With the Premier League teams just returning to training, it’s a lower league Talking Football this week. A game of football in Falkirk dominates the agenda for Courier sports writers Neil Robertson, Ian Roache and Eric Nicolson.
Well…..I don’t suppose any of you saw that Dundee United result coming?
NR: Not in a million years. Considering United’s travel sickness problems there was always a chance of an upset in Falkirk but to lose 6-1 – after taking the lead – was a shock of seismic proportions for me.
IR: It was a ridiculous result. It was a historically horrendous defeat that, as Csaba Laszlo admitted, shamed the club.
EN: I suppose Falkirk playing like the Falkirk who were expected to be title rivals for United has to be taken into account but even if this was a game of equals the score should never have run away from them like that.
Now that a couple of days have passed and emotions have settled down, how damaging do you think it will be for their title bid?
NR: The Championship title race is so tight, any defeat is damaging but the important thing is how the United players react to the hammering. Morale will have taken a major dent but it is up to every player, not just the experienced, senior ones, to stand up and be counted now. The fans expect and deserve a reaction when the team travel to Dunfermline on Saturday.
IR: Neil has summed it up just nicely. All eyes will be on the United players on Saturday at East End Park as the whole of Scottish football will be looking to see how the players respond to that embarrassment. If they flop again then they will, realistically, have handed the title to St Mirren in the space of just a couple of weeks.
EN: Only when Ray McKinnon got the sack have United lost two in a row so I’m not worried about the immediate reaction. The bigger issue could be the doubts that Laszlo will have in his players. It will take a lot longer to banish those. I also worry about the psychological impact on the three new signings – particularly young Brandon Mason. They must be wondering what they’ve signed up for.
What are the big issues/problems for Csaba Laszlo now?
NR: Where to start? The Falkirk defeat exposed problems all over the pitch but the manager’s most important task this week will be trying to re-inject some self-belief back into a group of shell-shocked players.
IR: It’s all about the players, for me. Maybe there isn’t the love of the jersey in these days of short-term contracts and loans but surely professional pride still matters. If any United player thinks it’s OK to be part of a shambolic loss like the one they have just suffered then they should chuck it.
EN: If United are in the mood, they’re allowed to play and their confidence is up, there isn’t a side that can get near them, St Mirren included. But when things aren’t clicking, there can be far too big a drop-off. And that has to come down to character, rather than ability. Let’s not be kidded, though, they have lost their two best players through injury and no team in any league would find that easy to absorb.
Are Dunfermline the perfect team for them on Saturday given their record against the Pars?
NR: United have certainly held the upper hand over the Pars in recent seasons but Allan Johnston’s side will go into Saturday’s clash with their tails up having won the last three games in a row, including a 2-0 win over Falkirk. Dunfermline also know that a win over United would close the gap between the two clubs to just four points. So all in all, the Pars are far from the perfect team for Laszlo’s men to be playing this weekend.
IR: I have covered the last few games between the Pars and United and have gone into every one thinking it could be the day when Dunfermline’s abysmal losing streak against the Tangerines will finally come to an end but it hasn’t. I will head to Fife probably expecting a home win – they must be strong favourites – but one thing that would make me pause for thought is that United’s players have no choice but to improve markedly.
EN: Even though the Pars are on a winning run, Johnston wouldn’t have wanted to face a United side with a big point to prove. United will feel the world is against them and I’d back them to beat whoever they were playing on Saturday.
Dropping down a division, it’s a top of the table clash at Stark’s Park. Are you confident about Raith Rovers chances against Ayr United?
NR: The momentum is definitely with Rovers with the Kirkcaldy side’s recent form being recognised with a Manager of the Month Award for December boss Barry Smith. Raith have secured a perfect 10 out of 10 wins at Stark’s so far this season in the league and I can see them extending that record to 11.
IR: Congratulations are in order for Barry Smith and victory over Ayr would be a great way to celebrate his award. More than that, it would – as Neil states – confirm that it is Rovers who are carrying the momentum just a few short weeks after some of our friends in the west seemed to think the Honest Men were dead-certs for the title. I fancy them to win.
EN: Ayr are on a shocking run of form so I don’t expect them to go toe to toe with Rovers. Caution often takes hold in these top of the table games and I can see this being a draw, which wouldn’t be a disaster for Raith.
Dropping down another division, is this going to be Montrose’s year?
NR: I would like to think so with Stewart Petrie doing a magnificent job, turning around the club’s fortunes. However, if the Gable Endies are to win promotion this season, it may have to be through the play-offs as Peterhead have a squad packed with higher-league experience that may just tip the balance as the season edges to a conclusion.
IR: Yes, I would add my own note of caution here as regards the title, given some of Peterhead’s recent high-scoring victories. Like Petrie, Blue Toon boss Jim McInally is a fine manager and they could just be too strong for the Angus men. I hope not though!
EN: Peterhead’s wage bill (and having Rory McAllister) makes them strong favourites. I’m pretty confident Montrose will make the play-offs, though. Last weekend was a big result after a mini-blip. It can’t be long before Stewart Petrie admits they are safe from finishing bottom!
The word seems to be that the SFA need to get a move on if they want Michael O’Neill as the new Scotland manager. How do you see this panning out?
NR: The longer this drags on, the more I feel that the SFA will find a way to let their No.1 target slip through their fingers.
IR: Sorry to be another harbinger of doom but it does look like the SFA will blow this. Having only the one realistic candidate was never a good negotiating strategy (let’s face it, they wouldn’t get into Harvard Business School) and they will look hapless if or when they don’t get O’Neill.
EN: There is a danger of Michael O’Neill being over-hyped and maybe he has been guilty of giving mixed messages over the last couple of months. However, he’s a strong candidate and the SFA’s first pick. So to not have moved things on after this long is poor. I’m also disappointed that foreign candidates don’t seem to have been identified. If this comes down to a choice between McLeish, Lambert and Mackay it will be big anti-climax.
