exiledjag Posted January 6 Report Share Posted January 6 I see that Brian Graham has just made his 4th signing of the January window. A combination of experience and youth. Not bad given we are just at the 6th January; he seems to know what he is doing. I was just wondering how these signings for the Women's Team sit within the general financial gloom discussed in this thread. One points about the signings - I would liked to have seem a bit more in terms of height and physique. Just an opinion based on watching highlights. Our current ladies team looks to be lacking in height and physical prowess. I don't see any new items on the OS about Roberts. Has his loan period ended or has he been recalled to his club? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redandyellowallover Posted January 6 Report Share Posted January 6 47 minutes ago, exiledjag said: I see that Brian Graham has just made his 4th signing of the January window. A combination of experience and youth. Not bad given we are just at the 6th January; he seems to know what he is doing. I was just wondering how these signings for the Women's Team sit within the general financial gloom discussed in this thread. One points about the signings - I would liked to have seem a bit more in terms of height and physique. Just an opinion based on watching highlights. Our current ladies team looks to be lacking in height and physical prowess. I don't see any new items on the OS about Roberts. Has his loan period ended or has he been recalled to his club? Roberts was a season long loan, so he's been recalled by Watford. Rumours seem to be that Ross County are wanting to sign him on loan so can only assume Watford would prefer him to be playing Premier League football. Understandable from their point of view. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lady-isobel-barnett Posted January 6 Report Share Posted January 6 (edited) 1 hour ago, redandyellowallover said: Roberts was a season long loan, so he's been recalled by Watford. Rumours seem to be that Ross County are wanting to sign him on loan so can only assume Watford would prefer him to be playing Premier League football. Understandable from their point of view. I agree it makes sense. Even so whilst he's obviously a loss to us I think he really has to improve considerably on his distribution to make it at a higher level. Most clubs up the food change would have to change their tactics just to accommodate Myles. Edited January 6 by lady-isobel-barnett Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redandyellowallover Posted January 6 Report Share Posted January 6 5 minutes ago, lady-isobel-barnett said: I agree it makes sense. Even so whilst he's obviously a loss to us I think he really has to improve considerably on his distribution to make it at a higher level. Most clubs up the food change would have to change their tactics just to accommodate Myles. 100%, probably not much of an issue for the cloggers that are RC but anywhere else that needs a keeper to be able to play out from the back will struggle with him. For us, a fully fit Mitchell is a more than adequate replacement. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fenski Posted January 6 Report Share Posted January 6 I agree re Roberts distribution - it was dreadful, which in turn significantly reduces attacking options. I never really got the Roberts love-in for that reason. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jordanhill Jag Posted January 6 Report Share Posted January 6 13 hours ago, Barney Rubble said: Jim - Have you ever thought of applying to be Team Manager, Sports Scientist and Commercial Manager? It would certainly achieve at least half of the savings you so clearly advocate. Well by whatever fashion there is going to be Savings - reality has hit Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jordanhill Jag Posted January 6 Report Share Posted January 6 2 hours ago, redandyellowallover said: Roberts was a season long loan, so he's been recalled by Watford. Rumours seem to be that Ross County are wanting to sign him on loan so can only assume Watford would prefer him to be playing Premier League football. Understandable from their point of view. He has been offloaded Mid Season to save money - hence going to Ross County - its not a Recall Its a Firesale of Cost Cuts Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandy Posted January 6 Report Share Posted January 6 BG is not the answer to our current situation. I’m in agreement with JJ about giving Dools to the end of this season to see if he can consolidate a play-off place. The potential lack of money to freshen the squad this month is worrying tho Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jag Posted January 6 Report Share Posted January 6 Myles Roberts has been recalled by Watford. People may have not seen that their keeper sustained a bad injury at weekend and was stretchered off. Although they had him lined up to go to Ross County, that may not be happening now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
exiledjag Posted January 6 Report Share Posted January 6 I haven't see a live Jags game this season so don't really feel qualified to comment on Doolan's tenure of management. What I will say is that going by highlights, live tv and comments on this website we are clearly not the swashbuckling goal scoring Jags of recent seasons. Therefore, shouldn't comments about his management ability and whether or not he should be replaced be the subject of its own thread and not tagged on to the end of one poor result? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jag Posted January 6 Report Share Posted January 6 14 hours ago, Jordanhill Jag said: £200k annually between playing & non playing £100K to the end of the Season if really pushed that figure could increase Suppose it gets down to knowing where to make the cuts and experience in running the Club on a tight budget Our Core problem is thus - the Jlo Board sacked the previous Board and all the experience of running the Club went with it The current Board replaced the Jlo Board and have no experience in running the Club and very little hands on Operational Experience in Business So we have no one who can look at things and know where to make changes ( off the park and on it ) add to the mix TJF “ Committees” and them having a say on all key decisions + the various agendas by multiple layers of decision influencers So rather than a Horse - we get a Camel If I was to do something ref the Squad its thus - dump the Body Belts - dump the Stats - this is where Archie starting getting it wrong in the Premier get them up Cleveden Hill on a Monday Morning - fitness is not complicated This all makes sense. Any business losing money that cannot increase income has to cut costs. We have to cut costs. One slight disagreement, regarding fitness. Whilst general fitness is not complicated, strength, speed and conditioning is more so and, as we are a professional sports club, each player should have 'individualised' programmes to work to, or at least small groups. Every player has different strengths and weaknesses and work should be tailored accordingly. In saying that, I don't even think our general fitness is good and Cleveden Hill may not be a bad idea for the group - depending on stage of the season and playing schedule of course. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JAG1970 Posted January 6 Report Share Posted January 6 28 minutes ago, sandy said: I’m in agreement with JJ about giving Dools to the end of this season to see if he can consolidate a play-off place. Why? If we get a playoff spot and get knocked out he’s gone. If we don’t get a playoff spot he’s gone. The only circumstance where Doolan would still be in his job next season would be because we had won promotion but no one sees that as a possibility. Keeping him in post is the equivalent of a dead man walking and the players know it. I think there’s more risk in keeping him and the risk is we will see more damaging performances like Saturday going forward. That will further drain income ahead of next season. He’s had two years, we’ve gone backwards this season in terms of quality of performance, despite a large budget, we never vary our play, he’s never signed a decent defensive midfielder despite having loads of midfielders and our cup exits to Alloa and (effectively) Clyde were shockers. Aside from the 5.1 win over Hamilton I haven’t seen a good performance from us this season. We’ve been entirely unconvincing, so I might be in a minority of one but I can see no reason to say “carry on”… 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandy Posted January 6 Report Share Posted January 6 You raise some fair points @JAG1970 - but I’m not ready to give up on Dools yet. Controversially, maybe just now we aren’t more than a Top 4 / mid-table Championship Club without the funding to improve things? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
erty13 Posted January 6 Report Share Posted January 6 3 minutes ago, sandy said: You raise some fair points @JAG1970 - but I’m not ready to give up on Dools yet. Controversially, maybe just now we aren’t more than a Top 4 / mid-table Championship Club without the funding to improve things? Doolan was given the money to win the league. We have a squad of highly paid players. Most other teams have to utilise younger players to make up a full squad. Not us we only use highly paid players. It was a promotion gamble for this season, but not sustainable. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Norgethistle Posted January 6 Report Share Posted January 6 Just back in Norway after the game (got stuck in Aberdeen last night). Very disappointing result and performance. Ashcroft and O’Reilly played well Banzo was great, he was always the only player making himself available. Thought Mitchell looked rusty coming for crosses, but made some good saves too, he’s been out for 6 months so can’t fault him. McBeth was decent, as was Chalmers. Graham was given no support at all. I don’t know what the issue is, coaching, tactics, mentality or moral or something else, as at times when we do spark we can look good, it’s just not sparking anywhere near often enough. Friday is a big game for us to bounce back or it’s 3 defeats on the bounce for first time in league this season. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
laukat Posted January 6 Report Share Posted January 6 10 minutes ago, JAG1970 said: Why? If we get a playoff spot and get knocked out he’s gone. If we don’t get a playoff spot he’s gone. The only circumstance where Doolan would still be in his job next season would be because we had won promotion but no one sees that as a possibility. Keeping him in post is the equivalent of a dead man walking and the players know it. I think there’s more risk in keeping him and the risk is we will see more damaging performances like Saturday going forward. That will further drain income ahead of next season. He’s had two years, we’ve gone backwards this season in terms of quality of performance, despite a large budget, we never vary our play, he’s never signed a decent defensive midfielder despite having loads of midfielders and our cup exits to Alloa and (effectively) Clyde were shockers. Aside from the 5.1 win over Hamilton I haven’t seen a good performance from us this season. We’ve been entirely unconvincing, so I might be in a minority of one but I can see no reason to say “carry on”… You're not in a minority of 1. I genuinely can't believe this is even a debate any more. To have had a squad of 24 players and then to be out of all cups in the first round and now struggling to hold onto top 4 is as poor as season as we have had since we came back into the Championship. McCall lost his job for less. Great player but as a manager he just doesn't have it. Players don't fear him, they see him as a friend rather than a boss and we now have too many players on long deals that look like they have downed tools until nearer contract renewal time. To give him the January transfer window looks like a mistake. We have very old team and we need someone to overhaul it. We need to get back to some basic principals of how our squad should look. Squad of 21 maximum, 16-18 senior pro's, majority under 25 and stop persevering with Thistle Weir graduates that aren't going to make it. Go back to picking up the youngsters that are freed by premier league teams. That requires a different style of manager. I could see Graham being someone the squad feared but have doubts he could do the rebuild we need in the Summer. Lennon could tick both boxes. Wouldn't be my first choice and we won't pay compensation but we could do worse than Imrie. I dare say there are other candidates that would come forward who could also do the job. However holding onto a poor manager for fear of what replaces him only guarantees one thing. That we still have a poor manager in charge. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JAGSMAN1968 Posted January 6 Report Share Posted January 6 Was with you all the way, until you mentioned Imrie! Really?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JAG1970 Posted January 6 Report Share Posted January 6 1 hour ago, sandy said: You raise some fair points @JAG1970 - but I’m not ready to give up on Dools yet. Controversially, maybe just now we aren’t more than a Top 4 / mid-table Championship Club without the funding to improve things? As a fantastic player for the club I wanted him to succeed too but I think giving him more money in January (if there’s any left) would be a mistake. A lot riding on Friday at Hamilton- do we have the balls to bounce back with a convincing win or flounder again… it’s going to be interesting to see who’s up for it and if anyone isn’t Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jordanhill Jag Posted January 6 Report Share Posted January 6 1 hour ago, Jag said: This all makes sense. Any business losing money that cannot increase income has to cut costs. We have to cut costs. One slight disagreement, regarding fitness. Whilst general fitness is not complicated, strength, speed and conditioning is more so and, as we are a professional sports club, each player should have 'individualised' programmes to work to, or at least small groups. Every player has different strengths and weaknesses and work should be tailored accordingly. In saying that, I don't even think our general fitness is good and Cleveden Hill may not be a bad idea for the group - depending on stage of the season and playing schedule of course. On Saturday the Scottish Indoor 3000m Mens Athletic Record was broken the Man who broke it - Jake Wightman is a World Champion at 1500m The previous holder broke it 36 Years ago wearing 9 Year Old Spikes -as he had no Shoe Sponsor or any income from Athletics His Technology was a Casio Watch which had a start and stop button ( and sometimes a wee light to see it in the dark 😊) But it took 36 Years and one of the best Athletes in the World to break the Record So - in short its not complicated - but Football has a habit of making simple things complicated The Squad play as a Group - They train as a Group - those unfit will have nowhere to hide - too much “ personal attention “ - too much mollycoddling them - they work there arse off or there dropped As for “ Professional Sport” Fitzy would get his arse felt at the Local Park Run If we lived near Sand Dunes that would be even better 😊( Jock Wallace was light years ahead of other Clubs ) 😱 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Third Lanark Posted January 6 Report Share Posted January 6 1 hour ago, sandy said: You raise some fair points @JAG1970 - but I’m not ready to give up on Dools yet. Controversially, maybe just now we aren’t more than a Top 4 / mid-table Championship Club without the funding to improve things? I do recall you saying at end of September you would give him to end of December to see how he did Sandy. Do you really think we have improved at all. Do you think he has used his budget wisely? I would have to say personally I think it would be a no to both questions and we are going nowhere Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lenziejag Posted January 6 Report Share Posted January 6 1 hour ago, laukat said: You're not in a minority of 1. I genuinely can't believe this is even a debate any more. To have had a squad of 24 players and then to be out of all cups in the first round and now struggling to hold onto top 4 is as poor as season as we have had since we came back into the Championship. McCall lost his job for less. Great player but as a manager he just doesn't have it. Players don't fear him, they see him as a friend rather than a boss and we now have too many players on long deals that look like they have downed tools until nearer contract renewal time. To give him the January transfer window looks like a mistake. We have very old team and we need someone to overhaul it. We need to get back to some basic principals of how our squad should look. Squad of 21 maximum, 16-18 senior pro's, majority under 25 and stop persevering with Thistle Weir graduates that aren't going to make it. Go back to picking up the youngsters that are freed by premier league teams. That requires a different style of manager. I could see Graham being someone the squad feared but have doubts he could do the rebuild we need in the Summer. Lennon could tick both boxes. Wouldn't be my first choice and we won't pay compensation but we could do worse than Imrie. I dare say there are other candidates that would come forward who could also do the job. However holding onto a poor manager for fear of what replaces him only guarantees one thing. That we still have a poor manager in charge. The last time we got promoted, we got lucky with Archibald taking over a team that couldn’t win away from home and going on an unbeaten run. We almost got lucky again with Doolan taking an underperforming teaming and turning it around. Whether he has what it takes in the long run, I don’t know. But getting rid of him and taking a punt on somebody else would be the same kind of decision as adding £300K to the playing budget to get promoted - A gamble. If we are to get rid of Doolan, we need someone that has already got the experience of getting clubs promoted from the championship more than once. 17 hours ago, Jordanhill Jag said: 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Albert's Ghost Posted January 6 Report Share Posted January 6 34 minutes ago, JAG1970 said: it’s going to be interesting to see who’s up for it and if anyone isn’t I'll be watching closely (assuming the game's on). If the players believe in Doolan, they will show it. They didn't last time at Hamilton. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
laukat Posted January 6 Report Share Posted January 6 48 minutes ago, JAGSMAN1968 said: Was with you all the way, until you mentioned Imrie! Really?? As I said wouldn't be my first choice but you have to view him a bit like opposition view Brian Graham. Absolutely horrible individual to play against but if he's your horrible individual then he's great. Objectively he has done a decent job at Morton and this season seems to have on an even smaller budget changed their playing style and still looks like keeping them in the league. That said I don't think he's the right fit for us Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandy Posted January 6 Report Share Posted January 6 28 minutes ago, Third Lanark said: I do recall you saying at end of September you would give him to end of December to see how he did Sandy. Do you really think we have improved at all. Do you think he has used his budget wisely? I would have to say personally I think it would be a no to both questions and we are going nowhere I did say that, TL. And I agree things aren’t going so well. But personally I think a change of manager now might be counterproductive Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr.D Posted January 6 Report Share Posted January 6 5 hours ago, laukat said: As I said wouldn't be my first choice but you have to view him a bit like opposition view Brian Graham. Absolutely horrible individual to play against but if he's your horrible individual then he's great. Objectively he has done a decent job at Morton and this season seems to have on an even smaller budget changed their playing style and still looks like keeping them in the league. That said I don't think he's the right fit for us Remember Paul McGrillen? He was a dirty hated Bstd playing against us but became our own dirty wee Bstd. when we signef him. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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