Saint Garf

I doubt we could compete directly with Hearts in terms of wages, in fact, I'm certain we couldn't. But players don't always make decisions based on wages alone. The idea of this being a "shop window" move means he'll want to play as much football as possible, so a club where he starts off higher up the pecking order might be attractive. The other thing to consider would be the manager's ability to "sell" his vision of the club to a player and that player, with their agent doing their research before signing. This particular guy is only 23, a modern, progressive, driven manager like Ross might be more appealing than someone with Levien's reputation. Sometimes it's not all about pounds and pence.

Fingers crossed

I think we'll win, and if it all clicks we can score 3 or 4, but we'll need a performance to do that. We've got no automatic right to run over the top of them.

You'd be correct in assuming that I haven't seen their other 28 games. In fact, that's exactly what I said "I can only judge them on what I've seen" I therefore have reason to believe that they'll be able to make things difficult for us again. I'd have thought that was relatively straight forward. Hope this helps

Judging by the fact that we're cruising at the top of the table and we've struggled to beat them a few times. I can only judge them on what I've seen, and I've seen them give us a good game every time. I'm not saying they should be mid-table or even 9th, but they've run us close a few times and we're not the only ones. We'd be daft to be complacent against them.

Also, IF there was to be a bus from the club, I, and at least 1 mate, would be more than up for it. Anyone volunteering to run it? (I'm not)

They've had a poor season, but they're nowhere near as bad as their 4 point tally suggests. I'd love to see us play some great attacking football and score a few goals, but I'd be chuffed with a scrappy 1-0 and Livi dropping points. Wrapping the title up is the only priority.

You're right, very professional and loyal for such a young guy, wish him all the best. I'd love to see him back on loan next season, but I actually think he's more than capable of making an impact with them straight away. I think walking into a new club could be really daunting for a young player, but one thing Lewis doesn't lack is confidence, I think that'll serve him well.

Div saying on twitter some key players are on the verge of signing new deals, we any idea who? Would obviously like to see Reilly sign on as soon as possible, not sure who else is coming close to the end of their contracts.

O'Keefe looks a good prospect, been impressed with MacPherson when I've seen him too and young Flannagan has come back from East Fife with some great write ups.

I'll be able to buy one for the first time in years, work has meant I've had to miss the odd game in recent seasons, so it wasn't value for money for me. All changed now though, so we're now at least +2!

Kyle Hutton's got to be a contender in my time watching. Marwood, Ball and Gow were particularly shite too.

Suppose Duffy's up there with the players to make the smallest impact, but then he didn't really get a game, so to say he was "shite" or a "waster" is probably, harsh, "waste of a wage", maybe, but that was hardly his fault. No way of knowing whether he'd have made the grade or not, just couldn't push Reilly for a place and not many would given the form he was in. Just noticed though, previous post in this thread was in 2014, we've had PLENTY of guys who could push for a place in the Shitehouse XI since then... There's a couple of them plying their trade in Dumbarton for a start...

I think that was the idea. I can still see Baird playing though, been very harsh on him to lose his starting spot. If we didn't have a fully fit, first team quality centre half waiting in the wings I'd imagine Davis would play, but with Bairdy sitting there ready and able to step in, I don't think they'll want to risk him.

Probably first choice right winger. Him and Flynn to battle it out on the right, Magennis to push McGinn and McShane all the way for a spot in the centre of the park.

Always caused us problems when he played against us. I'm not comfortable with players who are cheats, but considering his previous clubs, there's every chance that this was being actively encouraged by the coaching staff. I'm not naive enough to think that St Mirren players aren't playing for fouls or running down the clock from time to time, it happens at every club, but Livingston and Falkirk as clubs seem to be masters of these sorts of underhanded tactics. Hopefully he sorts himself out playing for us, learns some professionalism and improves as a player. He certainly has talent and he's a tremendous athlete. Could be a great signing if it works out.

United signing Stokes would strike me as a bit of panic that could cause more upset in the squad. Having said that, there's no doubt about his ability and if something "clicks" for him there then he could do really well. The same applies in terms of him potentially signing for us, but I think they may feel it's a risk worth taking, whereas we probably wouldn't. Add in the fact that we almost certainly couldn't pay his wages, and I don't see it happening. If, in the highly unlikely event that it does happen, we'll just need to trust Jack and James, who've been making all the right calls up until now.

He's come on so much in the last 12 months. One of our most consistant performers now. I'd love to see him sign a new deal, could be another one to move on to bigger things one day. Still plenty ahead for him in Black and White though I hope.

Plays a position where we have plenty of cover, so don't see it happening. Decent player though.

Seems like he could be a threat at this level with the right supply, but I don't think he's going to push Reilly for a place and I doubt he'd make an impact next season if we were to secure promotion. Add to that the fact the there would almost certainly be a fee involved and I think it's a non-starter.

Good player, could be Scotland's full back. If we can sort out what positions Robertson and Tierney are going to play, him and Paterson could battle it our for the right hand side.

Even though the S*n is often right about St Mirren stuff, this seems like a strange one to me. I'd have thought that the hidden gems at that level would command a small fee when leaving their clubs, or be approached by bigger clubs on pre-contracts. Seems like this guy's been released, which doesn't fill me with confidence. Having said that we should always be open to having a look at a player and Jack has a track record of getting the best out of players who have struggled at other clubs. Hopefully, if there's any truth in it, he goes on to do well, don't imagine we'd be paying him a fortune anyway.

When we have a striker with 20 goals in half a season and winger who's been totally unplayable at times, it's almost absurd to suggest anyone else for Player of the Season. Having said that, I think Cammy Smith would get my vote so far. Reilly, Morgan, Baird, Samson, McGinn and maybe a few others could all stake reasonable claims for the award, but if there was one player who should be first name on the team sheet, it'd be Cammy. I think he makes us a better team with every aspect of his game. He's always a goal threat by himself, also, players like Morgan and Reilly regularly profit from his intelligence and creativity. As well as this, his high pressing and tireless hard work makes us so much harder to play against and means that, more often than not, Baird and Davis are dealing with the kind of long ball game that centre backs will happily eat up all day. We've got a good squad with talent and depth, but out of them all, it's Cammy I'd dread playing without. Class act.

I think he's out with a pretty serious injury at the moment. Shame, would have been ideal.

Really good read. I think cautious optimism is what we need. We've got a team that is dynamic and exciting, but also capable of being dogged and putting in the hard graft, grinding out results in difficult circumstances. Our biggest asset is that we have 5 or 6 players who are potential match winners, Reilly, Morgan, Smith, McGinn, McShane etc. Guys who have the ability to create something out of nothing when we're up against it, produce a moment of magic or individual brilliance to bag us 3 points. Add to that an increasingly sturdy defence and a solid keeper and we're looking good. A wee bit of cover in the centre of the park and we'll have a bit of depth in every department. Personally, I'd like to see us in a right winger and letting Magennis compete for his place with McGinn and McShane, but Jack and James have been making all the right calls up until now, so I can't wait to see who they have lined up. We haven't won anything yet, far from it, but there are plenty of reasons to be cheerful.