MelvinBragg

I'm assuming all this talk of pricing is because no one wants to actually talk about what's going to happen on the park? Having watched them the other night, they look as though they're going to give up chances. Sadly like Panathinaikos, we look likely to miss a fair percentage of them. I expect it to be the same team that started against Morton and Hertha. Which would be a pretty attacking selection for this game but the manager doesn't strike me as ready to compromise yet.. I have a funny feeling it'll be 3-2 tomorrow. Which way, I have no clue...

I'd read somewhere that Dortmund and Eintracht Frankfurt were apparently interested. The profit that Dortmund seem to make on young British players, that would be an ideal destination from sell on percentage point of view and not a bad move for Miller...

You did well to avoid the phrase 'if you don't like the circus, ignore the clowns' about the media..

Have a funny feeling we'll get Hibs at Easter Road in the draw. No idea why..

Frankly (and I say this every year) seeding in the cup draw is a nonsense. It's not like it was in European football where every single team has has to go through the group stages so finishing first rather than second in the group should entitle you to some advantage. But even there, I'm a bit 'open draw, see what happens'. If the 'big teams' want to win the cup, they need to beat everyone else anyway...

Seems pretty clear what the manager considers his first eleven at the moment given this is the same team that started vs Morton. Although I've only seen two games so far, irrespective of whether they're good enough, I find it hard to argue that it's the best eleven we have...

Someone did the maths including his wages, I'm not going that far. But initially I thought £500k profit, take it. I was forgetting Newcastle Jets may have negotiated a sell on percentage. So while we'd still make a profit, might not be a huge one. Large enough to make up for having to bed a new striker in seven days before the season starts? That's a judgement call for the board and the manager... That's the conversation people are having. No one is suggesting Stamatelopolous is the only striker on earth...

I'm not giving him a rough ride. But half a million profit after one (injury hit) season. If the Miller money wasn't incoming and we had another striker worthy of the name, I reckon that bid gets accepted. But the Miller money is coming and, as you say, we have no other strikers so it's a very much different situation...

Every player has their price and these days I get the impression that clubs rarely put a bid in for players where there's no possibility of a deal. Agents are contacted before clubs to test the water.. We may not be "actively looking to sell" but you have to figure that Viking have a fair idea that we (and Stamatelopolous) are open to a conversation. On that basis, we probably have a contingency plan in place...

Obviously I have no idea what we paid for him but it won't have been £800k so that'd be some profit after one injury blighted season...

Regards Miller, a bidding war would be great obviously but, unlike other players we've sold, I'm more concerned that he makes the right move for his career. Because as well the fee right now, I think any add ons we manage to negotiate could be huge for us down the line...

Nae need to get personal...

Without being specific about Bair, we do have a habit of bringing players back to the club. Sometimes it works, sometimes not.. There have been suggestions on here that it's lazy or unimaginative recruitment. But if (and this hasn't always been the case when we've done it) it's a type of player we need, I can see why it might be a thing that appeals to the club. Not for sentimental reasons either. If someone has been at the club before, you know what kind of personality you're bringing into the group. They know the area, you don't need to worry about them settling in. You know they're not coming expecting state of the art training facilities As I said, I'm not advocating for the return of Bair. But there are sometimes advantages of signing a former player...

Would be unsurprised...

For the second time. Apparently Robbie Neilson released him but the technical director (Naismith) offered him another chance...

Which was cut short by injury apparently. Only fair to mention given the chat about McGhee being a typical Kettlewell crock signing. Not suggesting we shouldn't be looking at him but just worth saying given the angst on here when we sign someone with a recent record of injury...

This the St Mirren who lost to Arbroath on penalties in the opening game and only beat Forfar by the same scoreline we beat Peterhead by? The 8-2 was very much an outlier... I agree with your general point that we should be winning these games but this has happened in cup games for as long as I can remember. Smaller teams raise their game. Liverpool got knocked out of the FA cup by Plymouth last season...

Just shows you how people can see things differently. I thought Watt shows promise and played a couple of passes that with better movement ahead could have led to something. And thought Maswanhise offered little when he came on. His pace is a tfreat but seemed unwilling to try and beat his man. Goal aside, I also wasn't convinced by Longelo although I agree Fadinger shows promise. Don't think he's a winger though...

Family bereavement, I understand..

Difficult to tell on that abomination of a pitch and in that heat but first impressions Watt - Tidy player, did the basics well. I think he'll turn out to be a very good signing. Sule - Raw, has the tools to frighten defenders though. A bit too keen to go down looking for fouls maybe... Just - Looks a good player. Couple of really good moments in his 30 minutes. Also seemed willing to take responsibility late in the game by dropping deep to get the ball and try and make something happen. Fadinger. Some nice touches and worked hard. Not sure where he fits in the team. Don't think he's a winger.. Longelo - His first game so don't want to be too harsh but he looked nowhere near ready. Basics like first touch were missing. Maybe not up to speed yet as English teams start back earlier? Not writing anyone off after one appearance, just my first impressions...

Let's hope he can spot a player then...

Apparently a guy called Ibrahim Said from Viborg..

Manager there certainly knows how to play midfield...

If we were playing wing backs, I'd say fair enough but I don't know if he's defensively solid enough for a more traditional full back role...

We have two fit strikers, one of whom is just returning from injury and the other has barely played a first team game. I think another striker doesn't make a bloated squad. Ideally I'd move Balmer and O'Donnell on and bring in a centre half and a right back. It's not numbers I'm looking ing for, it's quality..