Positive

[Ludo*1]

We have a lesser midfield without McCowan and it's going to take time, patience and maybe a bit of a slump for Docherty to work out the best combination. We're probably weaker than we were on the field last season. In a weird way, despite it being a disappointment to most of us and the squad and management, a 9th-7th finish does not necessarily represent a step back. We've a very young, inconsistent squad, we're getting better financially by selling players, we've got more players tied down permanently and less reliant on loans this year. All small building blocks that don't automatically scream a positive season but as long as we survive and are away from the play-offs, we can take many bumps in the road this season and it'll still represent some progress being made. 

The fact we are talking about having an underwhelming start having only lost a single game in 5 and are currently sitting a point clear in 6th position is night and day to where we've been previously. Yeah, we all want to kick on and fight for the top 6 every season and the likelihood is with Rangers and Aberdeen up in the cup and league next, it might look a little disappointing, but let's not throw the baby out with the bath water, we have some weaknesses but it's far from horrific. Our defence leaks goals but it wasn't that long ago that we had the likes of Jordon Forster, Liam Fontaine, Christie Elliott etc in the backline. 

To give context, admittedly we played Celtic in our 5th game last season, but we're already a point better off and went on to draw our next 3 games!

[Craig]

Another positive is that the defeat came early. Docherty will no doubt have a better idea of his squad selections and formations. It also may make him realise that we are missing one or two additions to the team.

[QuesoGrande]

Well said. If we ignore 6th place last year which was an over achievement for the promoted club, I’d be very happy with 7-9th this season as we are making progress on many fronts. A few seasons of mid table finishes would be great. 
 

(as long as we finish above the neighbours )

[Harold Finch]

I think that a 7th - 9th finish is to be expected, what concerns me is how we get there. If we spend the season floating between 6th and 8th then most will be disappointed to finish in the bottom six but will accept it and look at games like this weekend where some of us would have expected to take points.

If we are scrapping around 9th - 11th for most of the season and pull away from the bottom to finish 9th at the end of the season then many will see that as a failure. There will be a nervous atmosphere at games and individual mistakes will be highlighted.

Same finishing position but two totally different scenarios.....it's all about how we get there.

[Daniel Watson]

On 17/09/2024 at 13:19, QuesoGrande said:

Well said. If we ignore 6th place last year which was an over achievement for the promoted club, I’d be very happy with 7-9th this season as we are making progress on many fronts. A few seasons of mid table finishes would be great. 
 

(as long as we finish above the neighbours )

This is too timid let’s go for one of the Euro spots, if we fail we fail.

[QuesoGrande]

1 minute ago, Daniel Watson said:

This is too timid let’s go for one of the Euro spots, if we fail we fail.

Not saying we shouldn’t go for it, we should always be aiming as high as possible. But at end of season if we are 7-9 I’d be ok with that.