Onthefringes

Think some need to temper expectations... minimum requirement?

An early season reign of goal scoring form a full calendar year before being injured hardly makes him a goalscoring standout no matter how you dress it up.

Hardly. Yodo point proven.

That’s development football for you. How do you know they are not good enough if they aren’t given the chance with a competitive edge? There’s an element of some speaking with forked tongue too... Well aware it’s a fine balance, I get the reward for 7th place, just not sure it’s worth it if detrimental to prospects in the longer term. Doesn’t align with the clear pathways promoted in the business model.

Celtic, British. Irony

Larne you say?

Contacts? Brings in players who are a good fit? Like Eddie Nolan? That’s correct, the very same player who has never trained at the club? That’s on GA. You’ll see why some don’t share your confidence...

Easily entertained. We’re going to have some team going by the expectations of some on here. Before the usual sycophants jump all over this - his was a worthwhile appointment.

Alright then, too much of a stretch to think he may not see the rebuild so wanted by most through in the short term?

Always a bigger picture. Stock will be high amongst clubs closer to home after securing safety here for a start.

Is it too much of a stretch to think he may not be here for the long haul?

Sanctimonious pish. Attack minded or not, still should be disciplined to protect your back line unless football has changed.

Good for you. If he’s the best midfielder after Campbell it gives rise to why we’ve been as poor as we were. Robinson doing a chunk of the budget on his recruitment set the tone.

It can be argued he offers little of what you say. Certainly doesn’t drive the game forward well - that’s a myth. Spectacular failing for me is not protecting the back 4. The physicality and covering the park well you speak of has contributed plenty of value for the opposition especially in the early part of the season. He’s that good, Robbie Crawford is an upgrade. Let that sink in.

I just couldn’t fathom the first sentence, I did get you on your other points which you’ve now elaborated on further.

I’m glad you’ve cleared that up

More hope for adding quality than expectation for me. Opportunity has knocked for that each of the last three seasons yet, we’ve not taken that chance. Change afoot & I’ll maintain its fair to reserve judgement. Just not enamoured at current direction.

Can we knock the feigning injury chat on the head? No mileage in that whatsoever.

Based on what? O’Hara not a no.6 type

Eh? My point wasn’t budgetary, although how much we’ve utilised on an international defender may well be debatable. Who knows? Not party to that. The numbers I alluded to were a streamlined squad will already have around 80% of its core already at the club & those retained. Add in the development players and this sprinkling of quality and we’re on bloated squad numbers... again. Simple logistics or too simplistic a view? I’m seeing talk of a rebuild, adding quality - what are the expectations? Robbie Crawford for example, as a squad filler is a fanciful notion, where’s the improvement?

I’d expect development will change as recruitment method changes. The bulk of our development group aren’t contracted so interested to see the wastage, natural and enforced. Shipped out those who felt needed the experience & decided others development was best served around the first team but, haven’t offered game time - that’s a false economy. Before the usual suspects downcry that ideal - I’m well aware of the position we’re in and the variables involved. It’s a fine balance, taking Fortmartine as an example we decided at 4 and 5 nil up to introduce a loan player, an ageing short term deal who’d offered us 7 minutes previously then Lamie was given appearance money. For a club who advocates a clear pathway, they certainly aren’t practising what’s preached.

The model we’ve worked with this season was always unsustainable. Alexander has already intimated this so a squad reduction is a given. Still plenty of that core group remain as we’ve seen by those re-signed also. A streamlined squad with a sprinkling of quality supported by our academy graduates? The numbers don’t stack up...

I think some need to temper understanding of rebuild and what that entails. Not going to discount rumours. Recruitment will differ though, nothing cryptic, there’s change afoot...

Long may she reign.