TopCat

From players I've seen in the flesh, so from since 1997 or so: Samson Van Zanten-B McLaughlin-McGowne-Dummett Murray-Goodwin Mendes-Gillies-Lappin Thompson SUBS Roy Sutton McAusland J McGinn McLean McGarry McGowan I think that team could make top 6!

Indeed. I don't think anyone is saying McGinn and McLean will go on to be Champions League level players. Anyone that seen the game last night will now see the difference between them and the real top young players in the continent. That Dutch team was full of players that could and will go on to play at the top table of world football. Not one Scottish player in that u21 team will. I think both of them could carve out decent careers for themselves at Championship level in England, perhaps for a lower EPL club if they push on. Nothing more though.

What's bizarre about that?

Borja Perez plays for Tenerife, played 9 times for them last season. Would be surprised if we could get him.

Ha, that is some sight. Was on that beach when one landed a few years ago. The one thing that struck me was the heat coming from the thing, it's like being under a giant hairdryer.

None play with two out and out number 9 style strikers the way Thommo plays. If we are going to play 2 strikers it will be someone in the McGowan mould playing behind Thompson. We need someone who can play the lone striker role like Thommo does, but is willing to accept that he comes as back up.

I agree. I think he's got 2 more seasons in him at least. Remember Teddy Sheringham was scoring goals in the EPL when he was 38/39, Thommo's 35. His game isn't based on pace, but positional awareness and experience.

I'd be astounded if he did. How many teams play with two strikers these days? Plenty of decent players would be happy to come and be back up to Thommo. They know they're going to get plenty of opportunities and they could make themselves first choice in a year or so. Remember Higdon was backup to Mehmet for a season, yes really.

I certainly agree. Point is any potential signing will know they aren't coming as first choice, which limits our scope. I just hope that when we sign someone like Fallon/Parkin/Magennis our fans don't get all outraged.

Like I said, a few important goals. Who do you want us to sign exactly? Baring in mind it's almost certain we won't start any game with 2 strikers and we already have 1 established striker who is our captain.

Parkin actually scored a few important goals. Point is we need a striker who is relatively competent and is happy to start most games on the bench.

I don't think he could last another full season playing as many minutes as he did last season. However I fully expect him to start every game if he's fit, he is our captain after all. What he needs is someone like Parkin on the bench, someone who can come on in the last 20 minutes or so and give him a break.

I don't think Taylor or Vernon would be happy coming here to sit on the bench, maybe Fallon would.

Ha. You do wonder why you'd sit next to a potential target in public before you've signed him. Doesn't seem to make much sense.

Really? If I was going to sign a player who was out of contract, I wouldn't sit next to him in public before the contract was signed. However, the striker we are going to get is going to be someone like Fallon/Parkin/Magennis. Any main striker coming here knows he isn't going to play every week. Our captain and legend has that position nailed down, and we aren't going to play with 2 out and out strikers. Therefore we aren't going to get anyone top notch, as a top notch player won't be happy sitting on the bench every week, whereas someone like Fallon would.

Remember those pings they thought were from the planes black box? Turns out they weren't, the search of that area is now complete and they found nothing. They're pretty much back to square one now, seems like the mystery keeps getting weirder. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-27615173

27th October 1990. St Mirren 2-1 Hearts Gunni with the winner, sure it was a free kick. I was standing in the old terrace behind the goal where the PDX would go.

Superb news, fantastic start to TC's reign as manager. Now some more first team contract extensions please! McLean next maybe?

Called the top 6 and bottom 6 spot on... Shame about the order but oh well

Not surprising to be fair, Gowser leaving will free up a big wage. Let's hope we use it wisely!

If it was either Carey or Harkins... CAREY PLEASE!!! Although I don't want either back.

Agreed, Williams is a decent keeper. The rest though....

Millers just got promoted, Conor will be a Championship player next season

Yep. He wanted to be on the same wages as Thommo, Teale and Goody. He was rightly laughed out of court and released, however the Saintees made him one of their highest earners. Unsurprisingly they've released him at first opportunity. If he was half as good as he thought he was he might be a useful player, he isn't though.

Source for this? Take a look at the squad list. Who do you think is ICT's top earner?