lady-isobel-barnett

If we get a bumper crowd on Saturday all to the good. I'll be more interested in how many turn up for the next home match against Dumbarton. Proof, puddin' & all that.

My only criticism is this should've been done two or so seasons ago. I applaud the kids go free initiative but felt it was such a great selling point it was worth more extensive marketing some time back. That's my only criticism and these packages look excellent. Well done to those concerned. Btw another avenue worth promoting to home and away fans (especially the latter) is the parent plus two/three/four kids still only £17 compared to, well any other ground where it'll cost £x more on average. I'm guessing there's loads of other clubs fans who can't afford to travel to away games due to having to double/treble up costs bringing kids along. Firhill would be a relatively cheap day out.

Pressley is very single minded about league reconstruction. He appears to differ from the mainstream view in that he feels appeasing sevco is a price worth paying for league change. That aside he's forward thinking and I believe speaks for most of us.

All I can think of is sevco are building a squad at a quality level that will get them into the top tier a year earlier than possible under the present set up. Even at that they have to be in the 2nd tier next season, which would require something like a 16-16-10 set up. The other possibility could be an SPL2 with ground and/or status requirements and restrictions where sevco could squeeze in the back door.. Tbh I wouldn't have any real complaints about the first scenario except I find the idea that one club (or a few more, Mr Beattie?) were in the loop and the majority blissfully unaware rather unsavoury. The idea of a 16-16-10 set up does appeal..

Dave, As much out of curiosity as anything else did the police explain their over the top presence at the ARR Craib weekend? I know on the Saturday there were twenty or so casuals floating about outside but amount of police in addition to stewarding were ridiculously high considering the nature of the games and attendances. Perhaps the police were guided by some misinformed intelligence, or as I thought at the time they were using the matches as a training exercise for the Olympic football at Hampden, but if not I think a lot of us who attended the football that weekend will be surprised at their relaxed attitude to the North Stand move. Anyway as I say it's more curiosity than anything else and I hope the move is a great success. You and One Thistle have obviously done a grand job in getting agreement and support to get this off the ground.

Others mentioned it at the time and I must admit to not noticing it at the game but the standard of shooting was deplorable. the one shot we hit accurately and at pace resulted in a goal. Btw I still think we scored with that header on 37secs. Usually the camera makes you feel silly when you see the replay but it looks even more of a goal in film.

Nonsense. For Tommy thanks pictures. Very appreciated much

ditto

I noticed last night that Traynor was partnered by Cosgrave on his phone in. I'd like to think that was because someone in production realises that even for a wind up merchant Traynor has alienated, thru mainly his DR drivel, too many of his listeners. Cosgrave might not be everyone's cup of tea but he's been consistent with his against the media grain comments over the sevco saga. Fortunately I was home from Forfar before I heard too much phone in nonsense but I'd like to think that pairing Cosgrove with the Airdrie Oaf may have tempered much of the pro Ibrox excesses.

We all know Murray doesn't take many prisoners but I don't believe he's got form for getting booked/sent off cheaply. The sending off yesterday was probably harsh but if I'm not contradicting myself he had to attempt a tackle. If he starts picking up bookings for daft thinks like talking back, kicking the ball away etc then it'll be a cause for concern as he's bound to collect the yellows for the physical stuff.

Media must love this guy. Never knows when to shut up, always there for a daft comment. Makes Yogi Hughes seem like a model of diplomacy.

Definite penalty and I wasn't shocked to see Murray get sent off but I thought the decision was harsh. A couple of Forfar fans beside me thought likewise. The ref was a joke but I wouldn't hold that as his most incompetent decision, For sheer comedy effect awarding a free kick against Lawless when the big defender, at least one and a half times his size, almost vaulted over wee Steve was the ref's highpoint. One thing for certain I've had my fill of watching football on synthetic pitches. I made the point last year that it may be fine to play on (I'm far from convinced) but no matter how they've improved they fall far short of ideal for the spectator. I wouldn't be so daft to say I prefer watching football played on pitches like the state Firhill has been in too often of late but that apart give me grass every time. Anyway it was a professional display today and a most useful learning exercise. Pleasantly surprised how big Muirhead appears to made the step up so well and so quickly..

Evidently Christie has tonsillitis. Perhaps he'll make the bench if he's on the mend?

Close behind that 3-3 game for fun value was 2-2 draw at Firhill. We were 0-2 down after I believe 73 seconds. I know we only got a point but it felt like a 2-0 win.

Just because we release a couple of younger players doesn't necessarily mean that it frees up a wage. Jackie may well have been over budget and knew he would have to release a mainstream player or a couple of youngsters. He may just have been deciding who had to go. I suspect if money was available a tried and tested left sided centre back would be high on the priority, I'm sure Archie's position is easy enough covered for a game or too but an extended spell out, not that unlikely an occurrence, could be problematic. Money there or not I haven't a clue who that player could be.

Aye but to the mindless and sadly those that should know better if you only complain about one lot then it's the complainer that's seen as the bigot.in their eyes. Just as BBC/ITV won't have a Celtic story without balancing it with a Rangers story, even if there isn't anything, and vice versa, you've got to gig the dirt about both lots. And so it goes on and on and on.

I saw Scully on Saturday and I wouldn't be surprised if he's fit to return fairly soon. Personally I think you want your third goalie on the bench. He maintains match sharpness playing reserve and under-19 games. Meantime your No2 goalie goes out on loan hopefully playing very regularly in the lower leagues or if needs be the Juniors. If Fox takes a knock or is suspended Wightman comes in. If Foxy is out for a lengthy period Scully is recalled.

Good problems and bad problems and fitting both Sinclair & Bannigan into the team is of the former type. Everything about Bannigan at the moment is positive and it would be very difficult to justify leaving him out a starting eleven. Both players are better played as wing-backs than as orthodox full backs. Using wing-backs in effect means one less attacking midfield place to find for Bannigan should Sinclair play. With goals from midfield going to be crucial, on pre-season form Lawless and Welsh are more than likely starters. Wouldn't be surprised then if Sinclair misses out for a game or two. As said it's a good problem to have at the moment tho' undoubtedly a difficult one to take for one or two players who've done little wrong.

Definitely George Young and I think far right at the back as you look at it is Billy Liddell.

Has the annual payment the SPL is due the SFL been paid, held back or just reneged? Seems to me if the SPL cannot or will not forward that money the SFL should be taking the matter further. I still sadly believe that there's no desire from Longmuir and the lower division clubss to push for larger leagues. Never been a better time as well.

Co-incidentally also the description for both Stewart Regan & Neil Doncaster.

I made that mistake earlier. They replaced Dundee's fixture.

Clyde and Alloa should be docked 25 points each. Both clubs contrived to charge me £2.50 for a roll & sausage whereas a roll in sausage and bacon in the home end is £1,50. This is far worse than EBTs

Forgot about that. So it's the final or nothing.

Can perhaps be accused of Tom Hughes mentality but drawing sevco at Ibrox today would be cracking. I'm sure we could anticipate a large crowd while "loyalty" is still top of the agenda with that lot. OK it would be a very winnable tie and morale boosting for the troops but the bottom line imo would be the financial aspect. It is after all low priority competition and possibly a hindrance as well. I suppose I'm contradicting myself when saying the other ideal outcome would be meeting sevco in the final. As a one off it would bring significantly more interest to this normally silly competition. That would of course be another money spinner tho' I got a feeling that the "loyalty" aspect of watching sevco will be well on the wane by then.