Kmcalpin

We have some very promising emerging talent in the form of Gilmour and Turnbull, who may fulfill their promise. Others too may emerge. However our fortunes won't change until our entire system is taken apart and rebuilt. If we were to start this tomorrow it may bear fruit for major tournaments in say 10 years time. There is no short term fix.

Plenty of effort tonight, but a lack of quality in midfield and up front.

I thought he was about 27 when he signed?

Some truth in that but what about Dougie Arnott?

I get criticised for saying that we,as a club, need to get more more physical! I know why SO'D put in that challenge but its not something I like.

Its simply to make any move away, when a player's stock is high that bit easier. The club may value a player at say £500K, which would put some clubs off. If the clause stipulates bids of £100K would be acceptable then thats a better escape route for the player.

"Come and Get me!" Not exactly the surprise of the century is it? I wonder if there would be any fee involved? The main thing from our perspective, is that we get the right back position sorted out before the league campaign commences.

Gallagher will be rubbing his hands at the thought of a fatter wage packet at Pittodrie.....bring it on. Where have you see reports of O'Donnell being linked to a move? It doesn't surprise me though.

A good performance from SO'D tonight. One of our better players.

Good luck to him as he deserves this opportunity. Time will tell if we were right to ask for a reduced up front fee in return for a sell on clause. I'm not convinced.

I never knew Graeme but its sad news. RIP.

I'm shocked. Although, I've known Andy for a long time I don't think he couldn't have been that old surely? Condolences to his family and friends. Very sad.

Burton (on Trent) has a population of just over 72,000. Thats just about equivalent to the population of Motherwell & Wishaw. I know thats a crude comparison for various reasons, but in pure population terms that would support a mid to lower ranking Scottish Premiership side. Certainly bigger than the likes of Inverness CT, Ross County, Kilmarnock, Perth and Hamilton.

I'm not worried about lack of numbers so far as I'd rather we focus on quality rather than quantity. However I'd like to think we'll have some new faces in for pre season starting. Otherwise they come in later and take weeks to get up to speed.

I hope so too, but he's going to need plenty of ammunition from midfield and the wide areas.

The rumours are not baseless.

Some truth there about the benefits of continuity. I'd love inspiring signings, but solid Premiership citizens will do me just fine. No spark or flair, just a good work ethic and few mistakes. Thats my benchmark, but hopefully we can aspire to better. The problem is that I don't even see Crawford and Mugabi as being at that level. If that standard is good enough for St Johnstone it'll do me just fine.

I just don't know. As we know, there were rumours that we wanted Liam Kelly back. GA has said that he wants players capable of playing 40 or 50 games a season. Does Trevor fit that bill? Time will tell who the boss wants as his No 1.

Thats a strange one. It kinda suggests that Carson and another first choice keeper won't both be in the squad. Goalkeeping situation is still unclear.

I'd imagine that main competitors would be the likes of Kilmarnock, Ross County, St Mirren, and certainly Dundee. I wouldn't think bigger clubs would be willing to take the risk. Probably doesn't even fit the St Johnstone profile. Pure speculation on my part though and I may be totally wrong.

Its not uncommon, and indeed may even be the norm I don't know, for departing (resigned/leaving by mutual consent/sacked whatever) managers to continue to receive their monthly salaries, under some kind of deal, until their contract expires. Examples are Owen Coyle and Craig Levein. If they take another job, their compensation or previous salary is reduced or stopped.

That might reduce his compensation from us?

You can't beat white shorts. As you say they make the C&A really stand out.

I'm sure the end of his contract was 31 May (several months ago). I checked recently and its now 30 June on the Official Website. The other players who have left all had their contracts end on 31 May. Could be a simple error of course that was corrected. I'm not suggesting anything Wullie, but it does seem very odd.

We had no ex players starting today Goggles. Both O'Donnell and Gallagher are still under contract; the latter, interestingly, until 30 June.