Kmcalpin

Its always hard to judge before the season starts but so far so good. However we really do need to strengthen the outfield defence. I don't care how good our new goalie is I want him to be largely redundant. It would be nice for a change to see our keeper stroll through games without having much to do.

I think you're being a little unkind to the club. if we're paying "very small" wages as you put it what would you class as a being a "reasonable" wage. I reckon our average first team member will be earning about £45k-55k per year. Not bad in my book. We'll be paying the going rate for top provincial teams in Scotland. I assume that you're comparing our wage levels to English rates which are extortionate even at lower levels, and at the highest level simply obscene in my view. Yes we can't compete with most English clubs but neither can most of Scottish football.

Pretty much my thoughts Iain, although I'd be looking for a minimum of £400k for Heneghan . Surprised at some folk on here talking our players down. For years we've been decrying the club for not maximising transfer income. As regards Heneghan he's no world beater but not half as poor as some folk think. He can't be that bad if there's 3 English reportedly showing an interest in him. As regards comparison with Boyce's value there's various complicating factors, but don't forget he played in a better team than Moult did, and presumably benefitted from better support. .

Its not dumb at all and quite understandable, if not 100% accurate. For a start its something you can quantify and it is the ultimate measurement of a striker's achievement. Of course its not entirely accurate. It doesn't take into account the quality of player in a striker's team; and doesn't take into account the amount of service he receives. A crude measurement yes, but one nonetheless.

That will help our bank balance, but I doubt if they'll travel in quite so large numbers as you think. Hibs fans will turn out in huge numbers at the start of the season but then die away as time goes on. They're used to winning but when they meet tougher opposition and results are less impressive they'll decrease. Ever since I can recall Hibs fans have been mercurial - decent teams are viewed as world beaters and mediocre / poor teams are seen as being the worst ever.

Only indirectly related to our own club but Partick Thistle have sold Liam Lindsay to Barnsley for .......an undisclosed fee. As I've said before, this terminology is becoming more and more common usually at the request of the buying club. Unfair to criticise our own club for using this term when we're selling players.

I would be surprised if its not at Murrayfield.

Whats the current total Iain? Have we surpassed last year's sum?

Absolutely. I also agree with your other point. Although it may not have been explained very clearly by the Society, the organisation's income is/will be continually used to support the club ie it will not be paid back, as we originally thought at its inception. I have no problem with that whatsoever providing its explained clearly to members and is not misused.

Maybe that tells you something about which programmes you should listen to. On another note we have 4 home games against the gruesome twosome. Very slightly more winnable than 2 or 3 home games against them. The club treasurer will also be happy.

If that is indeed the case, and it wouldn't surprise me then we'll need at least 2 new central defenders.

As most of you know, I've never been Keith Lasley's biggest fan in a playing sense. However, his commitment, attachment to the club and public image has never been in doubt. I'm still not 100% sure about his appointment but he does have the coaching credentials. Anyway, good luck Keith.

What exactly did you hear Mitch? McHugh would seem to be a good choice, and although only 24 seems to have leadership qualities. With that appointment will surely come a wage rise?

They're both experienced players but have they the right temperament and character to be leaders? Presumably the manager will know better than us.

I certainly hope so too. A striker who can hold the ball up will help also. It will help our defenders if they are protected by a more mobile and defensively aware midfield and they have confidence in a stopper behind them, for whom they don't have to adapt and compromise their own game.

FPC is expecting an announcement about that squad number later today.

My payment should be with you shortly Iain.

Well, thats goalkeeping sorted. Happy enough with this news.

Unexpectedly very strong words. You must have your reason for holding such a view.

Pretty much agree with that. We do need defensive cover there.

I'm sure Robbo will bring at least one in, maybe more. However as you say its an area of the team that we do need to strengthen. We could end up with a new central defensive pairing and that could take time to gel. McManus, who will be 35, may not fully recover from whatever injury he has and may remain very injury prone. Heneghan may leave very late in the window.

No, I don't think that at all.

Am I the only one who is a bit concerned about our central defence? Ben Heneghan may move on and we don't know yet. Stephen McManus is 35 in September and has long term injury problems. Thats our central defence apart from Carl McHugh who was signed as a midfielder. No rumours yet about bringing in new central defenders.

I agree 100% Denny. The lad is 23 years of age; still young and inexperienced in football terms. Looking back over the past season he was being mentored by an experienced pro in McManus, who was eventually sidelined for months. Carl McHugh, hardly a veteran at 24, then stepped in to the breach. So his mentoring was hardly a success. Add to that, that he had to cover at times for a defensively weak Tait (when he's been fit) and a different picture begins to emerge. If that wasn't enough he, along with his central defensive colleagues, have received little or no defensive cover from a weak central midfield. And, if even that wasn't enough he's had to adapt his game to protect a much more experienced but unreliable keeper who wouldn't venture off his line. Yes he's made mistakes but we need to cut him some slack. Would Burnley be interested in a central defender who had limited ability? I doubt it. I'm also puzzled at comments about Stevie Hammell's replacement. No manager has seriously tried to replace him. ZFA a young erratic potential long term replacement didn't work out. Tony Straker, a bombscare, was brought in to solve a crisis, which he didn't. Joe Chalmers was brought in as a cheap medium term replacement, who just didn't work out. In short, Stevie has never been challenged by a serious competitor - no manager has really tried to challenge his position.

A bit OTT and condescending I'd say. Spiderpig has expressed a perfectly reasonable argument although you may not agree with it. If Las is appointed there will be pros and cons. On the plus side, he knows the club and many of the players inside out. He's got his coaching badges and has some relevant experience with the Under 20s. He's also been captain for a number of years. On the debit side, he may be too close to some of the players and yes take an old boys view to some extent. He may also not be able to take a fresh view of things and does lack experience. Remember too that Robbo isn't an experienced manager. My view? I'm hedging my bets - not a bad appointment, if it comes to pass, but yes a bit of a gamble.