Kmcalpin

The other Saints fans are also in meltdown after their 2-1 home defeat. I think in their case they're just too used to finishing 7th or higher. We appear to be ahead of the pack in terms of rebuilding.

Presumably there is scope for the referee to use his judgement and ignore the rule in certain circumstances? For example if a player from the team in possession loses control or makes a bad pass which is clearly going to an opponent or out of play and the ball hits the referee and then goes to an opponent then he can ignore the ruling?

Agree with many points alweady made, so won't repeat them in detail. I was especially impressed with the 2 wingers and Illic when he came on. When on the ball you had the feeling they could do something unexpected. Hylton's finish for his goal was sublime. We played some exciting expansive stuff and although we have to take into account the quality of opposition things are looking good so far. No failures in the side and a good all round team perfomance. Carroll and Polworth did well enough too although the latter, although creative, lacks a bit of pace, but we knew that before. As with some others probably not fully match fit. I though Donnelly did ok but see him as being more of a squad player. Pleased to see Scott notch a brace and that will do him good. He's developing very nicely but at this stage he might struggle a bit more against bigger and nastier defenders from the better clubs. I still think a spell out on loan would benefit him. My pick of the bunch though was Gallagher. Maybe not fully tested but he strolled through the game. Won almost everything in the air, is pretty fast and can pass. I think he'll turn out to be a really good signing. Not flashy but you really need these type of guys in the team. Negatives last night? Yes there were a few and although we should put them into perspective we shouldn't ignore them. Early on I though we showed Morton too much repsect and they were able to test Gillespie a few times without being hassled. Our midfield sat too deep at times and gave them the opportunity to have an avoidable crack at goal. Also for a spell in the middle of the game our midfield struggled to compete with them although they weren't especially dangerous. We definitely missed a "Gorrin" type player to tackle, hassle and hold the ball. Willie Collum? I've seen him have far worse games but he let a fair few very bad tackles go unpunished. In his defence he let off our lads once or twice as well. Luckily no-one was badly injured. Propsects are looking good with the likes of Cole, Long, Sloth and of course DT to return.

A few very strong contenders last night but Declan Gallagher for me. Virtually unbeatable in the air, has pace and can pass a ball. Looks to be an excellent signing.

Yes he's one and the same. I think he'd be signed for the development/reserve squad rather than the first team.

I've a slightly different take on his quote. I took from his interview that we're pursuing one more "quality" player, who has to be be a starter, but if we don't land him/them Robbo is happy to go with who we've got.

I'm pleased with this news. They have both done all thats been asked of them so far.

We are still making something from the sale of youth players and the money accrued from the departures of Stuart McKinstry, Jake Hastie and probably Reece McAlear will still be very welcome. I agree with your overall point that the rules need to be changd but that is never going to happen as long as money is poured into the bigger boys by fans of all clubs, large and small. TV has a lot to answer for, although the issue is wider than that alone. Not fashionable but more attention needs to be focused on grass roots football rather than large English clubs or Euro giants.

Yes. Currently, 6 other clubs (Ross County, Forfar, Arbroath,Morton, Partick and Dunfermline) apart from ourselves could theoretically collect 12 points although not all will do so. In any event even being seeded for the knock out stages wouldn't guarantee an easy draw i.e. Hearts or Hibs away.

Last I read was that he was supposed to be signing for an MLS outfit. Nobody seems to know for certain, as he seems to have been very secretive, so I guess the best thing to do is to ask the player himself or his agent. Seriously, I just hope he has kept the club informed of his intentions.

I see Danny Johnson as being more of a penalty box player, not suited to playing a lone striker role. It seems he isn't top of the management's list for this or other reasons. Unless we play with 2 out and out strikers then I can't see where he fits into the team. I don't think James Scott is quite ready yet and he may yet go out on loan to a Championship club. So that could leave us with Cole and Long.

I assume from the team line up, that Jamie Semple was there to provide some creativity in the middle. Allan Campbell doesn't fall into the all rounder or creative moulds and Donnelly is a defensive holding player. From an attacking perspective we seem to have missed Turnbull (very predictable) and Gorrin. A good start however, and we picked up 3 points, 3 goals and a clean sheet from a potentially tricky away fixture.

Things are maybe slightly, very slightly, clearer, squad wise tonight. It would now appear that having several "wide" players on paper, we only have 2 out and out wingers in Seedorf and Hylton. I'm still not clear though that we have a traditional number 9, with the exception of Scott. In midfield, Donnelly appears to be more in the McHugh mould than in the Gorrin one. In other words more of a defensive player than an all rounder. Maybe still scope to bring in one more striker and and another winger?

Its hard to tell this morning but maybe we'll be a little clearer by 3pm today. Selection wise, things may not become totally clear until late September. Based on the type of player, and not individual performance, I'd reckon Sloth would be a reasonable bet to start as he seems to be in the Gorrin "all rounder" mould - the only player of that type in the squad. Midfield and up front would appear to be the hardest areas to pick. Picked up from FPC, but I reckon although we seem to be well off for lads who can play "across the front 3", we're still short of an old fashioned out and out No 9 striker. I'm not convinced of Danny Johnson and perhaps James Scott will go out on loan? So many new players its hard to judge, before our first competitive game, how they'll all fit to the management's plans for the upcoming campaign.

Christian Ilic now confirmed by the club. A one year deal.

Sometimes OTF's post are a wee bit cryptic but there's a good reason for that. Sources, whoever or whatever they are have to be protected and respected. His posts are usually right on the money and they are very interesting to read. A very important contributor to this site.

Alan Martin leaves QoS for East Kilbride.

Pie & Bovril. Original source the online Daily Record /Sunday Mail.

Just to be clear, Stephen Robinson has quashed rumours of an Elliot Frear return, if indeed there was ever any substance to it. Probably a case of 2+2=5. He adds that we hope to secure the signature of 2 wide players this week.

We're 2-0 up at the break. Long scores after Gallagher's header was cleared off the line and Donnelly nets the second with a thunderbolt. Apologies wrong thread.

Stephen Robinson is on record as saying that his preferred formation is dependent on the type and quality of player we have. The long ball game is preferred by teams on a limited budget. Thats about the limit of my tactical knowledge. I remember Derek Adams telling us at Perth one evening that its sometimes very difficult and complex for managers to work out what is going on tactically in games. So we're not alone.

I renewed my seat in the POD Stand and was issued with a new card, which I picked up in person. Smooth process.

This and also find another 2/3 wingers.

An enigmatic manager who quickly decided he didn't want to stay. The exact opposite of present imcumbent Sir Stephen Robinson in footballing terms. Gannon's footballing philosophy was spot on but the problem was he didn't have the calibre of player to carry it out. Robbo has said that his style of play is dependent on the quality of player he has available.

I'm surprised that no-one has mentioned Vladimir Romanov yet. He was welcomed in a blaze of publicity as cult hero by many Hearts fans but by the end of his reign a substantial number of them had viciously turned against him. Dundee's record with sugar daddies hasn't gone too well either.