I haven't played football at any reasonable level, so my technical knowledge of the game is probably lacking, but having watched Airdrie for decades and been an avid fan of the game from all over the world, I think it's fairly obvious when something is right or wrong. After all, how many of us haven't brewed a beer but can tell a good pint from a bad one?

To the point. We've had a few issues with the team this season. In goals Mark McGeown has came through a terrible spell late last year when he was flapping at crosses and kicking himself into trouble but he's now through the other end and seemingly performing reliably again. No major problems there. But then you come to the defence. Are we playing 3, 4 or 5 at the back this week? Who's sweeping? Who are the full backs or wing backs? Anyone wanting to play left wing back? Not a great situation. Judging by early team selections it looks like David Dunn was initially earmarked as our left wing back but very soon he'd played himself out of that position. Since then we've had 40 year old Kenny Black, Willie Wilson and Neil McGowan all do good impressions of people who wished they were elsewhere. We've also had a central defence that's uncharacteristically leaked bad goals. Alan McManus took a lot longer to settle and impose himself that one would have expected whilst Scott Wilson has looked a shadow of the player we grew to love last season. We can only hope that big Scooby hits the kind of form he ascended to last season when he returns shortly from injury. Sandy Stewart has battled on through his hamstring problems to try to hold things together but lately he's looking like the captain of the Titanic.

And then it's on to the midfield. We started with Docherty and Marv Wilson in midfield but this pairing didn't hit it off as well as expected. Docherty has looked infinitely better on the right wing but Marv has lacked a suitable partner except a mightily impressive spell with David Dunn beside him. Dunn indeed helped himself to a few goals from central midfield and Marvyn had his best form. Unfortunately Dunn's sending off against Clyde set him back somewhat and he's not played centre midfield since the 6-1 thrashing by Morton. Up front we've been suffering too with Vareille the scapegoat for some poor finishing. Last season's top scorer with 18 goals has struggled badly this term and is now fighting to get back in the side. Biggest disappointment all season is the returning 'hero' Mark Roberts. Roberts has looked capable of so much good but in the eyes of the fans he has failed to live up to their expectations. All that could be forgiven in the drop of a hat if and when he hits form again, but every further poor display just seems to be sapping his self belief though Owen Coyle's swansong seems to be stirring something in him.

So where now? One would expect we can only get better. I'm certainly hoping that the backlash to last week's defeat will spark a promotion charge. I honestly think we have the players and management to do it. Almost. We could always have done with another defender, left back, and midfielder, but who would pay for it? We're sure to see a few changes but it's the attitude of the players and management that will count. Promotion is simply a must.

So is the glass half full or half empty? We're four points from the relegation zone, and four off a promotion place. Time will tell. Me? I still believe in the manager and chairman, though I most definitely expect we'll better than we've endured in recent weeks. But looking at things objectively, we've not looked that bad a team at times. Against teams at the top of Division One we've played them off the park for long spells but just haven't applied the killer touch in front of goals whilst leaking cheap ones. On the surface we may only need minor adjustments. Let's just hope it starts this week.