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We do need better than him, that's not in doubt. My point is that it's a lot harder for a good cross to come in when your starting position is much further back against a deep lying defence. You can either throw it in early (which Duncan tried all night and only got in one good cross), or take on your man. The problem with starting so deep is that when you take on your man the left centre back (or left back in a four) just comes out to narrow the angle, which blocks the lofted square ball into the box. You've either got another player to take on, a cut back if it's on, or batter the ball across. The latter almost always gets cut out for a corner, which happened to Morris several times last night. Morris stood a couple of balls up to the back post last night that nobody got near too. The point is that the mythical good cross is extremely rare in modern football (probably only two or three in any given game from both wings combined). It's one thing that fans seem to latch onto as if it's really simple and should be happening every single time a player gets out wide. The other often mentioned one is corners beating the front man, yet you turn on any level, whether it's Modric, Messi or Mackie, it very regularly doesn't beat the front man (I saw it numerous times in the last world cup final for instance). Good crosses require the player crossing getting the ball nice and early, before the defence is set, or for a player to make that space on his own, drawing players out that would otherwise block the cross. Both rely on good movement from the front man to which Miovski is good at (Duk not so much). I watched part of the Hun game the other night, and they've probably got the two best crossers of the ball in our league in Tavernier and Barisic and they probably got two between them, both from deep and very difficult to execute (think Tavernier scored from a Barisic cross). The rest were dealt with by a defence that was deep enough to header clear. Morris isn't good enough for numerous reasons, but accurate crossing is a difficult skill that is about a lot more than simply lumping it in (what Duncan was doing). Morris took responsibility last night (and to an extent against the Tims), it is very easy just to throw the ball in from deep and pretend that's you done your job. The improvements he needs to implement are his awareness, concentration and coming inside on his wrong foot (and shooting!). Crossing will generally be a numbers game for him, as it used to be for Hayes back in his day (he'd get nine shite ones before setting up a goal).

I don't know if there's any actual truth in the Rocco Vata rumours, but I would suggest that if he's willing to turn down a new contract with Celtic, and has Club Brugge and Torino being interested in him, it would be some coup to get him.

Have to disagree on Morris. Most decent wing backs can get a cross beyond the first man more than once a game. He can’t. He is fast but that’s it. We need better than him.

Didn't see the game, but read a few reports. The one comment that stands out is Robson commenting on Albions decision not to water the pitch, thus reducing our opportunities to run it. I'm sorry, but we are a pro team who until recently used to train at Balgownie. We should be able to adapt our game to different pitch conditions fairly easily. If all it takes to have us struggling is to forget to water the pitch, we are gonna struggle this season away from home

I don’t agree. Morris got into plenty of good attacking positions, beat his man quite a lot, but more often than not his final product was poor. He’s a modern day Darren Mackie, all pace and little else. If we want to be a better team he’s a squad filler at best. For the Hacken game I’d prefer devlin at wing back with Macdonald slotting in to the back three, devlin will get assists and probably goals too. From the first three games I think we see Mackenzie Duncan polvara and morris should still be coming off the bench. Maybe they’ll develop further but right now we’re not that good starting these guys. Also don’t really see a lot in Barron to be honest. As for today, I thought shinnie and ruby were poor too. Just a one off for them, we know what Shinnie is like and first two games ruby looked solid. I also think duk was poor, took him a couple of months to find form last season, perhaps same again? Although he’s not carrying the weight he did this time last year. Ultimately we are through to the QF and it’s a win, home draw please!

That was ropey at times. Thought Duncan was poor tonight and a bit of a worry ahead of Thursday. The defence in general looked shaky, Devlin aside. Rubezic was way off it before going off, MacDonald much better although may have been at fault for the goal (couldn't tell). Clarkson was good in the advanced role again. Really not sure what our best eleven is, nor what formation. Miovski probably motm tonight, his movement excellent throughout and he scored a goal. Morris did well again, it's easy to criticise his final ball but playing wingback makes it much harder and often deflection for a corner is the best you can hope for.

I dunno Rico, I kinda like the sound of that. It could be quite fun.

I’m more meaning we have limited funds, not endless. There are other areas that need strengthened before adding another defender. Would be happy to get scales but happier to get the scales equivalent in center mid, attacking mid, or wide midfield.