Desp

It is, yes, but considering I'd read today that apparently we'd look for £1m, that's the reason I picked out the £700k figure. Bang in the middle of the fee being talked about, and the fee we apparently are looking for. As I said, he's only worth what a club is prepared to pay. Will just be interesting to see, if there is any bid(s), at what point we accept.

Would certainly agree with Joe's comments above. In an ideal world, we'd be looking for at least £1m. However, if someone comes in with a bid of say, £700k, at the end of the month, do we stick or twist? That's still a cracking return for a nominal investment 12 months ago, and as they say, a player is only worth what a club is prepared to pay. If we hold off to the summer, and there's no takers, his value will only go down in the final 18 months of his contract. We've lost out on gambles before (we turned down the best part of £1m for Reynolds, didn't we?). If there is genuine interest for Marvin Johnson out there, this will be the first real test of Les' words in relation to transfer fees.

That would be my opinion of ZFA. Not quite a left back, not quite a left winger. Would probably do well as a wing back with a back 3 behind him. All the best to him if it comes off. Would be some move.

Just picking out a couple of examples here, Joe. You've said that Hutchinson is a youth product of Wallsend Boys Club, and Kerr of Birmingham. Hutchinson came through the youth production at Wallsend and moved to Motherwell at 16 = Wallsend product. Kerr came through the youth production at Motherwell and moved to Birmingham at 16 = Birmingham product. That's contradictory is it not? As has been said before, if you go through those who have come through at various other clubs (Dundee Utd being the prime example) they pick up their youngsters elsewhere too. I'd imagine it's a rare occurance for a player nowadays to be at the one club from a very, very early age.

We've done ok when up against the holders in recent times, have we not? From the top of my head, I can only think of Rangers beating us. We've beaten Aberdeen, Hearts & Dundee Utd in my time.

You've obviously done a bit of research on this Joe, so what's your thoughts on how we fix this? On one hand, you've gone about various first team managers not giving certain players a proper chance, and I acknowledge the points you make with the examples you've shown. The thing is though, are you blaming the first team manager for not giving these players 15-20 starts in a row, or are you blaming the youth coaches who brought them through between the ages of 13-18 for not getting them ready/good enought to step up? You mentioned it before, but kids at 12, 13, 14 years old in this part of the country, will probably have 4 choices if they're good enough. Celtic, Rangers, Hamilton and Motherwell. Due to our recent record, we'd probably come in 4th in that list of preferrable choices. Players like Forbes, McHugh, Carswell, Lawless. Where does the blame lie there? The player himself? Manager? Youth coach? Do you think, if coached/managed correctly, any of those players should still be at Fir Park? I was a fan of Carswell, although you may well be right that being overlooked constantly may have damaged his confidence.

I understand where you're coming from, but I think this bit is a bit harsh. We trusted Lee Erwin to keep us in the division last year, rather than go with John Sutton. It paid off in the end. Going back, we've put guys like Reynolds, Murphy, Carswell in the side and made them regulars. Erwin, Reynolds and Murphy alone have made the club a decent bit of money. Not too far off £1m in transfer fees I'd suggest. Currently, the club is putting their trust in Ben Hall to play week in, week out. He started at Celtic Park. I've always been one for saying if they are good enough, they'll get a chance. Is there anyone in the youth setup you feel deserves more of a crack (Leitch aside, as that's been covered)? The main two that are spoken about are Luke Watt & Dom Thomas. For all his critics, do you feel Josh Law deserves to be dropped in favour of Watt? Not for me. Likewise with Thomas, if McGhee gets his favoured side out, it's three midfielders and a winger. From Johnson, Ainsworth and Thomas to choose from, the youngster would be third in line in my book.

Reaction required in this one. Not only from Saturday, but also from the horrendous performance we put in up in Dingwall in November. Play players where they should be played, and go from there...

The guy who asked to be released from his contract because his body has packed in and he can't take it anymore. That Kevin Thomson? Naw, yer awright.

Did you get that information from yer spreadsheet you absolute bellend?

Based on his spell at Motherwell, it's about £5.50 too much.

You've just described the August visit to Tynecastle... I'd try and patch up the midfield and continue with the three in there, with one winger. Whether we give Cadden a go, alongside Laing as the holding player and Pearson, who knows? It's a tough game, against one of the top sides. Losing this won't be the end of the world

Annan away would be my pick. Save beating Rangers until the Semi-Final, before beating Celtic in the Final. Lovely.

Do they still do the Steak Bridies at East End Park? I'd take Dunfernline away if so.

I think we might see Craig Samson in goals on Saturday, but other than that, get a strong side out. Samson Law Hall McManus Hammell Ainsworth Lasley Pearson Johnson Moult McDonald

I've heard from a reliable source that we've enquired about the availability of Tam Scobbie from St. Johnstone. The only issue is he has 18-months left on his contract. If he can't get out of his contract, we'll ask for a loan deal until the end of the season. We won't pay a fee for him. Makes a bit of sense considering there are doubts over Hammell's long term fitness and the jury is very much still out on Chalmers.

Louis Laing has always struck me as a 'no-nonsense, clear yer lines' kind of centre-half, rather than some ball playing maestro pinging 40 yard passes out wide. However, if McGhee believes he can be a decent midfielder, I'm happy to trust his judgement on that.

You know what? I'd bite your hand off for that scenario.

Scunthorpe

We've been playing well recently, but I still feel we're due to dish out an absolute tanking to somebody. I'd much rather it was against Accies than Cove Rangers. I'll settle for 6-0.

Ben Hall for me. Considering it was only his 4th top team start, he was excellent. Kudos also for this 'da fuck happened there?' goal celebration.

It wasn't a throw in. The ball was still a good yard inside the pitch when MacLean picked it up and took a throw in. The fact both the referee and assistant didn't see it, when both were no more than 20 yards away at most, was probably what infuriated most.

A point that was made where we were last night. McManus' best games this season have been with Ben Hall alongside him.

'Friend of the Podcast Kevin Twaddle' should be how he's referred to at all times from now on. That will be his full name.

Something I didn't know until I read your post. I was too busy going tonto! That goal is up there as one of my most wildly celebrated goals. I think the emotion of the day just took over. It was a special, and very unique, afternoon.