Andy_P

I wonder how Gannon viewed that then. Given that he's said on a couple of occasions he was looking for the more experienced players to fight then their way back into the team, I would imagine that he'd have been pleased that they were willing to stick around and fight for a place. Unless ofcourse he had already written them off, was privately looking to get them off the wage bill to bring in more of his own targets. Interesting one.

Final Standing, 47 matches:- 1. Steve Jennings 34pts 2. Stephen Craigan 27pts 3. Jim O'Brien 25pts 4. John Ruddy 24pts 5. Giles Coke 21pts 6. Steven Saunders & Jamie Murphy 19pts 7. Lukas Jutkiewicz 15pts 8. Mark Reynolds 14pts 9. Tom Hateley & John Sutton 13pts 10. Stevie Hammell 12pts 11. Paul Slane & Shaun Hutchinson 11pts 12. Ross Forbes 10pts 13. Yassin Moutaouakil & Keith Lasley 7pts 14. Chris Humphrey & Michael Fraser 4pts Player_of_the_Year.xml

Voting closed. A win for Ross Forbes, who cuts Paul Slane's early lead.

And according to the Scotland Today News it was none other than Shane Hutchinson who scored our first on Saturday.

Its another hard one to call. I didn't really see why Killie were being touted by a few as foot of the table strugglers. They had a really dodgy start to the year but when they started getting some of their injured players back and Kyle arrived they were probably one of the form teams in the league from March onwards. Frustrating as they were I don't know that last season's results will have much bearing on things as we're a much changed animal since then. I think we'll know all what a Jim Jefferies team is about but they might not be sure about our players or how we'll line up so there's perhaps a wee advantage to be gleaned there. I wouldn't be surprised if started with the same attacking formation - if not personnel - we finished with Saturday to try to get the initiative. An early goal in the first home game of the season could really get the coincidence flowing amongst some of the younger guys and set them up. I'm also well aware ofthe flip side of that particular scenario in front of the East Stand judge and jury if we lose an early goal but lets not go there...... In short I don't have a scooby how it'll go.

Looks more like a battle for 3rd place than anything else but if you haven't voted yet and still want to do so, I'll give until about half-nine, ten o'clock tonight before closing the poll.

I believe it was 2 year deals both Hutchinson and Page signed towards the end of last season. Doesn't impact on the principle of getting players on more secure deals but we don't have that extra year to play with, with the two of them.

That former Thistle player that's been mentioned - Simon Storey - played as a trialist for Airdrie at centre-half yesterday apparently.

Noticed that Bill Leckie in the Sun's supplement thing on Thursday also had as down to be relegated. Wasn't all bad one of their other journos had us qualifying for Europe.

Your thoughts on the first league game of the season......

I'm in - along with scott_mossend_mfc and the Brazilian

I've seen a few opening days come and go now so plenty to think back on. Highlight would probably be the 2-0 win over Celtic at Fir Park in 1990 on a roasting hot day in the Sun. One of the last occasions you could celebrate a win over the Old Firm in the Shed on a terracing. I remember the Dunfermline game at East End too, getting stuck in roadworks at Edinburgh and getting there close to if not just after kick-off but in good time to see a comfortable 2-0 with a cheeky wee back heeler from Tommy Coyne. Although we lost I mind us taking in what must have been around 3000 to Ibrox for the opening day of the 1994'95 season and being robbed again by dodgy officials. Some of the worst were actually days where I've not been able to make it. When it comes to the opening day there's always a bit of childlike enthusiasm on the go and to be champing at the bit and be stuck in the house when the season starts is a bit soul destroying. Here's hoping for the day!!

Wondered as well who might likely wear it against in terms of a clash. I would have initially thought both United and Aberdeen might have been dodgy but we wore the Pony strip back in 94'95 without any hassles against both of them - though we did have white shorts then. Obviously though Hearts are out. I suppose though given we're meant to be wearing it tomorrow for example they'll just wear it when they think it'll get some exposure.

To an extent I agree with you. I said before in another thread that sprung up before about McGhee that I'm of the opinion that there's more to be gained looking forward than looking backwards. Personally my views on haven't changed and I share Infamous Wee Grafters opinion from earlier on in the thread that his time at Fir Park was both positive and productive. But if the debate comes up and some folk have revised their opinions on him then so be it. I don't think its too much of a surprise that folk's opinions change when someone has left under a cloud. I remember for example the season after Tommy McLean left the anticipation on our bus going to Tynecastle knowing that we could put potentially put his team in a play-off if we beat them, whilst we had already secured Europe. You could rhyme off plenty players too in the same boat who did a turn, moved on and suddenly their achievements were never viewed as high as they once were. Likewise while you might not be too far off the mark for a minority with with the folk believe the sun shines out the managers arse quip, I do genuinely think you will find a considerable body amongst the support who even in the most trying of circumstances will remain behind a manager/be as supportive as they can/accentuate the positives they can about the situation and only when that manager has changed will they reassess their opinions and be a bit more critical if the situation warrants it - The King is Dead, Long Live the King if you will.

A thumbs up from the Bargeddie jury. One of favourite Motherwell tops was the Pony away effort that a couple have mentioned and this is pretty reminiscent of it. Good effort.

It seems to be the way that a modern day testimonial year appears to be a two-tier thing. You'll have your golf days and dinners generally aimed at the business community and more well heeled with connections to a player/club. Then you'll have the standard race night and game that is more accessible for your average punter.

Sad news. Like others have mentioned he was one of the players I can first really remember when going to see MFC as a laddie. Sheesh this almost seems like a fortnighly occurrance these days remembering the life of a Dosser who has passed away.

I'd forgotten all about the cringe fest that was "half-time entertainment" as conducted by Neil Grierson. The half-time draw from a poly-bag, the "put your hands together furramurrawell legend.....Rab Stewart/Kenny Lyall/a soldier in a uniform", the Celtic top raffle, playing "tha Rangers". I'm away to cry in the corner. Thanks for bringing it all back.

And still have nightmares at Clarky fluffing the chance to make it 3-1 before the break?

Voting closed and a first win for Giles Coke. Slane still has a good lead as we head into the league campaign.

Give this until around 10pm tonight and then call it a day at that. Anyone who hasn't voted but still wants to, now's the time folks.

Archdeacon's injured so you won't see him on Saturday Radford. Archie is a forward and only made his debut against Llanelli in the 2nd leg of the 1st qualifier so not much to go on in terms of the first team. Linked well with Jamie Murphy in the youths and was on loan at Albion Rovers for a spell last season, though the Rovers fans according to their forum weren't overly enthused about him. Bob McHugh is quite an exciting prospect. He's not huge physically but looks a powerful wee guy and within minutes of making his debut at 16 had put Hibs skipper Rob Jones on his backside and almost scored. He got his first senior goal against Flamurtari and will I think get more opportunities as the season goes on. Jonathan Page was signed from Portsmouth a couple of seasons ago and like the other two boys mentioned graduated through the youth set up. Has played three times as a substitute at right back but I believe (some of the guys who follow the youths more closely may correct me) he's more accustomed to playing in central defence. Hope that helps.

At the moment he's reminding me of Richard Offiong when he was on loan with us under Terry Butcher. As has been said by numerous folk already though its once they've had a few games against SPL teams we'll get a better indication of how good they all are, I'm not going to go overboard or be underwhelmed at this stage.

Your thoughts folks......

It'll likely be much the same guys who played Bathgate in that friendly recently. Mind the 19's need to prepare for their season too. Gannon's surely not going to risk first-teamers in a friendly like that when there are European games on the go.