The African

Well it is live on BEIN2 in New Zealand. Probably one way to start my day off on the wrong foot.

Is this a game we can write off and go for damage limitation from the outset? Probably not. Hopefully we can catch them on an off night and get right in amongst them. Cannot see anything but a defeat though. Just hope there is not any significant or long term damage.

Do we have any? Not Carson, illness means he is probably out for the rest of the season. Cadden? Injured at present, though may sign a pre contract elsewhere. Turnbull? Too early to tell if he is the real deal. Genuinely think he would do well to stay and take his opportunity to develop at Fir Oark, but it would not be the first time a young player gets his head turned by a more lucrative deal elsewhere. Would not be going in January though. Anyone else? If we got an offer of any sort, given our model as a “selling” club, we would probably take it. Maybe excluding Campbell, but, as said by others elsewhere, his development has stalled badly and this needs to be addressed.

If Hartley is suspended, I would bring in Dunne, if fit. If they Dunne is not ready, then the options are Donnelly or Maguire. I’d like to see Maguire given the nod but the best of luck to whoever is given the start. This is an important game as three points will go some way towards keeping us on the tail of the bunch above us.

Need to see a reaction after a very poor showing at Ibrox. I think we will see one and if we do put in a decent shift there is no reason to think that we cannot take something from the fixture. I reckon a 1-1 draw.

A good effort by the youngsters in this competition. We are obviously doing something right. Now we have to do the difficult bit and find. The way of transferring that youthful ability into the first team environment.

Just not convinced where we will be if we do sack Robinson. We are already under par with regard to points and performance, but our league position is just about acceptable. As previously stated, a change of management is no guarantee of a turn around in fortune on the park. We have a squad that is not devoid of talent though the lack of pace at the back, width in midfield and obvious goal threats up front are all issues. We are where we are . Personally, I’d be tempted Togo with Robby for the rest of the season, with a major debrief and rethink required in the summer. The one proviso being that we need to pick up enough points to be above the drop zone at the winter break. This is based on the sentiment that the manager has earned some time through decent results last season and the consideration that any change may not be for the better. The one thing you can be sure of is that it isn’t going to be pretty.

Seriously people, please don’t feed the troll.

Am I right in saying Carson had a few decent saves? Would voting for a goalie who conceded seven be just wrong?

Not really the result you want to wake up to. Still, shit happens. Pity that it is against such a vile bunch as that lot, but it has pretty much always been like that with them. I remember feeling devastated after the three two cup semi final in the 1970s and the five three defeat at Fir Park when their scum of life fans came on the park at two nil to us. This result is just a minor annoyance in comparison. Perhaps, like fine wine, I am just mellowing with age? Seriously though, must have been a tough ninety minutes for our fans who made the effort t go and support the team today. As for those of you who will suffer the slings and arrows of outrageous hundom at work or school tomorrow, try and use it an educational experience in learning how not to behave when your team has a big victory.

No worries. Game is a 4 am kick off here, so will not be awake for it as need to be up for work at 7am. We do now have SPFL coverage on BEIN Sports though. Unfortunately it is the Livi v Celtic game that is being shown live.

Realistically, anything we get from this will be an excellent return. Having said that, they are scarcely unbeatable so hopefully we have a game plan that will put them under some pressure and give us the chance to take something from the fixture.

He is only a right back because we have to play Tait at left back. Our inability to adequately replace Hammell continues to cause s problems. Time to try out a youngster perhaps?

Well, yes and no. Certainly no problem with clubs marking the anniversary with a suitable and respectful display. Also no problem with respect and appreciation being shown for our armed forces, though would perhaps something around armed forces day would be more appropriate if they are going to be doing the jumping off the stand on ropes sort of stuff. My issue with what will go on this Sunday at Ibrox is that, sadly, it will have precious little to do with remembrance and respect. It will be a crass and overblown display attempting to get a reaction.

Don’t ask me where I saw it, but I can remember recently seeing that he had signed an improved deal. Now it might not be any longer, just more money to keep him happy after the “big move” didn’t happen for him, or I might just have forgotten to take my meds.

I think the issue with Johnson could be fitness. They are not confident hat he could last ninety minutes, so they see him as a bench option for now. Something to work on.

Carson recently signed a new deal. I think it was along the lines of “increased wages for now, with an extra year so that we get a fee when someone bigger comes in for you”. Keeps everyone happy and, worst case scenario, Trev gets the money his performances, certainly last season, deserve and we get a very decent keeper for another season or two. I’d still expect Carson to move on. Maybe in January, though more likely in the summer.

James Sanderson. Thanks for the memories. Am I right in thinking he passed away in the late 1980s? ”Let me tell you caller, I have travelled the world reporting on Bill Struth’s Rangers and been a judge for a world championship title fight, but I have never heard such balderdash and bunkum”

Still think that this will be close and a lot depends on how we cope with the pressure of expectation. Wednesday night was better though, even taking into account the level of performance of the opposition. Hopefully we can follow that up with another three points.

Good result. We needed that. Other results going our way also helps. Can we rely on St Mirren, Dundee and Accies remaining shite for the rest of the season?

Way too early for this sort of chat. Yes, points would be most welcome, but there is plenty of time to get ourselves sorted if we do lose on Wednesday and Saturday. Of course, who is actually doing the sorting may be up for question, if results do not go our way over the next couple of weeks.

Serious question. Who'd want it?

Cheers for the stats. I would have thought we were a bit better than that. We had some decent players and played some decent stuff. Maybe the league itself was just generally stronger? Or my memory is playing tricks.

As I recall, and I could be wrong here, McLean's first season in charge at Fir Park was spent in the old First Division, which we won to gain promotion to the Premier Division. It was his second year in charge where top league expansion supposedly saved us from the drop. I always felt that the fact that we knew that we were safe from relegation from the middle of the season devalues the claim of some that we should have been relegated. For half the season we really had nothing to play for.

Cheers. I'd seen on here that he was away with a Scottish age group squad ( under 18s?) but if he was involved on Saturday then all the better.