Kmcalpin

You're on the money Yorky. Best for all concerned if he moves on in the summer. He and his agent will know exactly what valuation we've put on his head. Hopefully his agent won't try to pull a fast one and demand a fee from both our club and the player! Just joking. Its in everyone's interest that he bangs in the goals between now and the season's end if he's given the chance.

Two comments on that article. Firstly its poor journalism as he's not out of contract this season; he's got another year to go. Secondly he and his agent are inviting offers.

It might have picked up something they wouldn't have liked. They would/should have been careful what they wished for. 😉

Of course. There's rarely, if ever, one clear cut, 100%, factor. More often than not, its a combination of factors and yes, possibly fine margins. However that doesn't preclude there being one overriding or dominant factor.

Its likely that the fixtures will be announced next week sometime. As we've played 1 less home game than away then we're due 3 homes and 2 away, to balance things out. You'd imagine we'll play Ross County and Killie at home and two of Livingston, Dundee United and St Johnstone away. To even things out I reckon we'll play United at home as we played them 3 times away last season. My preference is to play Ross County at home first as I don't fancy playing United, Killie or to a lesser extent St Johnstone then. Time will tell. Irrespecdtive lets get 3 points on the board early doors. My guess is Ross County to go down automatically and Killie to stay up at a canter after a play off.

That can also be said of other players like Sean Goss, although KVV is a very obvious example. Most players regressed under SH, and we are now seeing more of them being played properly and consequently playing better. As far as KVV specifically is concerned, at worst I wasn't sure what to make of him. His talent was never in doubt, as 24 goals prove. He did play through an injury(ies) to his credit. However I think much was down to how he was being played by Stevie Hammell. It certainly wasn't based on his strengths. A lone striker role with your nearest colleagues being played 30 yards away can't be easy. If he was demotivated, as other players appear to have been, then I don't blame him. Back to yesterday's game .......... 9 minutes added on time!! I've seen many halves in close games in which we've had goals, injuries, substitutions and blatant time wasting with less than 5 minutes added on. I can't recall the last time I witnessed 1 minute, let alone 2, played over and above the original figure; I know the official announcement always says "a minimum of..." but I don't recall it ever being enacted. I will have no problem with this, IF it becomes standard policy from now on. We'll see.

Great result today and KVV adds to his tally. Other results went pretty much as expected today with the exception of Killie who I thought would only pick up a draw. Credit to Ketts and the players.

Hibs too.

Was it an OG?

Yes but their budget is a lot less than big European clubs....wait.....

And some said it was too late in the season to fire Stevie Hammell.

Presumably he was replying to a question by a journo?

Yes, we have to be professional in our approach and treat each game as very, very difficult, but winnable. I always thought that yesterday's game was a very real probable loss. Have teams sussed us out yet or was it a one off blip? Time will tell. Either way, teams will suss us out at some point and then Plan B should come into play. Post split, all the teams below us will be fighting for their lives and they won't give a damn how they gather the points. We have a cushion, which will narrow before the split, but should still be advantageous. After the split, I'd expect to play Ross County and Killie and home and Livingston and St Johnstone away, but who knows given we're due 3 home games. Dundee United at home? Maybe, given we played them 3 times away last season. Our recent record at Perth is abysmal and we've found the Arabs and Killie very difficult opponents this season. We're in pole position but need those points to ensure mathematical safety. I don't care how we get them. Over the years of following the Well, we've all learned to take nothing for granted. Oh, I almost forgot about next week. No hammering, no red cards and no injuries please. Is that too much to ask for?

That's neither here nor there. Countless times over the years I've seen us play them off the park or match them only to end up losing. We were heading for a fall and the overconfidence on social media before the game had me worried. Post split, there will be 4 teams below us scrapping for their lives. We can't afford to hit the beach just yet. Given encounters so far this term, we'll struggle to take anything off Dundee United or Killie. We should have enough to stay up but we're not mathematically safe just yet

Bit disappointed to lose this but in no way surprised. A typical United game and result. I think they have our measure. The table looks as though its now sorting itself out and no way will United go down. They'll take points off the other bottom 6 teams having won 2 on the bounce. We should go into the post split fixtures 7 points above the play off spot and thats great. 8th spot is ours to lose, unless the sun hats and beach balls come out.

I'm not in full glass half empty mode but I have fear about this game. We're playing very well and getting results but we've all been here before as Well fans. Hope I'm wrong.

I understood he is injured.

I think Stuart McKinstry has been a victim of circumstances. When he came in Ketts said that he'd strip things back to basics, which he's done very effectively. He believes 3-5-2 suits the players he has at his disposal. It remnaisns to be seen how Ketts reacts when we're safe - does he change the system or try out fringe players to assess them for next season? As for young Stuart - he is out of contract at leeds in the summer. Other things being equal he'd like to stay if the circumstances were right I'd think. But, if he wants to move on then who can blame him. A lot depends on the conversations he's had with the manager. Don't forget, during the dark depths of Hammell's reign, he was one of our better players - not an easy time to shine for any our lads.

I think he said that another Scots club had spoken to him but the felt that their position was beyond saving. Make of that what you will.

Two more points from seven games should do it. Not a huge ask.

Come the split, there will probably be only a single point separating the bottom 3 teams. After that it'll be dog eat dog. We're by no means safe yet but its looking good.

Great result and performance today and we could easily have won by more. Three cracking goals as well. It was obvious from the off that Livi took an instant dislike to Max Johnston the way they targeted him for a battering. We eased off somewhat in the second half. A good day at the office.

I'm not doubting your take on this as I simply don't know, but would want to make sure we were safe from relegation before allowing him to move on.

I've no information whatsoever about this rumour but a 15% sell on clause for a player who is just about to turn 32 might not be a good idea.

Absolutely. Alexander and to a lesser extent Hammell are culpable here.