Saint Garf

I appreciate that he doesn't want to leave us when we're rock bottom of the league, but it would possibly not be the worst thing for us. I'd imagine he'd be one of the bigger earners in the squad, we have Gary Irvine waiting to replace him and we've already been looking at left backs. Let Naismith go and move Irvine to right back and free up some wages before bringing in a left back, rather than signing one now and have one or the other sitting on the bench. Use the wage money in to strengthen other areas of the team.

Not sure you would have the required footfall to run anything but a small club shop from that location. It seems to work well enough just now, and will be even better when we can actually sell replica kits.

Aye, he was only a kid when he came here. There're worse players we could look to.

Bravo! Haven't actually laughed out loud at something on this forum for a while

He's a great talent, but we need to be careful with him. He certainly has the potential to go on to be a wonderful player, but I think the young guys need some experienced guys to help shoulder some of the responsibility. I worry that if we don't have the older guys, the excitement and optimism surrounding the youngsters could soon turn to expectation and, before too long, pressure. We want the best for these guys, and we'll get the best out of them, only, if they're playing with energy and enthusiasm and without fear or the weight of responsibility.

Don't want a headless chicken style striker, but we could definitely do with increasing the work rate up top. Shanks, Sutton and Clarkson aren't going to chase down defenders and put them under pressure. Not a criticism, it's just not their game. A Stewart Kean style pest of a player is always useful, cause problems, force mistakes, never let defenders settle, try and win the ball higher up the park. We don't have anyone like that at the moment.

Anybody hear how this guy got on last night? Saw that he started the game and it was 1-1 but haven't heard anything about his performance.

Would have been Reilly right enough. Maybe McKenna before him? Would Orsi count as home grown though? Only been with us a wee while after leaving Aberdeen.

Has he not already said that Hardie and Walsh are gone in January?

Lynsey Sharpe having "Get Out Strong, Commit" written on her hand at the Commonwealth Games was always something I thought had a good ring to it. Of all the club mottos I've heard, the one I've liked the most was Hearts' "Blood Doesn't Show on a Maroon Jersey". Before some smart arse points out that we don't play in maroon, I was just saying I liked the sentiment of it. Something similar for the buds would be great.

So far, yeah. Hopefully it'll still be worth it.

I think the plan was probably to go with two of Baird, Webster or Gordon for the season, but McKenzie became available and Rae clearly felt he was too good to pass on, which, going by his age and the level he's played at, is hard to argue with. I thought the next move might have been to allow Baird to go out on loan for the season. I like him, but if we have all 4 fit, 2 are going to miss out every week. Webster's place is nailed on under Rae and you're not going to release or loan out one of our 2 new signings, therefore loaning out Baird would have been the only way to try and get them all some game time.

I really liked Dummett. He was a bit raw, but he was a decent footballer, could pass, tackle and cross well. Physically impressive too, quick, strong, brave and aggressive. I'm not surprised to see him doing so well. I rated Newton too, had a lot to learn, but plenty of natural ability. Thought he'd be doing better for himself. Campbell showed potential in flashes, looked like he could be a player, but faded in games and sometimes didn't seem particularly interested.

Well said...

A bit early to dive headlong into sacking the manager. We've played 3 league games and been very poor in all 3, that can be denied. What I will say in Rae's defence is, all 3 games have been very tough. A derby game to kick off the season, a tricky away game to a team who've won 3 from 3 so far, and a visit from a team who are going to win the league at a canter. Of course I'd have liked to see us perform better, but I'd be quicker level my criticism at the players than the manager. We've sold 2 goals in the last 2 games simply because a keeper can't communicate properly with a centre half, how's the manager supposed to legislate for that? That's not a tactical fault, that's just a horrendous defensive error. He's also missing Quinn, I think a lot of people on here who were critical of Quinn might now have a better idea of the important work he does in the background. I think we'll beat Ayr and in the next few weeks the team will start to gel properly, then we'll see if Rae is the man for the job, but for now, there's no need to make any rash (not to mention very expensive) decisions.

I didn't know for sure, wouldn't want to do anything to hurt the club financially, but if there was nothing to lose from not buying the strips it might make JD pick their suppliers more carefully and rethink the way they treat customers

Absolutely shocking from JD. As I understand it, the club don't get any money based on sales of the tops, it's a flat fee regardless. If that's true, Saints fans could refuse to buy them as a protest if/when they eventually do come out. That would make a point to JD without hurting the club financially.

Enjoyed that. Sticks out as being one of the games where I really thought we'd be able to compete if we got up. Coco was frustrating, but capable of magic performances once in a while.

I think a combination of a couple of those ideas would be good. Build 3 of Easter Road style filled in corners, 2 for big ads and 1 for the scoreboard (which looks pretty easy to move to me) hopefully the ad revenue would make them pay for themselves before too long and allow for the construction of the raised disabled viewing platform described by the OP. I'm sure there would be opportunity to advertise on it too. Having it raised would be a massive help, I was late for the Ayr game, and sat in the front row of the main stand for the first half, to avoid disturbing people trying to force my way to my seat. I was only in the 4th row for the 2nd half, but that few feet made a massive difference in terms of the view I had.

Certainly poor today, but so far in the league cup, we've come back from 2-1 down to win away from home, and stuck at it to break down a well organised team and win 1-0. Neither of which we would have managed to do last season. I think progress is being made. I'm quite happy with the squad, glad Quinn won't be out long, and that there's 1 more to come in. I'm looking forward to the start of the season.

You're totally entitled to your opinion, but I'm not sure why you feel that way. The way I see it, we have Premiership quality and experience all through the team, guys like Irvine, Webster, Quinn, Sutton, Clarkson and a few more. Add to that the young guys like Mallan, Morgan, Shankland, Baird and Naismith, some of whom have a fair bit of top level experience too, and you have a pretty strong squad. Also have cover in almost every area. Looking good for me.

Aye, but he had that planned

Exactly, they couldn't even get close enough to kick him!

I remember a newspaper report years ago describing Steven McGarry as "Unpindownable" can't think of a better way to describe Lewis' performance last night.

I think we have a forward line that's better than a few of the lower end Premiership teams. Shanks, Clarkson and Sutton all have the potential to grab a few goals. Morgan looking terrific on the left, Gallagher can chip in with a few too. Yet to see enough of Walsh, but sounds like he'll be decent cover for either side. All the with Mallan supporting from midfield. Definitely going to be a threat going forward this season.