Stephen Welsh

100% mate, although I’ll give Dom McKay credit because by all accounts Ange was his shout and he has the reputation of developing youngsters.

 

Absolutely. Even now I hope we are planning getting the likes of O'Connor, Lawal and Moffat exposure to first team demands in those sort of matches.

 

We won’t be. Don’t think we rate O’Connor and if Lawal and Moffat have five appearances they’re out the development team. Think this season it’ll be Montgomery, Dembele and Johnston when the latter 2 return.

Depending on Dembele wanting to stay here in his case. Been no talk of a new contract.

 

Outstanding

 

Did well but along with Hart he was disappointing for their first goal.

 

His body positioning was unusual for their first. He then couldn't get out the way..

I like him a lot though..

 

Bounced back well after their first.

 

Much like Starfelt, he was vastly improved in the second half when we needed him most.

Also like Starfelt, we need better to be our starting centre backs (though I do think Welsh will get there in time).

 

Thought he was outstanding after that mistake, which speaks volumes of his character.

He looks far more assured than Starfelt for me anyway.

 

Our best CB tonight

Hard game for him, do think Angeball puts a lot of pressure on the CBs so great to see him again growing into the game in the second half.

 

Motm for me. Mistake for the first, but Hart dithering and stuttering like a fossilised * caused that goal.

 

You would think we signed him for the reported 4.6 million rather than Starfelt.

Tough game for him tonight but he is our best centre back at the club until big Chris get back to full fitness.

 

He's young and inexperienced.

I'd rather not see mistakes at the back but it's understandable. Unlike Bitton.

If given time, I reckon he'd become a great servant for us.

 

Was poor for first goal but Hart should have bailed him out

 

Nah not for me, he's miles better than Starfelt and was colossal at times in that 2nd half, along with Ralston and Montgomery. Starfelt improved from very * to just a bit *.

 

Welsh was the better of the two but that assessment of Starfelt was pretty harsh last night. Some of his passing wasn’t great but he defended the box well, won a lot of headers from set plays and cut out a good few attacks from AZ. His own goal was shockingly poor and there was no forgiving that.

On CBs and Welsh I think he has done well of late and out of the two is no doubt playing better.

Last night I also felt the full defence were badly let down by our midfield for the first 65 minutes of the game. The two wide players provided very little cover for our full backs who were both 2 v 1 and the middle of the park were just non existent and failed to get the ball forward accurately under an intense press.

Hindsight is a wonderful thing but last night showed what a capable physical presence upfront could offer a defence trying to play out and being pressed, if you got the ball over or round that AZ press you were through on a pretty poor defence. We just failed to do that or take the opportunities when we did.

 

I don't think I'm being harsh on Starfelt, he's shown time and again he's sub par. Mistake after mistake. Hearts away, Midgetland and again yesterday. Very costly mistakes at that. Maybe he'll improve but Welsh is far superior.

I do agree with you on the midfield but that's on Ange for me. But it's Rogic and Turnbull, they can't do those hard yards in midfield and really don't like doing the dirty work. Another CDM like Soro would have served us better last night.

 

Think julien coming back will be massive for the boy

 

I’ve watched the first goal over a few times - he did enough to get it safely back for his Keeper to clear the danger.

It wasn’t great technique, it wasn’t pretty, but if Hart does his job, then no-one mentions it. NO-ONE!

That goal is all on Hart.

 

Every player makes mistakes scoots, it’s how they react after that counts.
Joe reacted great afterward.
I also thought Welsh could have done better after just going 1-0 up, it didn’t spoil his game afterwards either though.
They Both showed great attitude.