lady-isobel-barnett

I thought Gough lived in California? I've heard him on the radio a few times lately and he comes across as a very articulate and intelligent guy. That of course doesn't necessarily make him a good manager.

Seems to be a bit of a mystery . I can understand the temp appointments and Maxie's exclusion, but can't figure out why his situation hasn't been mentioned. The only thing I can imagine for this secrecy is that telling us Maxie's position would reveal more about why McCall left or more accurately about the timing of his departure. Perhaps, given all our injuries, Maxie will be on the bench today.

I'm assuming the signings are all re-signings and the few as three from Archie, Robbo, Hodge, Stewart, Flannigan & McGeough. As for the taking of "litmus tests from people who know football better than us", that would mean an extremely long process

Beat me to it, Will. Think he's a CA.

Fair points. I would say that even with the salary we're likely to be paying we can still attract a manager of reasonable pedigree/experience. That's more down to our location than anything else. I happen to believe that Jim Duffy would make an excellent Jags coach but have grave doubts about his managerial qualities. Only reason I mention that is it would open the way for us to appoint a good senior organisational manager. Not Alex Smith, of course, but someone like him that's been about for many a year What I fear is we'll appoint someone with maybe a decent enough results history at our level (eg Hughes) but is an organisational nightmare (eg Hughes).

And he recommended Stewart. Can't really qualify why but I would have been more surprised if Donnelly or Maxie had been chosen ahead of McNamara. I guess we'll be hearing and seeing the words cheap and option over the next few weeks or so. Also just noticed that the online E Times has no coverage of this. Makes me think this resignation/quitting has a certain amount of spontaneity about it

Last 4 home games have averaged about 1400.

Fairly sure Burns is out for the season. Don't really think this is a crisis as such given our league position. I rather think we'll be more concerned with whatever is brewing at Firhill.

Will not be the least surprised if Willie is the next club captain.

Naturally I can't speak for others. Skinny lad about eighteen years old, plays attacking midfield and has had two or three first team outings earlier in the season. Yes, I recall Bannigan very well.

The only thing I'm not enjoying about this is that Rangers are now claiming "they got it in for us" and when you bracket that with QC McBride's "they got it in for us" the other day all we're going to hear about is ugly sister paranoia for weeks on end. I know nearly all we hear about is the OF but this will put it up to a higher level. What Bain & his cohorts don't seem to grasp is the principle of zero tolerance. It's true that the current regime at Ibrox can feel hard done by as they've done much to try and rid their lot of sectarianism (overtly at least) but they're in truth getting punished for doing hee haw in the past. They had the equivalent of nine points on their licence for cases of excessive speeding, where at any time a ban would have been far more appropriate, and now they've picked up another three points for going a few mph over the limit. Yeh, the current regime at Ibrox can feel a bit miffed, but they should be targeting their anger towards the clowns that used to run their club but did nothing or far too little over decades.

Why shouldn't they play him?

Maybe we should hold a Jags Trust Rep of the Year award.

Saw an Alex McSpadyen cigarette card yesterday. Unfortunately it was framed with a couple of dozen other UK footballers and they were wanting £30 for the collection.

It was Campbell that was penalised. Annoying to be wrong footed by a quick free kick. It was about the fourth or fifth they had taken quickly but we still weren't prepared for it. Noticed on Tuesday night we weren't so careless with that at least.

Was just going to post exact same. That said I thought McNamara went off for tactical reasons yet we continued with a back three. I still tho' don't believe we were the poorer side while Jackie was on the pitch. I know he put in a decent 90 min shift not that long ago so I'm not that sure he's a goner. Can't see on last night's evidence what Armand saw that convinced him otherwise. Anyway I'm fairly sure we won't be seeing Jackie play many more games for us so it's hardly worth much discussion. Agree tho' with about everything else Armand 2 posted.

I don't think there was much conviction last night. Almost had the feel of a reserve game at times. Cairney & Boyle trotting up in no hurry to take corners when we were two down Three centre halves even after McNamara went off. Only late in the game did Willie K break ranks with Balatoni & Archie and move forward. Doolan again dropping to midfield, where he gave away the ball that led to the 2nd goal. The only plus I could take from the game was it gave Stewart a run out. Not going to comment on his showing as he needs at least three games off the bench and maybe a start or two before it would be fair to judge him. The quicker that's done the sooner McCall can make make a decision. So that was about the only value to last night.

Didn't think he had a bad second half. I've noticed the guy sees so much of the ball in a game even when he seems in a half hearted mood. Thought his inclusion in the 2nd half on Saturday was part of the reason Falkirk got on top for a good chunk of the 45 minutes.

That's cheered me up a bit after last night. It might be slightly unrealistic to expect too much from them next season but the Erskine-Doolan-Grehan trio look like they could develop into a very good combination, At our level and our financial situation we're unlikely to unearth some fearsome 25 league goal striker so hopefully that trio could go someway to making up for the absence of a top notch goalscorer. Meantime I hope all those who slate Grehan every game at Firhill will have watched these highlights and will cut the fella a bit of slack. Maybe start counting the assists and not the lack of goals. Perhaps with a bit of composure brought on from more confidence he'll chip in with a few goals as well. Can't say I thought it at the time but, when we were two up in the first half, Cairney looks like he should have passed to Campbell instead of shooting. Maybe JC had come from an offside position but if not it certainly looks the better option.

Hopefully the two goals he got on Saturday secures his place in the Ayr starting eleven.

Ah! Now I know what a rolling contract is

I wonder if there are many on here who don't have a nutter 10-15 feet away from them. That's one of the greatest benefits of terracing. You can always move away or, if you're not in such a conciliatory mood, creep round the back of the guy and politely strangle him .

I feel that would be unfair on Bannigan and in any case counterproductive. He's playing competitive football at least till Ayr secure a play off place and then again hopefully he'd play a part in what could be four play-off games. That experience alone should mean at the start of the season we'll have a player far more mature than his age.

McGeough is a right back but McCall said he thought his future might be in right midfield. The Glaswegian have Robbo out injured. Willie K was fine as an orthodox right back on Saturday so McCall could try out McGeough in a wide right position. In any case Cairney might be better deployed in centre mid. He was woefully short of pace at Falkirk but altho' he said he tired his stamina didn't look too bad. Assuming neither Erskine or Campbell are risked we're maybe forced into a 3-5-2, which would be a pity we've looked better 4-4-2 against this lot. Is Stewart available tonight?