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In truth, although I much prefer grass, I am not 100% against artificial if it is good quality and maintained properly. In Falkirk’s defence they have just about the best non grass surface I have seen and it plays true. The real crime has been the authorities ignoring sub standard surfaces which are a danger to players and also ruin games. Killie, Livi and Accies as prime examples. If Livi have been told to upgrade then it’s not before time. Hopefully the criteria change will be enforced. Time will tell. Anyway, back to former employees, I still hope SK crashes and burns no matter what surface his new charges end up playing on. His bring in as many new players, including crocks, policy appears to be in full flow. I give him until Christmas.

Almost certainly. Any appeal should be dismissed PDQ. Both clubs have known about this for some time and chosen to ignore it. In Livingston's case they said, when it was laid, that their current pitch was absolutely excellent. If thats the case why upgrade it? In Falkirks's case they chose to prioritise the playing squad over pitch improvements now the chickens are coming home to roost. Deja Vu in their case? Will this go to a vote, where other issues will be in the mix?

I've seen enough evidence in the UK and in the US (where there are many) to pass judgement.

I would imagine both they and Falkirk will look to challenge it. To be fair, I will wait until I see how the new pitches play this season before passing judgement. I agree that some of the grass pitches we played on over the last couple of seasons werent always the best. St Johnstone being the most obvious in the cup game and the following week.

I'm still cynical about the ban, but in Livi's case they were told by the SPFL after their playoff win that their old plastic did not meet Premiership standards and had to rip it up. Martindale said at that point it wasn't feasible to lay a grass pitch that would ready in time for the start of the season. That may be true, but I can see them using it as an excuse to extend its use.

We’re pleased to confirm that we’ll have a new artificial playing surface installed here at the Home of the Set Fare Arena ahead of the 2025/26 season. The club has been working hard behind the scenes over the last few weeks and months to put the planning in place and source the funds to make this possible. The new surface itself is the latest generation of MX Elite – a high-tech woven system offering the very best performance characteristics for professional football, the same currently used by a number of other sides at all levels of the SPFL. We’re hopeful that this will be completed and ready ahead of the Premier Sports Cup group stage matches starting in mid-July but should that change, we’ll update you all accordingly with any change of venue for those opening home ties. Our thanks to Sportex and for their assistance in getting to this stage and we look forward to starting the new season with a new surface in place. Seems a lot of expense to ditch it after one season. This cost will be part of the masterplan to cancel the requirement. And remember that Killie were meant to go grass this season, but opted out. And since season end there have already been meetings with the powers that be involving several 'plastic' clubs. Will the PL stand firm? Don't hold your breath.

I certainly hope Oxborough doesn't become one of those players that are "unlucky with injuries" because regardless of how you pick them up, it can kill a career.

I read recently that "the authorities" have brought in some pitch experts to consult with the artificial turf clubs to assist with the transition. So hopefully that means it's still on schedule. The cynic in me agrees with the others that there will be a delay or cancellation in the plans.

Hopefully the only injury we pick up before our first friendly pre season game.

Fuck sake,will we ever catch a break on the injury front.

Aw fuck. Hope Ward comes good. Hopefully not as bad an injury as they fear

I just put my name into chat gpt on here - they referred to me as friendly honest and a bit cheeky - a bit! Sacrilege. I'm clearly losing my touch

The Record is reporting Aston Oxborough has picked up an injury in the Netherlands 😥 Motherwell in Aston Oxborough injury sweat after training camp setback

Its only a temporary upgrade to bring the surface up to an acceptable level to allow them to play in the Premiership this season as their old pitch was horrendous. They will still need to replace that with grass when the ban on artificial surfaces comes into force, assuming they are still a Premiership team at that time.

Yeah you're right. Just saw an article in the Scottish sun saying so

As far as I'm aware they aren't upgrading their surface just now. Martindales comments seem to be about the proposed changes next year which he's opposed to

Just checked. They will have a new ARTIFICIAL surface in place for season 25/26. So a switch to grass the following season seems even more unlikely given that news.

Oh I hope so. But then tarmac would be an upgrade. Maybe they are looking for a surface that suits their new silky football approach. Apparently we are about to be treated to a new LIvi.

The ban comes into force in 26/27

Are livingstone not upgrading their surface just now?

I fully expect the Authorities to renege on the agreement to have only grass pitches in the top division after this season. Pressured by Killie, Livi and Falkirk. And supported by a number of lower league teams with hopes of eventually reaching the top level. Would they actually have the balls to throw those three out if they refused to change? I'm far from convinced. In fairness Falkirk look after their pitch and it is as decent a mostly grass pitch as I have seen. Theirs and Kelty. Livingstone and Kilmarnock should be ashamed at what they offer as acceptable. As for SK, he will already be preparing his ' it's not my fault' excuses and I'm sure the surfaces at Kilmarnock will be high on his list. Oh I so hope he makes an arse of it and the fans express their displeasure.................. But like grizzlyg I am over it and not bitter.

Spittal and Bair are good recent examples. We were all clamoring for Ronan Hale as well. In fact, there were plenty of folk after sprangler, who is a more limited player than Watt, but his name sticks out more. If we're signing players from good teams, it would likely be their shite players, so you can't win. There's always going to be something to pick at regardless of where a player comes from so it just comes down to your outlook on things. As stv says, unless a manager has been there a few years, most of the players aren't his signings. Also, we're going to have to get used to the way things work now, in that managers have less of a say in the recruitment process, so there's going to be a mix on guys signed by the recruitment team, with some recommendations from the manager. There's plenty of time for things to shake out, so I don't see the point in folk getting worked up at this point.

On Robinson, I agree I saw precious little under Kettlewell to suggest he has much to offer. But we were absolutely howling at that point and he was being asked to do a job he wasnt suited to. Id like to see if JBA can get a tune out of him in a different formation. Strikes me as if he could be quite useful playing a pressing game. If he can return to full fitness that is. Tough injury to recover from. Although I did see he was on the plane to Holland, so......

How do you know he has zero knowledge of the Scottish game? Im sure they have tv and computers in Denmark. Also, Scottish football is littered with managers who had plenty knowledge of the Scottish game and still did shite, so its hardly a benchmark. Clearly the McGhee signing was Kettlewells and Fadinger looks like Wimmers, but I would be shocked if the club signed off on Watt without at least discussing it with the manager. Given we need another 3 or 4 players for cover until xmas, Im sure he can do plenty with that. I get that you are naturally pessimistic and thats fine. Some ying to my yang brings balance to the forum, but negative vibes without a reason is just vibes.....

Type in an ode to Callum Slattery - it's hilarious