Kmcalpin

Callum Slattery. See Graeme McGarry's article in the Herald.

Unfortunately, the same line starting line up as last week. Big Thor isn't fit. Hendry and Gordon on bench and no starting place for Priestman.

Internal layout is not a planning issue. The planning authority would not address that. However, there are genuine non planning issues issues as Goggles has laid out. As a club we should want the best bang for our buck. Anyone, absolutely anyone, can comment on the principle of the proposal and external design of the building and other aspects of the application. I would add though, that no one party has a right to a "good" view. Not an issue in this case though. Consultees can make representations objecting but also supporting an application. In short, get involved!

To put matters in perspective, I suspect the additional costs involved would be fairly modest compared to the overall cost.

I wouldn't quite go that far, but yes, I don't see it as being "transformational". It is very much a low budget option. Will it benefit the club? Undoubtedly. As far as the overall package is concerned, I take it that there will be the same number of pitches as we have at present, albeit in 2 locations, if we include Braidhurst? It will be a significant advantage to have dressing rooms and catering facilities etc available on site. In the short to medium term, it will also free up space at Fir Park eg the current gym under the South Stand and allow hospitality facilities under the POD to be used commercially during the week. Presumably, the gym, treatment room, and other facilities will also be an upgrade on what we have already. As far as the new building is concerned, its utilitarian and won't win any design awards but that doesn't concern me. The internal layout won't concern me or the planning authority. It does seem a bit tight though as its designed specifically for 30 first players and 18 academy players. What if, further down the line a new manager or Board want to increase the academy to 20 players? A modest increase in costs might provide a degree of flexibility. As for the pitches, will the proposal allow the women's team to play their games there? If they do, that will save rental at K Park. I'm a bit disappointed that the proposals don't include plans for a modest stand i.e. 100-200 spectators. It wouldn't need to be an all singing all dancing facility. One aspect that does concern me is that there doesn't appear to be any obvious resolution of land ownership issues. Ostensibly we're forking out £1.5-2m on a building on another party's land. Likewise the new artificial pitch - will we have exclusive of that? One source of comfort is that the other party is a well known local charitable trust. Presumably we do have some kind of land use/ownership arrangement in place to safeguard the club's interests? As for the planning process, I doubt that will delay or disrupt the proposals. Thats not to say there won't be any objections. Its an established use on an established site and involves the replacement of an existing building. Apart from an on site bungalow, the nearest residential neighbours are about 230m away. The only aspect that might concern them is floodlighting in the winter evenings but then again, there may already be existing lights in place. I doubt that traffic will be an issue. The design statement is comprehensive, but obviously not written by planners, as can be seen from the language used. It could have been a bit more assertive. Presumably the water and drainage submissions will be added shortly. Iam concerned though about the manner in which the plans have been publicised; in effect through a fan picking them up from the Council's planning website (proposals had been posted there for weeks). We've also seen some media coverage in the Sun, Scotsman and BBC for example. The Society and club have promised us big news for weeks now but yet nothing on this. As I write, still nothing on the club or Society's media platforms. A bit disappointing from a fan owned club. The above is mostly my own observations and opinions but I have drawn on the well informed and expert views of Patient 91 on P & B. Well worth a read if you haven't already done so.

It seems that the club has applied for planning permission for build new training facilities at Cleland on the site of the current but basic provision at Dalziel Park. https://eplanning.northlanarkshire.gov.uk/online-applications/applicationDetails.do?activeTab=documents&keyVal=TBUC9BBAN5700 Thanks to Standupforthemotherwell on P & B for posting this. This shouldn't come as a surprise to anyone on here. This development is long overdue. Its well known that interested parties can object to planning applications, but maybe not as well known that any party can also submit letters of support. Have a look. I'm just surprised, that as this is already in the public domain, the club hasn't announced it yet.

Agree 100%. The solution is for fans to hit the TV companies where it hurts... in their wallets. Unsubscribe! I did so years ago and have never regretted it.

Thats what concerns me here.

Irrespective of where we finish now, it will have have been a good season. Improved league placing; increased attendances; and more exciting football. The final judgement on JBA's reign will depend on where he takes us from here and, of course, the jury is still out on that. So far, he's done very well in a short space of time. This summer's recruitment will be a big test for him. The bottom line is that we have to build on this year's success and not stagnate.

I'd like to start by signing up Olly Whyte for an extended term. News has been very scant on that front so far. Could we blood him before the end of the season as Stenhousemuir's season ends before ours?

Pretty much as expected although the order is a bit odd. The usual factors determined the list. Home to Hearts and v Celtic (midweek) and Hibs away last game. Happy enough with that except that the Celtic game is midweek. No 3pm Saturday home fixtures. As expected, Falkirk get an extra home game; well done them. I can't see any title winning games at Fir Park.

We, and I include myself here, have forgotten that Ewan Wilson is also under contract for another year.

A few assumptions there. I'm not sure we'll lose both Just and Manwhanise. Also, Whyte 's contract expires shorlty and there's no guarantee he'll re-sign. At 24, would our squad size be slightly light?

Whats our current thinking on ins and outs in the summer? My personal view is: Oxborough: transfer out or loan Wilson: will leave either permanently or on loan Gordon: will leave at the end of his contract Welsh: will return to Celtic Slattery: will move on Halliday: will move on Robinson: will move on Nicholson: will move on. That clears the decks quite a bit and leaves a few gaps to fill in the squad, especially in defence and midfield. It would pare down our squad to about 19. Our striking department also needs strengthening. Our first 11 isn't too bad but we do lack quality in depth. Overall, we need more height and physicality in the squad as we've found out to our cost recently. That could be difficult to source as big physical players who can play a bit don't come cheap. In addition to that I'd also try to move on Charles Cook and Hendry although that might not be easy. Others like Just, JT, and Watt may also attract interest and move - who knows? Finally, lets get Olly Whyte's contract extended.

Not surprisingly, our stonewall penalty incident was not selected for inclusion in the highlights. This is where the role of the Compliance Office is random and unsafe. When the post was first announced years ago, it was stated that evidence would be used from a variety of sources but in practice it wasn't. It was limited to the Compliance Officer's staff watching TV highlights on a Monday morning and referring anything that was flagged up by programme editors. In effect the media became judge and jury and we all know we can't trust the media to be fair and objective.

I'll be rooting for the Pars to knock them out for these reasons.

Leonard now suspended following today's red card.

Good post. A clear and obvious breach of rule 77. The SFA has now set a precedent.

Maybe time to give Jordan McGhee a start at right back. SOD has had a good season but his best position is undoubtedly now at CB. Maybe needs rotating with Paul McGinn. Hopefully Priestman will get a start over Sparrow, who I think is a squad player at best. Lets hope Thor is fit and JT is moved back to his favoured position on the wing. Maybe too, Elijah Just will have recovered from his global jaunts. More of the same won't do.

Can I ask why it fell to Lukas Fadinger yesterday to mark a 6-3 in form striker at Fakirk's opening goal?

Stonewall penalty. We should be thankful for small mercies in that he wasn't yellow carded for diving.

You make some good points although your take is a bit harsh. He's been a very good manager for achieving a top six finish and introducing some very exciting and entertaining football. Thats not easy in your first season in charge. I do feel that though some fans have been OTT in their praise especially on P & B. He's not a legend yet and might never be who knows? On the debit side, he's seemed unable to fine tune our style to combat and counteract opponents evolving tactics eg Hibs and Falkirk. On the credit side he's had to impose his own style on a squad which, to a large extent, he didn't sign. Taking yesterday for example, he had to field a weakened first 11 and pick a very thin bench. It will be interesting, in the summer to find out who leaves who he moves on and who he brings in. If we are ambitious i.e. not resting on our laurels after achieving a top 6 finish then the squad needs strengthened in almost all areas of the pitch. Any circling vultures will have received a reality check of late.

I wouldn't be too hard on him today. Due to injuries, he was being played out of position against 2 big centre backs and had no support. His supply was poor as well. Not a game on which to judge him.

Thats been a feature of Falkirk's season.

Teams are now adopting a man for man approach against us and we've been rumbled. Can JBA find a solution in our remaining fixtures.