WHO NEEDS STEVIE C WHEN WE'VE GOT ANDY TOD

The Pars lose to Livi in possibly one of their worst performances of the season. Next game; the Pars beat Dundee and, in turn, produce one of their best performances of the season. Last week the Pars record a poor home draw and performance against Livi, and then a week later the Pars produce one of their best performances of the season to beat Dundee.

Coincidence? Who knows, I’ll leave that sort of thing to Uri Gellar and twats like that. What I do know is that, after a poor display against Livingston, the Pars yet again showed tremendous bouncebackability (copyright Soccer AM) to overcome a struggling Dundee side. Despite a slightly nervous period in the encounter, the Pars never truly looked like losing control over the afternoon’s proceedings, confidently taking advantage of the visitors’ many weaknesses. The good old ‘get the ball down, get it out wide, get a cross in and header home’ tactic – which had become a welcome mainstay at East End Park over recent years – worked a treat, causing danger time and time again in a Dundee defence so often in disarray. In fact had it not been for a moment of complacency, a clean sheet would have been the cherry on the cake of an excellent New Year’s Day Pars performance.

After his heroics at Easter Road, Derek Stillie has been more likely to catch a cold than a cross ball in the last two fixtures, such has been the keeper’s lack of action in the Pars goal. Despite the Dundee goal, born out of slackness in the Pars defence, Stillie had very little to do except admire the defending from his back four. The back four – consisting of Labonte, Wilson, Skerla and the returning Scott Thomson – once again looked solid as a unit, often snuffing out any Dundee threat without much apparent trouble. The central defensive pairing of Scott Wilson – described by Davie Hay as the Pars’ most consistent player this season – and Andrius Skerla continue to grow as a partnership, appearing confident and stronger as the weeks go by. The full-backs Thomson and Labonte both displayed assurance and guile, offering the pace and invention to aid the Pars attack whenever they could.

In a midfield four consisting of Greig Ross, Gary Mason, Darren Young and Barry Nicholson, the Pars always had control in the centre of the park with Gary Mason in particular putting in a power of work in the midfield. Mason’s break-up play and commitment in the tackle were a joy to watch all afternoon and, on any other day, would no doubt have won the midfielder the Man of The Match award. Barry Nicholson – adopting what appeared to be a free-role – looked at times back to his influential best, spraying the ball to the wings whenever the opportunity arose. Darren Young – despite looking fairly lacklustre in the last few games – once again made use of his strength and passing to supply the Pars strikers all afternoon and, although finding it tough at times, put on a decent overall display. However, special mention must, once again, go to youngster Greig Ross who once again performed very well, this time in an unfamiliar midfield role. Greig displayed plenty of tenacity and commitment getting down the right flank whenever possible before deservedly earning a standing ovation when being substituted near the end of the match.

Further forward, the Pars attack – so often looking dry and bereft of goals this season – looked dangerous whenever the side went forward. A strong Dundee defence including Bobby Mann and the returning Lee Wilkie looked considerably shaky and fragile whenever up against the Pars attacking forays. The introduction of Noel Hunt shortly into the match – after an injury to Billy Mehmet – ensured a torturous afternoon for the Dundee defence, with Hunty showing excellent dig and never-say-die attitude to carve numerous openings for the Pars attack. After a series of injuries, the Irishman looks to be getting somewhere near to his best as his fitness and confidence returns. Partnering first Mehmet then Hunt up-front was Pars top goalscorer Andy Tod, and what can you say. With all the effort and commitment put in by Toddy in every single game he plays for the Pars, who can honestly say anyone other than Tod deserved a hat-trick – although some killjoys are trying to claim Tod’s second as an own goal. Winning header after header up against the 9 foot 4 Lee Wilkie, you had the feeling that every Pars cross into the box was destined for the back of the net. Equally as impressive as his goalscoring exploits was undoubtedly Tod’s hold-up and build-up play which helped create for the Pars all afternoon. Who says we need a new striker?!!

Man Of The Match – ANDY TOD – Three goals, tremendous commitment and an overall lung-bursting display by the big man. Superb!

PARS – Stillie 6, Labonte 7, Wilson 8, Skerla 8, Thomson 7, Ross 7, (Butler) 7, Mason 9, Darren Young 7, (Dempsey) 6, Nicholson 7, Mehmet 5, (Hunt) 7, Tod 9.