It was a frustrating game on Saturday but there were also signs of encouragement at Tannadice too, although these were offset by poor decisions and a loss of two important points.
The poor decisions come in the form of the substitutions made by the manager and were compounded by the substitutions made by Houston in the Falkirk dugout. We were in the ascendency and looked likely to put the game to bed with a second goal, but our two changes impacted negatively on the team. The Falkirk changes galvanised their team and not only did they equalise but in the end we were hanging on for the point.
We should have been out of sight by then of course. United, set up in a 442, had a number of chances, many of which came courtesy of the Falkirk number 15 Gasporotto. He had a nightmare, gifting two great chances in the first half which were not taken before Murray finally took advantage of another Gasporotto mistake before taking his time and slotting beyond the outrushing keeper.
Even after that we had chances, particularly an Andreu snapshot that went just wide.
However we all know Houston's away formula - hang in to the game until 15 minutes to go then attack. And it worked this time for them.
I think what we've learned from this game and what we should have learned from other teams in this league is that 442 is the way to go. Next season (and I'm consigned to another season in the Championship) we absolutely have to set up in that formation. Squad building in the summer is going to be crucial (particularly as we have about 3 players signed for next season) and we have to get it right this time. Do we think Ray can get it right? I hope so.
We also learned that Paul Dixon should not be in our team. Ever. We looked much better without him.
We also confirmed that we can't defend set pieces. This has been the case for at least a decade.
Looking at the league table and second place isn't beyond us. Looking at the form table and you'd think it was. Over the last six games we've collected the least amount of points in the league. Since Christmas when we were top of the league we've collected just 10 out of 39 points. It's simply not good enough and we need to start putting wins on the board, starting on Tuesday night when we entertain Dunfermline.
Mon the Terrors
DUFC 1 FFC 1
posted on 10/4/17
St Mirren are the form team in the Championship over the past 10 games.
Raith Rovers will be worried by it now. However Saints have a tough run of games towards the end of the season.
Both have Morton to play and Hibs. They play each other in the second last game which I think St Mirren will need to take home advantage and win as the final week sees Raith play Ayr while St Mirren visit Hibs
Raith will be looking at that last game as a chance to get above St Mirren at the death. However if results don't go their way an Ayr win that day could see Saints finish bottom and relegated
posted on 10/4/17
Ayr have Dundee Utd, Morton, Hibs and then Raith for their final games
posted on 10/4/17
Fancy St Mirren to do well. Still can't believe they are where they are in the league. They're a decent team. I can see them picking up some unexpected wins and pulling clear of danger.
posted on 10/4/17
I thought there was a real lack of urgency about the team after we went one up. Murray was really unlucky not to score what probably would have been goal of the season for Utd just after his opener, then Andreu's shot just scraped past, after that though we seemed to stop trying to play. It was really annoying, they seemed to be more up for it. Even at one all everything we did happened slowly, Bell never released the ball quickly despite the fact we knew Murray had their defence panicked with his pace, we were taking our time over throws etc. Really frustrating - a draw suited them much more than it suited us. Think Dunfermline are coming to Tannadice off the back of some good reults aren't they? Worrying for me is that, although we have a game in hand, QotS are only six points behind us. Just saying...
posted on 10/4/17
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posted on 10/4/17
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I didn't like the fact we settled for the draw in the end, although after the equaliser only one team looked like winning and they weren't wearing tangerine.
Forgot about the Murray effort. Brilliant strike and deserved a goal.
posted on 10/4/17
St Mirren away to Morton tomorrow night
might go down
posted on 10/4/17
Was quite funny reading Falkirk fans complain about Houston's tactics. Play for a draw, lose a goal then bring on the subs that should have started and end up with a draw. Sounds familiar. You'd think by now that he'd have learned if he started with a team looking to win, he might actually win.
Anyway, amused me to learn that we still have the best home record in the league, despite our recent run of terrible form. As for the future - when was the last time we had two players that could genuinely play on the wing well? Russell and Mackay-Steven maybe? 4 years ago!
posted on 10/4/17
Read this on the FootyMad website which I think is very valid.
I think a 'clear' distinction has to be made between 'home results' and 'home form.'
Apart from the Partick game early in the season, most of our home results were due to a measure of luck, winning ugly, grinding out results, etc. In reality our home playing form has been little different from our away playing form. However, we have been very fortunate in that our home playing form over the season (not pleasant on the eye and very worrying) has given us, dare I say, a largely fortunate, impressive series of home results. We could just as easily be looking at a series of home results quite similar to our away results.