Kmcalpin

Should these particular rules not also apply to people in pubs, workplaces, shops and restaurants?

A clean sheet would be a good start. As Matt Busby would say just do it Motherwell and don’t get caught.

McKenna?

Yes, a very strange choice of clubs and games. Still there’s been many odd and contradictory decisions made by all 4 governments in the UK during the pandemic and this is just the latest. In fairness though these are unprecedented times and challenges.

It’s just that he’s well down the pecking order (rightly or wrongly).

You're right but there would be a minimum of 4 semi detached properties involved. Then there's planning consent to address, including the effect on neighbouring properties - we're not Celtic or Partick. As you say costs would be very high before any work even started.

No need to strike out the "sell on".

OTF is pretty much right. An empty stadium is just a collection of buildings, although design can have a limited influence. Its the fans who make the ground. The failure to complete the old main stand as was, was due to land ownership problems which won't be solved and would contrain a new stand. . I think a stadium with 4 complete sides would help the atmosphere, although its down to the fans.

Perhaps the clause has already been cancelled as part of his loan deal? Who knows.

Absolutely but who would pay for it?

I like Allan Campbell and he’d be one of the first names on my team sheet but he is still young and has his weaknesses. He doesn’t always win 50/50 battles especially against bigger lads and sometimes his defensive play can be a cause for concern. When we’re on the defensive I’d like him to show more confidence and aggression and push out to close down attackers. Overall though he’s good enough to play at a higher level.

I would not think that it would make much difference to be honest. Its not as if the club would be moving 10/15 miles away. It might lose a handful of fans but gain more from those living in new housing almost next door. Apart from that new facilities might attract more punters. I agree about the Catch 22 situation though. Can't see amove anytime soon.

According to the Sunday Mail, he's out for 5 months or thereabouts. Knee damage.

Whatever he might or might not be, he certainly isn't a defensive midfielder.

I think it was originally reported that McGinley was out for between 4 and 6 weeks (with a groin problem?). So that basis he should be available again from mid September onwards.

Good analysis of the goals that we lost. Many of the goals we lose are down to standing off opponents, not covering and giving them too much room. I’m not suggesting our lads charge about like headless chickens but they need to up their work rate to close opponents down when we’re not in possession.

A fair bit, though not all, of our inability to hit the net is down to lack of ammunition from the wingers and other midfielders. Even our set pieces such as corners have been largely ineffective.

Its not uncommon to be searching for your best 11 until say late September. However this season we have suffered several bad injuries and that has not helped continuity nor solidity. That said, we still don't seem to know the best formation, be it 4-2-3-1 or 4-4-2 or 4-3-3 to field. That, I do find odd. The defence has been unsettled due to new players and injuries and I understand that. Some of the strikers are new and I get that they may take a little time to settle. However its the midfield that baffles me. It just isn't functioning well and its the same players we had last season (Campbell, O'Hara, Polworth, Hylton, Seedorf). Hastie being the exception. Its the misfiring midfield thats the root of many of our current problems. On paper we have a stronger squad than last season and I was expecting better things but it just hasn't turned out that way at all. Yes, we've suffered injuries in a key area but something just doesn't seem right.

Today's Sunday Mail. Not mine's I hasten to add. Out for 5 months with a knee injury, picked up in training. I'd forgotten about Barry Maguire, the "Forgotten Man". If he can't break into the team now when can he?

My feelings as well, although maybe had we not gone to 4-3-3 we might have ended up with a slightly better goal difference - who knows. Its becoming plain that Mark O'Hara is being played out of position. He's a box to box player not a defensive midfielder. Liam Donnelly is not returning anytime soon . We have several options there. A) Try out young Dean Cornelius there (today was maybe not the game to do that); B) switch with Allan Campbell; or c) get in a new player, preferrably on loan until Donnelly returns after new year. At any rate something needs to be done. I'm not really in favour of spending any of DT's transfer income on getting in new players, but a short term loan deal for a midfielder might be an exception.

Is Donnelly not out of commission for 4/5 months?

Give him a chance. He's only played one competitive game.

Has Hastie ever played wing back before?

Likewise. In his appearances so far he's done the square root of nothing.

Yes we'll have to improve our work rate when not in possession. That means closing players down, getting in their faces and annoying them, denying them space and time, cutting out needless crosses and not defending too deeply. A tall order tomorrow but it can be done. We'll have to bottle up the wings, something we're not good at. Certainly, I'd be worried at starting Grimshaw. Given the number of substitutes allowed, Yes, I'd be telling our front men to run themselves into the ground for 45 minutes.