Hi everyone, welcome back to my blog.

I start on a negative after last week's frustrating result. We knew how tough Dumbarton would be after playing them previously the week before, but we still feel disappointed in the way in which we controlled and created numerous chances, yet lapses of concentration and defensive mistakes cost us three valuable points.

What I will also point out on last week's game is the first goal for Dumbarton, which was one of the best goals I've seen first hand - and if you haven't seen it its definitely worth checkin out online. You can argue about stopping crosses, getting tighter etc etc, but the sheer technique in the goal itself simply needs to be applauded!  Don't think for one minute I'm accepting conceding a goal, as a defender there is nothing worse, but it really was worth a mention. It's a shame said player ruined it with an outrageous tackle on one of our players later in the game.

It has been a Champions League week this week and what a great couple of games we witnessed. Juve came out comfortable winners in the end against Celtic but what was a major talking point was the way the Italians defended at corners.

They were manhandling Celtic players and using every trick in the book to stop their opponent scoring. They were cleverly doing it before the ball was crossed in, meaning no foul could be given, as ball wasn't in play, yet Celtic players were getting overly frustrated and returning the favour to their Italian counterparts when the ball was played in, resulting in fouls against them. Referees need to be more decisive. Yes, he did book players on occasion, but the only way it will stop permanently is when players eventually start getting two cautions and get sent off. I'm sure this would stop it re occurring. Have I done it defending a corner? Hell yes, numerous times, have I had it done to me by opposition players on corners? Equally as much!

The message is simple, you either stop all the moaning and let players wrestle each other to the ground and do nothing about it, or you start sending players off. When these players have to go in and face the manager and their fellow players, whom they've let down, in the dressing room after the game, I'm pretty sure they won't be in a rush to do it again! It's a funny old world, players get crucified and judged and dropped, based on performances, yet this is not a precedent that applies to all participants in the game.

Man United v Real Madrid was the main event on Wednesday - two of the best footballing teams on the planet with star players from back to front on both teams. Skill, ability, sharpness, awareness and control in abundance. What did the game come down too? Headed goals!   Sometimes when teams are so equally matched on the pitch, when both sets of players are the best of what they do, cancelling each other out at times, set plays and crosses become vital! I personally think heading is underrated, but I would say that!

Both teams seized the opportunity, maybe knowing how even the game would be, to take advantage of set plays and crosses. Defensively minded myself, I know how important it is to stay switched on at crosses, but if the deliveries are so precise and accurate like they were this week, sometimes defending them becomes near impossible. Excellent deliveries combined with expert timing and clinical execution will often result in a goal and is a nightmare for defenders to defend against.  One split second lapse of concentration - and that really is the fine margin we're talking - is all it takes to allow your opponent to get the better of you.

This does and will continue to happen, and both teams capitalised on this on Wednesday.  At Livi we are not gifted with the most height throughout the squad, thus knowing, teams may well, and do, play for set plays! We know this, and as a team, collectively, need to improve in these situations. On the flip side we also need to take advantage of attacking set plays.  As mentioned above, if the delivery is good enough, your timing is spot on, and your execution is precise then it doesn't matter how tall you are! But these three things need to be exact, which only comes from practice.

Heading shouldn't be classed as an old fashion task in which no one enjoys, it should be merited for what it really is. An extremely difficult art to master and one in which decides matches at the highest level!

As mentioned last week, we had a little dinner date after the game on Saturday. There was a little bit of a dark atmosphere in the air after losing during the day, but we used it as a good team building exercise and to let our hair down a little. We had a nice meal at Tony Macaronis in Livingston and the staff there were excellent. We eat pre-match there and have become to know a couple of the staff. We even got a free round from John Collins as a surprise on arrival!  I'm not too sure where Gareth Evans' free round was though! Maybe he's saving up for the end of season holiday he's going to surprise us with? What are the chances? ;-)

On the subject of food, we would like to thank Simon Preece and his company, Food Creations, and wish him all the best in the future, for all his services to the club over the last few years providing food for players and hospitality suites. Si recently departed services with the club and will be missed. Good luck mate.

We look forward to today's game against a strong and confident Cowdenbeath team. It was good to get back at home after a recent run of away games of late, here's hoping we get a more positive result this time round.

On a more personal note I will be making my 100th appearance for the club, if selected, since joining in July 2010. A good personal milestone for myself and three points would be the perfect way to top off an enjoyable ton of appearances!

Until next time

Mango Barr
#livingwithmango