pretzel

Daily Ranger reporting that Connor 'Row Z' Shields is heading to Queens Park.

I had mentioned in another thread that I was worried about Mandron's injury being a bad one, I wonder if the sudden rumour that we're in for Watt suggests this is the case, a few more reliable sources are running with the story now about us trying to pip St Mirren. However I can't see Watt walking away from his deal with 2 and a half years left.

Our season went off of a cliff last year after his departure, it would be amazing if he rejoined and it set us back on track. However the guys touting a loan move, would United really want to loan to a couple of potential relegation rivals.

The guy must live on a signing on fee. Funnily enough some journo on Twitter suggested we were one a few Scottish clubs interested in taking him off United hands lol.

That game would get football stopped. I said it in another thread but seeing that lineup as soon as I parked up in Paisley I couldn't help be feel deflated, I felt that the new signings were giving the place a much needed lift but we reverted to norm, not much we could do about the international clearance and injury to Mandron. Just on the Danzaki issue, the Twitter feed said the clearance never arrived but the match report said "Although latest signing Riku Danzaki was cleared in time for the game, the Japan midfielder didn’t feature in the squad." We haven't been getting much from VAR since the introduction months ago, despite him winning the appeal the Watt red was correct imo. So far we have been penalised with questionable handballs, Lamie with his back to play and the last minute at Tynecastle when Solholm had his hands by his side, worth bearing in mind Sibbick got away with similar like ten minutes earlier and not to mention the injury time Aberdeen fiasco, every points a prisoner and this great tech is pish tbh, I think everyones worry was that VAR wouldn't make a difference due to the same poor officials operating it which seems to be true. On Saturday there was plenty great angles showing Lamie was wrestled to the ground but it never even warranted viewing by the ref. I thought we started the game well but as per we lose the most ludicrous goal (again) and that to a guy who couldn't hit a banjo off of a cows arse. Typically apart from a free kick straight at him I don't think Kelly had much else to do. Carson done well to stop a few of our efforts but they were routine enough to be fair, I heard he needed a scan on his wrist after the game due to the collision with Van Veen, I thought at the time it was just more shit festing. Lamie was unfortunate to see his header just skim past the post, a point was probably the least we deserved but again we went home empty handed. As disappointing as the result was, it was shocking to see grown men with beetroot faces at full time spewing venom to the players in that manner, probably best take a break if you're going to get that worked up about football.

I was honestly optimistic our fortunes would change with the new additions that we added. Parking up outside St Midden park on Saturday and then seeing the line up honestly was like a kick to the stones as all optimism for the day quickly departed seeing the same old same old. Obviously injuries happen and you can't do much about the international clearance issue but those two teams would get football stopped. Anyway, hoping Mandrons injury is just minor and he'll be back for this. It'll be interesting to see if we have anymore new faces added by then. St Johnstone have lost 7 games on the bounce, we have been very charitable to Killie, County amongst many others and helped Hibs and St Mirren end keech runs, please just win a game. A win will pull them right in the mix and we would have a game in hand but if they win the go seven points clear. County face Hibs on Tuesday so hopefully the side from Leith can do is a favour. I don't think any of the four teams stuck at the bottom have the quality to go on a great wee run as it stands. I think it's going to be one of those frustrating situations where when we dig out a valuable win one of the teams around as will match that. Kinda like County did in the 2014/15 season.

The Daily Ranger has also reported that a move back to Norway might be in the cards for Sol, the next few days are going to be very interesting in terms of players coming and going. I actually prefer big Sol to Lamie, I swear I suffer from anxiety now with his extremely slow pace and launching balls out of play under no pressure, take him instead. On the injury front Mugabi isn't back in training until March, I think Efford is mid Feb, and McGinley and Carroll likely out for the season, perhaps beyond. I don't know if it's just the misery we have had with injuries but reading the worst on Mandron. Someone suggested they would be happy to keep McGinn at left back this season, after Saturday's showing I think a natural in that position is a must. A defensive midfield player would also be most welcome. Does anyone know the script with Morris?

I see we're using our fluorescent kit again this week. I'm actually looking forward to the game, it's nice to see us not hanging around on the signing front. I know we have been saying this for weeks now but the three points would be massive. Ross County face Killie today and Dundee United face Celtic tomorrow so it's a great chance to start building up some points. Assuming we can take all the points what would be the ideal situation in the County Killie match, a draw or Killie win to leave County adrift. Both teams are actually going into this in similar form. Robinson had that habit with us where he would go on great runs then with the same measure go on horrific runs, St Midden fans think they're on a blip so hopefully we can add to the misery. We have been particularly generous to Killie, Hibs and County recently so hopefully today we can see the positive impact the new additions have made and take all three points.

私たちの素晴らしいウィークラブへようこそ。ジェットコースターをお楽しみください。 You missed a wee bit.

Yeah, don't know how I missed that. The guy hasn't played much at all he has scored a solitary goal for Guiseley but he could hit the ground running. That's five Wigan players loaned to clubs in the Premiership. I see St Johnstone bid a sizeable sum for Jordan White.

Yeah, I thought he was a decent player at this level, I think the general consensus with the St Mirren support was that he wasn't scoring enough goals but surely Curtis Main would fall under the same bracket. Brophy has been sent out on loan to Ross County until the end of the season, I know it might change but it doesn't seem like Roy MacGregor is digging deep this January as we usually get the County renaissance from this point, I think the other addition they made was another loan from the league, Kennah for Hibs.

Despite a strong start to the season for St Midden they're now going through a blip and the last ten league games they have played almost mirrors our form. Robinson always seemed to enjoy great wee runs of form with us then would go off the rails for a bit, let's just hope we aren't as generous as we were with Hibs. Thankfully they have no Bobby Madden to bail them out and Eamonn Brophy who seemed to score a few last season. I think the line up will likely be the same as Arbroath.

I don't watch lower league football tbh but I was just wondering have the likes of Cove, Kelty and Darvel generally always been better at paying wages than some of the professional league sides or have has this come about since the introduction of the pyramid system. I remember tagging along to an East Kilbride game five years ago and noticed Craig Reid playing for them only a few seasons after being with us, plus they had a few other recognisable names.

The BBC are doing the old school type coverage where our game is the featured match on the highlights package.

That's what happens when you have a daft wee piece. Sadly for Shields he has absolutely no composure in front of goal, you think back to the numerous chances he has had this season, it's either a back pass to the keeper or a wild effort into row Z, that one at Tannadice was shocking. Good luck to the guy, hopefully he kicks on wherever he ends up.

I'm sensing Penney will not be back after seeing his Twitter goodbyes.

Willie Collum the ref for this game.

Apparently that was the reasoning for staying in Scotland with Celtic originally. I don't think it would do any harm to ask the question but I think we would be more likely to get someone that rarely features such as Welsh or Montgomery (obv away to St Johnstone). It's going to be an interesting few weeks.

I always felt that Spittal was one of those players who seemed to stand out when he played against us but in a 'Well jersey you do tend to forget he is playing at times. He must be apart of what is the slowest midfield I've ever seen at Fir Park. A bit like Ricki Lamie, he enjoyed some great form from January to May 2022 which no doubt fooled Alexander to pounce for his signature.

According to the Daily Ranger, Penney's loan spell expired after the County game. Obviously Hammell has mentioned he wanted to extend it but going by what the Ipswich gaffer is saying I wouldn't be surprised if they want some dosh from someone for his services.

I throughly enjoyed his first half performance on Saturday despite those conditions, he was unfortunate that his early shot hit the outside of the post and the County keeper made a decent save but thankfully he wasn't to be denied. He is certainly a massive creative spark going forward but defensively is something that he can improve upon. I think Saturday was only his tenth senior start, as David put it he is still a young, raw player with plenty learning and development to do.

I know players fitness vary from one to the other, but St Mirren signed a young defender from the second tier of the Irish league and he went straight into the side and has played two games already for them. I wouldn't be surprised if it's simply a case of Hammell viewing Lamie and Sol as our strongest centre back partnership and just hoping they will eventually click, but after the Hibs debacle both were deserving of a spell on the sidelines. I wouldn't be surprised however to see Blaney against Arbroath.

Getting nightmare flash backs of Jordan Jones, Alan Forrest and David Templeton breezing past him on the wing, circa early 2020/21.

Regarding Penney, was it not mentioned that his future would be addressed post County game? He's a player I actually really liked but judging on his last two outings if he feels the need to move on I won't shed a tear.

In regards to Lamie I think we can all admit we fell for it hook, line and sinker. He was honking for like 18 months but found himself back in favour due to injuries and then enjoyed a bit of form around the time he agreed a pre contract with Dundee. It's a shame to see him revert to normal. The worrying thing is no matter the combination in centre defence since the first game this season we have been throwing the ball literally in our own net, since that weak headed back pass by Mugabi against Sligo it has been been comic cut defending at times and the whole defence has been culpable. I thought it was a tough watch today due to the conditions. I enjoyed the marauding runs of young Johnson, it would have been nice to see him bury that effort in the first half. I thought Crankshaw done alright, certainly and upgrade on Shields. The ref was quite poor, every time a county player screamed and hit the deck was enough to warrant a free kick. Obviously it was powderpuff but it looked like Callachan punched Goss in the back when he reacted to getting his shirt pulled. Anyway I think the biggest frustration over the last few games has been we had the chance to bring Hibs right into the mix and today we could have been 6 points clear of County with a game in hand. Hopefully next week proves to be a positive distraction. We're better on our travels tbf.