lady-isobel-barnett

A wee bit from my albeit limited marketing knowledge from a previous life. 1/the value for money argument is really a total red herring. No one person can speak on behalf of others and say what's vfm and what's not. More correctly it's what's perceived to be vfm to as wide a representation (of in this case) the support that counts. 2/Obviously a price increase is never going to be popular. The best way of implementing one is along with some good news, something to ease the pain. A more balanced approach if you like. It most certainly isn't by doing it this way. Lose your custom first then attempt to win them back . If shooting oneself in the foot was a recognised sport we'd be parading Prentice, Coco, Hughes & Co in front of the media to show off their olympic medals. That would be real marketing.

agree with that. I don't believe any chairman, manager or agent will be able to prejudge the market this summer. More than ever players will be Dutch auctioned right up to Aug 31st. But with so many technically unemployed some may not fancy the brinkmanship and opt for a lesser but secure deal earlier. Many will of course just go to the highest bidder as usual but others will be looking geographically as well. At our level a lot of players will not want to move home, kids schooling etc just for an extra £100-£200 per week. Ironically one of the best strikers in the division next season could well be a part timer from Brechin on the lowest wage level in our league. Think what I'm trying to say is that although the size of playing budgets is important it's far from an exact science. Don't know whether our geographical situation in the centre of Scotland's largest conurbation offers a net loss or gain but I'm willing to guess it holds a significant influence on a lot of potential signings.

If you ask me his jacket was always on a shaky peg after sticking up for yon Dreyfus fellow.

Can't remember actual prices but both Morton & Ayr were on a like for like basis very pricey.

Is that some sort of midwifery jargon?

I fully expect VAT to rise at least 2.5% in the very near future. I sincerely trust (wrong word I know when dealing with ptfc) that the Board wouldn't implement any further increase.

The St Andrew's Suspension Bridge doubled for a Moscow bridge in the TV film about Guy Burgess. Also think the part of John St directly behind the Chambers has been used.

The two up front for Atletico were excellent. Forlan's movement is exceptional. Also a big for Forlan's sportsmanship after the game.

I go along with about all of above. I think tho' there's enough truth in us playing rather negative (defensive if you prefer) football under Auld but we most certainly weren't alone or any more negative than most other sides. I feel what got us tagged with that defensive label by media, opposition fans and others inside football was more to do with the fact that we had a manager who was intent in shaking off the great unpredictables image. Fine manager that he was, that was something that Davie McP hadn't managed to do. As for Auld being unpopular with a sizeable minority of Jags fans that may be less to do with the we we played the game and more to do with Bertie's persona. Today it's almost the norm to have a cocky showman type manager but back then it was hardly commonplace. I think there was a wee bit of initial resentment about Auld and the negative play criticism amongst our own was more an excuse for that resentment. In truth I was a bit biased against Bertie but not for his flamboyant managerial style. I detested Auld as a player. He had undoubted skill but was a vicious tackler who seriously injured quite a few players. In my mind Bertie was a mirror image of Johnny Giles, a very good ball player who resorted to over the top tackles too consistently while themselves being protected on the pitch by their sides real hard men (Reaney, Hunter, Gemmell, Murdoch etc). While others were still critical of Auld it didn't take me long to warm to him. Bertie showed that the League Cup win earlier in the decade was not so freakish. Very good manager for us at an important time in the Club's history.

I can also remember posts on .net when we were congratulating ourselves on having three excellent centre backs in the shape of Dowie, Murray & MadAussie. The big question was would Big Adrian, on his return from the Olympics, be able to force his way into the side and split up the Murray/Dowie partnership.

I'm sure MacKay has played at centre back quite a bit this season but as you indicate it looks like MacKay's form is a major reason for Irvine being released. Btw I hear we're interested in Scott McLaughlin of Airdrie.

As a matter of interest does anyone know if Irvine has decent pace? I thought he looked quite nippy but most players do in comparison to what we'd have had up against him. With a central pairing of Robbo & Archie I think any full back signing would have to a bit of pace to compensate.

I suppose they could be signing a centre half and moving Dave MacKay back to right back . Fairly certain Ross McGeough shouldn't be completely frozen out of a right back slot by the arrival of another in that position. Plus Robbo can cover there as well. I very much doubt we'd be able to get Irvine but if that were the case we would have to transfer Paton for a decent enough sum to finance the move. I can't see that happening either.

I don't know from where folk are getting the impression McPherson wasn't sacked. From the St M official site

...but stick a fieryin front of it, no problem!

Hardly worth a thread on its own but the Reserves (made up entirely of under 19s) beat East Stirling 1-0 tonight. Not much of a game tbh. We played without Burns, MacBeth & Scully while McGeough, Bannigan & Lochhead only played part of the game so I suppose it was a decent enough result. One observation tonight was that McGeough played at left back and seemed to take that in his stride.

Unless there's some underlying friction between board and McPherson I find this strange. The guy's done well surely keeping St Mirren in the SPL? Who are the managers with a better record than Gus McP that would be interested in that job? Must be more to it.

Maybe they should go for the England Under 21 coach? Give Pearce a chance

Find THIS quite amusing yet also rather sad when you see the level football has dropped to in and around our division. I believe Mr Ballantyne is still a leading official in the SFL. He I'm sure had a big say in the play off format in the first place.

Same here, OK now took about 5mins to load

I can't get this to play. No problems with any of the previous highlights.

Sorry but that is incorrect, in fact untrue.

Fair do's but you should really keep such won ton thoughts privet.

Don't want to disappoint you but Brechin was pretty dreary last time I was there (friendly summer 08). If that's what it's like in July god knows how miserable it would be in the winter. Even that decent pub not far from the ground (where the Board & entourage went for their pre match grub) was boarded up. Plus you like your train journeys, nearest station I think is Montrose

Must say I've had my doubts.