Rival Son

I presume we’ll leave the squad places open. No point committing a slot to anyone until we know they’re fit. Remember, we can still sign a free agent, if the right one becomes available.

You asked: 4.5 Right wing back. Halfway between a 2 and a 7. See Cogley.

Brilliant. Handy summary of numerical references for positions 1 Goalkeeper —- 2 Right back 3 Left back 5 Centre back —- 4 Defensive midfield 6 Central midfield 8 Attacking midfield —- 7 Right wing 11 Left wing —- 9 Centre forward 10 Link/supporting forward

Neigh need, shirely.

No, the image is not showing. However, you’re now suggesting Johnston doesn’t even make the bench. I repeat, give your head a shake!

Christie (the right back) at left centre back after 45 minutes in the Mickey Mouse Cup? Give your head a shake! This hatred of Johnston is becoming irrational.

I also liked the look of Warren when he came on. The control and perfect pass to put McAtee through on goal was sublime.

If the exchange rate is fixed to Premier League : Scottish Premiership index, then about 7.6p. Call it 8p for the rounding.

Any comparison to Rugby … or cricket or tennis, is a moot point. They are all stop-start sports that facilitate such interventions and checks, whereas football is a continuously flowing sport (unless a team are 1-0 up at the Toughsheet!). I do need to correct you on your assertion that the ref in rugby league only asks VAR to review if he has a doubt. While this is true for the award of tries, VAR can alert the referee to other things that have happened, and which the referee has missed or not given, without a referral from the referee.

How many of those 20 other managers failed for four seasons on the bounce?

He also equalled Phil Neal’s club record of unsuccessful attempts to get out of the third tier!

I’d love a look at Charlie Warren on the left wing. Neither Gale nor Sissocko have made an impression on me, yet.

Agreed. A lot easier, with money in the pocket and wages off the payroll, though. Thst said, I’d hold any review of the 10 situation until January, and reject any Barnsley loan request.

I would re-frame that as a stupid move. Now, if they want to offer us £750k+ …

I’m just glad some of you aren’t running a business I’m involved with. Just where is the money coming from to replace all these players? Schumacher rightly identified the areas that needed to be addressed, to move to the new formation. Wingers, forwards, midfield steel and not a single left back at the club. In doing so, he has massively increased the number of players at the club and, by extension, the wage bill. While we have managed to move out some playing staff, we are still carrying a number of first team players and salaries who won’t feature in the named squad, such as Schon, CMG, and Nlundulu, while we need a another forward and right back, who may arrive today. We already have four centre backs at the club who are proven at L1 level. While we might want a little better, this is not a priority until we have recruited other areas AND removed the cost of those players who have become surplus. Replacing the whole squad in a single window was never a viable option - it’s easy to recruit but not easy to remove all surplus cost. Prioritisation of the areas of recruitment has been fine for me. And as soon as our four-man forward line click, and our keeper manages to save a few, we’ll find a defence that allows less than 2 on-target attempts per game, is fine; at least until a future window.

With apologies to @SirNat80: I could have picked any number of posts that put the defence at the root of our problems. The reality is that we’ve had 101 shots at goal in our first 6 games, only 25 of which were on target and only 5* of which ended up in a goal. That’s bloody atrocious finishing and nothing to do with the defence. *Our goal against Lincoln had no shot. In contrast, in the same 6 games, our defence have conceded just 29 shots, of which 10 were on target. Despite this, those 10 shots resulted in 6 goals. That’s bloody poor keeping to me and nothing to do with the defence. If you want to have a go at anyone at the back, Teddy Sharman-Lowe has had a worse start to the season than George Johnston or Eoin Toal.

Simons had a heavy knock just before half time against Lincoln, to follow the one against Plymouth. I wouldn’t be surprised if this was just to give him a break, but on the bench, if required.

No. Transfer dealings can be announced at any time, once they’re signed, sealed and delivered.

Really glad you had a great time (other than being held back) with your other team @Leyther_Matt. PS: the Leopards weren’t bad last night, either. 😉

Given that Kenny is unproven at any level beyond League of Ireland, I’d be comfortable with a loan. Of course, if he turns out to be the real deal, then we may find ourselves priced out. But if his goals take us to the Championship, the player himself might be inclined towards us.

Which is what? On first reading, I thought he disagreed with the sectarian comment; which, incidentally, I do. However, I then recognised that he hadn’t highlighted this part of the quote. Instead, he highlighted the “football” point. I took this to mean the quality of the football. If it’s something else then, yes, I missed the point; but the point is not clear to me.

All four Scottish teams have lost their play off matches, this week. Whatever the excitement of the individual match, Hibs have just been knocked out of Europe, from a competition which saw Shamrock Rovers and Shelbourne from the League of Ireland qualify. You can dress it up how you want, but Scottish club football is an absolute mess.

What is the difference between “a proper physical, attacking No10” and just playing 2 x 9s, as @gonzo has suggested? Surely, an on-the-ground more nimble type, such as Randall, offers a variety from this option. Moreover, how will this ensure our wingers go on the outside at least 1 in 3 times, to keep the defence guessing and offer our 9(s) the occasional opportunity?

I agree. I get up for Blackpool and Blackburn far more than Wigan! But I started going as a youth, in the 70s.

I understand that. My point is we shouldn’t chase any price up. We’ve already valued him and should stick with that or walk away.