Malky79

No one took my passport number for Nancy, nor for any of the other 3 tickets I purchased.

Would still take him on loan mind you, didn't bang them in in the premier league but didn't look a total haddy either. Ideally our young strikers are making a positive impression on Gannon and we'll not need to bother with loans but sure we could do worse if that is route we do go down.

I'm happy to give Murphy a shot at partnering Sutton. I think we need someone else who can fill Sutton/Porter type role as we need 4 capable front men in the squad. Another forward who can complement that sort of striker also be handy. Might an idea to see if can convert players we have already here, O'Brien through middle if Slane and Humphrey become the widemen of choice? Darren Smith(don't see it happening though) always felt had an eye for goal, not sure he could hack it through the middle but he a fairly big lad I'd at least try him there in reserves see how he does whilst he still collecting a wage.

I think if Steaua come out to absolutely kill off the tie and go at us then we could be in for a hard night but I fancy we'll see a better performance from ourselves. Optimism maybe but I reckon we can play better than what we showed, and with home advantage of a sort we should see a much more evenly contested game. Steaua's extra class will likely show in the end but so long as we don't chuck away an early goal I hopeful it'll be a decent game and that we can get a goal or two. Nil chance of the clean sheet to make things really interesting though. Line up wise would like to see O'Brien start ahead of Humphrey and Murphy in for one of the midfielders.

We crying out for a right back. If we were to make only one signing I'd hope it would be a solid right back who can get forward a bit.

I shall not write of the Hump or whatever nickname he lands with. Though if he does keep playing like he has he'll certainly give us.... well you can finish that yerselves. Darren Smith would have got pelters for such displays and I'm pleased people are willing to hold judgement, it would be ridiculous to write him off so soon but it a fact we make judgements on players every game. So far two games two poor displays, even in context of early season and the class of opposition yesterday. Plenty time to make amends but an inauspicious start. Jennings is as big a concern, if his role is to be the unglamourous one fair enough, but he looked off the pace and a bit lacking ability to find a team mate. Again very early days but a poor mans Lasley thus far.

Tis a bit early, but the keeper had a decent debut. Don't think he was at fault for any of the goals, saved a pen and had couple of decent saves. Don't think he was as amazing as some made out, but definate promise. Jennings - Not a good start, hopefuly he'll come onto a game. Humphrey - Not a good start, does look quick, hopefully he'll come onto a game. Coke - Some good touches, missed a glorious chance. The jury is of course out as as only played 6 games between them.

Lucky to get away with only 3-0. Hopefully put up a better showing in the second leg. Said before the start just getting this far would be a decent achievement, 6 competative games under belt and hit the ground running in the SPL. Makes you think though, just how pish are Flamurtari?

gutting miss, should have been 3-1, not that I think it would have turned this tie around but have been nice to get on the scoresheet.

We are looking awful. Bad connection at first goal but the second was a sign of just how all over the place we are. Nice move from them but from a position of next to no danger they had scored without us at an point even being in 3/4 yards of a Steaua player to make a challenge. Not good enough, manager needs to get it sorted out before we end up looking as bad as Flamurtari are. That lot may be good but we making them look better.

terrible news, RIP.

Frazzle if you were to reverse the initials HJ(to protect the identity of the portly player in question) would I wrong in suggesting that is to whom you are referring?

Out of that list went for Joe Wark.

Different right back I think you thinking of Frazzle. Certainly I know Burnely signed Eckersley or some other damn silly name full back from Man U. The De Laet fellow I not seen anything.

Heart says Fir Park but the head decides on sticking with Airdrie. Be tremendous though if we get past Steaua with the potential for a glamour tie in the first leg at Fir Park being the first game on the new pitch.

I agree with everything you say except the last point. If Slane decides he fancies bigger things, assuming options are there in reality and not just media/agents imagination then nothing in the world the manager can do to make him sign a new contract and not allow his contract to peter out. Gannon does seem to rate him and if he does I'm sure will do everything he can to nurture his talent and bring him on and develop him at our club. I'd hope the player has been happy at the club, sees the opportunity to establish himself here and ideally fulfills his potential and we get the best result for both parties of him moving on one day to a big club to get rewards that come with it whilst we get compensated by a big cheque to reinvest in squad/youth development etc and with no ill feeling having seen him roast opposition fullbacks for least a couple of seasons. A bit like how McFadden handled himself.

Well setanta's EPL and SPL games have long since been picked up. Why should european games be any different? Did think multiple associations etc but I'm pretty sure UEFA will have complete control of the rights though maybe not.

It was suggested to me that the Jamie Dolan fundraising money still hadn't made its way to the Dolan family yet either. Was from an ex-member so things may have moved on in that front but last they'd heard was that a current board member had collected it and had become uncontactable. I'd hope that situation at least they moved forward on before it all falls apart.

I believe the MST is coming to an end. They no longer have enough board members to continue by the guidelines of their constitution. I know Frazzle and The Dossier who posted MST stuff on here have both left fairly recently, think Dosser Joe has also though less sure on that.

I'd like to focus on this part of my pre-match thoughts on the team line up!

Just guessing but going by previous crowd I imagine they'd expect to need two bigger stands anyway and might therefore try and keep approximately equal splits. Then again other than looking a bit better can't really see advantage of bothering to do that, maybe slightly better atmosphere?

Surely not, think we'd get pumped with that line up. To much change in to short a time. Reckon we'd be wide open at the back, probably look like strangers in the midfield that never saw each other and two strikers up the park wondering if they'll get the ball at all. Then again it might inspired magic and we hound them but think that would be me trying to be optmisitic. Surely no way we'll see such radical change, yer havin a laugh. Don't really expect to see Saunders start though, hooked after 30 mins or so last week and apparently Gannon was going mental at him for most of that 30, seriously unimpressed.

I've roundly criticised you for similar, and I'll be far from upset if Keith is an integral part of the team but never denied his limitations. We're seeing new faces from the new manager in his area of the park and he not getting any younger. If they can provide something Keith lacks then his time might be up. As Melvin points out he seen off or outlasted many before so who knows. Lasley certainly a far better player for us than likes of Kerr ever were, and in many ways under rated but no doubting his limitations. Full of graft, tenacity, with decent touch and passing I like him, but if he had any of the following, imposing stature, pace, creative vision or a decent shot on him then he'd probably have moved on and made more of his career at clubs that can pay more than us. At 30 his ability to get about the park will be slowly declining, would like to see him around for a while longer but very little room for sentiment in football. Wouldn't like to see him end up like Corrigan, a shadow of his former self albeit more due to injuries.

3 signings, two mids and a winger. Do expect to see a new look midfield sooner rather than later. I like Lasley but he is a bit of a jack of all trades, pretty decent at most things but no stand out attributes. Deserves better than being a squad player wonder if he will move on if he finds himself on the bench more often than not.

Not as much as yourself seeing it wasn't even a reply to your good self. See by pointing all that out you just attract more OT posts on the thread. Nice thinking.