The notion that fans can provide a twelfth man advantage was disproved as the team in claret and amber was overwhelmed by the energy and enthusiasm of those in red and white. As in the previous game at Firhill our biggest travelling support in years was badly let down. We knew that it was a ‘must win’ game but the players were not up to the task.
The manager expressed his “frustration and disappointment” after the match. He pointed out that we had created chances but that we were not clinical enough. We hit the woodwork three times and forced a few decent saves from their ‘keeper.
He also raised a few eyebrows when he said that we were “too long, too direct” in the second half. While the observation was correct (there were lots of long punts that flew harmlessly out of play) the surprise was that his idea of “playing through the thirds” was, for the most part, ignored by the players. They were nervous, jittery and couldn’t wait to get rid of the ball.
The defensive failures that led to the loss of both goals were typical of the problems that have followed us all season. We’ve now lost 59 league goals, a huge failure and an immense burden.
There are four games left before the likely play-off drama but few who watched us struggle give us much chance of survival. Thoughts are already turning to journeys to Kirkcaldy, Dumbarton, Cowdenbeath and the like.
Naturally the official line will be that we fight on while hope remains but it will require a huge improvement and a collapse from others.