weeyin

We have obviously been happy to invest, but not sure how that will impact loans. If it's with a view to bringing back players on a permanent basis like Laing, then I guess that is OK.

It's July 4th weekend here, and our company gave us Thu and Fri off. Went up to the UK store today to get some provisions (like square sausage) then fired up the BBQ with venison, buffalo burgers and duck hot dogs. Sitting on the deck now with some booze and a fine cigar. 7:23pm and still 75F. It's OK.

And it's the fact he didn't make the most of his gifts that was disappointing. McLair and McAllister went on to win European trophies (as did Lambert). There's more to football than talent alone - that is why Andy Ritchie - one of the most naturally gifted players I have ever seen - didn't make the big time. McCarthy bosses that Everton team the way Faddy should have done. That's not a slight on Faddy. These things are complex, especially when you take injuries into account, and he can be a joy to watch. I just feel he had another level in him that went unfulfilled.

I think McCormack's record is better - especially when it comes to goals (almost one every two games during his time at Cardiff and Leeds). McFadden should have had the impact at Everton that McCarthy has now. I understand why people love him, and he deserves all the plaudits he receives - especially for being a stand-up guy with a commitment to our club. But I always felt a little disappointed that, after he left us, he never quite fulfilled his potential in the way guys like McLair and McAllister did.

I did, yes. Strip prices, like gate prices, are an industry wide issue and anything "official" seems to have a 300% markup applied.

Likewise. Plus I'd say he's had a more successful career down south.

Not to kick off a debate in the ins-and-outs thread, but from his peers, McCormack would give him a run for his money.

The shop's wage bill isn't relevant, though. If you bought a shirt of equivalent quality that had nothing to do with football, it would probably be a third of the price.

By that logic, we should only ever sign current SPFL players. We are the kind of club that needs to be adopting (or re-adopting this strategy). Even if only one of three turns out good enough to sell on, that will keep us in the black. One the reasons I enjoy following a club our size is the enjoyment of watching players come in and develop, from the likes of McAllister and McLair to Faddy and Erwin. Not to mention guys like Arnott and Gahagan that we brought in from the Juniors. Anyway, if you slate pretty much every signing we make, you are bound to be right once in a while. You were on Higdon's case for long enough and that tuned out OK.

If you hate it, it means you also hate Wullie Pettigrew. That's a scientific fact.

Speaking as a old man, I'm looking forward to the release of the club Thermos and traveling rug.

That's true - but sadly, due to a poor choice of subsequent employer, we'll never know how that early rise to prominence affected his later career.

While I'm a fan of blooding young players, I'm never quite so sure about young keepers. They seem to develop at a different speed and it's rare to find an exception. The only one that springs to mind was Richard Wright at Ipswich. Terrific goalie when he was a teenager, but you could argue that affected his later career when he seemed to go off the boil.

It's like the old Mitch Hedberg joke: "Someone handed me a picture and said 'this is a picture of me when I was younger" And I said "Every picture of you is when you were younger"

The one advantage Lasley has is he never relied on his pace.

I expect Moult to score a shed load.

From wiki leaks:

Skippy will have to fight for his place on the bench given the amount of strikers we have now.

Fluorescent colours have a place on 1980s Nevica ski jackets, but that is about all.

Dom Thomas will be our winger cover I'd think and Craig Reid the right back cover or (one of other youngsters like Watt).

The team we had the first half of the season was the team that had just come off a 2nd place finish - and they were mince and won a grand total of 10 points. After Bara came in we won another 26 points. I think the gaffer deserves a chance of a full pre-season to work with his signings before we judge. Was also encouraging to hear in his interview they were planning for the January window too.

Aye, but let's not confuse our expectations with the club's aims.

Just need Grant to sign on as a midfielder and we are shaping up well.

Our 3rd goal at Ibrox is a thing of beauty from start to finish.

I was wondering about that, too. Unless Bara has plans to keep using him in that midfield role from the play-offs.