Goggles & Flippers

I don't think Lobey or I suggested it was. A wise man once told me with respect to press releases and journo's pieces, you have to consider the timing and what isn't actually said is often more important than what you can see in black and white. I was driving back home tonight listening to Sportsound and the panel was convinced to a man that McDowall will be walking after Friday's EGM. That got me thinking about this article again and this specific bit: What this "friendly" journalist has implied as the subtext is McCall had his hands tied financially, that accounted for a fair bit of the decline and if he had known about Les then he may have stuck around to raise take advantage of a higher caliber of player that has been available. Essentially, don't write me off. The BBC also had Nicky Law interviewed about the possibility of reuniting and he almost creamed his pants.

Wasn't there a Somali immigrant kid who's family settled in Glasgow and he signed with Celtic and he was meant to potentially be world class? I think because he spent his formative school years here (like Jordan Rhodes) he was available for the dark blue jersey too. Anyone cast a light?

23 starts, about 10 games unable for selection due to injury, 2 managers and a caretaker didn't think he had enough in his toolbox. Sorry don't agree with you.

McCall giving his opinion: BBC Interview Personally, I think if you cash in your chips and walk away, then you should also show a bit of class by keeping your mouth shut until the end of the season as you recognise you were party to and contributed to the malaise.

I'm not referring to just those two. We now have a multitude of options in attack. The midfield have grit, endeavour and drive about them again, the defence is still shaky but left back being an obvious danger area. But the main thing is if you now look at the bench and you have a host of options available that could turn a game. For every James Drayton I give you Skippy and Pearson, both played at a higher level and we have all to a man seen what a difference they've made to things on the park. Yes there are unknowns but we have that too, still think from what I read about Nathan Thomas we've got something of quality to see and Johnson offers quite a bit too. Have they though? Only difference I can see is one extra win and 3 points over us. If we win our game in hand then we're even (not counting goal difference). We were unlucky to face Hamilton before they lost their manager and they've been in freefall since. St. Mirren bolstered by the return of Thompson still only recorded their first home win on the last day in February. I firmly believe we now have what it takes to take something from every game remaining. Yes we've been woeful in too many games since New Year but there's also been a few unlucky pieces of fortune that have scuppered us and made the heads drop.

It's not just the performance, its the strength in depth and quality we have compared to those around us. Skippy has been the final piece in the puzzle. Just need Hammell back for solidity, I just hope we're not putting too much on his return, he was responsible for a swathe of goals at the beginning of last season.

Partick Thistle Ross County (A) St Johnstone (H) Inverness CT (H) Aberdeen (A) Celtic (A) Motherwell (H) Ross County Partick Thistle (H) Hamilton (A) Kilmarnock (H) Dundee Utd (A) St Johnstone (H) St Mirren (A) St Mirren Kilmarnock (A) St Johnstone (A) Celtic (H) Motherwell (A) Ross County (H) Motherwell Kilmarnock (H) Aberdeen (A) Hamilton (H) Kilmarnock (A) St Mirren (H) Partick Thistle (A) Based on the above fixtures, form and players available I'm confident we're going to climb. Can't see us getting less than 10 points. Aberdeen away is the only one I currently think it will be a big ask to get anything from, all the other games we now have the personnel to get something. St. Mirren lost their best player and didn't bring anyone in of note, Thompson returning is a bonus for them but not enough, can't see them getting anything over 4 points barring a miracle. Ross County, maybe 8 points, they're on a run at present. Dundee Utd away despite their up and down form will be tricky. Partick face the hardest run in, play the top three and us, Ross County and St. Johnstone, 4/5 points max.

----------------- Long ----------------- Law -- Laing -- McManus -- XXX XXX - Pearson -- Lasley - Grant --------- McDonald - XXX ---------- Based on Saturday I think there's 8 guaranteed to start, I think Baraclough may tinker to keep players happy and for that reason I think Straker may get another chance to justify the manager bringing him in. If Watt gets the nod then its because Straker hasn't impressed at training and it may be he's already written him off. I'm sure Watt being 17 and right footed (all be it he's done well considering), will also factor. Johnson will be up with Ainsworth for a start, Baraclough seemed to praise his attitude in post match interviews. Personally I think he recognises he does have talent and maybe being political in keeping him on side at least until the end of the season. Sutton is a senior pro, I don't know if he'll opt for Erwin's energy and pace over Sutton's footballing brain from the first whistle. Still feel a bit for Dom Thomas and Kerr. Don't really feel we've seen anything of what Nathan Thomas can bring to the team.

What I saw was a free kick 30 yards out, Skippy (last game mid Jan) and Erwin had run themselves ragged up until that point. Sutton came on to replace the diminutive Skippy as he is known for his prowess in the air and strength to possibly take advantage of the ball being pumped into the 18 yard box. A few minutes later Erwin replaced for Moore so you again have a tall target man and a nippy wee guy playing off him. Sorry for some that Baraclough doesn't replace a like for like to keep you happy but there is sometimes method to the perceived madness.

As much as yesterday was encouraging and I wiped my brow afterwards, I don't agree with many that it was our best performance of the season. I would argue that the Dundee Utd game after McCall left was better. Lost a popular and successful manager, team lacking the 8 players we had available yesterday, for me that is the game that showed real grit and determination.

What's acceptable in terms of impatience in a modern era football fan.

Good point, well made.

Yes it's voluntary with a degree of popularity required. However if you're given a job and you're not up to it, there's a simple solution.

That's the thing with Babestation Daytime, don't even have to get your chebs out

You need to ask him about Anderson Strathclyde, Ravenscraig and Motherwell Bridge, he's doesn't tend to mention them much ..........

Why because I'm one of the few calling them out? Difference is, I make realistic targets and therefore deliver on them. If I can't make it then I don't just bury my head in the sand, I approach those affected and advise I need an extra few days. I have no interest in managing them, didn't realise asking for delivery equated to a desire for that. However as a member of the WS I'm entitled to hold them to account. I do take it you give a fuck about them honouring their promises? It's all about managing expectations, if they say you'll have stuff this week then do it. If not, don't say so in the first place. It's a pretty simple thing to do. If things are allowed to continually slip then it becomes accepted and it will permeate through everything. I've seen it happen repeatedly in all facets of life.

Erm No, the option was not to (as everyone connected has been guilty of to date minus a few grumblings on here) or press them to deliver. I opted for the latter, I have no desire to keep my mouth shut and see if they manage it without cajoling as they've repeatedly failed to deliver. Even the response to my earlier post they admitted "that one is admittedly overdue" with respect to an update on Les. How many "breaks" do we give them? So what's the 3 options? Say nothing, they deliver, happy days. Say nothing, they fail to deliver, I get to say "told you so" or say something and they're held to account and we find out what's going on. I'm not interested in points scoring, I'm interested in this body reporting back in a timely manner and honouring promises and if that gets your panties in a twist, so be it. I'll be content not to get the stick out but only when they can prove they don't need hit with it.

Good read, thought you may have directly cited the SFA Euro Qualifier prices like you did in the podcast though.

I tend to play it on my computer when I'm working away, is it more beneficial for you for us to register via iTunes even if that's not our preferred way of listening? Thinking of your prominence and potential ad revenues if it ever gets to a substantial number

I'm tending to agree with this. Ainsworth is the McFadden of season 2014/15. He came in a year later, did and job and impressed, got a deal, then went off the boil. Almost carbon copy, only difference was McFadden was trying and it wasn't happening. I can't see him being here past May unless there is a massive improvement. If we won't make anything off him as he'll be released. Therefore no reason not to play Thomas. We're in line to make something from him if he can be tied down on a Dundee Utd style contract. Which AB hinted at was going to be happening over the coming weeks. Our biggest prospects at present are Moore, Erwin, Leitch, Watt and Thomas. I hope they can all be secured.

Just feel we have to keep you on your toes. As this is Thursday evening, and as you've delivered on one out of the three, then there are still two announcements remaining and only a few days of this week left. I don't expect to see anything on Saturday night so it really only leaves today, Friday and Sunday. Manage expectations and deliver on them, I'm only bringing this up as the WS haven't had the best track record for doing this.

Adding onto Al's comment, I was trying to make a joke of some elements of the SOL fraternity who would find fault in anything that happens, using that quote to justify their behaviour

remove the "/rss1" from the URL after you click through

Or ....... "All this stuff off the park is taking the players minds off the task at hand with unwanted distractions"

The voting trend has stayed pretty consistent. From what can be derived, approximately 50% are looking for no change or minor changes where corporate guests can drink in view of the pitch. The remaining 50% are looking for varying levels of booze being available, all of which would need a change in the law and infrastructure at grounds. By no means scientific or representative of the whole or our support but also not a landslide for booze to be available as has been suggested reflects the public mood.