Kmcalpin

Quite pleased at this announcement, but he's not a player I'd build a long / medium term strikeforce around. Very talented, but he's too inconsistent in various ways.

9,10,11 or 12 as in previous seasons?

Pretty much my view. Every squad needs a few additions every year to keep it fresh and address weak areas but not too many. You don't want massive overhauls that disrupt continuity with new faces taking time to settle in. Continuity/cohesion and stability are vital, but as OTF says you need the right players. Look at St Johnstone under Wright. Not everyone's cup of teaincluding mine, granted, but they got the right players in for them and their squad was settled for years. Look what they achieved. Like , many I too was hoping to see some kind of change in the right direction last Thursday but saw no evidence of that. His brand of football isn't easy on the eye but as long as it yields results results, fans will go along with that. When the results don't come then thats a different matter entirely.

Glad to have you on board Yorky. Anyone who wants to support our club is welcome in my book.

Given that our fixtures are a lot tougher from the start of October onwards, I think the Directors would have a decision to make before then. If we fail to perform against the weaker teams before the end of September any decision will be based on results and fan unrest. As I wrote previosuly getting knocked out the ECL by Sligo this week won't make or break GA but it'll certainly set the tone for the coming weeks. He's already lost the support of many of our fans and it won't take much more to unsettle the rest. Personally, I'm sitting on the fence but wavering right now. I'm less concerned than most by style of play, but results do matter to me and I'm looking for some evidence of progress, however modest, from last season, in terms of style.

I had assumed he was still injured from last season. We've heard nothing about him for quite some time.

Is Morris a striker?

Different kinds of players in there, but I agree about Maguire. Like you I'd have Dean Cornelius in but my only concern is how much pre season game time has he had?

Lamie is the best of a poor lot but that doesn't say much. Ojala is finished; the jury is still out on Sol; and we've already discussed Bevis. Our central defence wasn't fit for purpose last season and it isn't now. Contractual obligations complicate matters but its still an important unresolved issue.

Yes, but the issue is how many mistakes can we tolerate? One or two a season - ok, but if they become the norm or a regulalrity, which they are, then thats not good enough even for us.

The reality is that he has no credit in the bank with the fans after last season, rightly or wrongly. He did achieve a fair bit but thats now history and the team is now his and his alone. If we lose next week he won't get sacked but he will be under great pressure from the support. If we start the season badly, or even with mediocrity, and by that I mean late September, after a relatively easy start to the season, then the support will force the Board's hand, if that is indeed required. He angered a lot of fans on Thursday for a number of reasons: poor preparation; underestimating Sligo; failure to change much from last season; and his post match comments. I agree he won't get sacked on the back of next week's result but it will result in ramped up fan unrest and could herald the beginning of the end for him.

Agreed, but what changes do we make? Once in front, Sligo wanted to slow the game down and we duly obliged. We simply couldn't up the tempo. I wonder if we could have retained Woolery for an extra fortnight or so to see us through the Sligo games? Not suggesting for a minute that he'd have been our saviour, but he would have given us an extra option up front and have given us some much needed pace. I understand the 3-5-2 option but who would we play as strikers? An unfit Van Veen and Shields? Agree 100% about Cornelius and I prefer him to Maguire as he provides a few different skills and energy as you say. However, he'll have had even less gametime than those who played last night.

What really concerns me right now is the degree of agreement on these forums about playing matters. That might seem an odd thing to say but its an indication that most fans have the same concerns and they aren't being addressed, or at least do not seem to be. Shaky defence, lacklustre midfield, powderpuff strikeforce, lack of pace, lack of bounce games etc etc. We don't know what goes on behind the scenes but GA isn't the best communicator in the world and that doesn't help his cause. Our shortcomings last night weren't something entirely new or unexpected. Its only one game, our first competitve one of the new season but many fans are already unhappy with GA. If we go out next week and have a poor start to the league campaign he'll be under real pressure. The Board will know this. As far as next week is concerned, do we have another bounce game arranged before then? Last night's team selection was questionable but IF GA decides to, or has to, change things for next week what scope does he have? O'Donnell (LB), Solholm Johansen, Cornelius, Tierney, Goss - how much gametime have they had? Even less that our first picks last night.

I heard this too, but was surprised though as this UEFA "stipulation" is nothing new and has been in place for years now. Its importnat that folk point out mistakes to the club and suggest improvements rather than just rant at the poor person behind the desk or at the end of a phone.

Good to see a large crowd last night but as so often happens the team let them down. Main Stand was an absolute shambles last night and a few emails will no doubt be sent to the club this morning about it, including one from me. I have no idea about the other 2 home stands. We got to our usual area well before kick off to find others occupying our seats. They refused to move saying they had been told they could sit anywhere - I wonder who told them as we couldn't find any stewards. This situation got steadily worse nearer and after kick off with folk standing about looking for seats, groups being split up etc. I've seen many games in a packed Main Stand but this was the worst experience ever. Come on MFC if the Hydro can organise larger crowds with everyone sitting in their correct seats why can't we? Stewarding was totally inadequate.

Spot on. A few of us had concerns pre match about lack of bounce games to prepare the team. That coupled with the fact that Sligo's tactics and and strengths seemed to take us by surprise points to a serious lack of preparation and that needs to be investigated. In truth we were beaten before a ball was even kicked. GA has now had one and a bit 2 windows to sign another out and striker and hasn't done so ...so far. That could cost us a good few thousand pounds. We really are powder puff up front without a fit and interested Van Veen. Yes, his comments about us having enough firepower to deal with Sligo were, as you say, absolute bollocks. No other word for it. Despite losing 1-0 we were lucky. They had perhaps the 3 best chances of the game and had a strong penalty claim turned down. The tie could easily have been completely lost last night. Yes, we have to qualify our comments by stating the caveat we were short of match fitness, but several features stood out for me. Poor defending; a slow and predictable midfield (we really are short of pace there); poor set pieces; a toothless strikeforce; and playing a type of football (long high balls) for which we are not suited.

KVV not fit and no way should he have started. Kicked off at 7.45 with 10 men.

Thats my fear too Iain. GA commented that it was hard to arrange friendlies this year, but just 2 bounce games? On paper we look far strong for Sligo but that counts for nothing on the night as we know only too well. We could struggle for goals if Van Veen isn't fit. Still, it should be a good night with a large home support.

When I say ruthless, I mean ruthless. They had 2 rules just do it and don't get caught. They would do anything inside or outside the rules to get a result. Not nice. It was a step well beyond hard physical football or even hatchet football.

Very sad, as he's a good keeper but had some horrific luck. Good luck to him. However, Saints took a gamble when they signed him, given his injury/health problems. .

Good post which largely mirrors my own thoughts. Spittal and Morris are more creative types than O'Hara and Donnelly and Grimshaw. They're different kinds of players. That should allow us to play a more creative game - whether they are good enough time will tell. I think though that Slattery, Cornelius and Maguire have a few more strings to their bows than being workhorses but I take your general point. Agree 100% about our strikeforce. I think we may well see some further change in defensive personnel given GA's comments but that may depend on someone leaving.

I don't think we are weaker than last season. The defence has remained the same; the midfield is stronger than it was and we now have more skill there. Lads like Johnston, Cornelius and Maguire are a year more experienced. Up front, we are slightly weaker granted. GA has acknowlegded that we are "light" there. We know that we need another out and out striker to back up Van Veen - that was clear several months ago. Without him we are toothless. Today was a decent bounce game; more time in legs; we won without conceding.

Who knows? Numbers wise maybe but otherwise not. Woolery is a winger/striker whereas Morris is more of a midfielder AFAIK. GA has been quoted as saying we're abit light up front.

He still has 2 years to go on his contract. Why would we need a 3rd keeper?

He knows the defence needs improvement. How he'll do that remains to be seen, but players may need to be shipped out first before signing another defender(s).