Kmcalpin

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).

Did he have to go off? Was his ankle broken?

One of dirtiest teams I can recall in all my time. Totally ruthless with a with a win at all costs attitude.

Welcome Josh Morris. I paid a very rare visit to P & B tonight. I'm just not sure what kind of player he is. Maybe more of a midfielder than a striker??? But, what kind of midfielder?? From GA's comments we seem to looking for 1 or perhaps 2 more, maybe up front? I would have thought that a Van Veen back up or defender would have been higher up our shopping list, but what do I know.

I have to visit Fir Park in person to collect my new card, but can't seem to find the ticket office opening hours anywhere on the official website. Maybe a sign of the times due to Covid.

I still think we're short of 3 players: a left back, a dominant central defender and a back up main striker. That shopping list may well depend on contracted players moving out though.

It was a loan deal. Incidentally, not a fan of McInnes, as I think he's overrated by a friendly press.

Am I right in thinking that we only have 2 warm up games (versus an Austrian side and Partick) before we kick off our ECL campaign?

Yes, exactly the same problem Allan.

Not sure about that. We don't want a complete rebuild every season as that disrupts continuity as new players take time to settle. That said, every team needs to bring in some fresh faces during the close season. From last season's squad I reckon we need about 4/5 signings quantity wise (we already have 2 of them). The window has a long way to run and its best to take time to get the right men. Maybe you're hankering after the Robinson approach of getting a raft of new acquisitions in the door very early, now evident in Paisley. But they the right ones?

In answer to your first point........ money, and in many cases thats quite enough. Your second point - often its parents' blind adulation of one half of the gruesome twosome thats the sole basis of "advice"......Pearo anyone? As for Bailey Rice, we are due compensation albeit very limited. I'm no expert and the rules are complex, but I believe that he can't sign professional forms with any club until he turns 16. As he's only 15 its in our club's interest to strike some kind of deal now when we still can. Maybe someone more familar with the rules can explain this. Very disappointing but thats the way it is. The big boy always triumphs over the wee lad.