Kmcalpin

There most definitely is. We created more chances and had more efforts on goal than I've seen in any game this season. A few weeks ago we'd have lost the game 4 or 5 - 0. Defensively we are still weak however.

After Saturday my thoughts are that we now have talent and pace in the side. Our problem is a lack of steel/determination/hardness. On Saturday I counted 4 occasions on which one of our lads tore through their stretched defence only to be wiped out or taken out cynically. Indeed County were every lucky indeed to end up with 11 men on the park. They could easily have had 2 men sent off. The new guys brought hope but we do need more solidity and hardness.

For long spells during the second half we had no-one at all on the back post at set pieces and this proved costly. If the fans could see that from the other end of the stadium then I'm sure the manager and captain could have seen that. Again though why let County fire over cross after cross and why did we give away so many needless corners? However for one of the goals the ref gave a very soft foul, if indeed it was a foul at all.

Can't and won't disagree with any of that. Our poorest players were, in the main, ones who were signed before Ian Baraclough arrived. George Long and Conor Grant were clearly our best players. We created more chances yesterday than I've seen in any game this season. The challenge now is to make the defence and midfield more solid.

How long have you been watching the Well? John Gardiner, Andy Roddie, John Hendry, Sam Goodwin, Shaun McSkimming, Eddie May, John Davies, Jered Stirling.... need I go on?

Are you sure Dee? I saw quite a few players come over to applaud the fans at full time. Can't recall exactly but it must have been 7 or 8 at least. Agree that our best players were the new lads.

We'll need more than an in form Laing and Pearson and Hammell back if we're to stop shipping goals. We have to stop giving opposing teams acres of space on the edge of our box and on the wings. We have to stop them firing in shots on sight and stop slinging over cross after cross. Stevie Hammell will certainly help matters in an attacking sense but he's not the best of defenders. If we start defending properly 35 metres from goal then we'll stop losing so many goals.

Unfortunately a few troublemakers can't handle alcoholic drink, but you'd think they'd know that...wrong. Apart from that drink driving laws will prevent many drivers from indulging - many fans drive to games these days. .

Yes to be fair, Ramsden is a right back nothing more nothing less. Both were totally anonymous yesterday. They failed to shield a shaky defence and left the debutant keeper very exposed. They allowed County to rain in shot after shot from the edge of the box. They also were completely unable to advance up the park to support front men. However in general they simply did not compete in an area in which we needed battlers and ball winners. There is more to our deficiencies than Ramsden and Lasley but our cantral midfield is at the root cause of a lot of our woes.

A long drive back down the A9 last night - fortunately it wasn't me behind the wheel. Mistakes off the park cost us dearly. We missed Pearson badly and the team was lop sided with little or nothing on the left. All 3 goals lost came from the left flank. Central midfield of Lasley and Ramsden let us down badly and they were simply irrelevant for the best part. They did not protect the defence nor did they support an isolated Sutton up front. Apart from a couple of early efforts, Erwin looked totally out of place on the left wing and ought to have been subbed at half time for either Thomas or Johnson. Most of the new lads impressed although Straker had a poor game but you can't be overly harsh given that he had no cover in front of him. Thomas was good in flashes but needs far better support from his midfield colleagues. Long looks the part in goals and Grant impressed. Johnson needs more time on the pitch and often had to beat 2/3 defenders. We did not pass the ball well at all and relied overly on the long ball, which as we know, Sutton can't handle. All too often Lasley and Ramsden were unable to support the front man/men. In the first half especially they both went AWOL with Ross County allowed to shoot at goal at will. County fans said that that was the best they'd played in months - no surprise there. I didn't like their style of play - very cynical, physical and win at all costs. The bottom line is that while they might not be the most talented they'll certainly compete, bite, scratch and claw their way through 90 minutes. Weak refereeing only aided their cause. On the plus side we created much more than we have done all season but on the negative side we badly need a tougher hardman midfielder and someone (Pearson) to play on the left. We need to compete better. In hindsight we might have been better playing Straker at left midfield, Ramsden at right back, Reid at left back, brought in Carswell for Lasley and Thomas or Johnson for Erwin. As it has all season, central midfield was where our real problems lay.

A toss up between George Long and Conor Grant, Long just shaded it for me. Despite being left exposed by a poor central midfield he didn't make a mistake.

Agreed Haggis. The majority of our new signings are also on short term contracts - effectively only 3 months. The sole exception would be if they're not match fit. That said why sign someone for 3 months if they're not fit? Midfield in particular has been absolutely shocking this season, although injuries have played a significant part in that. Thats the area of the team in which I'm expecting to see wholesale changes.

Thats encouraging, very encouraging. We need a physically robust mobile centre midfield player who can provide our central defence with the protection and cover they desperately need and indeed deserve.

Apologies if this post is going a wee bit off track. I've just had a look at Accies' website to find out more about their youth academy. The academy is well staffed with a sports scientist and seems to be very efficiently run in business terms. One thing is for sure it won't come cheap. They even have a documented exit policy, which although well set out doesn't actually say very much and sounds sinister. Teams all play in the same system 4-3-3, albeit with variations. They also specify which qualities they look for in each position eg Goalie "Tall at least 6' " I'd sum it up by saying its ruthlessly efficient. By comparison we know little about ours. I'd like to compare the relative budgets. We certainly need to overhaul our set up - probably already underway.

Just listened to the excellent PODcast and yes thats the message thats coming through. Its surprisingly ruthless: in effect "If you're not good enough at 16/17 then on your bike we're not wasting money on you." I can't see that attitude impressing many parents, so there must be more to it.

I wouldn't argue with that but does anyone know why Hamilton are so attractive to youngsters? Is it because they have top notch coaches? Is their academy excellent in terms of facilities - pithces/changing rooms etc What about generous cash payments? Are kids enthralled by the dream of making their first team, which most won't, and earning a big money move?

Apologies, I was just continuing the humorous theme started by Bigeeze & Ropy. It won't be discussed unless in jest. There will be far more important items to discuss - the new Directors, future direction of the club; a chance to question Ian Baraclough perhaps.

It has little effect as the Society would be the major shareholder. Say for example the Society held 280,000 shares representing 70% of the issued share capital. Other minor shareholders would then hold the remaining 30%. If a poster on here bought say 5 shares that would only represent 0.00125% of the share capital - a miniscule proportion. If however someone wanted to buy say 40,000 shares that might be a different matter.

Yes, you have to be shareholder but anyone can buy them reasonably easily. They used to be valued at about £10 each.

I'm sure the venue, which is Fir Park, will be top of the agenda and will generate heated discussion.

The Club's AGM has been scheduled for the 26 February.

Not much interest in this game from our group until last week. Now there are a few of us planning to travel up for it.

I realise that that was the worst case scenario but don't worry that isn't going to be the case now. County lost heavily to Aberdeen yesterday and whatever the result next Saturday they will not send us 12th.

Probably best for all for all parties concerned. We can now move on.

Our reply posted on Fb site Iain. Good luck and hopefully it can be re-arranged without too much disruption.