Froggie

I look at this team and I think .... brilliant!  Then I think about the players from when I first watched the Buds.  Were Jimmy Brown and Campbell Forsyth as good as or better than Billy Thompson, Was Willie Fulton as good as I remember at sweeper.  What about a winger, Jimmy Robertson whose transfer fees were worth over £2M in todays money or Bobby McKean who could be untouchable on his day. Then the greats that played as inside forwards, Tommy Bryceland who would have had a bundle of Scottish caps if he hadn't the misfortune to be around when John White (the greatest Scot I've seen play) was strutting his stuff, Tommy Gemmell and Ally McLeod both sublime left footed maestros. Mind you I think Doug Somner is the best centre forward I've seen for the Saints just shading Gerry Baker. I often wonder if we could have afforded him if he was a full time player.  We've been fortunate to see some rare players over the years in the black and white (as long as we draw a veil over the mid 60's and the early 70's).

I have been one of Jack Bairds fiercest critics but latterly he has shown a marked improvement and perhaps ought to be trusted as a partner to Gary MacKenzie. If Harry Davis cannot be persuaded to sign, Jack just needs the raw edges smoothed because he is hard as nails and fearless, which forwards don't like. Youth is also on his side, so improvement through experience can be expected.
How refreshing to see JR depart from the previous "managerial" regimes of indecision, procrastination and downright bungling. I have said many times before that a job like this should never be trusted to inarticulate halfwits like the last few incumbents. It doesn't take a genius to be a football manager but whoever interviewed and employed the previous oafs are to blame for our plight over the last decade or so. Thankfully the new regime seem to have recognised this and  - even if its just pure luck getting JR - things seem to be on the up. Lets enjoy something we have been paying money for, previously without reward. Entertainment.

I have been one of Jack Bairds fiercest critics but latterly he has shown a marked improvement and perhaps ought to be trusted as a partner to Gary MacKenzie. If Harry Davis cannot be persuaded to sign, Jack just needs the raw edges smoothed because he is hard as nails and fearless, which forwards don't like. Youth is also on his side, so improvement through experience can be expected.
How refreshing to see JR depart from the previous "managerial" regimes of indecision, procrastination and downright bungling. I have said many times before that a job like this should never be trusted to inarticulate halfwits like the last few incumbents. It doesn't take a genius to be a football manager but whoever interviewed and employed the previous oafs are to blame for our plight over the last decade or so. Thankfully the new regime seem to have recognised this and  - even if its just pure luck getting JR - things seem to be on the up. Lets enjoy something we have been paying money for, previously without reward. Entertainment.

I have been one of Jack Bairds fiercest critics but latterly he has shown a marked improvement and perhaps ought to be trusted as a partner to Gary MacKenzie. If Harry Davis cannot be persuaded to sign, Jack just needs the raw edges smoothed because he is hard as nails and fearless, which forwards don't like. Youth is also on his side, so improvement through experience can be expected.
How refreshing to see JR depart from the previous "managerial" regimes of indecision, procrastination and downright bungling. I have said many times before that a job like this should never be trusted to inarticulate halfwits like the last few incumbents. It doesn't take a genius to be a football manager but whoever interviewed and employed the previous oafs are to blame for our plight over the last decade or so. Thankfully the new regime seem to have recognised this and  - even if its just pure luck getting JR - things seem to be on the up. Lets enjoy something we have been paying money for, previously without reward. Entertainment.

He is vilified for that. Unlike the legions of English who are seemingly welcomed into our national team. Not by me, I hasten to add.

It's about degrees. Yes. The establishment have a lot of control but, if everybody thought like you, nobody would bother to try to change it. This would allow them even greater control and would allow them to manipulate and abuse the power they wield to an even greater extent. It's about taking some of that power back. It's about getting the people in place who don't cowtie to the banks and multinationals but require them to adhere to a law that refuses to allow excessive exploitation. we can never be rid of the greedy but we can make sure they give a little back.
Trickle down politics which simply hopes that the richer you allow some to get, the more they will use that wealth to create for ordinary people does not work. If it did there would not be people starving in a country reputed to be so rich. There would be no need for foodbanks which largely survive due to the generosity of "non rich" people.
We need to take some back from those who have benefited from the imbalance of our society because, ultimately, they have made their money off the backs of ordinary folk. This is not jealousy or envy. It's merely recognising that there is a moral obligation to give back when you've made so much from using others.
I would say that is the basis for a fairer society. Not Socialism. Social conscience.

Have to say, no one wants to gloat, however RR have massive similarities to us pre Jack....
Locke- Surely must get the hint that he has to be one of the most useless managers ever, bloody hell whats his win %...
Hearst albeit with 15 points deducted was totally ineffectual . After a decent start they lost something like 8 on the bounce, only a half decent finish masked an appalling season. He then gets bagged, then Killie- appalling, took the club backwards, then RR after being top, he then cant win a game for 5 months, finally Beath where they are on the edge of losing League Status.  He is a car crash and gets paid to be one.....................
RR- Then apt Yogi, he then does the AR tactic, its nooo my fault............ so hell mend them... and well done Brechin...........
 

Its more than a coincidence that the last two very articulate managers we have had ( JR and Tom Hendrie) have also been most successful .I didn't hear this programme but what a breath of fresh air hearing a Saints manager speak like a normal grown up after hearing the inarticulate ramblings of many who preceded him. I had more or less given up hope after the succession of thickos appointed by previous boards to positions and salaries in inverse proportion to their intellect.
Whilst one swallow doesn't make a summer, I get the feeling things could be swinging back in our favour and like many, am slightly sad the season has ended, albeit on such a high. Lets hope much of this current team can be retained for next season, and indeed improved upon, if I can judge JRs ambition.

The old saying of "the devil finds work for idle hands" immediately springs to mind with footballers. Whilst surely realising that pro football is a relatively short career, and with plenty of time on their hands to either study or make preparations for a future career outside football, it seems the minds of footballers are obsessed with either the tattoo studio or the turf accountants. The fact that the football authorities associate themselves with gambling companies, whilst lamentable, is no excuse for players betting on something that is forbidden. If the urge to pay for bookies Caribbean holidays is so great, there are other outlets to contribute, mainly horses or dogs. 

Its more than a coincidence that the last two very articulate managers we have had ( JR and Tom Hendrie) have also been most successful .I didn't hear this programme but what a breath of fresh air hearing a Saints manager speak like a normal grown up after hearing the inarticulate ramblings of many who preceded him. I had more or less given up hope after the succession of thickos appointed by previous boards to positions and salaries in inverse proportion to their intellect.
Whilst one swallow doesn't make a summer, I get the feeling things could be swinging back in our favour and like many, am slightly sad the season has ended, albeit on such a high. Lets hope much of this current team can be retained for next season, and indeed improved upon, if I can judge JRs ambition.

Its more than a coincidence that the last two very articulate managers we have had ( JR and Tom Hendrie) have also been most successful .I didn't hear this programme but what a breath of fresh air hearing a Saints manager speak like a normal grown up after hearing the inarticulate ramblings of many who preceded him. I had more or less given up hope after the succession of thickos appointed by previous boards to positions and salaries in inverse proportion to their intellect.
Whilst one swallow doesn't make a summer, I get the feeling things could be swinging back in our favour and like many, am slightly sad the season has ended, albeit on such a high. Lets hope much of this current team can be retained for next season, and indeed improved upon, if I can judge JRs ambition.

Its more than a coincidence that the last two very articulate managers we have had ( JR and Tom Hendrie) have also been most successful .I didn't hear this programme but what a breath of fresh air hearing a Saints manager speak like a normal grown up after hearing the inarticulate ramblings of many who preceded him. I had more or less given up hope after the succession of thickos appointed by previous boards to positions and salaries in inverse proportion to their intellect.
Whilst one swallow doesn't make a summer, I get the feeling things could be swinging back in our favour and like many, am slightly sad the season has ended, albeit on such a high. Lets hope much of this current team can be retained for next season, and indeed improved upon, if I can judge JRs ambition.

I was at Easter Rd and felt very proud of Saints, who have turned into a real football team now. I went to very few games before January and admit that like very many I had us relegated. It didn't take a genius to work that out as we were hopeless and had no fight. An almost complete change in personnel brought about by an astute manager saw a transformation both on and off the field. I don't remember such enthusiasm about a team for a very long time, and even if we had been forced into the play-offs I believe we would have strolled it. I thought that might have been our fate but delighted to have avoided that scenario.

I was at Easter Rd and felt very proud of Saints, who have turned into a real football team now. I went to very few games before January and admit that like very many I had us relegated. It didn't take a genius to work that out as we were hopeless and had no fight. An almost complete change in personnel brought about by an astute manager saw a transformation both on and off the field. I don't remember such enthusiasm about a team for a very long time, and even if we had been forced into the play-offs I believe we would have strolled it. I thought that might have been our fate but delighted to have avoided that scenario.

I was at Easter Rd and felt very proud of Saints, who have turned into a real football team now. I went to very few games before January and admit that like very many I had us relegated. It didn't take a genius to work that out as we were hopeless and had no fight. An almost complete change in personnel brought about by an astute manager saw a transformation both on and off the field. I don't remember such enthusiasm about a team for a very long time, and even if we had been forced into the play-offs I believe we would have strolled it. I thought that might have been our fate but delighted to have avoided that scenario.

I was at Easter Rd and felt very proud of Saints, who have turned into a real football team now. I went to very few games before January and admit that like very many I had us relegated. It didn't take a genius to work that out as we were hopeless and had no fight. An almost complete change in personnel brought about by an astute manager saw a transformation both on and off the field. I don't remember such enthusiasm about a team for a very long time, and even if we had been forced into the play-offs I believe we would have strolled it. I thought that might have been our fate but delighted to have avoided that scenario.

I was at Easter Rd and felt very proud of Saints, who have turned into a real football team now. I went to very few games before January and admit that like very many I had us relegated. It didn't take a genius to work that out as we were hopeless and had no fight. An almost complete change in personnel brought about by an astute manager saw a transformation both on and off the field. I don't remember such enthusiasm about a team for a very long time, and even if we had been forced into the play-offs I believe we would have strolled it. I thought that might have been our fate but delighted to have avoided that scenario.

See you, supporting English football, the slimy frog will be upset.

Current favourite programme is Catastrophe on Ch4. Two really funny co-stars. Think the Irish lady is very beautiful.

You ever considered getting into rugby or something ? Really don't think football is for you . 

Unless Sky is free, its extra money.
Most of the money they distribute goes to the English.

Sky. Isnt that where you pay extra money to sponsor English football and never see Saints ?

Sky. Isnt that where you pay extra money to sponsor English football and never see Saints ?

Firstly, it goes without saying that Celtic and their fans are and always have been, beneath contempt. So the thought of them not trying to bend the rules is laughable. Their co-conspirators likewise.
It should be remembered that whenever money is involved in sport, cheating has always been part and parcel of it. Of course its against the rules but professional footballers will strive to gain any kind of advantage and if anyone thinks that one of them could be "embarrassed" by being caught cheating, they are mistaken. Mammon is more highly regarded than sportsmanship in the professional game.
For example the oft repeated myth that if "contact" is made in the box , a penalty should be awarded sums things up. In order to win a penalty, a player must be fouled ( i.e. tripped, pushed, kicked etc) NOT just tackled. Those who have been watching football for a long time will remember that referees used to completely ignore blatant divers and would often remind them that the next time they are genuinely scythed down in the box, play would be waved on. Same used to happen with spoilers who played the offside tactic. Motherwell were infamous for using that.
Back to Celtic though, and it would be miserly of me not to congratulate them and their manager for their achievements so far. It would also be remiss not to mention their massive financial advantage, nor the concession of two of their most miserable defeats since their formation, in the same season.  Doesn't everyone like to see a flat track bully brought to heel ? ( even by little Imps, lol)
 

Firstly, it goes without saying that Celtic and their fans are and always have been, beneath contempt. So the thought of them not trying to bend the rules is laughable. Their co-conspirators likewise.
It should be remembered that whenever money is involved in sport, cheating has always been part and parcel of it. Of course its against the rules but professional footballers will strive to gain any kind of advantage and if anyone thinks that one of them could be "embarrassed" by being caught cheating, they are mistaken. Mammon is more highly regarded than sportsmanship in the professional game.
For example the oft repeated myth that if "contact" is made in the box , a penalty should be awarded sums things up. In order to win a penalty, a player must be fouled ( i.e. tripped, pushed, kicked etc) NOT just tackled. Those who have been watching football for a long time will remember that referees used to completely ignore blatant divers and would often remind them that the next time they are genuinely scythed down in the box, play would be waved on. Same used to happen with spoilers who played the offside tactic. Motherwell were infamous for using that.
Back to Celtic though, and it would be miserly of me not to congratulate them and their manager for their achievements so far. It would also be remiss not to mention their massive financial advantage, nor the concession of two of their most miserable defeats since their formation, in the same season.  Doesn't everyone like to see a flat track bully brought to heel ? ( even by little Imps, lol)