pondsman

Brilliant series! As evidenced by the fact that it finished after just 3 seasons, instead of dragging on for 5, 6, 7 seasons like so many of the inferior shows we see now. If this Ian McShane is as good at what he does as the Ian McShane in Deadwood was we will have unearthed a gem! COYS!

Difficult to judge the team on this game as it was clearly being used to try out different players and combinations. Players tried hard but there was no real cohesion about the performance. Thought McGinn, Stelios, Irvine (till his injury), Buchanan and the new keeper got pass marks. Others need to raise their game a bit.

Disappointed to lose Rory. He did play an important part in our successful run in the second half of last season. Scored some vital goals, including at Easter Road on the last day of the season. Thought he might have been talked into coming back by Jack and James. But we move on...... and we need a big guy up front. Any ideas?

1. Dundee United 2. Falkirk 3. St. Mirren 4. ICT 5. QoS 6. Morton 7. Dunfermline 8. Dumbarton 9. Livingston 10. Brechin Let's be realistic. Premiership playoffs will be a good result this season. We will build steadily to ultimate success. COYS!

Jack's latest interview confirms that he was indeed spoken to by Nelms about the Dundee job. Although that was widely speculated at the time, I have not seen it confirmed anywhere. Indeed when Neil McCann was appointed, Nelms went out of his way to suggest that Neil had always been Dundee's first choice. Jack's interview seems to give the lie to that. Good to know that Jack preferred to stay with Buddies, but one wonders why he would even give it a moment's thought, given the situation that Dundee find themselves in right now. Anyway, he made the right decision as far as I'm concerned. Onward and upward with Buddies now! COYS!

Tipped for great things as a youngster but hasn't fulfilled the promise. Loaned to Forfar by Dundee United. Made a mark at that level which got him the move to QoS. Held back by injuries, so perhaps didn't do himself justice there. Jack and James may think they can get more out of him. Six month contract is probably fair to both club and player.

Just had a message from a pal who supports QoS. Says Hilson has signed for Buddies after being freed by Doonhamers. Anyone heard about this?

Two great interviews with the manager. As always, honest, mature and articulate. We are lucky to have him, so let's do all we can to support him and the team. Could be the start of the road back to our rightful place in the Premiership. COYS!

I agree with Saint Garf. We play the top teams in the first 6 games, so that will give us an idea of how well we can expect to do. The team will need to gel quickly or we will lose ground on the likes of United, ICT, Falkirk. COYS!

Great to have an assistant manager who speaks as thoughtfully and articulately as the manager himself. Wonderful to go into a new season with a feeling of real optimism for once. Let's all get right behind the players and management team this year! COYS!

If the Record report is to be believed, there's nothing long-term arranged so far. I didn't think Webster contributed a great deal on the playing side but I'm happy to give him an opportunity to coach youngsters given his extensive experience of football at the highest level. I'm with Jack; let's give him a chance and see how it goes.

Best of luck to Pal. I thought he didn't get much of a chance to show what he could do. Just a few appearances as sub, when I thought he was OK.

I agree with others above. Very much improved in the second half of last season, presumably due to the presence of new management team and new players around him. Will be an excellent extension to his contract if he maintains that form.

Ryan Christie and Mackay-Steven would be ahead of Lewis Morgan to replace Hayes at Aberdeen. Lewis needs at least another season with us to develop before moving on to a bigger club.

Thanks for the link, eastlandsaint. Useful information. Will definitely be going down for the first chance to see Jack and James' new-look team.

This is a good signing in different ways. Sammy has been successful previously with the club, so will have an optimistic view of what can be achieved next season. Fits right in with Jack and James' philosophy. Also, as an experienced keeper he will help the young lad Stewart to improve. Will be interesting to see how much game time each gets. Only worry is that both keepers are to be coached by Langfield who has committed some howlers in his time. Still, I suppose we can't have everything! Welcome back, Craig, and Good Luck!

Opened up my laptop this morning expecting to see that you'd got the thread up and running. It's coming to something when we have to start match day threads ourselves! Not so sure about your prediction. Team will still be settling in, but anything less than a victory will be a big disappointment.

Where are you, Shull? Will be travelling down south on 15th July to see Jack's new-look side get its first win of the new season. Stranraer 1- 3 St. Mirren

I think you'll find that the question mark is not required as it's a request rather than an en(in)quiry. If you had questioned the modal verb, I would probably have agreed with you.

I agree that Loy would be a useful addition to the new strikers but fear that McCann will want him at Dens next season......if he has any sense! P.S. Could the English language teachers please take their spat elsewhere and let the rest of us get on with the subject of the thread. Thanks.

I've seen him a few times and he's a decent player. As stated above, I think he will be looking to go up to the Premiership, and he is good enough for that in my opinion. I think it's unlikely he will want to come to one of United's rivals next season, but you never know.....

Glad to see that Jack has answered the request for clarification I put in this thread this morning. Also pleased that he is staying. My only other comment is that he could have saved a lot of bother if he'd put his statement out a couple of days ago.

A few points worth contemplating: 1. A phrase not often found in these pages...Shull is absolutely correct. This could, and should, have been knocked on the head on the first day. JR could have allied himself with Gordon Scott's statement and then got on with enjoying his holiday. 2. JR was originally mentioned along with Jim McIntyre for the Dundee job. The Ross County chairman issued a 'hands off' statement very similar to Gordon Scott's. Why did the Dundee board appear to heed the Ross County statement but not Gordon's? After all, Jim McIntyre would appear to have a good record of working in the Premiership on a small budget. He seems to be the one to go for. Was the Dundee board afraid of upsetting a team in their own league? Did they feel that it would be easier to tempt Jack to move up a league? Was he just the 'cheaper option'? 3. IF the Dundee board has sent someone out to speak to Jack, that can only be because they have received some encouragement from either Jack or his agent. If that is the case, it does not fit with many of Jack's previous public pronouncements about what his intentions were at St. Mirren (mention of 'trust, loyalty, team spirit, commitment, returning the team to the Premiership' etc.). As Shull correctly says, many of us (myself included) who are long-time supporters but who have not had season tickets for many years, went out and bought season tickets on the back of what appears to be a revival created in very large part by Jack. 4. Where do we go from here? If Jack goes, then of course we thank him for his work in keeping us in the Championship and move on. However, if he stays, I think it will be difficult to accept his public pronouncements so easily from now on unless he can give a good and honest explanation for his silence in the last few days. We will always be looking over our shoulders, wondering which team is coming to speak to Jack next. Jack needs to clarify the situation very soon.

If he stays he will have to explain to fans why there was no immediate refusal to Dundee, why he allowed himself to be wooed by a club which has dealt so poorly with its previous manager. It won't be enough just to say 'I'm staying, I never had any intention of leaving'. That won't wash with many fans, I'm afraid. They will want a better explanation than that for his behaviour.

Time we heard from the man himself. He MUST be aware of the consternation his continuing silence is causing. The longer it takes him to clarify matters the more he will have to work to restore his reputation with Buddies fans if he does decide to stay. His words and demeanour throughout the season ('trust, togetherness, commitment, team spirit') will be called into question by many.