Kmcalpin

Bolton Wanderers?

I think the article is being taken slightly out of context. Alan Burrows' comments apply equally to over half of the clubs in the Premiership, not just us. In short, its an issue for Scottish football. We always have been in the same market more or less for players as clubs like Kilmarnock, St Mirren, St Johnstone, and Dundee etc. This is nothing new. What is newer, although not new, is that mega rich foreign investors have been displacing British owners of the top English clubs and this has had a cascading effect right down the English league system. Perhaps Alan Burrows is just being more open, than his counterparts about our transfer targets. Big money is now being poured into non league clubs down south. Don't forget too that many English clubs have catchment area populations far larger than ours.

Interesting that 37.5 % of survey respondents don't care in the least if we win, lose or draw.

Will Declan Gallagher play against us? Maybe see Adam Livingstone get a start. Hopefully Gorrin will play.

No, nothing to do with that.

We all know that there's going to be a major rebuild this summer, but just how significant will it turn out to be? A half decent discussion on P & B about it. By my reckoning the following will be out of contract: Mbulu, Cadden, Frear, Gorrin, McHugh, Main and Tanner. Loanees possibly/certainly leaving are: Aldred, Ariyibi, Sammon, McCormack and Newell. Don't think I've omitted anyone. Add to that question marks over Hartley, Donnelly and Johnson who will remain under contract but seem to be injured/out of favour. Bear in mind too that Gallagher and Polworth are coming in highly recommended and Maguire is returning. Question mark over Carroll. How many of them will we actually miss? Of the above lists I'd say we'll miss perhaps Cadden, although his development seems to have stalled; Gorrin, who will be a big miss; and perhaps Aldred, although Gallagher may well replace him. The headline exodus seems quite disturbing at first glance, but just how disruptive will it turn out to be? The above will be using up a fair whack of our playing budget and I think that we can replace some with fewer but higher earners. It shouldn't be too difficult to improve the squad, especially a first 11. No doubt along with successes there'll also be some failures, but thats life. An interesting summer ahead.

Knowing nothing about English football, and caring even less, my only concern is if all 3 clubs are capable of stumping up a hefty fee? Not strictly true, given his loyalty to us, I'd like him to go to a decent club and do well.

Just watched the TV highlights on BBC. It confirms my suspicions at the time that it wasn't a penalty or a very, very soft one at worst. Its of the "I felt a touch so went down" variety. 2 huge penalty decisions which could well have influenced the outcome of the match potentially costing us £60k in the process.

I think Tait will probably do well enough if played at right back providing he's given pacy protection further up the wing. Dunne - I'm having doubts about him now but a lot might depend on his partner. Grimshaw - squad cover only. It won't be enough for us to tread water over the summer as we have to assume that our rivals will improve and that Ross County will be stronger than Dundee. Agreed that a substantial rebuilding job is in prospect. Our level at the moment is 8th but I hope we aspire to a top 6 place and decent cup runs. That means we have to improve and bring in slightly better quality or even just more solid players, which should be doable even on our budget. We had a very poor first half to the season; then a great run but we are finishing poorly. Historically 8th is about our level, but taking into account 2 poor cup campaigns I'd say this season has been slightly poorer than normal.

A very disappointing game yesterday from several standpoints. We seemed to compete well enough for a 15-20 minute spell in the middle of the first half but apart from that we were very poor. Saints could easily have been 3-0 up from headers in the first 10 minutes. Overall they were far harder working, more aggressive, better organised and more experienced than we were. We lost too many 50/50 battles and were very poor in the air. We also looked well off the pace. They wanted to win it badly and we were on the beach. Tactics wise they smothered us and the 2 wingers style of play was again totally ineffective. Not sure why Hastie was in the squad and wasn't surprised when he was constantly barracked. I don't agree with it but it goes with the territory as one of our party said. In his 15 minutes or so on the park he did nothing. The defence was shambles from start to finish giving Saints far too much time and room, especially on the wings. Both Dunne and Aldred are decent in their own way but perhaps they're the wrong combination - anyway not an issue next season. Of late though, Dunne has been very error prone. Midfield just couldn't compete with faster and more aggressive opponents. Turnbull sat too deep and McHugh far too slow and again got caught in possession. We missed the departing Gorrin badly. Up front, Scott ploughed a lone furrow and got little change out of big experienced centre backs. He kept wandering out to the wings and the wingers and central midfielders were too far away to support him. More experience for him though and his inclusion gives us an insight into Robbo's pre match objectives. The referee, Colin Steven, was way out of his depth and I didn't realise until afterwards that it was his first Premiership game in charge. Not one he'll want to remember. Not clear at the time, but from highlights, Tanser 100% handled the ball on the line. Red card and penalty - no. Who scored Saints' penalty - none other than Tanser. Saints penalty? It looked soft but tv highlights are inconclusive. Certainly Kane made the most of it. What is it about Kane, Dunne and penalties!! Ref lost the plot at the penalty and booked Gillespie. Davidson was rightly yellow carded for a late challenge and then did exactly the same thing before half time only to be given a verbal warning this time. Surely a second yellow? Who scored Saints' second goal? Overall Saints deserved to win but the referee certainly influenced the outcome and they can consider themselves fortunate.

A fair summing up. Add to those names, that of Barry Maguire who may also pass muster but thats an unknown as yet.

Not at all. In your original post you say that every Well fan knows where we are weak. I didn't express my own view at that point but simply questioned whether your presumption was correct. I think its unlikely that several thousand fans would all agree about that. I also wanted to know where you thought we are weak, but you didn't clarify that. In my second post I expressed my own view in that we are weak in all areas bar the keepers. I would be very surprised if every fan agrees with that though. There will be a range of views. My posts are in no way contradictory.

No comment.

Almost agree with everything you wrote, apart from those about Cadden and Hastie. Apart from goalkeeper every area of the team needs strengthening. Declan Gallagher will be an upgrade in central defence and his acquisition is very welcome given our lack of pace and aerial ability today.

Hearing today that both McHugh and Gorrin are definitley offski; the latter wasn't even on the team bus. Also Adam Livingstone has a great opportunity to take over the left back slot next season - take out of that what you will.

Where are we weak? You might get different views about this.

I doubt it. Before this summer's transfer income is taken into account I reckon, at a very rough guesstimate that we owe Messrs Hutchison and Boyle about £320K. Taking into account Jake Hastie's transfer and other youngsters I'd say we'll be owing about £180k. If Cadden leaves, as seems likely, or Turnbull departs then I reckon our debt will be just about paid off.

I'm not fussed about whether or not we retain Main's services. I suspect that Robbo would fancy a change up front as we don't appear to have made re-signing him a priority. I think he'll g back down south as Aberdeen and Hearts won't be able to match the wages on offer there. Although not a prolific scorer, he seems to fit the kind of physical striker that both sides favour (apologies to Richard and Willie).

Interesting article in the Scotsman about how much clubs spent on agent fees over the past 2 windows. Our total was £6,575 the 3rd lowest in the Premiership and only above Accies and St Mirren. Ross County and Livingston even spent considerably more, as did Partick Thistle. https://www.scotsman.com/sport/football/celtic/scottish-premiership-clubs-splash-out-6m-on-agents-fees-1-4923636

I agree Haggis. Of late our defence has been less than impressive. The result will depend on whether or not we can score and if so how many.

Potentially 2 important games coming up for us. One game at a time though as they say. If we want to win it badly, for the cash, then Main or Sammon must start to make the ball stick up front. If on the other hand its to test out youngsters, then Scott should start. Thats our choice. It'll be a tough game against a well organsied and very hard working Saints side.

Gallagher seems to be very highly thought of and is exceptionally good in the air; quick too. Defensive midfield could be improved from this season. Our defence this year could have been better and ourgoals against record this term could be improved somewhat

One vote per club although thats by no means perfect?

Certainly one major factor in the equation Greg. Undoubtedly the voting system is flawed.

I expect both Aldred and McHugh to leave at the end of their contracts. Just part of a bigger rebuilding exercise. The important thing is that they let the club know their intentions as soon as possible.