View from the Shed: Russell Gordon previews Falkirk v Morton

Hot on the heels of the late collapse at Hamilton on Saturday, Tuesday night’s visit of Queen’s Park couldn’t have gone worse for Dougie Imrie’s injury-ravaged side.

And now a trip to visit league leaders Falkirk looms large on the horizon.

Dougie Imrie will be wondering when his luck will turn (Image: alex craig) With ten players missing from the squad for the midweek defeat, Iain Wilson’s late ordering off was exactly what Imrie wouldn’t have been looking for.

It now leaves him in the unenviable position of trying to put out a team to stop a Bairns side who are still riding the crest of a wave after last season’s promotion, and are brimming with confidence.

While the extensive injury list certainly contributes to what has been a week from hell for the Ton boss, no points from six against two average sides doesn’t make for good reading, as Morton’s profligacy in front of goal reared its ugly head again.

Filip Stuparevic has struggled to make an impact in his last three games (Image: alex craig) The difference between Morton and their two conquerors can be found on the scoresheets from both games.

Whilst Imrie was forced to scrape around the bargain basement basket for his striking options after the losses of George Oakley and Robbie Muirhead, Hamilton and Queen's were able to push the boat out to bring in Oli Shaw and Zak Rudden respectively.

With only Airdrie looking as short as we do on striking options, it’s perhaps a relief that their own run of form is even worse than Morton’s.

Although a draw would have been the preferred outcome from the Diamonds’ visit to Kirkcaldy, rather than Raith’s victory and that of their neighbours Dunfermline over previously unbeaten Livingston.

When you throw in a horrific draw away to Ayr in the Scottish Cup, the competition that provides the best opportunity to fill the club’s coffers this season, and consider the upturn in the two Fife clubs’ form, the increasing injury list and Wilson’s unwelcome suspension, right now it’s difficult to see some light at the end of a very gloomy tunnel.

Ton's second half performance flattered to decieve (Image: alex craig) While he was quick to credit the team for their first half performance in particular on Tuesday, one wonders how much Imrie believed what he was saying, and how much of his assessment was an attempt to instil confidence in a side that’s clearly down on their luck.

But the defeat wasn’t just down to ill-fortune. Morton could have been three or four up by the time Rudden notched the Spiders’ 25th-minute winner, with Owen Moffat and Filip Stuparevic being perhaps the biggest culprits.

What was noticeable about Rudden’s fine strike was the reaction it created. The goal sucked the energy out of the crowd, and despite Imrie thanking the support for sticking with the team, there was a palpable sense that Morton were never getting back into the match, given our poor record in coming from behind over the last couple of years.

While I try not to read too much into post-match interviews, when emotions are still raw, it’s understandable for the manager to bemoan Wilson’s sending off “killing” us ahead of the trip to Falkirk.

To get drawn into Rudden’s trap and pick up a second booking was foolish, but he wasn’t alone in that.

Wilson's sending off couldn't have come at a worse time (Image: alex craig)The full back line picking up yellow cards was a throwback to last season’s horrendous disciplinary issues, but Jack Baird in particular was extremely fortunate not to collect a straight red for his indiscretion midway through the second half, when he appeared to strike out at Queens’ Dane Murray off the ball.

After similar incidents, notably against Ayr and Dundee United towards the end of last season, and with Morton down to the bare bones, the vice-captain really should know better in his club’s time of need.

But what of the trip to Falkirk? With the hosts top of the league, having endured five years in League One, and with the benefit of a midweek rest, having rearranged their league game with Partick after being knocked out of the SPFL Trust Trophy, I can’t remember going into a game at this level feeling less confident of a Morton victory, or even a draw.

Dougie Imrie’s Morton sides have surprised us plenty of times in the past, though, when we’ve felt we’re at our lowest ebb. Let’s hope tomorrow is another of those occasions.