SPL Fanzone

ABERDEENON SATURDAY, the Dons played better than they have all season and lost to a goal that should have the linesman taken back to SFA HQ for reprogramming in the offside rule. Yup, sometimes we'll play quite well and lose, sometimes we'll play poorly and win – that is football. Most are aware of this, as the lack of boos (and some applause) at the end demonstrated.

Not so on the messageboards or the papers this week though, and it seems the latest bout of hysteria is down to the run of defeats rather than Saturday's game. If you look at that match in isolation, we outplayed Hibs and were unlucky.

We were honking at the start of the season, but, after replacing half the squad in the summer, some passages of play in the last two games have shown the team is starting to gel. We are steadily getting better, the results will follow and we should climb the table. If they don't, signings must be made. If that doesn't change things, then is the time to look at the manager's position.

Craig Stewart

www.aberdeen-mad.co.uk

CELTIC

AN apology. We may have inadvertently given the impression that Scott McDonald was overweight and cumbersome. We now recognise our error and the Australian is, indeed, one of the lithest and slickest forwards plying his trade in Great Britain today.

OK, a little over the top, but who could honestly say they were surprised that 'Skippy' should end up as one of our goal heroes on Saturday against Hamilton Accies after his weight became an issue beforehand?

Not one of us at Celtic Park on Saturday would deny McDonald his 'tummy-rubbing' celebration.

But the issue has not been McDonald this year, merely the malaise we have sometimes found ourselves in – be it domestically or in Europe.

The Hamilton result may well have come at the wrong time for us, a week before the international break, and won't allow for momentum. But, with Rangers losing at St Mirren on Sunday, not everything has been lost. And the other SPL teams hold no fears on current form.

Sean Thomson

DUNDEE UNITED

I COULD really get used to this three points malarkey! Jon Daly's early attempt on goal coupled with his perfect headed finish moments later show just what a bit of confidence can do to transform a player.

Worth mentioning Sean Dillon's pin-point cross, too, as that highlights what an asset he can be to United. His delivery is second to none at Tannadice (ok, well maybe only second to Craig Conway). Lee Wilkie's brace (we'll forgive him the OG for the quality of his earlier goal at the right end) meant United were comfortable winners on the day. Truth be told, Fraser's heroics in the ICT goal denied United a good two or three additional goals.

And being able to bring impact players like Danny Swanson or Roy O'Donovan on gives us a real sense of a decent squad this year.

As was the case last season, Sir Craig has the team playing for each other and there's a real spirit again. Next, Ibrox and, hopefully, a repeat of how St Mirren fared against Rangers.

Hamish Mackintosh

www.dundeeunited-mad.co.uk

FALKIRK

THE good, the bad and the ugly. The good – two superb goals, three in three games from Steve Lovell and a classy finish from Graham Barrett and several other chances that could have been given a little more luck. Tireless work from Michael Higdon who seems to grow in stature by the game. Another solid performance from Scott Arfield and a similar one from his unheralded midfield buddie Kevin McBride.

The bad – schoolboy defending, utter howlers and basic incompetency from a normally reliable selection of players who contrived to have an off-day at the same time. Big Bob Olejnik's spectacular boob that cost us Motherwell's second goal marred a sound performance from him and I have to believe he and his defence will regroup and find their form.

The ugly – the feigning of injury by Well keeper Graeme Smith to get Higdon booked. Charging visiting fans more to watch a game than home fans – a totally unacceptable practise. The SPL need to take action on this.

Brian Guthrie

www.bairnstrust.com

HAMILTON ACCIES

TWO heavy away defeats in a row have somewhat smashed Accies' dream start to life in the SPL. A defeat at Celtic on Saturday was probably to be expected but the manner in which we capitulated and the poor third and fourth goals we conceded give cause for concern.

Hopefully Billy Reid will use the international break to put things right and work out what our best line-up is, with the right-back and centre forward slots especially causing some concern.

On the international front Terry Butcher has revealed that SFA officials have been in talks with Accies and James McCarthy to see if the Republic of Ireland Under-21 international could be persuaded to switch allegiances to the country of his birth.

As much as I'd love to see James pull on the dark blue of Scotland and believe he could become a massive asset to any national side, I do think it would be a kick in the teeth for Ireland who have fast-tracked him through their various youth sides.

Mark Falconer

www.setbb.com/acciesworld

HEARTS

SATURDAY'S defeat to Killie was demoralising and quite sobering. While I had hoped that our defeat at Tannadice was a blip on an otherwise solid start to the season, the performance at the weekend suggests it was perhaps a sign of what lies ahead.

The showing was possibly as insipid as any seen at Tynecastle in the last couple of seasons. Despite Laszlo finally deciding to start with two recognised strikers, we offered very little going forward. None of our forwards have yet suggested they are capable of scoring goals on a regular basis. As a result, we have to rely on the likes of Kingston and Miko, players capable of making something out of nothing, but who are too often anonymous.

Since Laszlo's arrival, progress has definitely been made. But our squad is lacking experience and, more importantly, quality. This must be addressed in January if we are to challenge for a European place. In the meantime, the international break should allow us to regroup ahead of the big one.

Sandy Leonard

www.jamboskickback.co.uk

HIBERNIAN

I THINK it's fair to say the Hibs' No 01 has more than paid back the club for the money spent in securing his services from Celtic in the last transfer window. Three goals and six points since his return to the club is an excellent payback for someone who still only appears to be half fit. Hopefully he's firing on all cylinders for our next match.

While the win at Aberdeen helped us climb the league and stretch our unbeaten away record to three matches, one of the main talking points from that match was again the standard of refereeing. Both penalty decisions were ropey to say the least. Bamba and Miller walked into each other and Fletcher was a mile offside, yet both times McCurry did what he does best and pointed to the spot.

We'll take the win, though, and move into the international break in good condition, if not great form, to face Hearts. Time enough for Mixu to fire up his players and send them out to do a job, on what looks like a poor Hearts team. If they still exist by then.

Eddie Henderson

www.hibs.net

INVERNESS CT

OUR trip to Tannadice ended in disappointment with another defeat on the road. Yet again our defence was at fault for the first goal, allowing Daly a free header. We played some good football and didn't really deserve to be a goal down at half-time.

The turning point for us was the replacement of Black. It looked like he was cynically fouled before the break and did not come out for the second half. We created quite a few chances, but our strikers still have difficulty in the finishing department.

We did get the ball in the net but the 'goal' was ruled out for, possibly, offside. Again we reverted to the long-ball game punting it up for Barrowman who had little chance against the tall United defence. The absence of Black left us without ideas and we hope his injury doesn't keep him out for too long.

With no fixture this coming Saturday, it may give him the time needed. Next up are Celtic and we all know what happened the last time they came to Inverness. We'd be happy for more of the same.

Dave 'Gringo' Wilson

www.caleythistleonline.com

KILMARNOCK

THE Hearts fans must have been wishing that Jim Jefferies was in the home dugout as the mighty Killie put them to the sword once again. We were back on form on Saturday and the Inverness debacle seemed like a lifetime ago.

New cult hero Manu Pascali was handed the captain's armband and relished the responsibility. The big man was inspirational, and we appreciated his antics at the end.

The victory was a timely one for about two dozen Kaiserslautern fans over visiting from Germany. We've been great friends since getting knocked out of the Uefa Cup by them many moons ago and it was their turn to come to Scotland, and they must have brought all their luck with them as their own team, undefeated in their first six matches, were thrashed 5-0 on Sunday.

A big thank you to Torsten, Wolfgang, Karl-Heinz and all the gang for a great weekend. We'll wait until they draw Bayern Munich in the cup before returning the favour!

Barry Richmond

www.killiefc.com

MOTHERWELL

THE debate and self-analysis after Motherwell's defeat in Europe was as predictable as it was harsh. In fairness, it was only Mark McGhee's high expectations that gave anyone reason to believe victory was possible but he succinctly explained why Nancy were so much better – their budget is 45m, ours is a fraction of that.

But blaming everything on the money disguises the fundamental flaws in our game. Look at any top European league and the muscular tone of the players suggests they are part-time body builders.

Also, the issue of technique comes up over and over again – just wait till Holland thrash Scotland in March for the next edition – and little is ever done about it. Scotland's failure to keep the ball in Macedonia was simply embarrassing and the number of Scottish professionals who use their weaker foot only for standing on is frightening.

The whole footballing education of youngsters needs to be reviewed completely.

Derek Wilson

www.firparkcorner.com

RANGERS

IF EVER a team felt they only had to turn up to get a result, it was Rangers on Sunday. We were desperately poor against a well-organised and very hard working St Mirren side who were well worth the three points.

The continued selection of Jean-Claude Darcheville and Charlie Adam continues to perplex many supporters, and justifiably so. With so many new players kicking their heels waiting for a game, it seems odd that these two are being afforded yet more chances.

Too many in blue looked as though they were waiting for something to happen rather than actively trying to make something happen. Perhaps the win at Parkhead led to a sense of hubris amongst the players.

Finally, it was 40 more expensive for a family of four to sit in the away end rather than the home end. That simply isn't right. The SPL seem determined to drive fans away from live football, and in this economic climate, they are very likely to succeed. Get it sorted SPL.

David Edgar

www.theRST.com

ST MIRREN

IN LOVE Street's final season, we were due one more glorious moment. One final piece of brilliance to share with future generations of supporters. One more result to live long in the memory. On Sunday, it arrived.

We'd waited over 22 years to beat Rangers at home. In truth, the wait should probably have continued as they did everything but score, but perhaps that makes our victory even sweeter. This was our day and there was nothing they could do to spoil it.

Stephen McGinn's goal may have been our only shot on target of the entire game, but if every shot we produce is one of that quality I'll be quite happy to take one attempt on goal in each match for the rest of the season.

Sunday's win came at the perfect time as the squad will be on a high for the international break.

There are just seven league games left at Love Street now. Will we be given another glorious moment? Possibly – we've still got Celtic to come.

Stuart Gillespie

www.saintmirren-mad.co.uk