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[FM20] Stuniverse's FM20 Adventure


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Game date: 7 July 2020

MCMILLAN RETURNS TO FALKIRK

BairnsNews: Following his release by Hamilton, Falkirk have snapped up 31 year-old striker David McMillan on a free transfer. McMillan spent last season on loan with the Bairns.

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1 hour ago, SRL88 said:

Good luck in the Championship

Thank you, @SRL88. I’m very keen to find out if my new signings are as good as my scouting team tell me they are. I’ve retained 17 or 18 players from last season, including all the key players and starters in each position, so I’m hopeful we’ll do well.

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Game date: Tuesday 7th July 2020

Pre-match v Coventry City (N) - Friendly (3)

Match Preview

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BairnsNews: You retained the vast majority of your successful squad from last season, plus you've already brought in six new signings. What sort of challenges does that throw up in pre-season?

Stuniverse: Good ones. Only good ones. The squad we had last season comfortably won League One, won against a fair number of Championship sides in the cup competitions and, with the exception of Celtic, more than held our own against some Premiership sides in the cups. We knew we had a great squad and the new players will add to our overall squad depth or will prove to be a higher quality than what we had last season. The challenge is in finding a starting lineup, and a way of playing, that collectively gets the best out of the squad. That's the main reason we've arranged more pre-season friendlies, in and around the Betfred Cup Group Stage, than we did last season.

Team Selection

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BairnsNews: Do you still have an empty medical room?

Stuniverse: Yes. Everybody is fully fit at the moment. We have no injury concerns.

Post-match: Coventry City (0) 0-0 (0) Falkirk

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BairnsNews: Are you happy with that?

Stuniverse: The plan today was to get 90 minutes into the legs of 11 players and we did that. We'll give a different 11 players 90 minutes against Sheffield Wednesday next time.

Coventry City gave us a very tough test as we knew they would. In a fairly even game, we defended well and stopped them scoring. Unfortunately, we weren't able to score ourselves, so a goalless draw was probably fair.

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Game date: 8 June 2020

ARROYO JOINS FALKIRK

BairnsNews: Falkirk have signed Liverpool's 20 year-old Colombian right-back Anderson Arroyo on loan until the end of the season.

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Game date: Thursday 9th July 2020

Pre-match v Sheffield Wednesday (H) - Friendly (4)

Match Preview

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BairnsNews: A match against Sheffield Wednesday represents a big step-up in quality of opposition.

Stuniverse: Yes, it does. And that's exactly why we chose Sheffield Wednesday. We need to test ourselves against quality opposition and Sheffield Wednesday will give us exactly that. I'm looking forward to seeing how my players get on.

Team Selection

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Post-match: Falkirk (2) 3-2 (0) Sheffield Wednesday

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BairnsNews: Congratulations on a good win.

Stuniverse: Thank you. I thought my players were outstanding today against a very good English Championship side. Two goals from Conor Sammon, one from the penalty spot, gave us a deserved 2-0 lead at the break. Sheffield Wednesday came back very strong in the second-half and pulled level at 2-2. We showed a lot of character and spirit, kept going, and Oladapo Afolayan won it for us.

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Game date: 11 July 2020

FALKIRK REJECT SAMMON BID

Bairnsnews understand Falkirk have rejected a £13.75K bid from Dundee for 33 year-old striker Conor Sammon, who was the Bairns top goal scorer last season.

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Game date: Saturday 11th July 2020

Pre-match v Partick Thistle (a) - Betfred Cup Group G (1)

Match Preview

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BairnsNews: You're competitive season starts today with an away match against fellow Championship side Partick Thistle in the Betfred Cup. Are you ready?

Stuniverse: Well it's early days, effectively we're still in pre-season, we're still building our squad, but we've planned for this, our pre-season so far has been good, and we're confident of getting off to a positive start.

Team Selection

Unavailable:
Mark Durnan (suspended)

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BairnsNews: Talk us through your starting lineup?

Stuniverse: OK. Mark Durnan is suspended after his red card in the Betfred Cup last season. Everybody else is available.

Robbie Mutch starts in goal. A back-four of Anderson Arroyo, Efe Ambrose, Gregor Buchanan and Paul Dixon. A midfield of Louis Longridge, Michael Tidser, Charlie Telfer and Aidan Connolly. Jahmal Hector-Ingram and David McMillan up front.

Post-match: Partick Thistle (1) 1-1 (1) Falkirk
Partick win 5-3 on penalties

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BairnsNews: You lost in a penalty shoot-out.

Stuniverse: Yes. We did. We didn't do enough over 90 minutes to win the game. I thought we edged the first-half, but an Efe Ambrose mistake gifted them their goal. We were level by half-time though a Charlie Telfer volley from inside the 'D'. After the break I thought we were on top but we couldn't find a way through. Fair play to Partick, they scored all their penalties so Conor Sammon's saved penalty was the difference.

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Game date: Monday 13th July 2020

Pre-match v Watford (H) - Friendly (5)

Match Preview

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BairnsNews: Another step-up today with a friendly match against English Premier League Watford.

Stuniverse: Yes. This is promises to be our toughest test yet.

Team Selection

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Post-match: Falkirk (0) 1-3 (3) Watford

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BairnsNews: 3-0 down before the break. I suppose it could've ended a lot worse.

Stuniverse: Yes, it could. Watford are a very good team and they showed that today. We played a different 11 in each half. After the break, I thought we gave them a much better game and, for what it's worth, we won the second-half through Jahmal Hector-Ingram's goal.

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Game date: Wednesday 15th July 2020

Pre-match v Queen's Park (H) - Betfred Cup Group G (2)

Match Preview

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BairnsNews: You continue your Betfred Cup campaign against League 2 Queen's Park. After losing in a penalty shoot-out to Partick, you need to win this one?

Stuniverse: Yes we do. And that's exactly what we're looking to do.

Team Selection

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BairnsNews: Eight changes tonight from your opening Betfred Cup game. Why's that?

Stuniverse: We're still effectively in pre-season and we're still juggling trying to get everybody's match fitness up to where it needs to be. Michael Doyle in for Anderson Arroyo, Tom Grivosti for Efe Ambrose, Calum Macdonald for Paul Dixon, Lewis Smith for Louis Longridge, Steven Boyd for Michael Tidser, Craig Sibbald for Charlie Telfer, Ethan Hamilton for Aidan Connolly and Conor Sammon for David McMillan.

Post-match: Falkirk (1) 6-0 (0) Queen's Park

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BairnsNews: A very comfortable win in the end.

Stuniverse: Yes. Queen's Park made it difficult for us in the first-half, but we took the lead through Conor Sammon. After the break, we raised our game and the players were magnificent. Goals from Craig Sibbald, Steven Boyd, Michael Tidser and a brace from Jahmal Hector-Ingram made things very comfortable for us by the final whistle.

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Game date: 17 July 2020

MARSHALL JOINS FALKIRK

BairnsNews: Falkirk have completed the signing of Dundee's 23 year-old left-back Jordan Marshall for £54K.

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Game date: 18 July 2020

FALKIRK WIN RACE TO SIGN MCDONALD

BairnsNews: Hearts' 19 year-old right winger Anthony McDonald chose Falkirk over Dundee and joins The Bairns for a fee of £56K.

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Game date: Saturday 18th July 2020

Pre-match v St Mirren (a) - Betfred Cup Group G (3)

Match Preview

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BairnsNews: A tough game away at Premiership St Mirren but, if you want to qualify from your Betfred Group, you need to win this match Can you do it?

Stuniverse: We've trained hard, prepared thoroughly, and we're confident of getting a good result at the Simple Digital Arena.

Team Selection

Unavailable:
Jordan Marshall (cup-tied)

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BairnsNews: Four changes today.

Stuniverse: Yes. Anderson Arroyo starts in place of Michael Doyle, Efe Ambrose returns for Gregor Buchanan, Louis Longridge replaces Lewis Smith, and Steven Boyd comes in for Calum Macdonald.

Post-match: St Mirren (0) 0-3 (2) Falkirk

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BairnsNews: Congratulations. You've continued where you left off last season with another strong performance against a Premiership side.

Stuniverse: Thank you. First-half we played very well and a Steven Boyd brace gave us a deserved lead. After the break, St Mirren really came at us strongly and we defended for our lives, at times, and our goalkeeper Robbie Mutch kept us in it with a fantastic display. An outrageous long-range effort from Calum Macdonald made it 3-0 and that was that.

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BairnsNews: Hector-Ingram was substituted early. How is he?

Stuniverse: Jahmal has a bruised shin. It was painful, which is why we subbed him off, but he should be fine by the next game.

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Game date: Thursday 23rd July 2020

Pre-match v Berwick Rangers (a) - Friendly (6)

Match Preview

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BairnsNews: Your final pre-season match away at Berwick. What's the plan tonight?

Stuniverse: We're going to look to give playing time to players who haven't played as much as they probably should have so far.

Team Selection

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Post-match: Berwick Rangers (0) 1-3 (2) Falkirk

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BairnsNews: That concludes your pre-season. What did you make of it?

Stuniverse: I thought the players did well and controlled the game throughout. Lewis Allan and Charlie Telfer gave us a 2-0 lead by the break. Berwick pulled one back in the second-half, before Aidan Connolly restored our two-goal cushion.

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Game date: Saturday 25th July 2020

Pre-match v Gretna 2008 (H) - Betfred Cup Group G (4)

Match Preview

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BairnsNews: You go into your final Betfred Cup Group game in 2nd place, one point behind Partick Thistle. It's out of your hands as you need to win and hope Partick slip up again St Mirren.

Stuniverse: Yes, losing that penalty shoot-out to Patick is the difference. We can't control or influence what happens in the other game. All we can do is make sure we do our jobs against Gretna at Falkirk Stadium.

Team Selection

Unavailable:
Jordan Marshall (cup-tied)

Doubtful:
Anthony McDonald (ankle-90)
Ethan Hamilton (fatigued)

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BairnsNews: You've made one change today.

Stuniverse: Yes. Ethan Hamilton was looking tired so Calum Macdonald comes in for him.

Post-match: Falkirk (2) 4-1 (0) Gretna 2008

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BairnsNews: A very good win.

Stuniverse: Yes, thank you. Steven Boyd and a Craig Sibbald penalty gave us a 2-0 lead at the break. Gretna stunned us by pulling it back to 2-1 with a spectacular goal but the players kept going and Conor Sammon and a Michael Tidser free-kick rounded things off.

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BairnsNews: St Mirren did you a favour by winning 3-1 at Partick. Congratulations, you've won Group G and are through to the next round.

Stuniverse: It's a great reward for the players who've worked really hard this pre-season. It's also for the amazing Ye Bairns fans.

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Game date: 26 July 2020

FALKIRK V DUNFERMLINE RIVALRY RENEWED

BairnsNews: Falkirk have been drawn at home to arch-rivals Dunfermline in the Betfred Cup Second Round.

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Game date: 27 July 2020

BUCHANAN RETAINS BAIRNS CAPTAINCY

BairnsNews: Gregor Buchanan has retained the Bairns captaincy, with Michael Tidser being named as vice-captain.

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Game date: 31 July 2020

BUTCHER BECOMES BAIRNS DIRECTOR OF FOOTBALL

BairnsNews: Falkirk have appointed 61 year-old Terry Butcher as Director of Football. We understand from unnamed club sources that Butcher will assist manager Stuniverse with player recruitment but, ultimately, Stuniverse will have the final say over player signings and sales.

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Game date: 1 August 2020

FALKIRK - AUGUST FIXTURES

BairnsNews: Falkirk will play five Ladbrokes Championship matches in August, plus the Second Round of the Betfred Cup.

The highlight, without doubt, will be two matches in eight days against arch-rivals Dunfermline.

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Game date: Saturday 1st August 2020

Pre-match v East Fife (H) - Ladbrokes Championship (1)

Match Preview

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BairnsNews: You start your league campaign today against East Fife who were promoted from League 1 via the playoffs. Given that you're at home, finished well above them last season, and beat them three times, drawing the other fixture, you must be strong favourites to get off to a winning start.

Stuniverse: Look, last season is over now. It's gone. It's in the history books. We have a different squad with different players, as do East Fife. Having said that, we've worked very hard and are focussed on getting a win for our fantastic fans. We've had a great July and are showing positive signs, but I'm sure East Fife will be desperate to get one over us. We're expecting a difficult game.

Team Selection

Doubtful:
Anthony McDonald (ankle-90)
Sam Dryden (shin-90)

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BairnsNews: What's your team news today?

Stuniverse: We're unchanged from the Gretna game. Same starting 11. Same subs bench.

Post-match: Falkirk (1) 2-0 (0) East Fife

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BairnsNews: You limited East Fife to just one shot all match and it wasn't even on target. Was that the perfect match for you?

Stuniverse: No. A perfect performance would've seen them have no shots whatsoever and for us to have scored a couple more goals. We defended very well and Robbie Mutch didn't have a whole lot to do in our goal, he'll have much busier games this season that's for sure. Going forward we were very positive and Steven Boyd scored a superb brace against his former club. Jahmal Hector-Ingram hit the post and Craig Sibbald had one chalked off for offside which was very tight. 

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Game date: Saturday 8th August 2020

Pre-match v Inverness Caledonian Thistle (a) - Ladbrokes Championship (2)

Match Preview

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BairnsNews: Your first away match in the Championship this season. What are you expecting?

Stuniverse: A tough game, obviously. Inverness finished 4th in this division last season so today is going to be a good litmus test for us.

Team Selection

Unavailable:
Lewis Smith (ankle)
Conor Sammon (food poisoning)

Doubtful:
Anthony McDonald (ankle-90)
Sam Dryden (shin-90)

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BairnsNews: You have a few injury doubts, don't you?

Stuniverse: Yes, we do. The only change to the starting 11 is Ethan Hamilton coming in for Conor Sammon who has food poisoning. On the bench, Lewis Smith (ankle) and Michael Doyle make way with Jordan Marshall, Charlie Telfer and Gabby McGill making the bench.

Post-match: Inverness Caledonian Thistle (2) 3-2 (2) Falkirk

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BairnsNews: What a match that was! How do you assess it?

Stuniverse: We got off to a fast start when Craig Sibbald gave us a first minute lead, but Cally responded to that and before we knew it we were 2-1 down. We kept going though and a fantastic strike from Jahmal Hector-Ingram had us level by the break. We adjusted some things during half-time, made substitutions as the second-half progressed, and I thought we were the better side after the break. Ethan Hamilton put us a 3-2 up shortly after the restart and we saw the game out, although it was like pinball in our penalty area at times. Robbie Mutch made a brilliant save late on, and even later they hit the post, but we held on and took the three points.

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BairnsNews: Already you're top of the divison as the only team to have won both matches.

Stuniverse: That's nice, but the league table means nothing yet. We have 34 games left to play.

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Game date: Tuesday 11th August 2020

Pre-match v Dundee United (H) - Ladbrokes Championship (3)

Match Preview

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BairnsNews: I think of Dundee United and I think of a Premiership side. Will this be your most difficult test so far?

Stuniverse: It could be. Dundee United finished 5th last season, below Cally who we beat at the weekend, so definitely we're facing a difficult challenge. Nobody has a divine right to play in the Premiership. Not Dundee United. Certainly not us. A lot of it is about hard work, mental strength and not taking things for granted. We want Ye Bairns fans to be celebrating on the final whistle but we know there's no guarantee of that.

Team Selection

Unavailable:
Lewis Smith (ankle)

Doubtful:
Sam Dryden (shin-90)

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BairnsNews: Any changes today?

Stuniverse: No changes to the starting lineup but two changes to the subs. Conor Sammon has recovered from food poisoning and comes onto the bench. Anthony McDonald replaces Aidan Connolly on the bench having recovered from an ankle problem.

Post-match: Falkirk (1) 1-2 (0) Dundee United

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BairnsNews: With quarter of an hour to go you looked like you were going to win. What happened?

Stuniverse: We learnt a hard lesson. Clearly this isn't League 1 any more and at Championship level mistakes get punished. Steven Boyd gave us the lead with a header in the first-half, but we ended up paying the price for not scoring a second goal. Dundee United equalised and then Anderson Arroyo conceded a late penalty from which they scored the winner.

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Game date: 14 August 2020

CUP DEFENCE BEGINS AGAINST BRORA

BairnsNews: Falkirk will start their defence of the Tunnock's Caramel Wafer Challenge Cup against semi-professional side Brora Rangers in the 3rd Round of the cup. Brora beat Livingston reserves on penalties and League 2 Brechin City to reach the 3rd round.

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Game date: 15 August 2020

BAIRNS UNABLE TO COMPLETE SEGURA LOAN DEAL

BairnsNews: Falkirk have been frustrated in their attempts to sign Watford's 23 year-old Colombian left-footed centre-back Jorge Segura after the player was denied a work permit. Falkirk appealed the decision but the appeal was rejected.

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Game date: Saturday 15th August 2020

Pre-match v Dunfermline Athletic (H) - Betfred Cup 2nd Round

Match Preview

BC_Rd2_Dunfermline_preview.thumb.png.2c79ae154b867b6d46b9f401b5a896d4.png

BairnsNews: A win today against your fierce rivals will put you in the Quarter-Finals. Last season you beat Dunermline 2-0 in the Challenge Cup. Can you knock Dunfermline out again, this time in the Betfred Cup? 

Stuniverse: Ye Bairns fans want us to and they're really up for this cup-tie. The atmosphere was electric at Falkirk Stadium when we played them last season and I know Ye Bairns will be right behind us again today. We're all determined to make sure our fans have the bragging rights by the final whistle.

Team Selection

Unavailable:
Efe Ambrose (suspended)
Jordan Marshall (cup-tied)
Lewis Smith (ankle)

Doubtful:
Sam Dryden (shin-90)

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BairnsNews: Any team changes?

Stuniverse: Efe Ambrose is suspended for picking up too many yellow cards in the Group Stage so our captain Gregor Buchanan starts in his place. Conor Sammon returns up front for Jahmal Hector-Ingram. On the bench, Michael Doyle comes in for cup-tied Jordan Marshall and Mark Durnan makes the bench as well.

Post-match: Falkirk (1) 2-1 (1) Dunfermline Athletic

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BairnsNews: That was a hard fought win. How do you sum it up?

Stuniverse: We wanted to win for our fans and we did that. Ye Bairns fans were awesome again, even when we were a goal behind they kept cheering us on. Tom Grivosti drew us level, just before the break, with a pile-driver of a shot. Michael Tidser won it for us late on with a stunning free-kick.

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Game date: 16 August 2020

DIXON LEAVES FALKIRK

BairnsNews: Falkirk's 34 year-old left-back Paul Dixon has left the Bairns after his contract was terminated by mutual consent. Dixon found himself playing back-up to Claum Macdonald last season and the summer signing of Jordan Marshall saw Dixon drop to third choice.

We understand Falkirk's Director of Football Terry Butchertried to find another club for Dixon but was unable to find one willing to meet the player's wage demands.

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Game date: 16 August 2020

BETFRED CUP QUARTER-FINALS

BairnsNews: Falkirk will host Pemiership side St. Johnstone in the Quarter-Final of the Betfred Cup. 

St. Johnstone defeated Rangers 2-1 in the previous round.

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Game date: 20 August 2020

FALKIRK MISS OUT AGAIN

BairnsNews: Falkirk have missed out on another left-footed centre-back after Inverness Caledonian Thistle's Jamie McCart (23 years-old) chose Dundee over Falkirk.

Falkirk had agreed a  transfer fee with Inverness, and thought they'd agreed personal terms with McCart and his agent, but Dundee came in with a late bid and signed the player from under their noses.

This is the second time this window that Falkirk have been left frustrated in their pursuit of a left-footed centre-back. The Bairns had agreed to sign Watford’s Jorge Segura earlier this window but the player failed to qualify for a work permit.

Tom Grivosti remains the only left-footed centre-back at the club.

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35 minutes ago, kingjericho said:

Amazing write-ups!

Thank you, @kingjericho. That is very kind of you to say.

36 minutes ago, kingjericho said:

One question re: your tactic - isn't it too extreme to have WB behind W or WM, all with an attack duty? (WB/a and W/a basically have the same instructions)

Currently I have my Wingers / Wide midfielders set to Attacking and my wing-backs set to Automatic. For now, it seems to be working.

I will sometimes put my wing-backs on Attacking when I’m chasing a goal.

When he’s fully match fit, I’m considering playing Anthony McDonald as an inverted right winger in which case I may try the right wing-back on Attacking to take advantage of the space down the wing when the inverted winger cuts inside,

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Game date: Saturday 22nd August 2020

Pre-match v Dunfermline Athletic (a) - Ladbrokes Championship (4)

Match Preview

LC4_Dunfermline_preview.thumb.png.8d63d9215096be5eaf0028f093246d60.png

BairnsNews: Two games in a week against your arch-rivals Dunfermline. What are your thoughts ahead of your first visit to East End Park?

Stuniverse: That's the big difference today. We're playing in their back yard and, after two cup defeats at Falkirk Stadium, I'm sure Dunfermline will be wanting to set the record straight, from their perspective, in front of their own fans. We saw last weekend that they're capable of causing us problems so we have to be prepared for that, get at them early, look to quieten the home crowd, and hopefully leave Ye Bairns fans celebrating by the end.

Team Selection

Doubtful:
Ethan Hamilton (calf-90)
Lewis Smith (ankle-75)

LC4_Dunfermline_selection.thumb.png.25531db713eba2c316055f594938f6d0.png

BairnsNews: Two changes today.

Stuniverse: Yes. Efe Ambrose returns from suspension instead of Gregor Buchanan. Anthony McDonald gets a start ahead of Louis Longidge. Jordan Marshall takes Michael Doyle's place on the bench.

Post-match: Dunfermline Athletic (2) 3-5 (2) Falkirk

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BairnsNews: Congratulations on the win, but you made hard work of it, didn't you?

Stuniverse: Yes. I'm not sure what happened. The previous games with Dunfermline were tight affairs but this one was a goal fest. Defensively we weren't at our best today. We started brightly and created a few chances, which we couldn't take. Then they scored two, in two minutes, with their first two attacks and we were 2-0 down before we'd even played 10 minutes.

We kept going though. Conor Sammon was quickest to react, after Steven Boyd hit the bar, for 2-1. Anthony McDonald equalised and it was 2-2 after 20 minutes.

I thought we were the better team after that, but they caught us on the counter-attack early in the second-half and we were 3-2 down. We gambled at that point, made some substitutions and went more attacking and it paid off for us. Conor Sammon made it 3-3 and then put us 4-3 ahead when he completed his hat-trick from the penalty spot. We tried to calm things down after that and manage out the game. Ethan Hamilton provided some breathing space for us with the best goal of the game for 5-3.

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BairnsNews: Looks like you and Dundee United are the early pace-setters with three wins out of four.

Stuniverse: Yes, it does... but there's a long way to go yet.

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Game date: 23 August 2020

MCGILL RETURNS TO ENGLAND ON LOAN

BairnsNews: Falkirk's 19 year-old striker Gabby McGill has returned to England, joining Vanarama National Solihull Moors on loan for the rest of the season.

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Game date: 26 August 2020

FOR SALE - FALKIRK FC

BairnsNews: According to a report in FourFourTwo, Falkirk's chairman Lex Miller is ready to step aside and listen to offers for the club.

20200826_Chairman_step_aside.thumb.png.68655afd1e36aefeb4f07ee05f32d33e.png

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Game date: Saturday 29th August 2020

Pre-match v Alloa Athletic (H) - Ladbrokes Championship (5)

Match Preview

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BairnsNews: You've played a few matches in the Championship now. What are your thoughts about the step-up following your promotion?

Stuniverse: Well it's a higher level of football for sure. We've noticed a definite step-up in the standard of the opposition and mistakes get punished more frequently in the Championship than they did in League 1. But we've seen nothing to be afraid of, and I think we're showing that my players deserve to be playing at this level and that we're more than capable of competing at the top end of this division and challenging for another promotion.

Team Selection

Doubtful:
Ethan Hamilton (calf-90)
Lewis Smith (ankle-45)

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BairnsNews: Any changes for the home match against Alloa?

Stuniverse: No. We're sticking with the same starting 11 and subs bench we used against Dunfermline last time out.

Post-match: Falkirk (1) 3-0 (0) Alloa Athletic

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BairnsNews: Was that a bit more like it?

Stuniverse: Yes. Defensively we looked much more secure than we did against Dunfermline and I thought we were always in control. Up front, we created chances and looked clinical in front of goal. Ethan Hamilton gave us the lead. Anthony McDonald doubled our lead, and Jahmal Hector-Ingram rounded things off.

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BairnsNews: Dundee United won 1-0 at Dundee.

Stuniverse: That's a good away win for them but there's still a long way to go, we haven't even played everybody once yet.

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LC5_Alloa_analysis.thumb.png.bdaef899920a818380d9c47165b2e6d6.png


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Game date: 31 August 2020

FALKIRK - SEPTEMBER FIXTURES

BairnsNews: Falkirk have three Championship fixtures in September, plus a Betfred Cup Quarter-Final against St. Johnstone and a Tunnock's Caramel Wafer Challenge Cup 2nd round tie against Brora Rangers.

20200831_September_fixtures.thumb.png.b9e914cd9e312686c65993d503e9bde0.png

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Game date: 1 September 2020

SUMMER TRANSFER WINDOW CLOSES

BairnsNews: In a busy transfer window, Falkirk manager Stuniverse signed 12 players and allowed one to leave on loan. Additionally, Jahmal Hector-Ingram's loan extension from Derby County was agreed before the end of last season and veteran left-back Paul Dixon had his contract terminated by mutual consent.

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Game date: 1 September 2020

STUNIVERSE WINS MANAGER OF THE MONTH

BairnsNews: Falkirk's manager Stuniverse has been named Ladbrokes Championship Manager of the Month for August.

In a clean sweep for the Bairns, Falkirk midfielder Ethan Hamilton won both the Player of the Month and the Young Player of the Month awards.

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Game date: Saturday 5th September 2020

Pre-match v Brora Rangers (H) - Tunnock's Caramel Wafer Challenge Cup Third Round

Match Preview

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BairnsNews: Aren't you being a bit disrespectful to Brora with your team selection today?

Stuniverse: No. I don't think so. I'm privileged to have a very good squad of players, all of whom can make an impression at Championship level, but I can't pick them all; I can only pick 11. Today's cup-tie, no disrespect to Brora, gives me an opportunity to give playing time to players who haven't played as much as they would like so far this season. I'm confident the team picked today is more than capable of progressing to the next round of the cup.

Team Selection

Doubtful:
Jahmal Hector-Ingram (hamstring-90)

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BairnsNews: Talk us through your selection.

Stuniverse: Sure. There's ten changes. Cammy Bell in goal; a back-four of Michael Doyle, Gregor Buchanan, Mark Durnan and Jordan Marshall; a midfield of Louis Longridge, Charlie Telfer, Michael Tidser who played last time out, and Aidan Connolly; up front, Oladapo Afolayan and David McMillan.

Post-match: Falkirk (5) 5-1 (0) Brora Rangers

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BairnsNews: A game of two halves?

Stuniverse: That's probably a bit harsh, given the game was over by half-time, effectively over after Aidan Connolly's hat-trick in the first 10 minutes. David McMillan then added a brace before half-time. After the break, we took our foot off the gas a bit, I'll admit, but the game was won.

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Game date:

FALKIRK DRAW STRANRAER

BairnsNews: Falkirk have been drawn at home to League 1 Stranraer in the 4th Round of the Tunnock's Caramel Wafer Challenge Cup.

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Game date: 9 September 2020

SERIOUS TIDSER BLOW

BairnsNews: Falkirk have been rocked by news that midfielder Michael Tidser has fractured his lower leg and will be ruled out for up to three months.

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Game date: Saturday 12th September 2020

Pre-match v Ayr United (a) - Ladbrokes Championship (6)

Match Preview

LC6_Ayr_preview.thumb.png.0c5c1c0122a3ba9bba1129a69e4ca9cf.png

Team Selection

Unavailable:
Michael Tidser (fractured leg)

Doubtful:
Jahmal Hector-Ingram (hamstring-90)

LC6_Ayr_selection.thumb.png.34f6f7b645b145637b46c18fa44126a6.png

BairnsNews: Eleven changes today. Talk us through the line-up?

Stuniverse: Robbie Mutch in goal. A back-four of Anderson Arroyo, Efe Ambrose, Tom Grivosti and Calum MacDonald. In midfield Anthony McDonald, Charlie Telfer for the unfortunate Michael Tidser, who's fractured his lower leg, Ethan Hamilton and Craig Sibbald. Up front Steven Boyd and Conor Sammon.

Post-match: Ayr United (0) 0-5 (3) Falkirk

LC6_Ayr_report.thumb.png.2840892d1dfc6db81047824728d0f372.png

BairnsNews: That was an impressive away win.

Stuniverse: Thank you. Yes. I thought we totally dominated the game from start to finish which, away from home, is immensely satisfying. Conor Sammon, Steven Boyd and Charlie Telfer with first-half goals. A second for Steven Boyd after the break, and Craig Sibbald made it five.

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BairnsNews: A costly game in terms of injuries though.

Stuniverse: Unfortunately, yes. Anthony McDonald has a hamstring issue and Anderson Arroyo a groin problem. We think they'll both be out for a number of weeks.

LC6_Ayr_lgTab.thumb.png.22df5ee0de6cde0d8e54046b27bf30c5.png

BairnsNews: The win puts you three points clear at the top after Dundee United lost 1-0 at home to Partick.

Stuniverse: That's good news, but we still have 32 games to play so it's far too early to start analysing things after every round of results.

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