weeyin

My point is that it's possible to have a poor result without everything being dismal. Go back and read some of last season's threads after a loss and you would think we were in a relegation battle rather than a fight for 2nd. It is actually possible to have a poor result without 100% of every aspect of a performance being negative. You want something positive? Our new guy scored. We are still in the tie, some of our best wins last season were away from home and we will be a little sharper and fitter in the 2nd leg. Does that mean I'm happy about last night? Of course not, but it doesn't mean everything is doom and gloom. Life, including football, is a little more nuanced than that.

So by your calculations (which I'll assume are correct) 80% of our goal threat still remains unchanged. Maybe we just have different definitions "of not that much" - especially after seasons where we have lost 8 or 9 players. Plus of course, we brought in some form of replacements including one who scored last night. Or maybe your bafflement threshold is lower after a poor result last night.

Glad to see the doom merchants had a good preseason and have hit the ground running.

During the regular season, the youtube channels show tasters of the available content, but the subscribers see much more. I expect once the season is in full swing it will be much the same. As an ex-pat, I have enjoyed all the MFC TV coverage, including live audio streaming and U20s highlights.

They seemed to abandon the service last season. Didnt see a single one on there.

These things just take a while, particularly if it's a loan from down south. A lot of the English clubs don't agree to farming out players until later in the summer. It's what happened with Ainsworth.

Are you taking the other side of that bet?

Everyone who has MFC TV will have seen Erwin and Thomas play (plus the other U20s) for the past few seasons. Plus there are a few who attend the U20 games too. So while, of course, you can't predict how quickly they will develop, you at least have an idea of their potential.

Anier and McFadden were out of the team injured (or ineffective) for large spells last season, so our goal threat hasn't changed that much.

Don't let your hatred of Leann distance yourself from the fact that most of us would take a job closer to home for more money. I know when I changed jobs that closeness to home played a big part.

Except for all the home games we have won at this stage of the competition, of course.

Imagine the reaction on here if Gunnar had made that howler. He would have been crucified.

I hope we don't change our tactics based on one shot going past the Bangor goalie.

You do know the compensation clause info came directly from the Board at a Well Society meeting?

According to this, they have played 10, won 6 & drawn 4.

Good to hear Erwin and Thomas shaping up - they certainly have been standouts in the U20s.

Also noticed that they say "The Cottagers, bossed by Felix Magarth".

Like I said, only if we don't get stuck there. I know we are dealing in hypotheticals, but it's a big risk. I also know it's easy for me to say, as I was lucky enough to be at Hampden the day we won. So my view is certainly biased.

This, plus struggling in the bottom six is a difficult situation to turn around. If someone could guarantee bottom 6 + Cup win would be followed by top 3 the next season, it's a no brainer. However, if it was bottom 6 + cup win + more seasons in bottom six then I think I'll pass.

While it's unlikely, it's not just Bangor winning that can change Europa ties. Things like fielding ineligible players and other technical breaches can have teams kicked out. No chance of me making it, though, so it's a 100% safe bet that it will be a trip to Iceland.

I could easily imagine players not liking being watched when training. Nothing to do with the number of spectators and all to do with the environment.

The fact that so many different teams have won cups in recent times shows how much of a lottery it can be and how much a bit of luck is required to lift one. We have done well in the league because our team has been good enough to bounce back from a bad performance here or a bad decision there. Overall, however, it's our consistency that kept us the best of rest. With so many teams capable of beating us and other SPFL teams on their day, I think it's actually more difficult to win a cup now than it was back in the 90s.

I think most, if not all, are neither. Just a bit bored with the tedious patter.

It's not actually that difficult to stay informed, and some of us expats can do it without endless posts about how many miles we travel to see a game (e.g. decorator's round trip to Albania is less than a one way trip for me to Fir Park).

I think you are correct, sir.