weeyin

Balmer, like Casey, gave me the fear every time I saw him on the team sheet. It looks like SOD is being chosen ahead of him ecause he is more capable of passing a ball to a player in his own team - and that is the core of JBA's new philosophy. You could argue that lessens our aerial power in defending crosses, but I'd struggle to remember Balmer winning a battle in that department. What is obvious is that we need at least one, and probably two, central defenders who can play a bit of football.

The more we keep the ball, the less chances we'll concede (Cap'n Obvious, I know). As much as I have slated our defensive efforts the past few seasons, after we gifted the goal to Rangers last week, we actually restricted them to very few chances. I agree, however, we'll need to score a few, because this defence - even on its best day - is pretty much guaranteed to concede.

Did I miss the announcement this week, or was that also secret?

Yep. O'Neill is too, but I enjoyed his 40 yarder.

20 games, zero goals. Whatever the reasons, not our best ever signing

Gallacher, Scott, Cornelius and McAlear all featuring. Another Championship ex-player reunion.

Marinello and McAllister would be in mine, plus Wark, Russell and Cooper. Graham and Pettigrew too. Probably McCrae in goals. The others I will need to think about.

Might see him in the BBC game this evening. Hope he gets his career back on track.

I get it. I just don't care enough to be bothered. It reflects poorly on him, but not on my Cup Final memories.

Could be. Also, if we are looking to bring an EPL player in on loan - which we sometimes do - they aren't usually available until towards the end of the window.

Mr. "need to earn the right to play football" vs Mr. "want the play the same style of football every week"

I'm all for Scottish Clubs doing well in Europe. As you say, it raises the profile of the game, and I enjoy watching teams like Utd and Hibs in their Euro games. It still hurts us, though, when they can afford 2 or 3 better players next season.

I was delighted when I watched Tom Boyd lift the Scottish Cup. Could not care less what he said or did after that, and certainly don't get offended by anything a footballer says. They are not typically blessed with deep insight or even common sense.

That's good in the short term for our league chances. In the longer term, however, it generates significant amounts of cash for them that widens the gap in finances, and makes it easier for them to invest in better players.

Turnbull back in the Cardiff squad this evening, although on the bench.

He did. I just assumed he wasn't 100% for the Rangers game. Of course, it could be JBA prefers Ward - we'll find out soon enough.

I'd guess Ox is back given he was available on the bench last week ahead of Connelly. Although it wouldn't be terrible to go back to the days of 2 subs, with no backup goalie. That always made things interesting.

Sounds like he'll be playing in SK's preferred attacking formation.

At one point I think we briefly had 5 players in the first team, including Campbell, that came up through the academy together. It certainly makes a difference.

When wee Al was at Dundee Utd he looked a shadow of his former self at Fir Park. From what I have seen, he was doing well at Luton until the new manager ditched him, and he's struggled since then. In need of a consistent run to get some confidence back. Turnbull definitely need a move from Celtic to get more game time, but Cardiff was a very strange move as they were struggling at the time.

Even if they have agreed terms, I imagine it will take some time to sort out the work permits (thanks Brexit), and international clearance etc. Plus printing Mugnaio on 10,000 shirts takes a wee while too.

Of course a deal is close, and of course I don't believe Miller is injured. Most of us can guess where he's going, and I'm sure there are a few journos that definitely know too. Tam's "I know something you don't know" act, however, is hardly the appropriate way to keep it confidential. Sounds more like a wean in the playground.

The league cup groups certainly don't help. Teams are having to start the season early, start and stop their training routines so they have the energy to play games when they aren't fully fit and, come the start of the season, they are a few weeks away from where they need to be.

It's been pretty average for preseason. If it was still SK level, I'd be worried.

Miller's deal is Bologna, btw. Guaranteed. You heard it here 1st 2nd 273rd.