Friday 9 August 2013

Raith Rovers V Accies - SPFL Championship - Saturday 10 August


The phoney war is over so to speak when on Saturday Accies travel to Kirkcaldy to take on Raith Rovers in a historic first game for both sides in the new league set up. Raith seem to have had the upper hand in recent seasons at Starks Park but we have won our last 2 games against them home and away, 2-0 on both occasions. Going into this game Canning is suspended and Alex Neil seems to be still struggling with his role as a player manager in terms of playing or not. Against Airdrie he sat on the bench but at Stirling last week resumed his place on the park perhaps mindful that exiting two cup competitions in a row would not set the tone for the upcoming season. Alongside Canning he clearly had the desired effect so I fully expect him to play this Saturday.

Raith have had a good start so far winning both their cup games although extra time was need against Stirling. Up front they have former Accies loanee Greg Spence who scored 15 goals last season and summer signing Calum Elliot. Calum appeared to be heading for Livingstone but ended up signing a one-year deal with Raith. If he can keep injury free, I suspect he will be a key player and he grabbed 2 goals in Raith's 6 - 0 demolition of Queens Park last week.

While Chairman Les Grey is quoted in the Advertiser today (Friday) that he is “still looking to bring in two or three players before August is up.” it should be more or less the same squad as last week with perhaps a full 90 minutes for Andreu and a place on the bench for Andy Ryan who returns after suspension and played midweek against Rangers under 20’s. 

3 comments:

  1. Sounds like we set out our stall in an attacking way. Whatever the plan, it seems to have worked. I'd happily have settled for a draw in this one, so it's a great result! And another goal for Keatings. Onwards and upwards.

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  2. For most of the game the opposing midfields cancelled each other out and a 0- 0 draw looked on the cards but James Keating showed a strikers nuance and was on hand when the ball fell in front of him to knock it home. Overall a good solid team performance especially since we were without Longridge and Routledge. I know Mcshane has his critics but I think he works hard and for a big lad has some nice touches. I hope Alex perseveres with him and Keatings up front. This was also one of Alex's best performances and I think he just has to accept difficult though it might be that he has to play most weeks.

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  3. Highlights here

    http://www.raithrovers.net/raithtv?vid=152

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