Isabella Duke

All the talk of last year's transfer fiasco mentions Danny lennon lets not forget that tommy Craig was there too its that fact which worries me that this season will be no different

I had a feeling it would be a long wait....

They would have got other clubs surely if they were good enough? Chris Smith, John Baird, Craig Molloy, David McKenna, Ryan McCay, Scott Gemmill, Mark Docherty, Stuart Burns, Connor Ramsay. Indeed, I think that Ramsay may even have been the youngest player ever to feature in the top flight for St. Mirren in our entire history. That's 9 kids that got their first team debuts under Gus Macpherson. Of them, John Baird was brought to the club by Andy Millen. David Barron arrived from Partick Thistle. Its only really Stephen McGinn who has gone on to do anything in the game (albeit that Barron might have done but for his injuries). Which of the rest really stood out for you and looked like they would go on to do something? Gus Macpherson was manager for 5 and a half seasons. With the players he was given by Longwell he was effectively working with a hand tied behind his back. Stephen McGinn arrived at the club late in his development via a boys club. He didn't go all the way through the "academy". Gus saw his potential early on and had in the first team at a young age. I seem to remember guys like Charlie Adam, Kirk Broadfoot and Scott Cuthbert all being mainstays when they were at Saints so not giving youth a chance wasn't the issue. The issue is that the youth coming through wasn't very good! We've had some better success recently with McLean, McGinn, Naismith & Kelly. Looking at the list of players that Gus Mapherson used in the first team in his time, I have no doubt he would have used these 4. But is this return good enough after a decade in charge? And Kenny McLean is a product of Longwell's policy of sniffing about Old Firm rejects rather than getting out there scouting! Look at the transfer fees that Dundee United have brought in in recent years by selling young players. What transfer fees have we received?

name these kids that he ignored then...

which gems did gus fail to give a chance to?the fact is that gus had to operate with a severe lack of young talent! ?

you cam have the best coaching in the world and best facilitiesbut if you struggle to attract pr find players, wot is the point?

there was no macpherson' era youth policy! The youth system today is the same as it was back then!mcginn, naismith, Kelly & McLean were already with us before ralston! the manager has nothing to do with the youth system - and that's the way it should be! as Stuart Dickson points out, we have a lack of scouts. All longwell does is hope to pick up old firm rejects. in the golden eras of years gone by we had scouts like jack Gilmour (stewarts uncle) and maxie gray who helped find all the greats from Gordon mcqueen to frank mcgarvey to Paul lambert, etc these guys had guys working for them and loads of contacts. things have changed considerably since then and clubs snap up players from very young ages, but we just don't have the scouts the other drawback is that other clubs have ex pros in charge and ex pros as coaches. We don't. It puts players and parents off.

i answered that in the post you replied to!

were u one of the spectators they wanted to fight?

exactly the point i have madethis guy looks good to me hopefully tc will actually play him

It took the last line of your sixth post and a post from me before you even mention the subject matter of the thread... and even then its a PPS No opinions, no facts, just abuse.

deary me not one mention of ross Caldwell just posts full of abuse why won't the mods take action?

Take a look at his 2 SPL goals on youtube then. They are quality. His showing at Alloa last season is also a positive. Most teams play with 1 up front and Alloa's main striker was the experienced Andy Kirk. They are a Championship club and were struggling at the wrong end of the table and struggling to score goals. His goals came away to Queen of the South & Hamilton, not easy places to get goals. This signing has potential.

I wouldn't read too much into his goalscoring stats as most of his appearances have been off the bench. Just viewed his goals against St. Mirren and Hearts on youtube and they are quality. He makes space for himself for both goals, controls with 1 touch then scores good goals.

He's 5' 9'' Is that "big"?

The same old what? Yet more smillies? I offer foresight and opinions All you offer is abuse and smillies to anyone who doesn't sit beside you on the fence!

some folk have foresight

indeed. mine have no capitals while yours contain no sense but loads of smillies

he'll be concentrating on management after tommy Craig gets sacked early on

no sorry, like most of your posts it makes no sense

i'm currently in north America so wot difference would that make?

We did quite well with Andy millen playing every week... can remember hearts almost winning the title with sandy jardine playing every week using senior players as coaches is a great idea in fact I'd go further and just get rid of tommy Craig altogether

Why do folk love using the word 'pacey' when talking about strikers? I'd like to see us sign a 'goalscoring' striker!

I'd rather we got in someone young ang hungry than a has been like clarkson

as Stuart points out, they can get a job in the private sector and see what the rest of us put up withflew into Manchester airport today, 2 guys on passport duty with a massive queue while 4 sat behind a glass screen watching it and having a chat. these guys deserve the sack never mind a pay rise