TopCat

Exactly. I certainly wouldn't have offered a 2 year deal to a player his age who's been crocked several times in the last season. He was worth the punt of 1 year deal, nothing more. If Thistle want to take the gamble of giving a long term deal to an injury prone player who will be 30 this year then fair play to them. It's a gamble I'm glad we didn't take.

Thanks for the exclusive

It's a two year deal they've given him with an option of a third, I imagine that's why he went there. Longer contracts can sway players now, it's the same reason Harkins chose us over Motherwell last summer. Given Stevo's injury record I wouldn't have wanted him signed on anything longer than a 1 year deal.

No way, what a waste of money that would be. The balance we have with the keepers now is spot on for a club with our budget: One proven keeper at this level, one younger keeper who's played in the lower leagues and at u21 level for his country and one u20 keeper.

I certainly wouldn't be. It amazes me some football fans are naive enough to expect some kind of loyalty from players. If I was Darren McGregor and someone offered me 4 times my salary to do the same job 15 minutes away, I'd jump at the chance. I imagine every other sane person would too.

Stevenson's signed for Partick Thistle. Surprising one, wouldn't have been overly happy if he'd came to us but would have taken him.

If either us or them lose then this game will go ahead as a regular friendly ;) Definitely our most 'competitive friendly' although I am aware that is a slightly oxymoronic term. Hopefully we can get the win and give us a wee lift going into the start of the season.

Wee Danny in with a shout maybe?

Everyone said what a great appointment he was when he took over. Turns out he's one of the worst Hibs manager in history. Just shows there's no such thing as a safe appointment when it comes to managers.

How many would you like?

Liam Craig would be an absolutely fantastic signing.

Would take McFadden only if the contract was heavily weighted in appearance bonuses. If he's playing would make him a top earner, if he's not then should be on next to nothing.

And I think a great many people - including Danny Lennon and seemingly Tommy Craig - think he is good enough for this level.

The third goal was quite clearly Kello's fault.

Well Boyd is the best striker in the country, he scored 22 goals for a team that finished below us last season. Every defender in the league had problems with Boyd last year, McAusland included.

Not really following you here. Where did I categorise us as a bottom 6 club? I've already predicted we will finish in the top 6 this season. I remember when Thommo signed for us there were people on here and other sites saying he was over the hill. 3 consecutive 15 goal + seasons and a national title later, I'm still hearing it. Thommo is our captain and if fit I expect he will start every game next season. I believe Goodwin has had 1 red card in his time here, and that was over turned on appeal. Surprised even St Mirren fans are buying into the media witch hunt about his discipline. In the last 2 months of the season he was utterly immense in the middle of the park, fans of other clubs said the same thing too. If McAusland keeps our defence as the 7th best in the country - as it was last year - then I'll be happy enough. McGinn may be gone, or may not be gone. If he is we will be in the money and should be able to find a decent replacement with it. If he's not we will have one of the top young players in the country a year wiser and a year more experienced.

Killie away I assume you mean the 2nd goal in the 2-1 defeat? Harkins gave it away, a long ball is punted up, Killie player misses a header and it bounces off McAusland before being passed through to an offside looking Boyd. Directly his fault? Harsh. Aberdeen away was a mix up between him and Kello. He seems to get a shout from the keeper and leaves it, both to blame there IMO, although he did have a bad game that day. We conceded 9 goals at Tannadice this season, having just watched all 9 I can only see the 2nd in the 3-2 game where he could be directly faulted? He cleared a cross and it went right to Armstrong. What other goal you thinking of?

I'm asking for instances which a mistake by him directly cost us a goal last season. I'm sure the forum have plenty of examples to share so.... ?

How many mistakes did Cheesy make last season that directly resulted in a goal against? And which matches? I'm thinking at least 10 the way he gets vilified on here.

Ah well Ridgers is coming as number 2, he might not play for us next season just like other recent number 2's Adam and Smith never played a competitive game. He has a 2 year deal though and will be looking to prove himself next season in training and if he gets a chance in a game with a view to being number 1 in 15/16.

Jury's still out? He's played over 120 top flight games and in a national final, when does the jury come in? He's improved every season since he came back and last year was his best for the club. He was the leader of a young defence last season, a defence which ended up being the 7th best in the country. What more do you want? Not only is he a proven and experienced top flight level defender, he's a fan and I believe he'a future St Mirren captain. I hope and think that Tommy will build the defence around him next season.

Exactly, what a shambles that was. It's an important area of the team and now we have it sorted and we aren't even half way through June. I'm delighted with Tommy's dealings so far, hope he keeps it up with the out field signings.

I think we have a strong back bone already: Kello Cheesy Goodwin McGinn Thompson How many hundred top flight appearances they have the old yins have between them? Them and meatball make for a back bone that every other bottom 6 team would love to have. Throw in Wylde who's my prediction for a break out big season next term, our young full backs going into their first full season and a few more selected signings and I think we're in for a fantastic season ahead. I don't think I've been as optimistic at this stage of a preseason since 2006, can't wait

Really happy with this signing. He's been capped at u21 level and a lot of Hearts fans were surprised he was let go. Great bit of business by Tommy.

^^^ We should have a sub forum for everyone over 50.