MelvinBragg

I would imagine the guy might be a centre forward. In every other position we have cover (good, bad, indifferent) but as far as out and out centre forwards go, it's John Sutton and, well, that's it. You'd have to imagine that even more than a right back, a striker would be a priority before Saturday...

Where did you find that he could also play in defence. When he was being linked with Hamilton, I vaguely remember thinking he was a defender. When he was unveiled as a midfielder today, I kind of assumed that I had been mistaken...

I do trust Gannon, but I think it's a fair question as to what Hately might offer that Forbes, Jennings, Coke, Lasley, Reynolds and various others than can play midfield don't. Maybe he's simply better than them, maybe he can play defence as well. It'd be a fairly dull forum if we didn't on occasions call into question some of the decisions made by the manager. Doesn't mean we're being negative, just means we're curious about the way that Gannon is thinking...

It does concern me slightly that of five signings this summer, four have been midfielders and one has been a goalkeeper. Particularly given the loss of Quinn, McLean, Clarkson and Sheridan (Obviously pluggin the Porter gap temporarily) leaving defence and attack undermanned. With the emergence of Forbes and Slane, our squad seems overly weighted towards the middle of the park. Unless either Jennings or Hately can also play full back...

Another midfielder?? I'm telling you, 2-7-1 is the way forward...

So which is it? From Mark Reynolds' girlfriend or from sources in Ibrox, make up your mind...

I think there's two aspects to this. I don't believe it's right to come on here and say that a certain player is "a bawbag", "a wee ned" or "a complete dick" based on rumour or one chance meeting in a pub. Even if you should know the person, it's not really fair game on a public forum where they are unable to defend themselves without exposing their identities. And I think that we're all entitled to a wee bit of privacy. However, irrespective of how many players read this forum, I think performances are fair game for criticism. Most people tend to stay away from the simple "he's utter pish" and go with "he was utter pish today". Professional players must know that this type of criticism (justified or not) comes with the territory. Any player coming on to a fans' forum must have a fair idea that there will be those there who don't rate them that highly. And there will be those that think they're the best thing since sliced bread. It's the way of things. If they can't take it, they need to grow a set. I'm not a believer in berating individuals in the team whilst at a game as I don't think it helps. But if players can't take negative comments on a forum then they shouldn't be on them... By the way, I'm Luc Nijholt...

I saw something about this somewhere on here a few days ago. Don't know if he's still (or ever was) with us on trial, but apparently can play either full back position. As an aside, things have gone very quiet on the transfer front. I know there's a wee while til the window closes, but the closer we get to that date it seems to me the greater risk we run of just picking up any right back and striker we can find and not the right man for the job...

Must confess I don't really care which current or ex-players read these forums. Generally I only comment on their footballing abilities (unlike some who are desperate to know what they're really like off the field) and the fact that some of them may read what I think of them will not make me change what I type. And I don't imagine the opinions of anyone on here will cause them to lose sleep. And if it does, they shouldn't be playing professioanl football...

That quote says to me that rather than use Saunders or Page at the moment, we're going to use Jim O'Brien there until we acquire a right back...

What position does this Pat Sullivan play?

I can hear it now... "Gannon's revolutionary 2-7-1 formation...". Can't see it unless as someone else said he can also play defence...

Difference being Quinn and Clarkson were sold when there was ample time to replace them before the start of the season. Let's not dwell on the fact they're actually the two players we haven't replaced...

Whether Hammell is in or out of favour, we only have five recognised defenders at the club (that's including Hutchison and Saunders who have less than 20 games between them) so I reckon letting any of our defenders go at the moment would be out of the question...

Anyone hear anything else about a right back coming in? No more word about the guy from Partick Thistle...?

I honestly don't know. Whatever you think of Fitzpatrick, whenever he's been called upon he's always given 100% so I reckon his attitude is unlikely to be the problem. Gannon clearly feels there are other players better equipped to play the game he wants. Whether that means Gannon doesn't rate him as a player or that he doesn't fit into Gannon's style of play, your guess is as good as mine...

Can't play a decent part if you don't get picked. I know that suggests he hasn't been impressing in training but to say that McGarry's had a better season than Fitzpatrick because he's had at least one good game when Fitzpatrick has spent 26 minutes on the pitch this year is simplifying things a bit...

Right now, with the squad we have, I'd settle for 9th or 10th and not going out of the cups as meekly as we did under McShovelface...

I agree, big fella, but I'm just stating where folk seem to be in the pecking order. McGarry was on the bench on Thursday...

I think that Fitzpatrick would be useful in the hard winter months when people are booting Forbes up in the air. I also reckon he'd be of more use against the likes of the Old Firm as he's better at the moment at tracking runners, and the other ugly defensive stuff. Given that we have Humphrey, O'Brien, Murphy, Slane and possibly McGarry ahead of him in the queue, it's hard to make an argument for keeping Smith in the squad for cover. Even Coke and Forbes can play the attacking midfielder role. As much as I like the guy, his time appears to be up. In midfield or on the wings right now we have Jennings Coke Forbes Slane Lasley Humphrey O'Brien Murphy and mibbe even Reynolds now all ahead of Fitzpatrick and Smith. Are we not wasting two wages on these guys? Midfield is the one area of the field we look well covered...

I've read the article so imagine my surprise at spotting this on the BBC Scottish Gossip page What is that all about?? Mind you according to same gossip page, Michael Higdon is looking to move from St Mirren having failed to secure a move last season. Thought he only joined them...?

I don't think you're the programme editor, I think you're Derek McInnes...

Now the European stuff is over, I've been looking at the rest of the SPL. Obviously there are a few weeks til the transfer window shuts but it's only a week til the real business starts. Aberdeen will be slightly weaker without Severin but you have to figure they should still have enough for top six. Dundee United will be probably on a par with what they were last season. Hearts, I can't imagine being as lucky to finish third again without a proper centre forward. Aguilar, Karapidis and the two Lithuanian wingers (diving cheats as they are) will be missed. Hibs will miss Fletcher and Jones big time. St Johnstone, time will tell, promoted teams always seem to carry a wee bit of momentum (Gretna being the obvious exception). Falkirk, I reckon, will find it tough. If their loan signings don't turn out to be any good, they could be in real bother. Accies will struggle to replace the three (I'm assuming McArthur) guys they're losing and they'll be poor. Kilmarnock, for all the talk of their financial woes, haven't really lost any of their best players. St Mirren could be stronger, Higdon is better than Jim Hamilton, and Paul Gallagher is a good keeper. And us, well, who knows. We need a right back and a striker (even if only to give Sutton a wee bit of competition). For what it's worth, I reckon we'll finish anywhere between 5th and 8th...

I don't think anyone is getting carried away or has unrealistic expectations for the coming season. We all remember Butcher's first season and how young players' form can go up and down. Hopefully we have a wee bit more experience about the place now than we did then. But I think it's refreshing that there's a degree of optimism about Fir Park at the moment. Given where we were 7 days before the Llanelli game in terms of personnel and preparation, I think we've made some big strides. Bear in mind the squad that most of listed at that time had 13 players with first team experience, we sent out an 18 man squad last night minus at least 3 of those players (Lasley, Fitzpatrick and Smith) and gave a decent team a real fright. We've had six games to see what Gannon is all about, and I don't think it's getting carried away to say that most of us like the way he goes about his business. He seems driven, he seems to know what he wants, he has us playing the ball on the deck, he has really given some players a new lease of life (Forbes was being released apparently and Sutton looks like a new man), these are all positives. We know it'll be an up and down season (it is Motherwell) but at least we're looking forward to it now...

For 50 odd minutes, it was an excellent performance. It was understandable that the heads went down after Steaua scored and after that we gambled by taking Reynolds off and exposing the defence a wee bit more so there was always going to be a chance we'd ship a couple more goals. But let's focus on the positives. Coke, Sutton and Hutchison were all superb. I like the fact that although physically imposing, Coke has quick feet and seems to have a quick football brain. And Sutton seems to have found a new lease of life. Hutchison looks like the physically strong centre back we've been looking for since Partridge left town. He's a bit raw and he'll make mistakes but if we're going to deploy Mark Reynolds in front of the back four, he might get a chance to learn as he goes. I thought the referee was poor, no worse than that. Although I love the fact that Gannon was angry enough to get sent to the stand. Already I have more affection for Gannon than I ever had for McGhee. No more Mr Nice Well...