The Arch

If Jim Duffy and Chic Charnley got the job I would genuinely consider ending it. Possibilities are Paul Hartley, Paul Sheerin, Allan Johnston, Alan Archibald and Gardner Speirs. I still think Jackie won't leave though..

Looking at the official site pics, Bannigan definitely seems to have been going to the gym and filled out a bit. Now that he's physically getting there, he's going to be some player. He's undroppable,

Apologies if I came across as an "In The Know" dick with my last post, but I can't say what the story is before it appears in the paper. Was just meant to be a heads up.

Some worrying news about Jackie in The Scottish Sun tomorrow, I'm sorry to say.

We undervalue Forbes. We scored two goals from his corners today. At home, he's been worth about a goal a game since he's arrived. I know he doesn't charge around all the time, as Scottish football fans seem to have an obsession with, but he's good to watch. He's really grown on me.

Very much this. They need a bit of a lift. Thought the fans could have done a bit more than they did at the Dumbarton game. Any time we tried to start a song up the back it died on its arse.

I would pay for all of the Nomads to go to the Challenge Cup final.

Forbes strikes me as one of those players who would appreciated more in another country, where chasing down lost causes isn't the be all and end all. I was only there for 70 minutes yesterday, so maybe he tired, but I thought he played quite well. For our first goal, we weren't going anywhere until he disguised a pass which took out two or three players. He was in the thick of things while we were in charge for the last 20 mins of the first half. I don't think the balance is great with Bannigan, Paton, Welsh and Forbes all playing, but I suppose we needed to try something new away from home. And it almost worked.

As much as I like Doolan, Russell is definitely better than him and Daly was the top scorer in the SPL last year. Also, Thompson is essentially a much better version of Steven Craig, who Doolan can't get ahead of at the moment..

Pretty strong stats to back this up I must admit. It does seem Paton misses Murray a bit because it puts a lot more pressure on to him. And when we had those two together, it allowed everyone else to bomb on, knowing that the back door was locked. I'd imagine Welsh's stats for starts to win ratio is probably almost as high as Murray. Hopefully with him back fit, things will get back to how they were.

In the Daily Record today... Derek Adams yesterday axed four Ross County players - and is looking to cut a deal with Partick Thistle for Steven Craig. Adams confirmed: "Thistle are obviously riding high at the top of the first division and want to strengthen their squad. "If they can come up with a deal suitable to the player and to Ross County, he'll leave. If not Steven will come back at the end of December."

We got in a story from a news agency this afternoon that the players are thoroughly pissed off with the way they're being treated, and are taking a stand. It's mainly made up of source quotes but they're a respectable agency and have been right on Dunfermline stories before. I presume they know somebody from inside the club. BBC are usually ahead of the game, or miles behind. Never inbetween. This time seems to be the latter.

Can we? Yes Will we? I think so. Will be in tomorrow's papers that Dunfermline's players have gone on strike. Dunno what that involves but can only be a good thing for us.

Supposedly it's still one year rolling deals but better terms. They're more important than any of the players, so great news. Statement of intent to the players as well.

Quite like the guy who keeps shouting "SON OF JOE" as Craig scores the winner. 1st goal was excellent for what it was. Can't remember a striker holding up the ball like that since Britton left, and a lovely finish.

We had him on trial pre-season last year. He actually looked quite decent, and played well away at Motherwell, but we signed Scott Robertson instead. Seems to be doing well at Dundee by all accounts, but would he get ahead of Balatoni or Muirhead?

The picture in that article is already one of all time favourite Jags pictures. Great scenes.

I'm not suggesting dropping Lawless long term or even regularly, but some of the away games he has been strangled a wee bit. I think he's excellent, but Raith, Morton, and Hamilton x2 away he's been marked out the game. I just think Bannigan on the front three might work better on some occasions, when it's a bit more scrappy. Outside of the striker and back 4, you have Paton, Forbes, Welsh, Bannigan, Lawless, and Erskine that should be playing every week. But 6 doesn't fit into 5, so someone has to miss out. It's just who drops out. And I'm pretty sure Paton, Welsh and Erskine will play every week. So it's down to 3 for 2. It's bloody tough, but great situation to be in.

I can't wait for Welsh to play either tbh. I'm pretty sure Welsh and Paton will be picked every game by Jackie when fit, so it's a conundrum what to do. I personally think he might start trying Bannigan as a winger. Clearly very versatile, and possibly worth playing ahead of Lawless in more physical games, although Lawless is always good for a goal.

I see Forbes is getting a bit of grief. One thing I would say is that he's probably worth about a goal a game with his set pieces, and he could be the difference between us winning promotion and not, despite him sometimes being slugglish and ponderous. Would we have won Livi game if he hadn't set up Sinclair with that cross? Dunfermline 5-1 game could have been completely different without his cross for Balatoni's goal to make it 2-1. I wasn't there yesterday but sounds like he had the corner for Craig's goal. Given the tight margins he is absolutely vital. Even though I think Welsh, Paton and Bannigan are all better all-round players than him, one would have to make way for Forbes because of how important his delivery.

Been reading fans reaction from Albion Rovers fans last two games and although they seem to think Elliot's been decent for them so far, they're all saying that they massively miss McGuigan. Seem to love the guy. Would be delighted if he's a success with us, because application isn't the issue and you can tell he wants it.

I think Erskine would be a massive loss actually. We really don't have much strength in depth at all with our wingers, and Lawless is ineffective in say 1 out of 3 games. Maybe Bannigan/Sinclair could step forward into the left sided winger role, but I don't think they'd get the same amount of goals as Erskine. I think we need to roll the dice on this one unless we get a stupid offer. We're pretty strict on budget, and are performing above what's expected in attendances, so I don't think we massively need the money. It's not the same as when Harkins was attracting interest for example. I've heard Hibs are after more than just Erskine, although don't know who the others are. I'd imagine O'Donnell would be the one but who knows. Won't be Welsh thankfully considering him and Fenlon hate each other.

Could we not cover the Bing in Thistle flags or something? At least as a short term measure.

No loss to society.

I've not had anything to do with the story. Someone sent us an email with a link to this thread. By all accounts, Jim Brown seems to be living in a fantasy land. Odd chap.