lady-isobel-barnett

I know what you mean. Winning promotion is great but actually playing in the top division brings in itself a lot of negatives (as a fan). You talk to fans of recently demoted clubs like St J, Dundee Utd, Killie etc and they enjoy actually the drop down a tier. But I'd say that's to do with a change of scenery as much as anything. But the likely inclusion in our division of ICT & Livingston is hardly going to freshen things up. Sways me to preferring getting promoted despite the hassles than another season of playing same old clubs plus the thought of Cappielow and Almondvale.

Agree there. Might be wrong but I think they only gave away two fouls in the 2nd half. Add that to the game producing no yellow cards and you get a fair indication their priority lies next weekend. They actually have a midweek game (Airdrie on plastic). Might be worth a few bob on the home team?

Bit like the so near repeat in the 2nd half. I was surprised when the ref pointed for a corner.

Was indeed a great goal. Check out Alex at 58-60secs to see a typical involvement from him.

Went for No 2 option with the similar viewpoint to the OP. Tho' knowing we would've been sharing Hampden with Celtic takes a bit of gloss off the prospect.

Agree with Fearchar. Fortunately we have a squad mentality, which helps if we have to rest certain payers.

If this is just a "mutual gesture of respect", I'd love to see your definition of full blown hug.😀

Tho' I don't have a strong opinion myself on this, I think there's some credence to the view that the use of Firhill for this event should have been opened to fan consultation. There's some similarity in respect to the Celtic game where it was such an issue. I realise as a commercial decision this may have been a no brainer. Plus any stadium damage/repairs will likely be of zero cost to the Club. Also we're in an every penny's a prisoner situation. I believe other clubs knocked hosting the final back, which perhaps indicates it wasn't that lucrative. And the state of the pitch is at best fragile. Will it be unaffected come Saturday? Maybe Woodstock Jag could add his tuppence worth here. If only to say where he feels the line should be drawn between what is and what's not considered worthy/appropriate for fan consultation. Even just knowing the reason why there was none in itself has value.

Evidently the cost of repairs will be covered by the SPFL who'll then pass on the bill to Raith/ICT (presumably in effect, the former). We won't be responsible costwise. I've seen a video of some of the damage and it's truly sickening. I'll rarely if ever blame stewards but blaming stewarding is another matter entirely. That starts at the top not the bottom.

Bannigan was Ayr's MotM on Saturday and I thought when Ayr played last game at Firhill he was the best player on the pitch. But, yes I agree our current midfielders are preferable.

Just there for the banter?

Well done to Ben S.👍 Even those who didn't vote for him as first choice will acknowledge his effort and enthusiasm. He also comes across as being a pleasant modest lad who's first and foremost very much a team player. Also great to see a Youth Academy player get the Senior award. I guess the only way Ben will be playing for us next season is if we get promoted. Even if we were, still a bit of a long shot at that. Whatever I wish Ben all the best with his future career.

One thing fairly noticeable, tho' deservedly the preferred goalie, Clarke's distribution isn't as quick and decisive as Young Bud's. In the first half there were many opportunities for either centreback to take the ball forward but a combination of neither O'Reilly nor Ashcroft being comfortable on the ball going forward and/or a lack of movement ahead killed off those chances. I'd suggest the introduction of Loughrey played a major part in the increased intensity in the second half. Letsosa for Crawford another plus. Yesterday I came away feeling like we'd been beaten. When in reality we had drawn a game at Somerset Park with 10 men, not losing a goal in open play. Just about on any previous visit we'd have been rather chuffed at that. So feeling glum at the result really shows how far we've come as a team. When the dust is settled not picking up full points yesterday will be far down the list of reasons we didn't win the title. Personally I believe not scoring enough goals from open play over the season will be the most significant factor.

I can see a red card coming. Looks like we'll have the wind in our favour.

Aye that's better. Certainly got the 1pm rain spot on.

BBC Weather doesn't appear to have changed its prediction for Ayr this afternoon in days, so I doubt its accuracy. Plus it is the BBC, after all. Just if it is spot on we're due the Dave fella to hit home at 4pm. It's predicted to be coming from due south. It'll thus be mainly cross pitch with any advantage slightly favouring the team kicking towards the away end. We'll see!

To avoid confusion, personally I too am not unhappy re current use of my money. But I'm a strong supporter of TJF. There'll be many more on the wavering side of things. Certainly it'll be easier to attract new members if TJF could display earmarked projects.

Agree. An assisting tool for TJF with regards to keeping and growing its membership would be to use funds for more tangible projects. Put another way TJF would be a more marketable organisation if members and prospect members could physically see the benefits or at least be aware of ring-fenced benefits. Specific TJF targeted projects as opposed to simply handing money over to prop up the kitty.

There's informed talk in Perthshire regarding running extremely low on red diesel. Could this impact onto St Johnstone?

Agree. Knows the League. Ayr can still get in the playoffs both promotion or relegation. Reckon his remit will be to steer clear of the latter.

If back then there was any bias I guess more likely it would be made in our favour. Other top tier clubs would prefer not to have the additional cost of an overnight up north. We've little to blame bar ourselves and I suppose the play off set up. But in truth being fourth in a 10 team league hardly gives you that much much credence.

I don't know much about kit sponsors/manufacturers/retailers but I imagine if we avoided the latter then nett profit margins would increase considerably. That's hardly rocket surgery and obviously the bottom line is how much volume would suffer. Could it be we're heading for an online only operation?

.......even with three Suzukis in their squad.

See Scott Martin played near full game today.