Another week, another team. We probably could have just put together a team of strikers this week – 59 goals across the SPFL this past weekend (Even with a few call-offs) – but we resisted the urge, kind of.
Joe Lewis – Aberdeen
If a double save at a penalty wasn’t enough to have Joe Lewis in this team, the fact he also pulled off a decent reaction stop in the opening minutes of the game at Pittodrie probably secured it. The game could have gone quite differently had the stopped not got a big right arm to Tony Andreu’s shot. It was good for Derek McInnes that his Captain was more switched on than the rest of his backline in those early stages. Andreu is likely still having nightmare about Lewis.
Jason Naismith – Hibernian
Former Saintee Naismith was regarded as a pretty decent signing by most when he turned up at Easter Road. It has taken him a while to get going but his goal on Saturday certainly helped him kick-start that effort. While he will have been frustrated to see his team concede twice to draw, it seems to be others in the back-line taking the blame for the goals.
Kyle Benedictus – Raith Rovers
Raith’s back-line has been awful this season, but there was certainly still room for improvement. That is obvious considering either team of each side of second placed Rovers have let in less. Saturday was certainly a start as they kept a clean-sheet against a Montrose side that have scored 17 times since the last week of September. Benedictus played a big part in that clean sheet, and he will need to play a big part for the rest of the season if the Kirkcaldy side are to find their way back to the Championship.
Brian Easton – Hamilton
Whenever there is a 0-0 draw you’d expect a defender to come out looking good, and that was Brian Easton. At 31, you’d expect someone of his experience to lead a back-line and that’s exactly what Easton did for his back three of this occasion. No bullying from Livingston’s Lyndon Dykes on this occasion.
Borja Barasic – Rangers
Is there anyone in the Scottish Premiership with a better cross of then that the Croatian left-back? His cross for Alfredo Morelos on Sunday afternoon was just asking to be headed into the net, and the Colombian obliged. Barasic continued to help push the overload that saw Hearts thrashed 5-0 throughout the match, and contributed to a clean-sheet too. For someone who struggled to put together a run of matches a year ago, he will be delighted with the game-time he is getting.
Ryan Christie – Celtic
Ryan Christie at this point has shown himself to be the type of player – both for club and Country – that can turn a match on its head. He was simply unplayable in Dingwall on Saturday lunch time. Two goals and an assist was a decent haul for Christie, and he might have even added more – but with a healthy lead over County it’s likely he took an opportunity to take it easy for the final half hour or so.
Devante Cole – Motherwell
We are cheating slightly with this one – Cole is a Striker by trade, but did play as a winger on Saturday as Motherwell thrashed St Johnstone 4-0. We are sticking his in as part of a midfield three. For a performance like that, someone from ‘Well had to be in this team, and considering Cole netted the opener and was generally at the heart of what was typically a very good overall team performance, we felt he stuck out.
Ross Forbes – Forfar Athletic
When your team is in the relegation play-off zone, and you’ve been getting a lot of stick – it takes a good player to pop up with the opening goal in a big win. That’s what Forbes did and many Forfar fans believe it’s down to the playmaker being used in a way more suited to him. Centrally, left to focus on creating, with two hard workers on either side.
Tommy Muir – Annan Athletic
At the beginning of the season we outlined that Tommy Muir would be key for Annan this season as a few other key attacking players moved on. He has struggled early on with just one league goal. However, his hat-trick (Plus two assists) on Saturday as they shocked the league leaders Cove Rangers might prove a turning point. Muir ran the show as Athletic took Hartley’s side to the cleaners.
Kevin Nisbit – Dunfermline Athletic
This one is quite simple, when you score four times in a game, even if two were penalties against ten men – you are pretty much assured a place in this team. Nisbet has even been linked to Rangers this week.
Dale Carrick – Airdrieonians
A name that keeps popping up in these, it’s no wonder Airdrie top the League One table. Carrick helped himself to half of the four goals his side scored against East Fife on Saturday. Not an easy task beating Darren Young’s side like that. The former Hearts man is now just one goal off of double figures for the campaign (All comps) don’t be surprised if he gets there this coming weekend.
NE98 