Goggles & Flippers

Has this Well forum changed to some sort of Arab love in over the past 24 hrs?

Hello Reindeer fucker! Don't worry about compensation our new Finnish friend, our owner has a rather ideal situation, he releases funds and then any expenditure is added to the ever increasing pot that the fans from the "deprived and industrial wasteland" have to stump up for over the next 4.5 years. Nice to spend your own money while knowing its other people who will pick up the tab. You don't get to sun yourself in Barbados as a tax exile for nothing.

Us or Dundee Utd? .... Mixu will be looking his Tangerine tie out the wardrobe as we speak, no question. With respect to Baraclough, I'd be surprised if he wasn't a home thinking if Pearson hadn't been injured on day one if he'd still be in a job. I'm pretty sure he would have at least got to Christmas at least if that was the case.

Sure he has enough pedigree for you?

I have no idea, with respect to the success, a league and cup win from relative obscurity in under 2 years from memory.

Based on what? Your own expertise or qualifications in the field? Burrows was shot down on here by quite a few when he was promoted as a glorified tea boy, now few can argue he's not delivered. He proved many wrong so why couldn't he continue to do so? The criteria was getting success with a limited budget, he achieved that in Sligo in the coaching/playing side surely. I am concerned that for the second time in recent memory a player revolt/downing of tools was instrumental in getting the manager his jotters (Gannon was batshit crazy though, Baraclough didn't seem to be strong enough to stand up to a few strong characters ..... a certain Australian perhaps). At each other or toe to toe with Baraclough?

Have they ever played in the champions league?

Someone who sees it as a project and wants to leave a legacy (Van Der Gaag, AN Other) or Fallen manager looking to build his reputation (Lambert, Coyle, Mackay type character) or Manager on a bit on years and not looking to move due to family/lifestyle (Burley, Calderwood) or Some random we've never heard of before, out of left field. One thing is certain, the perception our new owner has deep pockets may attract a few big names.

I'll be honest till tonight I was very much on the "needs more time" camp. I did think it was only a matter of time before things started clicking. Unfortunately this game is results driven as they bring success and financial gain. We live each season in a precarious position and also a support who demands a swift return to our recent success'. However folk coming on here with rambling abuse without a reasoned argument, solution or alternative is one of the worst things about supporting this club. Also, plenty will know as it's been well documented Flow had no involvement in the decision making process with Baraclough. A cup quarter final was the aim, playing against a team who have played one game less and accrued 3 points more in the league below ours. A 90th minute equaliser to take things into extra time, the the second time in this competition (the first also against lower league opposition) and is unacceptable for those who have access to the resources of our club and the significant wages. When I look back at this season so far, the manager has been backed in the transfer market like no other manager I can recall (bear in mind we've actually paid for a couple). Indifferent results in pre-season but the performance against PNE offered a lot of hope. Followed up with an opening day win away to previously high flying ICT and things were looking not too bad. With hindsight, ICT haven't found last years form and Killie have been awful. Dundee Utd, one win in 16 was it till tonight? 2-0 did flatter them but now the dust has settled this season we can ignore the media bigging up their young starlets, they are rotten .... as rotten as us however? While not been handed out any drubbings so far, the performances have been sadly too reminiscent of last season, apathetic and unconfident, high calibre players playing like Bellshill Juniors would be their highest level, devoid of drive and ideas and far too predictable. While there will be undoubtedly anger directed towards the manager and rightly so, there are also a number of players form has to be questioned. Skippy has been awful, Ainsworth got his deal and has been hot and cold, Johnson has been a shadow of his early promise. I can't see him walking, he has a young family and is ultimately responsible for putting a roof over their heads and meals on the table. I also can't see the club doing anything other than having a "OK, things are broken, how do you intend to fix them?" meeting tomorrow morning. However Les does appear to have a very short temper. As for where we go, I not interested in paying to watch a team as predictable as his cliche ridden interviews. I look forward to tonight being the line in the sand with respect to this seasons results and proved wrong.

Just out of interest, hows a Dutch former centre half doing in Cyprus?

Erm, you 100% sure you're not writing him off, because the caveat in the first half of the sentence is kinda negated by how you ended it? e.g. Obviously, I'm not saying that was a shitey post, but it kinda is. See what I did there?

3 or is 4 games in now ...... deary me Hidgon was a washout until mid October. Ramsden was a rubbished in his first season, in his second he was the player of the season (granted he never regained his form after his injury). Coke, Jennings, Clancy, Gunning etc. were cited as "failures" at their previous clubs by many on here. But the point is there seems to be an expectation that players make an instant impact. Yes we got that lift from Skippy, but it's sadly been fleeting. Midfield in this team has been a problem area since the Jennings/Law times, we've tried various different solutions under different managers with mixed results. Issue is the whole team hasn't really been playing to their potential (or the potential we all optimistically assumed they would in pre-season), so the spotlight falls on him, one of the most demanding, yet under celebrated, roles in a team.

I take it you've seen this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HxlsMB5eNRE&feature=youtu.be

Esteban Casagolda (Turkey)

Must have some channel islanders and didn't Ged Brannan have some sort of tenuous link to somewhere?

A few good points made me alter things a little. Kennedy in, whither he plays RB or Laing does it's of no consequence, whoever clicks best with McManus. The threat of Irvine is something to consider, I'd therefore opt for 3 midfielders as Brazilian advocated. I'd be looking for Ainsworth to support and drop back to offer numbers in midfield, alien to him at times but I can but hope. Naturally if fit, Pearo in before Taylor.

Ripley Watt - Laing - McManus - Hammell Ainsworth - Grimshaw - Lasley - Thomas McDonald - Moult I accept Watt hasn't been tested at any length at RB, but would also see merit in Laing being moved to the position as been pointed out. I feel sorry for Law as last season when so many downed tools, he was the only one giving 110% but with hindsight possibly because felt lucky to even get a gig at a level way above him. I'd also be OK with Chalmers replacing Hammell, despite his experience I've found him tactically naive at times. Grimshaw immediate starter as I'd be surprised if Man Utd would let him go unless he has guaranteed a regular start. I'd drop Johnson for Thomas. Dom has had more about him so far this season and Johnson could do with feeling he has to compete for his place. I'd hope McDonald would maybe click and have more about him if he was started in more of his preferred position. As Moult because he runs himself ragged and 3 goals in 3 matches. Gives scope for someone to get 25-30 mins in the second half to go at some tired defenders. Don't think we're solid enough in defence yet, so 3-1.

In an odd way I'm glad the window is shut and there will be no more arrivals. Need to bed in what we have and get them functioning better than they have. Too many have yet to find their form. As said already, after the next two games with be the datum point for our season. As much as the performances are night and day from last season, they have to be matched with results. It could be argued that we now have a number of options in all positions, just trying to assess the best combo's/formation/tactics may be tricky and still involve a degree of tinkering. Every position on the park (except Ripley) now must have a primary starter and at least two understudies with senior game time.

I had real high hopes for Johnson after his end to the season, just find myself being continually underwhelmed so far this campaign. There's something obviously not clicking.

Football Manager, that's the holy grail these days

It's not for us to ponder, that's why Baraclough is employed, he gets to see people day in day out after all. The most significant part of this signing for me is not that've identified and secured a player able to hold down a significant position within one of the world's biggest teams youth setup. More importantly we have now got a route/contact into that team and if this loan is successful the possibility of a few more. I recall over the weekend a conversation on the radio about Ryan Christie's move to Celtic. The pundits all claimed he would raise his game playing alongside better players. As much as Leach and Cadden may be further down the pecking order, they will also get to see what it takes to mix it with what Manchester United can cherry pick, ultimately that has to be a bonus for us in the long run. Out of the 92 senior teams in England and 40 odd up here, safe to say at least 100 would welcome his loan move to their club. Christ, some on here would find fault if Barcelona gave us Messi for 10 ginger bottles.

You should make a video, have your striker lambast you and have Hugh Keevins call you toxic on the radio.

Does UEFA financial fair play rules extend to all clubs or just those involved in European competition? I know Man City had restrictions placed on them due to their Abu Dhabi based owners, but I'd agree with you, SPFL TV money, league placing cash, cup prize money and gate receipts from a very remote team ..... all doesn't seem to add up. I suppose I'm just miffed as I think Irvine would have been a fantastic asset to our team.

Was there any merit to the Jackson Irvine thing or was it one of those "My Mrs heard a guy in the chippy, who said his uncle overheard ......" Maybe someone could clear that up because I've not seen anything to date with any merit to the suggestion/rumour. However, if so, and that's him and Martin Woods allegedly. What do they have over us .... is it purely a bigger wallet? From my point of view, it's a tad worrying we can't convince them we're a better option, less money or not. Can't help but feel if we had Irvine available this season we've be in a very healthy position.

Players loaned out are a mixture of out of favour, out of form or young guys. Taylor is a prime example of that and who knows, maybe over the next few weeks he may grow into the role and give Pearson a run for his money when he returns. I don't see the point in bringing in another 20 year old and blooding him at the detriment of our own 20 year olds. However as you point out yourself, your argument is quashed by listing Andy Murdoch. I can understand some of the acquisitions, I'm sure Theo Robinson was seen as a "why not?", I took it as the club felt they could make money on him without major outlay almost a too good to be true he was available. What is evident, the superiority of too many down south looking at our game and thinking it is poorer than it is in reality. "Oh I'll head up there and set the heather alight" has been shown on quite a few occasions to be a tad arrogant. I recall Marvin saying the step up in fitness and sharpness required from Kidderminster was massive. I think that's been shown with a number of our southern acquisitions. Combine that with adjusting to the nuances of the SPFL and interacting with their teammates on and off the park is why we haven't had as auspicious start to the season as we all would have liked. Be under no illusion though, the excitement that has been evident over the past two windows, will be firmly footed by us in 4.5 years time. What I do like is seeing what is being built, just hope its on decent foundations and we don't replace the contractor after knee-jerk reactions to results.