MelvinBragg

I actually think Kilmarnock's recruiting has been poor. The kind of recruiting Stuart McCall was slated for two summers ago. Lazy signings that any manager could have made. A keeper they didn't need, a striker that looked well out of sorts last season, a left back that's been playing left midfield and getting slated by his own fans and a guy from a rival who had free rein to do as he pleased as he was clearly their best player (will be track back?). I expect them to be dreadful but still have enough to finish above Ross County and Hamilton Accies, maybe even Partick Thistle...

I disagree that striker is the most important position. Best striker in the world is no good if you don't get the ball to him. Also, Clarkson was available for most of last season, just dropped. A crock? I also note in your previous post the "I told you so" about signing players at the level that Straker and Thomas were playing at. No mention of the guy that came from non-league and was outstanding. You should be in politics. Only use the facts that suit your argument...

Based on...?

Irrespective of what you think of their abilities, at the end of the season we list Laing, O'Brien, Ramsden, Kerr and Cummins that could all play centre half. We have brought in two, including a player who is primarily a left back. Centre half seems more of a priority tban anywhere else right now. After that centre midfield. McDonald would be nice but money could be better spent elsewhere...

With only one recognised goalkeeper, two central defenders and three central midfielders (two in their 30s and one relatively untested), I'd hope we weren't anywhere near done. Seventeen players left (from an admittedly bloated squad) and we've signed five...

If we sign Moult and McDonald, I reckon Craig Moore could forget about getting his chance with us. Got to figure on one of the guys from down South with McDonald as first choice pairing with Clarkson and the other as backup. Sending Moore out on loan is pointless. He needs to be breaking through now or you'd be as well letting him go...

Nail. Hit. Head... Of course, despite us selling him for that fee, he was a player that divided opinion last time round. No reason it should be different this time...

Right now, I'm more keen to see a centre back arriving...

Flow texted him about what?

Nope, what's he saying?

Someone last season suggested to me that Dom Thomas may be better suited to playing behind a lone striker as McDonald did in the playoffs. Both he and Moore could be vying for that role. I'm not agreeing that to sign McDonald would be a bad idea but I don't think either player would learn from playing with McDonald as I don't see them lining up alongside him. I don't see Baraclough going for a front two of Moore and McDonald. Too similar in style of play...

I don't think Clarkson has been brought in to get the fans onside. I think, having lost Sutton, the club were looking for someone experienced to provide a goal threat from the bench. Clarkson was available, I suspect willing to come with no guarantee of being first choice and willing to come for a wage less than other experienced players with no connection to the club would have asked for. An exciting signing? Probably not but he'll do a job. He's 29 and scored goals in the SPL last season. Not like we're signing a 37yo gut who's been injured for two years. Still good to know he replaces Sutton in a few ways. Sutton always divided opinion on here as well...

You know, at other clubs if they'd just signed a 29yo striker who'd scored 9 in 19 starts last season, fans would be pretty happy. Didn't see enough of Dundee to know if his form tailed off because the team's did or whether he just struggled but even adding in sub appearances, his goalscoring over the season was better than one in three. Not the worst signing we could have made...

I suspect Clarkson is the replacement for Sutton, an option off the bench. Given he's been given the number 19 jersey, it would suggest the club have someone else in mind for the number 9 shirt...

I agree with Dodge in that right back isn't a priority. Along with the options he mentioned (although I don't know how much Reid will feature) we have David Ferguson. I notice you said McDonald and two strikers. Reckon you'll be disappointed there as we'll see two strikers total, be it McDonald and one other or two new faces. Reckon Moore and Mackin will get their chance this season...

By my reckoning, with your shopping list, that would give us a squad of Twardzik GO Law Watt Chalmers McManus Hammell CO CO Lasley Pearson Leitch CM Johnson Ainsworth Thomas Moore ST ST Obviously looking for the likes of Cadden, Ferguson, Mackin, McLean and maybe others to also step up. Still looks thin in centre midfield...

Surely you mean doggy jokes...

You have to hope that Thomas and Cadden will be breathing down his neck next season and hopefully that will keep him focused, knowing that they're ready to take his place if his form dips. Fit, focused and on form, he can terrify full backs...

Now if we can just get him to play like he played in the playoffs every week...

Laing reminds me of Hutchinson in a lot of ways. Has all the tools but once (or sometimes twice) a match makes a poor decision. Often his pace gets him out of it. His decision making is something he can improve upon. He would be an excellent signing if we could get him on a two or three year deal...

Nutmegged Dougie Imrie. Motherwell legend...

Thing is, as fans we can bask in the afterglow as long as we like. As long as the players don't. For me, that's the disappointing thing about the lack of early transfer activity (and lack of new strip). Motherwell fans were feeling so positive after the playoffs, it would have been good to keep that buzz going with some good early news or sell a truckload of new kits on the back of such a good win...

The Long situation could be complicated by the change of manager at Sheffield United...

Would not be a bad signing but I suspect there would be a queue of SPL clubs lined up if he were available...

Funniest thing I've read on here in some time...