Kmcalpin

I get your logic and agree with it. However what would happen to that team's opponents on the day? They would be disadvantaged by denying them the chance to pick up 3 points or even 1. In the event they'd be treated as though they'd lost the game and would be punished in effect. All other teams in the league would have the opportunity to win points.

Yes, the problem here is inconsistency between different Health Boards and there's plenty evidence of this at the moment. Kilmarnock did what they had to do. The SPFL investigation will try to determine if Kilmarnock followed guidance/rules. As things stand, there is no proof that they haven't. However if the investigation finds that they have not followed guidance thats a different matter. By way of comparison does anyone know what the punishment would be for fielding an ineligible player in a league game? Am I right in thinking that the punishment for failing to provide the opposition with your team line within the specified time before kick off is to award the opposition a 3-0 victory (as it is in the women's game).

The jury is still out on the strikers for me as well, although 5 does seem a disproportionate amount for a squad of our size. The reason though that I'm still undecided on them is that the quality and quantity of service given to them by the midfield has been poor. If we can sort out midfield ie Polworth regaining form and perhaps field a decent winger or two, then that will be the time to judge our strikers. What I would say though is that our current crop of strikers are unsuited to a long ball game or in modern parlance, thunderdome football.

Maybe I'm wrong but I really can't see the SPFL investigation throwing up anything untoward. In the case ofthe Aberdeen and Celtic players, they were spotted by members of the public breaking the rules. Unless a member of the public has witnessed Killie players doing something similar then this will go nowhere.

They'll need good luck to get to the bottom of this but there's no way the fixture will be cancelled and we'll be awarded the 3 points. Apparently Kilmarnock were advised to self isolate their squad by their local "Problem Assessment Group", whatever that is. They were part of that group. Therefore the SPFL had little choice but to agree to Killie's request. Given this postponement and the recent case involving St Mirren we now need consistency from NHS Scotland and the SPFL.

Like others I’m not convinced of Cole. Yet another striker in. I agree Hylton will be no great loss but that now leaves us with 2 wingers neither of whom have performed. We need to strengthen the central midfield and bring in a pacy winger, but that will depend on moving others on probably.

Yes it'll be interesting to hear the explanation if a full one is given. Surely it cannot be on footballing grounds? During the course of a normal season a few teams have had to play despite bugs ravaging their squads. Will this decision now set a precedent.

Totally agree Allan. Also, each country has only have one league champion per year, so they should only be one entrant per country for the Champions League.

Both Hartley and Tait had character in spades and they are missed for that quality but thats it. Neither were cutting it footballing wise. We don't currently have the "character" that the likes of St Johnstone and Accies traditionally have/had. We're also lacking a bit of hardness in the team and we're a bit soft at the moment (Well Fan For Life and Casagolda on P & B). Like them, I would not advocate that we return to a "Thunderdome" style, whatever that is. As you say Shaka, we're unbalanced at the moment. We also lack pace, despite having some speedy players on the books but who are not playing, playing well or being used to their strengths.

Best to totally ignore this story and assume Killie will be at full strength. We don’t know how many of the 3 individuals are players and even then they may not be first team players.

Not sure about Cole at all. I found him to be a hard player to pigeon hole. He was tall and pacy but wasn’t really a winger or target man or poacher. Maybe one of Robbo’s “Can play anywhere across the front three” players. One of those Stewart Rafferty types who works damned hard, puts himself about but doesn’t actually do anything.

Looking back to Bevis Mugabi's penalty incident, I wonder why Scott Arfield ducked just as the ball was coming to him. He knew Mugabi was just behind him. Was it a deliberate or perhaps pe-arranged ploy to do this as the cross was coming in? Other players would be primed to claim? Maybe this is something we can learn from and use. If so, was it simulation on Arfield's part? Probably not but certainly being very streetwise and something other teams will learn from. Throw in crosses at chest head height, get in front of the defender (with no hope of winning the ball) and just duck.

Dundee United all over again? A white knight who is gifting the club money? Aye right. Maybe AC's agent stirring the pot.

I would think he's more of a short term replacement for Donnelly. Crawford to replace Campbell if he goes. Hopefully Dean Cornelius will get a chance. Just my take on it though.

Agree with most of that. This particular game aside, we are continually guilty of not closing players down, in the way teams like Accies, St Johnstone and Ross County do. These teams and the better ones also seem to work harder than we do off the ball to close players down. To get a cross in or a shot on goal you are made to work hard. If you do manage to do that its hurried. Carson and our central defence need better protection. Rarely is a soft goal simply down to one player, although individual blunders do happen of course.

I think the perception of it is better than the actual product. Last time I scoffed one I remember thinking it was ok no better. Anyway onto more serious matters. Given the fixture is on Friday I’d think one fundamental issue will be “Have the players recovered mentally and physically?” Management will surely know this. Do we need to freshen things up in terms of team selection. We ‘re now at at the end of September and usually by this time a manager will know his best 11. However it seems to me that Robbo doesn’t even know our best formation never mind his best 11.

A few points from today from today. I would've liked Crawford to get some game time as this was exactly the fixture to do it, and we may need his services very shortly in more important games. Midfield was poor and that immediately put the defence under almost constant pressure. Lamie was signed as back up but he looks out of his depth as others are saying. Sevco's penalties were soft but they played for them. Give a team plenty of encouragement to come into your box and thats what happens. As Welldaft Mk1 says we should get streetwise and shoot on sight into a packed penalty box. Campbell was denied a stonewaller but that wouldn't have made much difference. The first goal was down to lack of cover on our right side, again. The Sevco player had all the time and space in the world to whip in his cross. The 4th goal although well taken was down to a powder puff midfield who left too much space and Carson exposed. Today was always likely to end up as it did and I won't lose any sleep over it. It won't make or break our season, although it was very annoying. Our upcoming games are far more winnable. I wouldv'e like to some more changes in our starting line up to introduce fresh legs but heyho.

100% - thats being streetwise. Very predictable hangover after Thursday and nothing to get steamed up about, just pleased we're playing Sevco today and not a beatable team. Midfield has gone missing again and perhaps we could have done with a bit more freshening up? Main thing is to avoid red cards and injuries, although that won't be easy.

Firstly, perhaps Brazilian may have a point that outdoor spectator sports in general are being unfairly affected although football has been the largest victim, due to the numbers of spectators and fans involved . The issue of financial feasibility is perfectly valid but quite separate. I don't know how financially advantageous/disadvantageous letting a small number of fans into grounds would be, but I doubt if it would be that great. If say 500 fans were allowed back into Fir Park in 1 or 2 stands I doubt the costs would be horrendous. But, if money was a factor, it would even be nice for clubs to given the chance to admit a small of spectators but then decline for the reasons you cite.

Agree 100%. Surely it would be safer for folk to sit 2 metres apart in a mostly empty stadium with face coverings on than 1 metre apart in a crowded pub with no face coverings. Pinch points like turnstiles or food kiosks or toilets could be managed just as well as they are in supermarkets, pubs, cafes and the like. How many non football employers have been fined for non compliance of their employees? Are firms being fined because their employees failed to quarantine after arriving home from abroad or failing to observe social distancing rules in pubs? No, these decisions are being taken not only on the basis of public health but also on the economy. Pubs and the like are more importnat to the economy than football clubs. Football is being singled out. Very inconsistent approach.

Was it? I think we've been poor on our right side several times this season (Coleraine and St Johnstone come to mind) and opposition sides have been targeting us there. Big Declan let us down tonight and his form this season has been poor. He's a very good player though - why is he not himself? Captaincy weighing on his mind/wrong central defence pairing/covering up for others? Tonight was a very valuable lesson and one that doesn't come around too often; we can't afford to waste it. Is our squad too young and inexeperienced or is it down to the wrong combination of characters? In terms of "experience", HBS were a slight cut above teams like Accies, Ross County and St Johnstone but not by that much. These sides are "streetwise" and have used it to their advantage against us. Even part timers like Coleraine were cleverer than us. We need to wise up and quick. I recall watching sides like Dundee United and Aberdeen in years gone by and now Accies. They could bring in kids of 16/17/18 who were experienced way beyond their years and well capable of drawing fouls and getting opponents carded illegally. I don't particularly like this style of football to be honest but thats life as they say. Is it any worse than setting out to maim and injure opponents as more than a few very respected managers have taught their charges in decades gone by? Like it or not, and I don't, its a feature of the modern game. If you can't beat them maybe its time to join them.

Our aim should be to avoid red cards and injuries. Anything over and above that will be a bonus. Some changes required to freshen up a tired and no doubt dispirited squad. Maybe returns for Lang, White and Mugabi? Will Crawford make his debut? Will Barry Maguire be given his chance?

We go into these games unprepared and naive. Dortmund, Katowice, Nancy, Panathanaikos, Coleraine and now tonight ad infinitum. These teams are streetwise and experienced and do what it takes to get through. I suspect that the next time we’re in Europe a new batch of players will have to learn the same lesson all over again. European competition is very ruthless. You must take your chance(s) and remain solid at the back. This game always had the potential to be a bit of a mare and if we can hold them to 3 0 it will be respectable.

Another very predictable red card. How many is that in Europe now? This team are certainly teaching us a lesson we should have learnt years ago. We deserve nothing.

You don't know him nor do I. Not every youngster wants to leave home and move hundreds of miles away from their family and friends at 16 or 17. Not every youngster is solely driven by money at that age. Some will be aware that the chances of making the grade at a club like Liverpool is very slim indeed.