's team. I also went to watch Hearts play Ross County about ten years ago (Hearts are my missus's uncle's team) and Ross had Tony Bullock in goal, so I am expecting Dundee to feature at least one ex-Red in their line up. I was actually looking to see who Hibs were playing, as I haven't been there before (apart from getting to the gates to be told our friendly was postponed a couple of years ago!), but they're playing Hearts, so not really the place for someone with an English accent! Looking at the table it's pretty much a must win game for Raith, or at the very least a must not lose game, if they are to make a serious assault of the top spot. With the amount of rain we had yesterday though you're right, it could end up like a game from the seventies.
TBH mate I don't think your English accent would make any difference in Edinburgh as there are loads of English there. BTW I was also at that Hibs friendly only to be told the game was off. Soaked to the skin and a pointless journey to Edinburgh. Still I get the privilege of visiting many pubs I'd never been in before. There is always a bright side LOL Have a good game mate.
I spotted that Ian and your right, this season we have been statuesque at set pieces especially corners the art of attacking the ball and use of the neck muscles seems a thing of the past at Oakwell.
OK Gordon what was you assessment of the game? I was speaking to some Dundee fans in the pub tonight who were through and of course they told me Dundee played like world beaters. Ha Ha Yeah right, they would say that. Took till 88 minute to get a goal then scored a last minute winner. Were they worth it?
I actually put a mini report further down in response to MadMark's post about his son's text from Edinburgh, but in a nutshell, not world beaters by any stretch of the imagination. Dull first 35 minutes, although Dundee were the better team, but then it switched and Dundee didn't really take control again until their keeper went off injured on the hour mark. Then it was pretty much all Dundee, helped by a Raith defender being sent off. Dundee's first goal came courtesy of the Raith keeper, who my brother in law had warned was rubbish, having his brains scooped out and flapping at a cross. Even then, the second goal was a break from a position where Raith nearly nicked an equaliser. In all, I felt that the Raith v Hamilton game last season was on a par with lower Championship in England. Today, however, wasn't. And the conditions weren't as bad as we feared, so we can't blame that. Too much hit and hope, too many long balls and too many percentage passes (three things that the Reds are currently guilty of, admittedly!). Raith's number 5 showed a great aerial presence though, something we probably lack, although whether he could cope with English Championship strikers, as opposed to a lethargic Craig Beattie, is another matter. And in Dundee's goalie, prior to a nasty looking injury, was ex-Red Kyle Letheren! So I keep up my record! The steak pie pi55ed all over Oakwell's effort though and for a damn sight less pennies*. *we'll re-check the exchange rate after you have your own currency!
