Voice of Reason: 15 October 2009

Oct 16 2009 by VoR

SATURDAY could have gone better. Admittedly.

But let’s whip out the big picture and have a gander at what’s going down.

We collapsed for 20 minutes at East End Park.

Totally bottled it and left ourselves more exposed than Katie Price.

Other than that, we passed the ball for fun. For long spells we even looked a confident outfit.

But there’s two big problems here. On occasions, the defence is being left wide open to attack. Hence Saturday’s lesson.

And at the other end, we hit a brick wall when trying to create chances.

I’ll leave you to do the maths on that equation.

We have talent– no question. And in the VoR’s view, there’s only one area of the team we need to sort out.

Does it need new players? They wouldn’t hurt. But perhaps those individuals already exist at the club.

nI’VE always felt sorry for clubs at this level who struggle for cash.

Nothing worse than hearing poverty being pled and seeing the old begging bowl out.

But for Dunfermline, there can be no further sympathy.

On Saturday, their blazers decided to turf the VoR and his party of travelling supporters out on the street.

Apparently our money wasn’t good enough to grace the ‘Legends Bar’.

Besides the fact it was half empty. Nope, membership only we were told.

In principle, rules are rules. But it’s little wonder that clubs such as Dunfermline are so skint.

You cannot turn down good money on one hand while bumping your gums about struggling to pay the bills.

And sure, it happens closer to home as well. But don’t get me started on that. Time for common sense to prevail all round.

nSCOTLAND’S meaningless expedition to Japan did little for George Burley’s joke regime.

But our Z-list side managed one positive as yet another product of Somerset Park donned the national shirt.

I’ll be honest, I never saw Craig Conway as Scotland material.

And it took about 73 call-offs for him to get on the plane to the Far East.

But let’s be fair, at least he got there. And along with Gary Teale, it seems our right wing has thrown up some decent players over the years.

A lot is made about the lack of quality coming through the lower leagues these days. And rightly so.

Conway was one of a dying breed. And Dundee United knew it when they haggled so hard to get him.

But we can all smile in the knowledge that the boy was developed an Honest Man.

Some more like him and we wouldn’t be doing badly.

nTO the X Factor. And the VoR hates to say he told you so, but there’s only one act in town this year.

Irish double act John and Edward are going to be huge. We have the new Ant and Dec on our hands here.

It’s a poor year for talent on the show, so charisma is going to be king.

And these characters have it in spades. I want them to win.

nA BLANK week for both the VoR and Mr Iain Ferguson in betting corner.

Disappointing stuff really. But it means no difference to the score with me leading 9-7 and the stat monkeys tell me at no point this season has Fergie been ahead.

A tough one for the racing old boy to take, I’m sure.

This week, though, he has a banker bet. And I can’t see this one losing.

He goes Hibs 2, Kilmarnock 0. Safe as houses.

VoR says Dundee United 2, Hamilton 0.