ClaretAndBamber

Last 6 games (covering the last 2 seasons) have produced 1 win each way and 4 draws (3 at FP). Last FP win was Oct 2010. There is no such thing as the bogeyman and there is no such thing as a bogey team.

Other sites list him as 5'8" or 5'9". Every inch counts ...

You have to wonder why this guy goes on so many loans (8 according to wiki). Still, he's never plied his trade Scotland and may shine here - if he does join on loan then all the best to him.

Think criticism of Hammy earlier in the thread is unfair as he was tracking Lawless and ZFA was covering for him so couldn't get forward as much. Also, in the first half I dont think Thistle had any joy on the right but a couple of decent crosses came from the left with Faddy's mobility in question. Thought Faddy had a poor first half but there were flashes of his old self in the second and hopefully the 90mins will do him the world of good. The tactics in the first half were spot on and starting Carswell was a great move from McCall as he didn't give them time on the ball. Lasley was solid but should have put away his chance. Glad Sutton scored and hopefully he'll kick on but I thought he had a poor second half. Anier looks like a find and I'd like to see him start every week. Ramsden, Hutchy and Mick looked solid to me and I like seeing Hutchy make those forward runs but his final ball needs work. Hollis was fine as he had little to do. For me there was no stand out performer but I was well pleased with the result.

Right now I'd take a draw. We're far from playing well as a team and as good as the guys are individually they have yet to produce a product greater than the sum of their parts. As pointed out above Thistle have a fairly settled side, although they will miss their captain this weekend (but have a decent replacement in Osbourne), and I fear they could do us for pace down the wings. Main reason I'd take a draw though is my boss is a Jags fan and I couldn't face Monday morning if we get beat.

Quite happy with that line up.

It's 3 guys FFS, not the entire first team. If we start with the same guys from the Hibs game with those three replaced by Anier, ZFA and Carswell then I'd be quite happy with that. I also don't think that McCall and Black are saying to the guys "don't bother your arses when you take to the field tomorrow". The eleven that start will be trying their best to win the game, I don't doubt that for a second! To say that McCall lacks ambition is utter pish. He's brought in a higher quality of player in McManus and Faddy along with decent players like Lawson and Vigurs - to me that shows the ambition to do at least as well in the league with the hope of a better run in one of the cups.

Not surprised about Sutton or Faddy but Vigurs surprised me as he's only 25 and should be able to recover better than the other two (and Las and Hammy). If Faddy played in this game, got injured and was out for a couple of months we'd all be raging. It's a risk averse approach but I think it's totally justified. Would rather we started with Anier than Sutton anyway as his movement is better and I think he'll cause more problems. Also hope that Carswell gets a start. While I'm a realist I'm also an optimist. Are they better than us, yes. Are they beatable, yes. Just hope we can sneak an early goal to make things interesting.

I'd drink to that. In fact, I would drink heavily if that happened I'd be amazed if they brought 3,500 on Sunday but fair play to them if they do. It would be great to get close to 10k in total for a non-OF game.

Hollis had a decent game and had no chance with either goal. He also pulled off a couple of great saves. Vigurs had some good chances but just didn't connect perfectly and very unlucky not to score at the end after a fantastic ball from ZFA. Think there are a lot of positives to take from the game. Europe is a bonus. I think this team will get us there again next year.

I think this is exactly what will happen. While I believe he deserves a start I think ZFA will be used from the bench if plan A isn't working. Bookies tend to get these things right and KK are odds on to win on Thursday but I hope St Johnstone's efforts will show our guys what can be done. Really looking forward to the first competitive game of the season!

Yet you have over 1,500 posts on this forum spending countless hours posting and probably even more reading - without MFC you'd have a more than just 90 mins a week to find other things to do. Do you discuss topics such as who we sign or who we sell? If so then you are interested in more than just turning up and watching football for 90 mins.

Totally agree that it's a mental situation and little reward for finishing second. However, I do think the remaining 15 seats will be sold. I just hope that there is plenty to play for in the second leg ...

Given that there's no way I'm going to make it to the away leg in Europe next month due to the cost (and hassle) I'd like to put a little of the money I'd have used towards this. Can you put me down for an additional £20 please and I'll get this over to you asap?

Based on what I've seen so far, yes I would agree with this.

I'm still not convinced that Ramsden is the way to go at RB. I've got no issues defensively but I don't think he's got the attacking threat that Hateley had. I think Kerr is a bit more ambitious going forward but not as reliable as a defender. I do think that we've been spoiled recently with the Hateley/Humphey partnership on the right side. These guys played well over 100 times together and really got to know each other's game. Whatever we go with this year it's going to take a while to settle I think.

We're all been led to believe it's going to happen.

Totally agree that you can't read much into a preseason friendly but there definitely was a lack of pace until ZFA came on and I thought he showed real promise. Was a bit disappointed with Lawson but still far too soon to tell. Also thought Hutchy was unusually poor, gave the ball away too much and was caught out of position on the 4th, but he was playing with several defensive partners during the game. Vigurs looked good and I thought the trialist made some good runs. Also agree that Hammell played well and his experience showed. Agree with most of the Hollis comments. Gunnar looks more confident between the sticks. Plenty of promise though and hopefully after another couple of games we'll be ready to take on whoever we get in the draw on Friday.

Apparently good things come to those who wait, although I've never believed this. Have to admit that without any official confirmation I have the fear. The club should issue a statement saying "come along and see the 7th signing at Fir Park tonight ...". Then we turn up and find out it's someone we've never heard of.

van der Gaag played for them (on loan) before he came to us.

Good luck to him, hope he got a decent deal. Wonder if he'll take the Steve McLaren approach and adopt the accent.

Official announcement out - Gunnar has signed a 2-year deal. Welcome back big man!

If McManus and Nielsen join I may have to start worrying about the amount of players that go on International duty next season (Hammy, Kerr (U21), ZFA, Faddy, Nielsen, McManus ... )

While it's technically correct I don't think it's fair to include Faddy in this list. We lost Murphy and replaced with Higginbotham, Faddy was an extravagance (and a very good one at that). I agree with others above and think we need at least three more in the squad.

Glad it's all now official and I hope he improves next year. For once though i'd like to see a guy playing at right back that actually wants to play there.