The African

A draw is better than nothing. I would probably have taken it at 3pm. We need to stop giving away penalties though. Two soft ones have cost us four points. Who knows what difference they might make at the end of the season. As for new players coming in, I'd be happier with a few good rather than a good few (did you see what I did there?) as we don't need to go through the messy process of trying to integrate four or five new players into the team, like we tried last season. We are by no means a decent side, but two or three experienced professionals who know what they are about will get us the points we need to survive for another season and then we can rebuild properly in the summer. The Thistle game now takes on more significance. A win there will bring a couple of other sides back into the relegation/play off equation and that must work to our advantage. Much as I would love a cup run, three points on Tuesday may be of more importance, in the long run, than anything we get next Saturday. Being a little greedy, I would hope we can get results in both games.

Good luck to Dan. Certainly not the worst goalkeeper we have seen at Fir Park. Be interesting who we manage to bring in to replace Ripley in the summer. Craig Samson would probably deserve a crack at the job, but he has never really impressed me at St Mirren or Killie. As others have said, Reid is probably the next squad member to be deemed surplus to requirements. Then hopefully get someone in that can add a bit of much needed dig in midfield.

Given that he probably is not on big money, and genuine quality is thin on the ground in our price range, he would be worth a deal until the end of the season if he is fit enough to give us an hour starting one week with a half hour off the bench the next. Our squad needs thinning and a team of hammer throwers might get us to safety this season (we definitely need to harden up) but it would be good to have some quality as well.

Bad pie at half time? I suppose it is possible.

Poor result, whatever the performance meritted. We now find ourselves back in the relegation mix. No need to panic as at least we are not on our own but I reckon we do need to improve the quality of the squad to give ourselves the best chance of getting out of this. It is a glaring sign of previous mismanagement that an injury to an aging left back has such a negative effect on our perceived prospects. If you are going to operate with a small squad, it needs to be both versatile and adaptable. Our squad is probably larger than we would ideally like and yet it is neither.

I wonder if we will ever see Gannon back at Fir Park? After all, just about everyone else makes a return at some stage in their career.

Seems about right. Otherwise he would have been a better option than Hammell at right back for Tynecastle. Anything we can do to clear the dead wood and help ease the wage bill this January has to be positive in the longer run. We have a substantial squad but unfortunately a large proportion of it is deemed unfit for purpose.

Well if there were any doubt that we needed to bring in a couple of ew players, then hopefully this dispels it. I fear that Grimshaw will be difficult to replace but we need to try. Our good run is over with a crash and we can only hope that there isn't a hangover for the County game.

As we look like fielding a makeshift midfield, I'd be happy to take anything from this fixture and keep the unbeaten run going. For once, in a three points for a win league, a draw would be a decent result.

I suppose the issue is that he could have picked up an injury. If they are picking up a fee then they wouldn't want to miss out, though would £200k or whatever really matter to Man Utd? He was never our player though, so we cannot do anything about it. With the bigger clubs signing mor and more of the available talent, it is something clubs like ours will have to learn to live with.

It wouldn't surprise me in the least. There is nothing new in this world!

Shame how this has worked out, but that is the way with players on loan. Good luck to the lad at Preston. He undoubtedly did us a turn and I reckon we have been good for him as well, once we got our management problems sorted. No need for panic signings. Might be a little bit makeshift against Hearts but there is more to be gained in recruiting the "right" player rather than the "right now" player. Did you see what I did there?

I know it is temping the mocker Gods, but McGhee is not McCall so we should be alright. Treat the opposition with all due respect and put out a strong team to do the job and we will be in the next round. I think three nil sounds about right.

With regard to our players moving to the old firm, it has never been good business. It hacks off our fans to see them go to a rival and then play against us and the f*ckers always seem to want our players on the cheap. Their fault for being the ****s that they are? Or our fault for accepting the scraps offered? Not really hypocritical of us with regard to us picking up players from them as they are generally deemed sur plus to requirement and we are helping the player to resurrect a career ruined by the ugly sisters.

If Ainsworth goes, I hope itsn't for sweeties. Okay, we are all selling clubs in the SPFL, but when you look at what is paid for players down south, some of the fees we attract are bordering on the insulting. He has to be worth at least £300k. Always been inconsistent but a genuine game changer when in the mood. I will be sorry to see him go.

Yeah, I get that point about the difference between being bullied and being kicked off the park, but it does seem that when we go into contact we get called up for it more than the opposition. Poor technique in the tackle? Do we lack physicality because of poor conditioning or is it down to the type of players we have on our books? I would rather have a side of footballers than shot putters but if it is costing us points then we need to look at the problem.

What seems strange, viewed from the other side of the world, is how we complain that we get bullied by other sides, yet the stats on fouls etc seem to suggest it is us that is dishing out the dirty stuff. What gives? Shite referees?

Really feels like points dropped when you lose such a late equaliser. Bugger!

Any kind of win will do. We are on a decent run and need to keep it going. Given how close we are in the league, this takes on the"six pointer" tag.

Much appreciated. You do some great stuff on this thread and site UBH. I , for one, really enjoy your efforts so thanks for sharing your knowledge and skills.

The couple of postponed fixtures seem to add a bit of pressure. Although we have improved, and had some better results, we have not moved away from the danger zone. As such, we could really do with taking something from this match, and keeping the momentum going. Saints are a decent side so I would not be too unhappy with a point.

How would that look with the claret above the amber in the band? The collar looks okay, though maybe a little fancy for my tastes, but otherwise that is excellent.

Very nice idea. May you both enjoy them in good health.

The way McGhee handled this terrible situation for the club was, unfortunately, very quickly forgotten when he left for Aberdeen. It was also a factor in why I was happy enough to have him back. As long as Phil O'Donnell's family are happy with it, I would be happy for those fans who wish to, to celebrate his involvement with our club at the nearest home game to the anniversary of his tragic passing. It was undoubtedly a defining moment in the history of our club and worthy of being respected.

Any kind of win would be excellent news, and there is no real reason why we cannot hope for one. Unfortunately, United need a result like never before and you can always count on the fact that, in such circumstances, we are the team you want to play. As such, right now I would take a point.