oneteaminglasgow

Bannigan has, for me, been the single most important cog outwith Alan Archibald in the clubs rise over the last few seasons. I wish him all the best wherever he ends up.

I'm pretty sure the Motherwell defender hoofing the ball back to us to attack again and then one making a complete hash of his header away are just as at fault as ainsworth for momentarily switching off. And McGhee for making some bizarre tactical decisions and settling for the draw from what I heard on radio commentary. When's ainsworth's contract up? I'd take him at Firhill if McGhee thinks he's so shite..

Ive got a feeling he's the same guy that wanted Ryan McGivern in to replace ATS a few season back. He has a point re Osman, as we've no other midfielders that play the same role as him and will always struggle of he's out, but I think Frans and Lindsay together would be absolutely fine if Seaborne is out. And there's a good possibility of some more of the younger players going out on loan so not sure what he's saying there.

Thistle win.

Draw.

He's played at a higher level than us before with QPR, and although clearly he didn't cut it there, he's done quite well in India recently although I have no idea what the actual standard there is. Still, comfortable on both feet allegedly so that could prove handy. Hopefully gives us something different.

Thistle win v Motherwell, even though it'll probably be off.

Sorry, I took the OP to be a claim that Lawless owes the club for standing by him during the betting stuff, and bemoaning a perceived general lack of loyalty amongst professional footballer's when they move for more money. Was it something else?

What a bizarre outburst. He's not signed for anyone yet as far as I can see. I'm sure he'll assess all his options and go wherever he feels is best for him, whether that be us, United or anyone else. We've had 4 good seasons out of Lawless, I'd say he's earned us standing by him in his troubles and doesn't owe the club anything.

Thistle win.

Gary Fraser is also a different type of player to Bannigan. Bannigan's game is all about linking play, creating space for others to move in and generally retaining possession. Fraser has a better range of passing and seems to be more about driving on from midfield and trying to be direct at goal. I like Gary Fraser a lot, and I genuinely think that out of all the players we've had over the last few years he has the most potential, but I still don't think he's a replacement for Bannigan. My ideal midfield 3 would be Bannigan-Fraser-Osman with Welsh as cover so I'd definitely not feel comfortable selling Bannigan.

Drops down to a level that he can handle, presumably.

I don't. They might have done. Whether they did or didn't, I'm not sure that it's a great idea.

Travel costs are a big one. If they could be subsidised then great, but if not then I feel it would be ridiculous to ask small clubs to fork out to travel to Wales or Ireland for a game. The idea of having English Premiership under 21 sides playing in it which I saw mentioned is ludicrous, as they'd obviously wipe the floor with our teams. Have they, or indeed any Welsh or northern Irish FA officials, even been consulted or is it just the SFA saying it? I can't imagine Chelsea or man united being too keen to send their young players to stenhousemuir on a Tuesday night. Furthermore, if this kind of competition was to happen, then why should it replace the challenge cup? Why is there a need to get rid of the only cup lower league sides have a realistic chance at? I think there's the basis of an alright idea for some cross border competition there, but this suggestion isn't one I'd like to see implemented.

He'd be mad to go to Blackpool considering what a state they've been in. Not sure if they're still a basketcase of a club or if oyston has left? Would think he could do better than Shrewsbury as well.

I'd say we'd have a better chance of securing a player by being a better team and steering clear of a real relegation battle this year, potentially making the top 6 (which is by no means out of reach). We're more likely to do that with Bannigan as a Partick Thistle player. The only valid reason to sell one of your best players mid way through a season is if the offer is worth more than keeping the player at the club could be. Noone is going to offer us that amount of money, and as such, I'll be pretty furious if we agree to sell Bannigan this window. Edit: or if you need the money to stop the club going bust I suppose, but that's not really relevant to this situation.

I don't know how we're going to replace Bannigan next year, I'm not Alan Archibald or involved at any level in the transfer dealings at Partick Thistle. I would presume that we have a list of targets drawn up and we will attempt to secure one or more of them as his replacement. The offer for O'Donnell was accepted and he turned down the move, we didn't puposely let his contract run down. In any case, he was one of our best players towards the end of last season, and helped secure a lot of points with some outstanding displays. If we had sold him, we could very well have done a lot worse in the league overall. If Lyle Taylor had wanted to sign on a permanent basis, he would have. He got a better offer from Wimbledon, and as such he's gone there. You have no idea how we go about dealing with player recruitment, and neither do I so I have no idea why you're presuming that we don't "plan for the future." I'd say that plenty of our dealings over the last few years have had the future in mind.

I would say that that is extremely short sighted. Bannigan is one of our most important players, I'd say he's probably the second most important other than Osman. Selling him when we're certainly not safe from the threat of relegation would be insane. I'm not saying we'll definitely stay up with him in the team, I'm just saying we're much more likely to do so with him in the team. Staying up with the possibility of Rangers and Hibs coming up, plus differences in prize money between 11th and wherever we ended up will be much more valuable to the club than 200k.

I think it's quite a nice wee competition, and a chance for lower league clubs to win something which they simply wouldn't get otherwise.

I'll be surprised if another club at our level goes for Connolly at this stage in his career. That's not to say he doesn't have potential to play at this level, but when I've seen him he doesn't look near it so I'd expect him to drop down a division and go to maybe Dumbarton or similar. If we did sign him, I'd expect him out on loan immediately anyway, as he needs first team football to improve. Edit: he's training with Raith Rovers apparently.

Win.

Probably not, since the Challenge Cup is an SPFL competition, and the national teams are run by the SFA. It's still an absolutely dreadful idea though.

Andrew Considine at Aberdeen is the only one I can think of from the top of my head, been there since about 2003 I think. Keith Lasley might be another although I think he went down south at one point.

Aye, but Canning took over a side who were 3rd in the league half way through the season, finished 7th, then in the next season had them sitting 10th, having gone out both cup competitions to lower league sides (one of which is arguably the worst result for a top flight side in the modern history of the cup) and without a win in 8 matches, having conceded 4 or more goals 6 times this season. Pretty clear to see he's not doing a very good job. I hope he stays on though.

2 years with the option of an additional one, I think. Doubt we'll be taking him up on that one.