Kmcalpin

Whilst a win would be very welcome, I'd say that this is a must not lose game. A draw would be a decent result.

I wouldn't go that far. Its not hard to be a standout in the current side. Going back to Weeyin's summing up - a modern full/wing back. Very good on the ball going forward. Poor defensively. Undoubtedly an eyecatching player but there's a reason he can't get a game for Ipswich in the English League One. We've had better; we've had far worse is my view. It depends on where Hammell's priorities lie I guess - defence or attack.

We need someone to hit the ground running not take weeks or months to get fit.

Could these guys manage a team successfully without having millions to spend? Could they manage one on a shoestring? My choice would be the Alex Smith of a few years ago. He had a proven track record of keeping teams on a shoestring up. Don't ask him to buy players though!

Ticketing arrangements for the Arbroath cup game have been announced. They have offered us 3,000 tickets. Lets hope there's no wind - a heartfelt plea to all fans to stay off sprouts and beans beforehand.

He's been out injured.

Livingston appealed red cards for Holt & Pittman, as they would, but lost both. Presumably both will miss Monday's game.

Hughie Ferguson. Bobby Ferrier and George Stevenson wouldn't be far behind though.

Whatever players we bring in we need to to do so quickly and not be panicking at the end of the month trying to get bodies in at the dealine. We've had enough time to identify weak areas of the team and line up targets.

Nearest type of player we have to that model is Dean Cornelius and he's not being given a decent chance under Hammell.

In answer to your question, no I don't. I'm 90% sure he's not the man for our job but 10% of me says lets see what he can do with a fresh face or two in the upcoming 3 crunch games. Its a balancing act though isn't it? Give him too long and the window closes with a new man having no time to do anything. Agree with your comment about not making eye contact during the interview. That stood out for me.

Ok lets look forward to next Monday and the beginning of a crucial run of games. Livingston will be a tough nut to crack on their horrible pitch. They may be without 2 of their players due to suspension. Its a game we can't afford to lose. Plenty of questions though. Will some of our lads be a bit fitter and have recovered from illness? Should Oxborough start in goal? Will Blaney be fit enough to start? One things for sure - more of the same simply won't do.

It could have been far worse tonight and it has been frequently in the past. Taken on its own the 3-0 scoreline isn't bad given the circumstances. We also gave 2 young lads some gametime. No red cards either. The way we lost 3 goals was entirely predictable and I doubt if Hammy or indeed us learned anything new. Maybe it confirmed 1 or 2 things though. Our season starts next week and there will be no hiding place for the players or Hammy. We need to chill out about tonight.

Hammy acknowledging game is over. Its all about Livingston now. For once a good tactical decision.

His form has regressed this season and he's looked culpable for several goals. Nothing new there. I don't blame him for his weakness in the air. That's not his fault.

If he goes straight into the team who does he replace?

That's not saying much. He's possibly the best of a poor lot. A mistake to re-sign him.

With our goalie and central defence you'd think we'd try to cut out crosses. Not something new unfortunately.

It's not part of his game.

It does and many of his predecessors have done exactly the same. He knows we're in a dogfight. Depending on how things go he has scope to bring on Maguire and Tierney later on and perhaps a youngster at the death. I also thought he might have fielded Maguire in central defence in place of McGinn as a least worst option only - a far from ideal scenario.

My thoughts exactly. No red cards, no injuries and squad rotation as far as our very limited resources allow eg use of subs. Damage limitation and focus on the Livingston game.

Penney is a strange one and we've heard little about his position. Very much like Steve Hammell. Very good on the ball going forward but poor off it when defending. However with both McGinley and Carroll injured long term what is the alternative?

Yes but Andy Goram admitted this deficiency in his game. He said that he had full confidence in the huge defenders in front of him who were specially selected because of their stature and aerial ability. If by any chance they lost a header he was confident he had the reflexes to beat the ball out. We don't have central defenders in that category, I think.

The players must take some responsibility for last night - thats only right. However our malaise went far deeper than that. Yes, personnel choices were limited but we did have some. Decision to time waste / sit off Kilmarnock / delay substitutions until late on. All of these weren't down to Callum Slattery, Sean Goss or Keven Van Veen; they were clearly at the door of Stevie Hammell. There is a strong case for Dean Cornelius to have started in place of Blair Spittal or at the very least to have come on much earlier in the 2nd half. I'm not saying he would have been the answer to all our problems but that was a managerial option Hammy chose not to enact. When Hammy was appointed the support was split, but I couldn't give you the exact proportions. I for one was in the sceptical camp and I've now moved on to the severe doubts camp. Many more are the same. I was never in the "we must play exciting football camp". Yes, he is a rookie manager and they make mistakes I get that. But 5 months into the job he's making the same ones he made at the start. If anything the squad has regressed, even after the opportunity for several weeks training time during the World Cup. I'm with Yorky - if we don't pick up points in the next few weeks (I'm writing off the Sevco game btw) then he's going to give the Directors a decision to make. Last night was not a one off. We simply cannot afford to let him carry on regardless, in the hope he learns.

Its not impossible but it'll be difficult in the extreme. Funds will be limited but we have to try, within our budget.