ThickAsThieves

If Keown, Barton and Storey all stay, and including the young players that remain on the Development Squad on the website, then I’d imagine we’d be looking for between 4-7 new signings. Obviously if they leave then 7-10. GK: Bell, Lennox, Sneddon, Stevenson. 0 MORE RB/LB: Elliott, Penrice, Duncanson. 1 MORE CB: O’Ware, McGinty, Keown, Barton. 0 MORE CM: McCarthy, Bannigan, Eadie. 1 OR 2 MORE W/AM: Erskine, Spittal, Fitzpatrick, Wilson. 2 MORE ST: Doolan, Storey, 0 OR 1 MORE

We probably need 2 central midfielders and from what I know of Slater I’d be happy for him to be one of them. As long as the other is a tough-tackling, no nonsense ******* of a midfielder.

Halkett has also re-signed with Livingston.

I thought we were linked with Stelios Demetriou while ago but can’t find where I saw that.

Or maybe he just wanted too much money. I did want him but he’s probably not worth breaking the bank for when we’ve so many positions to fill.

Would’ve liked Raith Rovers to have earned promotion as I’ve not been there for ages. Otherwise there’s a few grounds I’m looking forward to going to, namely Somerset and Tannadice. Would still swap them for Tynecastle and Easter Road though...

Sad and surprised to see Cerny go. Best goalkeeper I’ve seen at Firhill (for context, started going in the late 90’s). Will therefore be hard to replace. I’ve seen a few names mentioned as possibilities and none really interest me (Fasan, Gaston, Alexander) but of the out of contract goalkeepers I reckon Cammy Bell would be a decent signing.

A 4, 1, 3, 2 B 2, 1, 3, 4 C 1, 4, 3, 2 D 1, 3, 4, 2 E 1, 4, 2, 3 F 1, 2, 3, 4 G 4, 1, 3, 2 H 3, 1, 2, 4

Very happy with that!

Higginbotham is out of contract. Quite a few Dunfermline players are actually that could interest us, Morris, Higgy and McManus...

Booth was fairly good overall for us but I’m not concerned about him going to Dundee Utd. We’ll need to sign a left-back but like many others I’d be interested in seeing Penrice get a decent run in the position now.

Yeah I remember him, played about half a dozen matches and looked okay - nothing brilliant. A short-term loan deal for one ex-Celtic player when we were a Premiership team isn’t really the same as a full season-long loan in the Championship. Loans, like any transfers are never a guarantee, but this is the right thread for chucking his name out.

Speaking of young, hungry players - a season-long loan for Michael Johnston, the 19 year old winger at Celtic could be a good shout? Seems to be highly rated but doesn’t get much game time there. Could be a good deal for all parties...

Why? By all accounts Warren was decent last season. Inverness CT went on a terrific run with him in the side. Considering we’re probably going to sign 4 central defenders (at least 3), I think we’re crying out for someone with his experience/presence.

He’s signed a new contract with Ayr United.

Gary Warren Thomas O’Ware Chris Millar To throw another name out there...ready to be shot down...Marcus Haber? Out of favour at Dundee but a decent enough scoring record in the top flight. Would offer a different type of striker to Doolan, much like Steven Craig did.

Gary Warren (being asked to leave Inverness CT because they’re slashing their budget) and Thomas O’Ware please.

I'd be happy to see Paul Paton back. Incidentally, I see Frederic Frans' club has folded. He's another one I'd like to see return if possible. Thought he was great when he joined then lost his way a bit, but in the Championship I think he'd excel. We need a big guy at the heart of the defence and he could be that guy.

Good statement but not sure about the decision.

Of the 14 players I'd retain (quite a few kids) for next season, I think: Will stay Sneddon Penrice McCarthy Lamont McLaughlin Erskine Doolan Probably will stay Cerny Elliott Bannigan 50/50 Keown Edwards Spittal Storey Used them to have a quick go at putting together a fairly realistic starting eleven together for next season, and a wish list for signing positions. Cerny Elliott - Keown - New CB - Penrice McCarthy - New CM Spittal - Erskine - New W Doolan Subs: Sneddon, New RB, New CB, Bannigan, Edwards, New AM, Storey. Reserves: New CM, McLaughlin, Lamont, New ST. So that'd be 8 new signings at a minimum.

What about players returning? Which of the following would you like to see back? Gary Miller Conrad Balatoni Frederic Frans Dan Seaborne Paul Paton Sean Welsh Prince Buaben Kallum Higginbotham None of them are you mad?

Find it difficult to actively hope for Archie to go. It'd be such a sad situation for him to leave now - we've had four great years. And one absolutely honking one. You've got to take the emotion out of it though and ask one simple question: is Archie capable of getting us promoted next season? I'm not sure. There are plenty of alternatives though. There are a number of managers out of work that I would find quite appealing. In no particular order: Alan Stubbs, Stuart McCall, Robbie Neilson, Peter Houston. Equally there are some that I would find quite disturbing. Jim Duffy, John Hughes, Billy Davies, Ally McCoist, Terry Butcher. Then there's a couple I'm not sure about: Jim McIntyre, Ray McKinnon. That's before you even consider a 'left-field' appointment.

Nitriansky? Or return to McGinn with Nitriansky at the right-side? Or are we completely writing him off? He hasn't impressed me much to be honest, unfortunately.

How has Penrice been doing for Livingston, does anyone know?

Couldn't make it today but absolutely delighted to see the result. Delighted for all of us, but also for Archie. Hope we can use this momentum to get a win at Hamilton. Even if the performance was not the best today, the most important thing is the result. Feels fantastic to get a last minute winner!