Kmcalpin

I'm using Jake Carroll's Livingston case as a baseline, where the referee and/or assistant referee saw the incident at the time and gave him a yellow card. The Compliance Officer then saw fit to reopen the case and upgrade it to a red. Whats the difference?

Well, if thats not a case for the Compliance Officer I'm a total and utter loss as to what is. If no action is taken then the system is well and truly f****d.

Good to hear he scored 2 goals. That will surely do his confidence the world of good. Hopefully Craig Tanner is on the road to recovery although it remains to be seen if he regains full fitness.

Agreed. Twitter output has deteriorated. A basic update during games would be very welcome.

He 100% did and it should have been a straight red. Madden completely lost control and that weakness led to a string of incidents afterwards; all completely avoidable. In view of the Carroll decision I'm waiting to see if the Compliance Officer offers Smith a 2 match ban tomorrow.

Last Friday night was, apart from anything else, always going to be a physical test and we failed badly. It gets back to Robbo's earning the right to play and we just didn't. We lost too many 50/50 challenges, got bodied just too often, and couldn't hold the ball up when we needed to. In short, the current squad is too lightweight.

You have to think that Robbo knows his players better than we do and knows what he is doing by going public. As Bill Shankly said years ago though, every player is different. You need to boot some up the arse and give them the hairdryer treatment but with others you need to put a comforting arm around them, and give them quiet encouragement.

A bit curious that Adam Livingstone wasn't given some game time in the group stage games. I had hoped to see him get a wee run.

A very, very poor performance last night and we were beaten before we even took to the pitch. Wrong team wrong tactics. The players themselves made a bad situation worse as we all know. At the moment we simply can't afford to play with 2 wingers. I just can't fathom out our team this season at all - no leadership, no direction, no character and no identity. Players playing out of position this early in the season, an odd mixture of player styles; I just don't get it. Yes its early and new players do take time to gel but they weren't all new recruits last night. We badly need a new number 9 and a defensive midfielder before the window slams shut. Both 100% essential. Last night we were toothless up front and although predictably Scott was isolated he looked out of his depth and really does need a spell out on loan. The wingers were totally ineffective, as others have commented. The central midfield was outfought and completely devoid of attacking ideas and in that regard felt sorry for Dunne as no-one was showing. Polworth had a hand in 2 goals and although shows flashes of talent he does look like a Championship level David Turnbull. Donnelly is like a fish out of water in central midfield and Allan Campbell just isn't his usual self. At the back, Gillespie was poor, especially his distribution, which put defenders under immediate pressure. Both full backs were poor and when Hearts scored their goal I though Stevie Hammell was playing again. In their defence, both full backs received no cover from the impotent wingers. I thought Gallagher had a reasonable game and does seem like the best of summer acquisitions. As MFC said our shape and organisation when not in posssession, was very poor,but thats nothing new. We had no physicality either last night. Hearts were no great shakes, but were worthy winners and hardly needed to move out of second gear. We had loads of possession in the second half but failed to trouble the Hearts defence which strolled it. Referee got a few major decisons wrong including the first penalty and letting their first goal stand. he also got the flare up near the end totally wrong and Smith should have received a straight red. Given Carroll's summons by the Compliance Officer it will be very interesting indeed to see whether Smith's yellow card will be upgraded to a red. A proper test for the system.

I can see the argument for this formational change but don't know who the front pairing would be. It wouldn't solve the huge attacking deficit we currently have with 4-3-3 or is it 4-5-1? It would also leave the 2 wings very exposed which is the last thing we need. The current set up just isn't working and we do need to try something different but what? Our attacking signings just baffle me and last night just added to my confusion. Towards the tail end of last season, teams began to double up on our wingers rendering them sterile and this season has started in much the same way. Many questions but few answers.

Spot on sir.

Only one candidate for me and thats Gallagher. By no means outstanding but the best of a very poor bunch.

If they can cough up the not inconsiderable sum of money needed good luck to them.

Is he? I'll believe this when the teams are announced.

Any update on the Jake Hastie compensation negotiations or tribunal?