MelvinBragg

If Pearson's injury is a bad one, we needed a midfielder anyway and were in the market for one so on the bright side we're not having to draw up a new list of targets to cover for an injured player. All it might mean is that we have to move things along more quickly. Connor Grant's name has been mentioned on here and if it were possible, then it might not be the worst option. He knows the players and the management know what he's capable of. Pretty sure though, as I've said, that the club were already working from a list of midfield targets. Until we get the right player though, I'm happy for Leitch or Cadden to get their chance. Is that not the business model we're using now anyway...?

I don't believe we'll sign Samson. It just seems to make no sense for the player or the club...

Why would Samson make the move from being no. 2 at Kilmarnock to no. 2 at Motherwell? Assuming that Ripley will play otherwise why would Boro have let him come on loan...?

Aye, one post on twitter. Would be surprising, to say the least...Check out @SPFLFootball's Tweet: https://twitter.com/SPFLFootball/status/627935885636562944?s=09

By most accounts, Leitch did well in preseason so deserves his chance. Different type of player to Pearson so we may have to adapt our style of play slightly. Cadden seems a more natural replacement but may not be seen as quite ready to start...

Can I be the one to suggest you increase away support by making away days cheaper by lowering gate prices..? Mental, I know...

Once again, reports of his demise greatly exaggerated...?

Moult on for Fletcher...

Fair point, well made...

Sure Leitch came on? No mention on BBC text..

I don't disagree.. Bit of a concern Pearson going off...

All three of Fletcher's goals have been after the keeper has parried the ball out. Poacher...

Same as on here...

Still no email...

Tried to register. No email came through. Plan on getting Frazzle to give you my cash and square him up later...

I already feel that when I see Jack Leitch play...

I think that's how it will be on paper but he'll play up front in the same way that McFadden played up front with Lehmann and Clarkson. He'll drop deep to pick up the ball and try to make things happen...

I agree with much of this. I suspect that the idea will be for McDonald to perform a similar role as he did against Rangers by dropping into the midfield to help out Pearson and Lasley. As you say, in terms of midfield we'll be looking for Leitch, McLean and Cadden to step up a bit this season...

Should we sign a keeper before tomorrow, I'd be tempted to leave him on the bench for this game. Irrespective of your opinion of Twardzik, the back four know how he plays and can adjust their own game accordingly...

Not this season. Next season? Possibly...

Fairly or unfairly, for a game away from home against Inverness I would ask if Thomas has the defensive discipline or game smarts to start the game. Remaining solid would be the first aim in this kind of game. Thomas started away against Dundee last season and we found ourselves exposed (though I'm not pinning the defeat all on him). I suspect if we were starting the season at home to Hamilton or Partick, then Thomas might get the nod...

And that's why I listed him...

I suspect that Luke Watt is also being considered as a first team squad member but you never know how young players will develop so I only listed those who've started a few games for us..

Interesting comparison. Start of last season Goalkeepers Dan Twardzik Gunnar Nielsen Defenders Reid Ramsden Kerr Cummins O'Brien McManus Hammell Angol Midfielders Lasley Lawson Vigurs Carswell Leitch Law (signed as a midfielder) Wingers Ainsworth Strikers Erwin Sutton Moore (injured) Ojaama Start of this season (so far) Goalkeepers Dan Twardzik Defenders Reid Law Laing Kennedy McManus Hammell Chalmers Midfielders Lasley Pearson Leitch Wingers Ainsworth Johnson Strikers McDonald Clarkson Moult Fletcher Moore Obviously, you can add the likes of Watt, Cadden, Thomas and McLean who have featured this close season (and some games last season) but at first glance, we're down in terms of numbers in midfield and defence but have more attacking options. On the other hand, how much did Lawson, O'Brien, Cummins, Carswell and Vigurs (second half of the season) contribute? Surely the very definition of getting rid of dead wood...?

The point I think that was being made there was that in your original post, Dave, you suggested we hadn't done anything to address the issue of an aging left back. As you admit in this post, we have attempted to do so with the signing of Chalmers...