[ritchiebaby]

Now the promotion race is beginning to hot up with a trip to Dumfries and their immaculate plastic grass, where we often struggle to cope. In my opinion, plastic grass is for lazy gardeners - cue Ally and Kenny. At this time of year, real gardening and real football is done on frozen mud and grass, but QOS' dependence on the artificial surface will surely mean that the game will go ahead.

Currently Hibs are 3 points and 10 goals ahead of QOS, having played a game more. A defeat would be disappointing, no more, a draw would be acceptable, but a win would put a bit of daylight between us in the league. Back in September, QOS beat Hibs 1-0, but Hibs are a much better team now and, as I write, only 5 of that beaten team are likely to start this time. Also after that defeat, Hibs went on an impressive unbeaten run in response. I'll be looking for 3 points, but be quite happy to bring back 1 after a tricky away game.

My team:-

Oxley,
Stevenson, Fontaine, Hanlon, Booth,
Handling, McGeouch, Robertson, Allan,
Boyle, Cummings.

It would seem that Dja Djedeje is out injured, so my substitutes would be Stanton, Lewis Allan and Forster.

[El Car]

QotS are capable of getting a point in my opinion, but if you play the way you have lately you'll win well. I think you'll overtake us pretty soon and this could be a key game in deciding that.

[St Charles Owl]

Are plastic pitches allowed in the Scottish Premiership? Never liked them, the do change the game and definitely give an advantage to the home team, but they are far better than the one QPR had all those years ago!!

[HerefordBull]

Q of S will certainly give us a sterner test at the back compared to Cowdenbeath last week. Going forward we certainly are looking quite good at times however we are better when playing a right and left back ( when Gray is fit) as opposed to 2 left backs as we have to at present. It won't have passed the coaches at Q of S that although Stevenson makes some good runs down the right he always has to cut inside to cross and pass, therefore all they need to do is show him the outside all the time and he'll either try to cross with his right ( not as good) or stop and go back.
    On the few occasions that The Blue Brazil did venture towards our goal and crossed the ball you could still see the uncertainty and mild panic between the back 4 and Oxley. I feel Q of S will exploit this a lot more. Add in the plastic pitch and it could be a fascinating game. Having said all this I feel it may be a high scoring game and heres hoping we nick it by the odd goal.

    With Forster coming back on last Saturday and also playing 45 agaist Hearts for the U20's I wonder if Stubbs is looking to play 3 centre backs joining Hanlon and Fontaine?

    Heres hoping Stubbs manages to sort out cover for the defense sooner rather than later.

GGTTH

[ritchiebaby]

As far as I know they are allowed to BUT ONLY IF the club applies before 31 March the season before they use it AND the pitch is FIFA Standard 2 AND the SPFL board agree to it. No doubt if somebody wants to ban them from the Premiership it could be done.

[ritchiebaby]

Another win for Hibs and another clean sheet. Jason Cummings failed to score for the first time in 6 matches, but he did win the penalty, which Dylan McGeouch converted, but we have a new striker in form - midfielder Scott Robertson, who scored for the second successive match.

All in all it was a good day for Hibs. Not only did we open up a gap between us and QOS, but with Rangers not playing and Hearts finally losing their unbeaten Championship record to Falkirk - the Bairns scored 3 against us and now 3 against Hearts - we've pegged them back as well. To be honest, Hearts are way out of reach, but Rangers are now within striking distance.

[HerefordBull]

Yep, good result Ritchie plus a clean sheet.

3 points next week and hopefully Sevco losing will really start to look like we can overhaul and put pressure on them. We need Hearts to continue their good form as any chance of leaving the door ajar could really inspire them to play better thinking they could catch them. Lets just concentrate on our form and performances......am up this week for the Raith game so heres hoping for 3 points.

GGTTH

[ritchiebaby]

Make sure to grab the 3 points for us again, Exeter. I'll be up in Edinburgh on Saturday as well, but I'll be curling at Murrayfield Ice Rink. Enjoy the game, and result.