Onthefringes

Eight of the 15 man squad at today's under 20 fixture are eligible for the under 17 Academy squad. Interested to see how they fare.

He's a parody, steelboy is the real deal

Bradfordistan? West Yorkshire?

How, very Brokeback Mountain... How did you know he had nae socks on?

Must have the wrapper aff it noo... when he played in our team - as much as he tried (think the lass in question was servicing most of the first team squad behind his back) he never sealed the deal

9 pages and counting... Imagine having the temerity to question his appointment - beware, there's a moderator conspicuous by one's absence To be fair, I did prior to the club backing him & had slightly seen the error of my ways & was prepared to give him time - seems there is plenty & not just on this board who have altered their thinking also.

Bold statement that, considering he couldn't lace Tom Boyd or Rab McKinnon's boots. Just saying likes.

You've seen the movie right? Rumour has it you missed the bus for Dingwall for an early viewing only to be found tied to the bed, head down, arse up with the good lady singing 'play misty for me' a little later

It's archaic attitudes like this that are holding others back. Your predeliction for attanding the match as it was then was over 30 years ago! Football has changed, society has changed. Why should Scottish football fans be treated any differently to those who enjoy the options elsewhere in the country? You say you drive to every game & yes, there will be plenty others doing similar, so most likely among that group, little demand from fans to have the law changed. Why then would it be a problem? Mock outrage? It's laughable. Many on here will have sampled the opportunity south of the border & it's not as relaxed as being made out in some quarters - it's regimented & run like a well oiled (no pun intended) machine & any problem is swiftly & robustly dealt with. Not that I've seen a lot despite being at many fixtures that can be described as 'powderkeg'. Part of their success in England is the overall matchday experience, whilst it's a capital raising exercise in the main and very lucrative to most, having a drink is an added bonus. Time we embraced change. *Just to add. We have little facilities to be able to offer the service at our club at the moment & I'd doubt that'll change even if the law was changed

Still got to defend it...

That's a given regarding the supporting cast this season, but, not quite getting 'he's done OK there' as three managers now haven't saw fit to give him a run in that position, current management even made signing 2 others centre backs a priority. I'd be surprised if his athleticism alone will secure him a new deal beyond the summer & he like many others won't be plying their trade in the top division next season.

Has he? One swallow doesn't make a summer... It's got nothing to with 'live to hate' either.

Sad indictment that...

Stephen Robinson, currently Northern Irleand's Under 17 & Under 19's manager is it not?

Aye, but, this fella may answer...

I think some will be surprised about current changes and future plans Change definitely being embraced with an introduction of sports science amongst many other positive steps. That positive, I may take a liking to Ian Baraclough at last (just don't tell that moderator fella David - temerity to have a difference of opinion gets lost there). With regards budgets - I'd like to see similar comparison & what is projected by us in future. I'm sure Dundee United invest in excess of £1 million per annum to their development system. Whilst Hamilton have had relative success in recent seasons, the foundations on how they've funded the operation is questionable to say the least (outwith the received fees) & you have to think, what goes up must come down one day... I know of parents who have kids in their programme with various points of view, not much negativity mind, but, they range from fulsome praise to allegations that would expose & embarass some.

The departed Tommy Craig had a link to Brian Marwood who is an Academy Director of sorts at City - clocked the two of them when down watching the nephew play a friendly at tale end of last season. Marwood's son was one of a few failed signings at Saints in the summer too.

Dougie Arnott & Andy Walker were a product of the junior clubs rather than farmed out by any professional club were they not? Teacher & footy coach at school was involved at Baillieston when the Andy Walker deal came about & Dougie Arnott was plucked in similar circumstances from Pollock(?)

All fair points, well made.

That'll be me told... right of reply? Circumstances may well have been different, the essence of my point was the team was on a downward spiral at that point in time & the 'new manager bounce' that's oft heralded in some quarters prevailed. And not for the first time, a play on my words to suit your lofty stance. Openly embraced the appointment of Baraclough, ticked the boxes of many with a left of field appointment that meant, yet again, progressive thinking had the tired media hacks scratching round for relevance & the great Scottish old-boys managerial network didn't get a foot hold at my club. Felt a new broom should have swept clean - it didn't. May well be other factors in that, but, would we be any worse appointing he of ex-Airdrie until the end of the season & performed a proper root & branch re-build then, given you said, in your own words, 'If we're wanting to survive relegation the best thing to go for is continuity'? Now, I didn't expect Baraclough to be able to come in and sprinkle some magic dust to turn around our fortunes as you put it - leather purse & sow's ear comes to mind, but, we have seen no shoots of recovery though unless I've been living on the moon. His job description must be failrly lax given some of the shambolic offerings & current run of form he's presided over - other walks of life would have seen fit to dismiss, why then not football? Let him do his job for fuck sake man? Charming. I have done entirely that, from a position of embracing his appointment to the lack of confidence currently felt. Like I said previously, the current squad weren't up for debate - the compound problems between them, their comfort zone & our ex-management staff will be well documented in time, but, I certainly don't think I'd be the only one suggesting we are now in a worse state than we were previously? He dinitely wasn't brought in too late to halt the decline, yes, he had to be backed, if it ends up in relegation - he'll be as culpable not guilty by association - it's why I don't think throwing more money at a tradesman who is showing he hasn't the aptitude to perform the task would be the creative use of the budget much required at the club. You keep fighting the good fight though

We could really do with posters not humouring trolls.

It takes more time? Can point out a recent managerial appointment that goes against that particular chain of thought, Craig Brown? Claims were made he had some background on the current squad prior to interview - that would suggest he knew he didn't have a squad capable of playing football he wants to play, yet, looks to have pulled the wool over the eyes of many by talking the talk & for some a reserved judgement that he can't walk the walk. Whilst I don't know his contract situation, there's always an alternative. If he takes the team into the Championship which not only on current form is the direction we're heading, I would expect those who made the left of field decision to appoint Baraclough, to be strong enough to issue a redundancy notice and if not, should fall on their own swords. Yes, they'll be a requirement to rebuild given the numbers out of contract, but, if the worst case scenario happens - are you suggesting he should be given use of a budget to rectify mistakes made?

Well just taking him at face value & how he impressed that he likes his teams to play a 'pressing game', we have seen little or no evidence of this... that's 'exactly what I was wanting from him this early into his reign as manager' as you put it. Yes, he's operating with the same players (mind, it's not them that's up for discussion here, special ire is kept for them), but, given some of the team formations & tactical nous witnessed until now has baffled at best - I'd wager I'm not the only one who isn't so sure the base tools are there for an overhaul in his own stamp. The Summer? Potentially we could have taken a tumble by then. You engage a tradesman to undertake work on your behalf - you aren't going to throw what little monies you have at this person to carry on now are you? Same rules apply.

Quite understanding of where we as a club are & to where we require to be recruiting new players. Your first point IS exactly what the lad meant and hard to argue with his ideal, but, some are easily entertained it seems on this board... 'assume IB thinks he will add to the team'? Aye? Well IB certainly hasn't covered himself in glory since his appointment, but, hell, he talks some game on his pre/post match interviews. Can't wait for the next installment

Comparing apples with oranges now...