eljaggo

The loss of some prize money is bad news, but I fancy our chances in the play offs if Doolan can sort out the hibernation that seems to infect the team after we take early leads. Tiffoney's crucial equaliser might just act as a wake up call. Whatever happens in the play offs, Doolan seems very intelligent and I'm sure will learn much from the experience, which bodes well for next season. Doolan however is untested in recruiting players, and perhaps appointing an assistant on a short term basis to help with this might be useful. Beyond that, the allegedly non-existent scouting system needs attention.

No one's mentioned streets, Raith and dancing.

Niddrie is not what it used to be. No more 3 day lock-ins at the local pub. The copper roof stolen from the then new police station has been replaced and is still there. I blame the government.

Does it go as far as North Berwick? I'd settle for somewhere (anywhere) east of Shotts.

What a performance! Unfair and completely wrong to single out individual players for praise. Defence was immaculate, midfield worked like trojans in defence and attack, and the movement up front was just stunning. We must have won 80% of 50:50 balls in tackles, and that alone made a huge contribution. What a difference Doolan has made, and his impressive interview after the match showed someone who has a clearly thought out strategy, to which the players obviously wholeheartedly subscribe. The Club has been transformed by the departure of the previous board and management, and it has been a long time since I felt so positive about our prospects both on and off the pitch.

Don't understand some of your points. Can't understand your first point - would the two clubs unconciously ground share? Not sure what proportion of fans live in NW Glasgow, and what proportion of them would refuse to travel 5 miles or so to the southside if faced with that or no Club.. You seem to be saying that there was some financial benefit from sharing Firhill even after increased pitch maintenance. Some of are valid points, but don't add up to addressing the fundamental problem - an ageing, oversized stadium with a declining fanbase, and no wealthy owner to bankroll the Club. What do you suggest? I suspect that unless promoted within the next 2 or 3 years, some more fundamental choices will have to be made than the choice of playing surface.

Don't understand your question scotty, but the answer is yes.

It's mad that Partick Thistle and Queens Park do not share a stadium. It happens in Rome and Milan to name just two cities, why not in Glasgow? In Scotland we allowed the old firm to dictate our stadia size, forcing clubs invest off the pitch, reducing the ability to invest on it. I wonder who that benefits, both on the pitch, and off it (with increased long term maintenance for smaller clubs)? How we fund neccessary maintenance and refurbishment will be a real test for our fan owned club. There has to be a serious debate followed by a clear plan. Without that things are likely to drift, ending in even higher costs.

I was one who argued for a new manager that did not have a Thistle background nor was one of the second tier Scottish managers doing the circuit. Doolan may have proved me wrong. I hope so.

True, and seemingly after he had been subbed! The BBC coverage is dire.

Clear as mud to me. Who decides what are separate issues for each organisation? If two or more organisations decide a single issue (say raising capital for refurbishment) is relevant to them, then presumably Javajag and many others will have one vote for each of their memberships/beneficiaries on that single issue. PS. From personal experience the Jags Trust will need to get their act together sharpish w.r.t membership.

Woodstock Jag "St Mirren had an (inexact) analogy when SMISA spent a spell as a minority shareholder. Their shareholders' agreement took account of the transitional period, where their legal powers would be more limited. I anticipate that the trust deed reform will seek to do the same, precisely to reassure people like you." Mmmmm..... Could you expand please on that last phrase? Would it have been possible to agree a set of criteria that, if met, would automatically trigger the final stage(s), and agree dates for the achievement of these criteria? Is it too late to do that? I don't want to sound negative, and I apreciate all the hard work that has gone in to get to this stage, and applaud TJF for their perseverence.

Agreement seems to me like a (complicated) step in the right direction, showing welcome improvements in fan control. If I am reading the document correctly, I am a bit alarmed though at the apparent continued ability of PTFC Trust to control progress as they see fit. Maybe I misread it, or maybe there have been unwritten safeguards agreed between the parties.

I'm not asking for oversimplification, I'm asking for a well written description. Difficult, but achievable.

Why on earth would McCall reject the Board's objective of promotion? Tantamount to a resignation.

MarciaBlane is spot-on! Just say it in plain language using Mark Twain's dictum: "Use small words and use old words"

The Board's statement is not explicit that the three will be leaving the Club: It only mentions "first team duties." I'm sure that is just careless wording, but it just re-inforces the impression that the whole affair was very badly handled, and that confidence in the Board has been severely dented.

If some posters here are right (and I sincerely hope they're not) and there is a breakdown in the relationship between the PTFC Trust and TJF, then maybe its time for TJF to start playing hardball. The Trust have the shares, but TJF have a substantial income that will probably rise after this episode as more fans sign up. That income is crucial to the running of the Club. If the Board want TJF's income they should get it, but only on receipt of the equivalent value in ordinary voting shares.

I was among those calling for a change in management but only after taking time to find someone who offered better prospects. But Like almost everyone else, I am completely stunned by the timing of this. What concerns me are first of all why the TJF was not involved or at least given prior warning. Second, given the frankly bizarre timing and nature of the decision, how can we be confident in the Board's ability to make a sensible choice for the next manager. Although Doolan has been appointed on a short term basis with no fixed duration, it would not surprise me if the Board took the easy option of making the appointment permanent in the belief that an ex-Jag as manager would appease many fans, and deflect anger if things went badly. I wonder how Gerry Brittan is feeling this morning. This whole affair stinks, and unless we are careful could permanently damage the relationship that has been built up between PTFC Trust and TJF.

The Club could recruit and start a manager before they let McCall go, so they would not need an interim manager. Please - no-ex-jags!

I've no idea what McCall's contract looks like, but if it is a 12 month rolling one as has been suggested, then it might mean that (a) he can be paid on a monthly basis for that period, and (b) there might be a clause that if he finds a new job within the 12 months the payments are reduced or ended. If the Board decides on a change of manager, TJF montly income could possibly be used to fund that if other claims on it are deemed to be less important. TJF may find that if it is understood by fans that their income is being used in that way, membership might increase. The good news is that we don't have to rush into appointing a new manager, and we have until the end of the season to choose one. As I have said already, I would prefer a complete outsider to Scottish football, and avoid ex-Jags and the other Scottish managers that circulate between Scottish clubs.

McCall and his 2 assistants offer no prospects for promotion, this season or next. They have had ample time to prove their worth, but have failed. There is no urgent need to find a new manager (we are unlikely to be relegated), and so the Board should start looking around, take their time, and find someone who is (a) not an ex Thistle player, and (b) someone outside Scotland who can offer something different to the tired old regulars who operate in Scotland. Reducing the management team from the current 3 plus the new, regular income from TJF will help. I have been reluctant (like many I suspect) to call for a change, but enough is enough.

Why are we so keen to hire ex Jags players as managers?

TJF now need to do some serious thinking about the best way to spend their substantial monthly income, and discuss their views with the Board if they have not already done so. I find the lack of transfer activity a bit surprising, especially given the extensive injury list, and the availability of TJF funds. Perhaps though, the Club's finances are weak, and may need TJF support at current player numbers. The Club does seem to lack a clear sense of direction at the moment - perhaps not surprising given recent boardroom changes. A statement from the Board would be welcome.

Has anyone else not received TJF email mentioned above?