Goggles & Flippers

The following BBC Website Article has raised a question worthy of debate. Can't help feel Jim Murphy brought it up as a populist policy to try and stem the hemorrhaging of the Labour party in Scotland however the SFA have now entered a consultation. I'll start a poll to see what the general consensus is among SOL contributors. At one end we've got the status quo and the other would be similar to what's available to you when you walk into your local Wotherspoons. Obviously there are a whole host of other options in the spectrum between the above. So feel free to make suggestions. A regular point brought up by the pro-alcohol lobby is rugby games. I've attended many internationals and the general behaviour of rugby fans is very different to football fans in my experience. Also it was only just over a year ago that the south stand was left looking like downtown Baghdad after the unwashed arrived for a 7:45 KO, no doubt a few responsible were leathered. However attendances are in decline, would this encourage a few people back? If so, how much would you charge, how could you ensure booze could be enjoyed responsibly, etc.

Few questions GazzyB The radio described it as a 4-1-4-1, was this the case? Do you think Ramsden was played in the defensive midfield role because Baraclough didn't have full confidence in the ability of the back 4? Otherwise this is a game we're you'd go with 2 designated forwards, or 3 midfielders and 3 up front I reckon. You mentioned Grant dropped back in the second half and we lost our last third drive, when we went forward before this I take it he took up an playmaker/advanced position as the link man for Sutton? Lasley wasn't happy about being hooked, was there a case for Ramsden walking and Las staying on?

I didn't say I agreed with all of it, I said when he explained his motives, it made a few of them easier to swallow. Today's the same, we're judging things based on matchday performances however without being present in training for the past fortnight.

Just a question, if we were 2-2 and they scored late on would the vitriol on here be as much. A lot of it seems to stem from being 3-1 down with 25 minutes left and resignation kicking in.

The moderators should make you earn points before you're allowed to post anything, thinking something like a McDonald's badge system

While there is merit to a number of your points, reading that made me cast my mind back to the day after the Cup Final in 2011. I couldn't understand why McCall set us up the way he did. It made absolutely no sense to me and just added to the gloom of the day. Then he posted his managers email where he explained his tactics and reasons behind his decision making. I read it and I thought "well that makes some sense, yeah, OK, perhaps, OK, you got a point there". There may be more to today than we know. It's evident he is still picking elements of the team using alternatives rather than his options. We've got a good run of home games coming up, I'd like to see the outcome with the addition of his number two, but I'd agree, you'd like to see more of an influence in our play by now.

You must be thrilled that all your early McCall bashing that you had to put on the back burner can now be dragged out with a "told you so" waggy finger making you look like some insightful oracle. He didn't wreck the team. We won ugly last season pretty much all against bottom 6 teams, he didn't address our deficiencies over the summer (speed primarily), was culpable for the team being unfit and unable to compete, didn't read the riot act to the likes of Ainsworth and finally was unable to address the malaise.

You cite part timers, there was only a difference of an hour or two per week over us as well as holding down a 9-5 job. They also went on to Poland and earned a game against Inter Milan. Fan's don't like the run of results or are willing to acquiesce to them, to suggest otherwise is ludicrous. However the difference between the majority of us, we aren't reaching for the knives without knowing the consequences or alternatives available. It appears you have the management style of a banana republic dictator and I'm glad you've got no influence on how the club goes forward.

Despite some sense conveyed in a number of your recent posts, unfortunately ..... you're back to your default setting.

FFS, where are you meant to go to learn to run a football club other than on the job at a football club. You can't go to uni to do it. With respect to David/Burn Broomfield's tet-a-tet, I'm assuming David is referring to running a football club by committee opposed to a single point of contact with a clear vision. If that is the case, from my experience of committee's, it will be tough to overcome.

My choice would be based on that tweet: ------------------- Long ----------------- Reid -- Kerr -- McManus -- Straker Ramsden - Lasley - Grant - Erwin --- N.Thomas -------------------------- ------------------ Sutton ---------------- FYI if you have Virgin Media switching to radio and selecting Radio Scotland gives you 810MW crystal clear for the commentary.

OTF did say that Grant and Thomas were stand outs in training. McManus was doing the press conference yesterday so he'll be starting too.

I've got us on a perm too, first time in months. I refuse to bet against us due to split loyalties.

Using the same logic you applied to Kerr as a precedent, you shouldn't ever post on here again.

Personally I'd be surprised if Ainsworth or Vigurs ever grace a football pitch in C&A again. Both players have an attitude that doesn't sit well with Baraclough.

From purely selfish reasons you'd hope he has the ear of the parents of a few promising starlets and the chance to offer them daily coaching in Scotland around representing NI may get us a few promising prospects. BBC Interview

Flow shared that the board was becoming more involved in the day to day running of the club. So, would you have been able to commit to any extra workload around your 9-5 job? Were you given the option to remain on the board? Or did you have step down to let Les even it up with some of his own people? With increased involvement, if you did remain what agenda/area/project would you have liked to pursue as your baby?

I must admit early on this season I was very critical of Josh Law, I thought he looked well out his depth. However in the depths of the malaise he was the one player who I had any time for mainly due to his drive and effort when those around him had cashed in their chips. I'd like to think he has earned some sort of loyalty from Baraclough based on his performances in the early part of his tenure. Based on what I've read, the youtube videos and areas we have been weak before I'd like to see a line up along the lines of (subject to fitness): ------------------------ Long/Twardzik --------------------------- Law - Ramsden - McManus/O'Brien - Hammell/Straker ------ Pearson ----- Grant ----- Lasley ----- Johnson ----- --------------- N. Thomas ---------------------------------------- ------------------------------- Sutton ------------------------------ Subs D. Thomas Erwin Reid Kerr Leitch Carswell However I wouldn't be surprised if Baraclough went with more of the existing squad and introduce the new guys as subs for impact and also for them to get a feel for the game from observing the first half. Especially if we have a few genuine nippy players available for the first time in ages. I'm indifferent about McManus being the centre half though.

It will be interesting to see who Bara is going to opt for his first choice right back seeing as it looks like he won't have to play a number of the candidates in other positions as we now appear to be spoilt for choice for midfielders in particular.

Only if you are a shareholder, but it's easy to get hold of one from the Chapman

Role different to Leeann's as no "executive' function, so he takes direction from the board rather than setting the agenda. However obviously can influence and views important to any decision making. Les sounds like someone who doesn't pull any punches and won't be bullied. Board are having more day to day influence than they did 2 months ago. Considerable expertise called on and drawn from a lot more. Bara, Van Der Gaag and Maskraant all impressed, got the impression reading through the lines that maybe Gaag was the right guy, wrong time. Maybe too many drastic changes in the middle of a tumultuous season. Bara was opted for because of his knowledge of the British game and track record of Sligo breaking the Dublin dominance and how that mirrors us. New striker may still be happening. Young talent with promise tied into longer deals, more to follow in the next month. Hints of stuff on scouting network and sports science, but "not over line" yet so will be received in due course. Club faced a takeover bid in June, 15 days into his role. (not Les or the Argies) Advised that stewards at Fir Park are very much hired by the club so adhere to club policy. Looking for other clubs to follow suit. Meeting at Firhill in the next few weeks to cover issues such as TV and away fan numbers, maybe implement an away season ticket. He still does some media functions to leave more money in the pot by saving on finding a replacement.

Hopefully put to bed some of the naysayers criticisms. Didn't get though as many contributors questions as I envisaged when I loaded it up and seen it was 1 hour 42 mins long. Good stuff though guys, keep it up, always find it interesting.

Is it envisaged that this will be uploaded tonight or tomorrow?

How did they wangle that?

BBC article expanded and headline changed to "Sacked"