Kmcalpin

Declan Gallagher signs for Ross County and Euan Murray signs for Queens Park.

What's the situation with Sam Nicholson? Is he now training or is he expected to be out for a few more months?

The chances are that an arranged "handover period" came to an end with the arrival of JBA. Sorry to see him leave as he seems to have made a good impression. Still our new man can now choose his own deputy.

And so it begins 😊

Yes very light on the left and up front Allan. On paper we're almost ok for strikers with the exception of a physical target man. However 3 of them are injured long term and have question marks over them in any event. Herr Wimmer had identified our striking department as being in need of an overhaul. Another big central defender is also a must.

If I recall rightly, he was on the bench for the St Johnstone cup game in Perth, but he went back to East Kilbride.

I'm a bit puzzled by the "still negotiating" and recently released players. Of the original 5, I would have thought the most likely to leave would be Moses and Matty Connelly. In the latter's case he is now 22 and we already have a back up keeper in Callum Ward. Jack McConnell is our development squad goalie, aged 17. Connelly has never played for the first team and obviously wasn't trusted when we had a keeper crisis last January. What is his future? Dom Thompson I expected to leave. Of the 5 the only one I would have retained was Steve Seddon and he's moving on. Still this does clear the decks a bit for our new man coming in.

Apologies to the forum. I shouldn't have posted my response to David in public. It should have been in private. I don't want to influence anyone else's answers to the consultation.

Yes. Overall, I found it cumbersome and confusing to have to constantly switch between 1) comments received in the initial consultation 2) proposed changes in light of that consultation and 3) the comprehensive detailed proposals and D) the the actual voting form when casting my vote. The information provided in 1), 2) and 3) was useful however; it was just the way in which it was presented. Specific examples? A) I agreed with the proposal to simplify adult membership tiers but wasn't clear about the status of legacy members who had paid in considerable sums in some cases; sometimes in a single lump sum. Why should they be allocated en masse to the 1886 tier and not to a higher tier? B) Code of conduct: I agree one should be introduced but don't agree with specific wording about "perceived" bullying, harassment and discrimination etc. Either its bullying / harassment / discrimination or its not. For the record, bullying / harassment / discrimination etc is totally unacceptable. Someone's perception can be wrong. I get though that this is a wider societal issue. Suggested text seems to say that it doesn't matter what someone does or says rather its whether another party is offended by it that matters. C) Major votes policy. I agree with its introduction but think that 75% is too high. I would have thought that 55/60/65% was more appropriate. That still represents a clear majority. Also, the triggers for a major vote are too loose and ambiguous. For example, what is the meant by a "large scale" financial decision? Is the defintion £1m or £2m or maybe £5m? Lines have to be drawn somewhere though. From memory, I may not have recalled everything 100% but thats the gist of my concerns. To put this in context though, well done to the those on the Society Board who drafted these documents. I know from bitter experience just how difficult and time consuming it is and the ramifications of defining a term loosely that only becomes apparent a later date, when some party takes issue with it.

Yes, a comment box to explain our thinking would have been very helpful.

A lot of work has been invested in this exercise so well done to those behind it. Constructive criticism is absolutely fine but it will be soul destroying if only a handful of folk bother to participate.

Its fair to say that appointing Jens Askou is risky. Any managerial appointment carries a degree of risk. At our level, opting for one of the Scottish managers' old boys club would have been less risky but would also be less interesting and possibly not carry with it the same possibility of success. Many on here cherish an exciting brand of football above most other factors and that is what it is. Your view of preferring a Robbie Neilson or Tony Doc is perfectly valid. Of that grouping, I would have said that Robbie Neilson was the best candidate, but I agree with the path of choosing a left field candidate. Like you, my main concern with Askou is the short lived nature of his previous appointments. I can only assume that this aspect of his CV was scrutinised during due diligence and was satisfactorily addressed. In this day and age a tenure of about 3 years would represent success.

Dan Casey signs for Wycombe Wanderers

I get that there's a lot going on just now. A new manager; pre season about to start; the prospect of comings and goings and so on. However, don't overlook the Well Society consultation on proposed membership changes taking place just now. Its a chance to put across your views. All in all I found it to be a commendable attempt to update some admin matters. However, I found it to be a bit vague, unwieldy and complicated. Maybe just me. I found it hard to form a definitive opinion on some issues as I agreed with the overall principle but not the detailed changes. Anyway folks its your opinions that matter. Get your responses in.

Yes, we have an overabundance of defenders, many of whom are squad players at best. Hopefully we can move a few on. Questionmarks also remain about McGinn's fitness now. As Weeyin has said, on a few occasions, our defence needs an overhaul and that should start in the middle.

Is everyone happy that we're well covered at left wing back?

They are unhhappy I believe. Players have their lunch at Fir Park, for example, and that limits hospitality income. Ideally catering and other facilities would be available at our training facilities. There are complications though.

Falkirk sniffing about Dom Thomas I'm hearing in their quest for a top 6 place.

Just as we thought a left field appointment. I'm glad its its not one of the old boys managerial club. Again the club played a blinder in keeping things quiet. Lets give him a go! A wee bit concerned at the short term nature of some of his previous stays but heyho lets go for it. Certainly not a boring appointment. Going by online reaction, its fired a few fans up. Still time to buy your season tickets at a discounted price.

I get that, but only up to a point. Its not unreasonable for it to see out or finalise previously agreed deals but it shouldn't be an autonomous entity. Surely the manager will have the overall say as to what positions need to be prioritised and which players signed? I doubt any new manager coming in will want to be told that the recruitment department decided that we need positions a, b and c filled by certain individuals and these are being signed. The new man will want to stamp his own authority on the squad and bring in his own players surely? As for coaching, the current team can keep things ticking over, but any new manager will want to get to know his squad and instill his own ideas and methods. We don't want to rush the decision and bring in the wrong man, but by the same token he'll need time to get to know the players he's going to have to manage.

A good defensive midfielder who puts himself about. Popular in Dundee. Not everyone's Cup of tea though.

Welcome to the Forum Skips.

Agreed. That would give our new manager more leeway to bring in his own men. Plenty of scope to mutual permacrocks. The only player on the "undetermined list" I'd consider keeping would be Seddon and then its 50/50. As an aside the transfer window opens on Thursday. Apologies if everyone knows that.

Absolutely none. It's just a general discussion about Scott Brown. I'd be surprised if he was being seriously considered.

Aye, I'd be a bit underwhelmed by Brown. Ayr got good publicty in the media and started the season off well, but they were backed with a bit of dosh. He benefitted in the media from the Celtic connection. I saw them against Raith Rovers and they were pretty uninspiring and yes, they were poor in the play offs. Maybe his players didn't perform but it wasn't all down to them. Not quite sure what all the hype is about to be honest.