lady-isobel-barnett

I don't really see crowds increasing tho' maybe a couple of play off games would help the coffers.

I suppose if Grehan comes good he'd still not be an out and out goalscorer whereas if Buchanan recovers form he'll score regularly. We'll still need a goalscorer if Grehan stays. If you can mind the last Falkirk game Hardie played as a target man for much of that match. I thought he was very effective at both holding the ball up and laying it off. Grehan replaced Hardie and the difference was like night and day. It's maybe an unfair comparison but it showed just how far Grehan has to improve to be even an efficient target man. I do tho' agree with above poster that the lad hasn't been given much of a whip crack in the first team. Buchanan has been given far more time to come good again. Don't think fairness will play a great part when it comes to shedding a player or two.

I immediately thought it was an ordering off just even from the cynicism of the action alone. From the technical side of the decision Rowson was heading directly towards goal as opposed to a different angle. That I hear is as often as not the deciding factor and the last man thingy and goal scoring opportunity more commentator phrasing. BTW what a stupid phrase goal scoring opportunity is. If Messi was playing against us and was brought down in his own half I would deem that a goal scoring opportunity. If Stephane Bonnes was tripped from behind in front of an open goal on that basis it would be less worthy of a red card.

My sentiments too. I go for a drink after every game and I get the usual "You're keen", "You must be off yer heid" etc but that's from non football fans. I'm sure we all get that in some way or other. Different thing entirely when so called Jags fans come on here (again not aimed at anyone in this thread) and more or less tell you you're daft going to Firhill.

Have no fear, Bryan Hodge is here

Should what you had for your Xmas dinner not be over in the General forum?

If we accept the problems lie more at the door of the SFL/SPL/SFA than at David Beattie's there's only so much PTFC can do to attract fans. I'd love to believe that something like ditching the 3-5-2 at home for a more attacking line up would get the fans flocking back but it would make if any only marginal difference. Trouble is the only plan in town is McLeish's or what half the SPL propose, which is basically the same thing. I can't, and I've not heard any others disagree, how the changes proposed will have a positive effect on the gates. I'd have thought a Boxing Day crowd would have been a lot healthier but in the absence of a proper derby game it obviously has little appeal. Same will go for games at New Year. That maybe gives ammo to those in favour of summer football (Mar-Nov) but I suggest there's even more alternatives to watching football in the summer months. It wouldn't be by any means a cure but larger leagues with teams playing each other fewer times would be a step in the right direction. Playing in a league of 16 could mean that with six less league games postponed games could be easily rescheduled for either the odd spare Saturday or midweek in Spring. To make up the number of games revert to league sections in the League Cup (again midweek games would be played in late summer early autumn).

I wasn't referring to where I stay. I'm talking about pubs up and down the country laying off staff, cutting back on services (eg Sky TV), both turnover and barrellage considerably down on a year on year basis. To suggest pubs are in some way thriving due to disaffected football fans is arrant nonsense.

I agree with your general gist but I'm sorry but the highlighted bit is sheer crap. Pubs are shutting all over the place. Premises that once could afford live football packages have chucked the notion due to loss of customer. Put simply pubs were busier in the days when we regularly attracted decent crowds. If pushed I'd say Scottish football is in a healthier state than the Scottish licensed trade.

Disappointed we persisted with three central defenders for the entire match. I felt as the game went on with an extra body in midfield we could've forced a win.

Yeh, it was reading a few posts last night that prompted me asking that question.

Now that the pitch has been passed, can we assume that the polis have no objections to surrounding areas?

It might well be an academic exercise. Maybe if you phoned the club earlier they could more or less confirm the game is on.

I tend to agree. Mind you Buchanan has quite a decent scoring record against Dunfermline.

In today's ET McCall says he's trying to extend Balatoni's loan spell.

Could be an age thingy, BJ . Even without Balatoni there's still cover at centreback. There's Kinniburgh, Archie, McNamara & McGeough. Even if it's three at the back if an injury occurs Rowson or Lochhead can cover. Loyal players are often released early so if Robbo is not in McCall's plans for next season he could be one to go. That said the gist of the article imo hints at younger players leaving.

Hinchcliffe, Maxwell, McNamara & Donnelly are I believe on a pittance. Anyway McCall's wording that the players he has in mind have a "future elsewhere" suggests they'd be younger. I guess one will be a forward (Buchanan, Doolan or Grehan) and the other(s) from the midfield. Strange tho' it is (to me anyway) I can neither think of an obvious choice nor will I be surprised no matter who he has in mind. Apart from Grehan and the youngsters I can't actually think of any fringe players.

Off on a tangent here as far from worth a thread of its own. With all this SPL/SFL talk of revamping the leagues, winter shut downs etc a supporters trust should be bombarding its membership with e mails & post to seek out fans opinions. David Beattie should have had those opinions at hand prior to sounding off in the press. Of course a supporters trust in the first place should be representative of fans opinions by its sheer size.

that's the same idiot that's just been on the telly championing the proposed 10 club leagues. In fairness the guy's consistent. He seems happy to see followers of the international game treated similar to those who watch the club games. Sadly that's with contempt.

thinking sideways with this. What about about a further draw where you can guess which day the CF draw takes place? Another money spinner?

excellent

That's what I was thinking David Beattie has in mind. From a corporate point of view I just think the folk that use hospitality are more free on a Saturday afternoon. I'd certainly be concerned at upsetting current season ticket holders. If it was in conjunction with a March-November season Friday night football might be more appealing. I just can't get my head round summer football in the first place.

I wouldn't dismiss play offs out of hand but not for the outright league winner. Places 2,3,4 & 5 could play off for the second top Euro place (whatever that is). They could split profits 5 ways with the champions getting a share.

David Beattie on reform Haven't heard too many folk in favour. To be fair that's a selective quote as David is also advocating Summer football. I'd maybe be more interested in Friday night football if I knew what those opportunities were. I'd have thought selling hospitality and season tickets would actually be harder.

Congrats! I see you've also won a prize in the CF draw.