We were off it against Motherwell and they took the win by playing to their strengths. There are things to be annoyed about — mainly at the back — and plenty for the manager to sort before the big game with the Jambos.

Defence under the microscope

Let’s be straight: there were real defensive failings. Djiga has been defended by some after AFCON, but he looked short of the required level last weekend. It isn’t about piling on one player for the sake of it, it’s about accountability. If Souttar had been in the side and done the same, people would have been straight on his case. Why the double standards? Communication looked shaky too — that mix-up between Manny and Butland where nobody stepped up for the ball was basic. Those moments are avoidable and they cost us.

Offence, balance and misplaced blame

There were positives in patches. The balance of the team felt better when Tav was on, yet he was found far too high up the pitch for the goal that decided the game. You can see why his forward instincts are trusted, but positional discipline matters, especially in tight matches. And while it’s fashionable on forums to single out Aasgaard, blaming him for the entire result feels lazy. He did enough at times and was not the main cause of the loss. More worrying is Gassama — I don’t see him as a starter at this level; his mistakes are becoming costly.

Next steps before the Jambos

This isn’t the end of the world, but it’s a wake-up call. We’ve got the derby coming up and it’s the kind of match you can’t afford to go into with these sorts of defensive lapses. Danny and the coaching staff need to tidy up communication, shore up positions and pick a back four we can trust. We’ll get behind the lads as always, but some honest conversations are needed — and quickly. Bring on the Jambos, Battle Fever.

Written by DoTheBouncy: 27 June 2026

Tags: spfl