2026/27 Ins & Outs Discussion

[David]

25 minutes ago, purestate said:

I’d be happy to try unilaterally to have a squad with a lot of (Scots) youngsters getting a chance. 

That's exactly my thinking, which is why I'm not so quick to dismiss some of the players we have in and around the first team already. I do think we have set a very high bar as fans, where we're looking for Turnbull/Miller/Johnston levels otherwise we shouldn't be looking to retain them.

We're going to have fringe players. It's how it works for clubs our size who require a decent-sized squad of players. I'd rather those fringe players were our own youngsters than loans or free signings that aren't all that much better in reality.

[wellsince75]

I’m sure most fans would love to see more their own coming through and to be fair there’s a virtuous cycle re playing and promoting youngsters that will encourage better quality youngsters over time. 

There’s a balance to be found . I’m  up for youngsters going on loan which several have done . There’s an argument they’ll get ready faster for first team by doing this . The reverse must also be true where we get bigger clubs youngsters .

Not all youngsters will be good enough - not just for the first team but also the squad . If we’ve had a player who’s been with us for several years , been out on loan and still lacking I don’t really accept that because they’re young and Scottish that we should keep them in the squad . 
 

fwiw I personally think the club are doing a very decent job at getting the balance right .

 

[dennyc]

2 hours ago, David said:

 

Not every player needs to be someone we're priming to sell on for millions. Sometimes it's fine to have a Euan Wilson-type player who can plug gaps and fill in as and when needed.

This idea that if someone hits 21 and hasn't become Lennon Miller means they're not up to doing a job is crazy. 

I agree to a degree but to my way of thinking you look at each position, starter and back up, and look to upgrade where possible. From youth teams (ours and elsewhere) if possible for those back ups.. That way you achieve a constant uplift in quality on the pitch and on the bench.. And more likliehood that those bench players will elevate to first team regulars.

Regards Wilson, he has been with us for a good number of years and after a very promising start has shown little to no progress. Despite loan placements to address whatever deficiencies our coaches identified. So how long do we wait before looking to upgrade? Ditto Luca Ross I guess. And if we hold on too long, are we effectively missing out on others that might improve us?

Not saying it's easy or that some decisions are painful to make but eventually it will be to the benefit of all concerned to part ways.

Cue Wilson scoring the winner on Thursday.

 

[purestate]

16 minutes ago, dennyc said:

So how long do we wait before looking to upgrade? Ditto Luca Ross I guess. And if we hold on too long, are we effectively missing out on others that might improve us?

Yes. This is the dilemma.  
On these specific players I do think Wilson has shown enough to be the type of squad player we are talking about.  In this case we have both Williams and Longelo who would likely start at left back in almost every case but he could replace either if not available.  
Ross hasn’t, for me, shown / grasped his chance in any position.  Maybe he is an example of going out to lower league as last opportunity.  

Long may we have some coming through to have these debates. 

 

[weeyin]

1 hour ago, texanwellfan said:

I thought I read someone on here saying it was in competition rules but not sure if it was specific competition or all competitions

We need 8 in our squad of 25 for the Conference League.