Sheepies mugging the Jambos late on, last week's
results once more see our team playing catch-up, even
if it is only for second place. The woolly ones have
always managed to find something special for games
against Rangers so, with a chance to put some daylight
between them and us, they are sure to be well hyped-up
for this one.
The nonsense of the 12.30 kick-off on the last
Saturday before Christmas has played havoc with many
Bears festive plans. I've never been too fond of
early morning rises, especially on Saturdays, but
thanks to a loyal season ticket holder in the Forfar
area I'm booked into relatively local digs and will
just be stirring at a time when most fellow FFers will
already have endured a couple of hours on the road.
My thoughts are with you.
It would be great to think PLG and his men will reward
our efforts with the same skill and commitment which
really should have earned three points last week. Our
after-match debate concluded that our slump has
bottomed out and the Gers are now set to start
stringing results together. Don't let us down guys.
Putting Dolly & Co in their proper place, just at a
time when they are beginning to get ideas above their
station, would be a nice wee Christmas prezzie for us.
We've had to listen to them mock the Ibrox Disaster
and gloat over Ian Durrant's misfortune and, while
they have been little more than mid-table nonentities
for much of the past decade, maybe even more, not
since Tricky Dicky's team rattled in five up there,
have we given them a proper bleaching.
Of course, the much-maligned Filip Sebo rammed it
right up them big time with his injury time winner
earlier this season but our very own Desperate Dan
hasn't hit the net since. He had his chance to endear
himself to us last weekend and, while this is not in
the same category, if he was to make amends at
Pittodrie it would surely be the next best thing.
Having stuck to our passing game, despite the presence
of hammer-throwers like Lennon and Gravesen in
midfield and the two Baldes (the real one and the
pretend one) at the back, more of the same should be
enough to brush the Pittodrie pretenders aside. Now
that we have shown our willingness to fight for the
jersey, our true quality should begin to shine through
and we might again look like the team we promised to
be at the start of the season.
Don't get me wrong, we still have a lot to sort out,
especially at the back. But putting a few good
results together will work wonders for the players'
confidence and should see an end to the edgy stuff
which could turn us all into nervous wrecks. If Karl
Svensson attacks the ball with the same determination
he showed when he went for it against Ra Sellick last
week, he will make life a lot easier for himself and
for those around him.
It is a big plus that Craig Brewster ain't eligible to
play for FC Sheepieville until the new year. I had
visions of this wily old fox (64 next birthday?)
causing all sorts of havoc for Svensson, Hemdani and
the rest and possibly being the main man in yet
another Pitodrie horror story.
There have been far too many of those over the years.
If Rangers are to make any impact on the second half
of the season, games like this one should be taken in
our stride. I'd like to think the Sheepies will have
a go but, with a two point advantage, a draw will suit
them and I reckon they'll settle for that. Maybe PLG
should treat this like a European tie, test the
strength of their ambition but inviting them on to us,
then quickly slapping tham down with some telling
counterattacks.
Last weekend gave us some good feelings for the
future. An away win, the more convincing the better,
will confirm it is not false hope.
KILLY BILLY