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On the subject of offering extensions or new contracts to existing players here’s my thoughts There’s a lot worse players than many of them and yes they have shortcomings but whoever we sign will be the same. Kettlewell knows them and I’m sure one of the reasons why he’s ok with giving them new deals is that throughout the season these guys stuck by him, didn’t down tools and managed to scrape through. Personally I believe that if the team hadn’t stuck together and believed in the manager then we would have been relegated. Next season’s going to be rough if our targets keep choosing our rivals over us leaving us with no one if we let these guys go. So in short the manager knows that - even if they’re only squad players - these guys will have confidence in him, help integrate the new signings without being pissed off if they’re not first pick, back him up if needed, bring some calmness and help keep the dressing room together if things get tough. If I was a manager I’d be looking for that from them.

I believe it ultimately depends on several factors, such as the player's salary and contract demands, as well as their expectations regarding playing time. For instance, if O'Donnell is willing to accept a contract that reflects his age and acknowledges that his playing time will likely be limited, then it makes sense to keep him. His experience can still be valuable to the team. However, I would have released Mugabi and Oxborough. We would have entered this summer without any senior keepers in our squad, so perhaps Kettlewell is thinking he could secure one good player for that position, but getting two would be unrealistic. In that context, I completely understand why we would want to re-sign Oxborough for another year. What puzzles me is why he signed so quickly. I could understand if he resigned himself to being a backup at Motherwell after not receiving any worthwhile offers elsewhere, but he didn't even wait for his current deal to expire. This suggests to me that he has possibly been promised something that made him forego other opportunities he might have had as a free agent this summer.

A fan favourite

Im quite happy with that. Be good to get back to Fir Park for a friendly

Sizing each other up for the play-off.

Doubt too many will pay to see us play Livingston Wasnt expecting any glamour tie to be fair , though had hoped for maybe an English championship or League 1 club

Ayr, Montrose, Stirling Albion, Buckie Thistle. All away please.

Makes a change from being usurped by St Mirren.

If SK didnt have faith in Ox as a back up keeper last season, he shouldnt be offering him a new contract this season, and certainly not as a number one. More likely he didnt want to drop his captain in the run up to the Euros and deny him any chance of making the Scotland squad (as unlikely as it is now.) One things for sure, Ox wont get any better without playing games. 25 isnt terribly old for a keeper, but he really needs to nail down a first team place soon whatever level that may be at. If Ox as no.1 is the plan he is gonna have to hit the ground running this season as I dont think he will be afforded much sympathy from sections of our support.

Would love Ayr away and ICT. I’m not too fussed who we get at fir park just want some fun days out Elgin was great last year

Hearing Easton has had a choice between ourselves and Dundee United and he's chosen Dundee United. Source isn't the most reliable however.

Seeding for the last 16 hasn't really worked for us. Hopefully we'll avoid Morton, QOS and Annan.

Exactly the kind of glamour tie the fans were hoping for.

Dutch East Indies.

Same, I love the League Cup group stages and would take it over a series of pre season friendlies or ‘European’ games any day of the week. We’ve also got a pretty good record in this stage of the League Cup since the current format was brought in and it’s a good way to start a season. I know we’ve played the same sides more than once at this stage over the years but it’s been good for us. We just need to get through this round and then actually start taking the knockout stages seriously. Whoever we draw tomorrow we should be looking to win our group and be seeded for the last 16.

https://x.com/livifcofficial/status/1795515598274744534?s=46&t=Yi0H3LakxlXxc5QEsuI9Ug According to Livingston we host them at Fir Park in a freindly on 6th July in a Freindly

Just like all the other teams in the league outside the old firm. Even Paul Daniels couldn’t pull that one off . Any names spring to mind , within our budget.

I honestly don't see the point in giving squad players who aren't ever going to be first 11 a new contract. I'd prefer to have youngsters as a back up and go and recruit some decent players. Personally I'd have been more brutal and let the likes of S'OD, Mugabi and Ox go. Although easier said than done now is the time to recruit a very good goal keeper, central defenders and quality defensive midfielder.

some liked this kit

One reason he probably wasn't dropped is that the manager didn't seem to have much faith in the backup keeper. Kelly's role as captain undoubtedly played a significant part, as it should have, but it doesn't appear that Oxborough made the decision difficult for the manager. Let's be honest, if Kettlewell had rated Oxborough, he would have been given more opportunities during the cup. The fact that he played two games, conceded three goals in the first, and was essentially sidelined for the rest of the season before we got into August says a lot. I'm hoping Oxborough has re-signed to be the backup, although I'd be surprised if that's the case, as he could likely secure a backup role elsewhere under freedom of contract. The fact that he signed up so quickly suggests he's received some assurances for the coming season, which is concerning. It indicates a significant downgrade from Kelly and a cheaper option. It's also worth noting that Oxborough isn't a young prospect. At 25 years old, he has played around 51 games in his entire career. For comparison, he's only three years younger than Kelly, but Kelly has played 275 games.

Tierney is on the players under contract list, which I think runs until the end of next season. Obika’s absence from any of the lists remains a mystery, perhaps because he's triggered an extension and the club are too embarrassed to admit yet another fuck up. Although the MFC website is about as accurate as a drunk man aiming his piss into the bog, I think Miller is the only player with a contract beyond 2025.

Saw the statement about player releases and contracts and have a couple of questions. Obika and Tierney weren't mentioned as either being released or offered new contracts. I believe they were both contracted up to this summer. I'd assume they are gone then but it wasn't categorically stated. Also, is it correct that we don't have a single recognised first team player contracted beyond 2025?

fancy ayr accies spartans and bonnyrig. have ayr and accies supporting friends. Will add to ties.

Not quite - but it's that extra 10% (or whatever) that can make the difference in performances. Premiership teams have different training schedules and requirements from lower league teams, especially the part time ones. They also tend to have a higher turnover of players, so when the Cup kicks off they might have players with little or no pre-season behind them. And there's players who have been on international duty that take their break late and are two or three weeks behind the rest of the team. And the fact we start with a dozen new players that the manager needs to test out in different formations and partnerships means it can take a few extra weeks to settle in. If it was just us, then you could argue we are doing it wrong, but you see the same issue across all the Premiership teams at this point in the competition.

I would say that the lower league teams tend to have a more settled squad who know each other and have a set style of play and formation whereas we are usually blooding new players and trying out different things so can look a bit disjointed in games. Can't say I've noticed much difference in general fitness levels in the games I've seen tbh. That's my theory anyway.