ThickAsThieves Posted May 3, 2013 Report Share Posted May 3, 2013 (edited) If he's singled Dowie out then it looks like he wants to keep McMillan, which is great news. Whether he accepts or not is a different matter, but Archie seems to know exactly how big a jump the SPL is and what we need to do to adapt to it. Think it again strengthens the argument that we'll need more than 6 new bodies in though. Edited May 3, 2013 by ThickAsThieves Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jaggernaut Posted May 3, 2013 Report Share Posted May 3, 2013 If he's singled Dowie out then it looks like he wants to keep McMillan, which is great news. Whether he accepts or not is a different matter, but Archie seems to know exactly how big a jump the SPL is and what we need to do to adapt to it. Think it again strengthens the argument that we'll need more than 6 new bodies in though. Maybe around 6 new faces of our own and a couple of players on loan? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThickAsThieves Posted May 3, 2013 Report Share Posted May 3, 2013 Perhaps mate. The way I see it, the BARE MINIMUM is 7 additions. We need 1 goalkeeper. On the, by no means certain, presumption that we sign O'Donnell AND McMillan: We'll still need 2 new defenders in. We need 1 midfielder to replace Paton. We need at least 1 wide player to replace Erskine. We need 2 strikers. If we bump it up to 2 midfielders and 2 wide players - that's 9. Whether we could afford that or not, is debatable. I'd imagine, as you say, we'll dip our toes into the loan market for a couple of them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr Bunny Posted May 3, 2013 Report Share Posted May 3, 2013 Yeh it seems like Archie knows what hes doing. Very professional for his first close season. Looking positive. Yes, agree. Reading some of the stuff about Archie recently (and what he's said himself) it seems he was quite involved with planning and organising things at the start of last season - so he wasn't just a player who was doing a bit of coaching, he was definitely an important part of the management/coaching team. And obviously was paying close attention to what was working/not working for us throughout the season. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Arch Posted May 3, 2013 Report Share Posted May 3, 2013 We definitely need another keeper. Tuffey would do. At the moment the only defenders we have for defo are Muirhead, Balatoni, and Sinclair. If SOD and McMillan leave then we need at least four defenders. We need a replacement for Paton, and potentially one more centre mid, if they'll lift the standard. I think we need a replacement for Erskine and another winger. I don't think Lawless, Elliott and one more is enough for the two wing positions. And if Doolan leaves, I think we probably need three strikers. Worst case scenario we might require 11 in, but we'll need to see who leaves Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Third Lanark Posted May 3, 2013 Report Share Posted May 3, 2013 We definitely need another keeper. Tuffey would do. At the moment the only defenders we have for defo are Muirhead, Balatoni, and Sinclair. If SOD and McMillan leave then we need at least four defenders. We need a replacement for Paton, and potentially one more centre mid, if they'll lift the standard. I think we need a replacement for Erskine and another winger. I don't think Lawless, Elliott and one more is enough for the two wing positions. And if Doolan leaves, I think we probably need three strikers. Worst case scenario we might require 11 in, but we'll need to see who leaves Ive not read anywhere that Elliot has been given a new deal and his contract is up Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Arch Posted May 3, 2013 Report Share Posted May 3, 2013 Ive not read anywhere that Elliot has been given a new deal and his contract is up I think the inference from Archie's preview is that all the players apart from Craig and Dowie will be offered something. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dariog Posted May 3, 2013 Report Share Posted May 3, 2013 The next couple of weeks will be important with new contracts offered and responses yet to be clear Clubs monitoring our players will need to offer or shut up Interest in Bannigan,Muirhead,Doolan,Balatoni and now wee Lawless Players wil need their break and I am sure our squad will take shape in the next few weeks Your views Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
watties wallies Posted May 3, 2013 Report Share Posted May 3, 2013 My gut feeling is that Archie has players lined up and will probably be announced once this season is over But I really hope that he gets Doolan signed up soon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1 John Lambie Posted May 3, 2013 Report Share Posted May 3, 2013 It would have been easy for Archie as a rookie manager to stick with Dowie & Craig as 'easy options', knowing what they were capable of. I would say it's a risk not keeping Dowie especially, he'd have been a decent backup but delighted that he's not afraid to make decisions & obviously believes there's better (probably younger) players out there available for the same money. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kni Posted May 4, 2013 Report Share Posted May 4, 2013 I think the inference from Archie's preview is that all the players apart from Craig and Dowie will be offered something. Are you assuming new deals for Campbell and Scully too? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Cup Posted May 4, 2013 Report Share Posted May 4, 2013 With Erskine, Dowie and Craig all out of the squad I would guess that today's line up have all been offered deals and haven't signed a PCA anywhere else. My only reservation is SOD who is "injured". Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kni Posted May 4, 2013 Report Share Posted May 4, 2013 It would have been easy for Archie as a rookie manager to stick with Dowie & Craig as 'easy options', knowing what they were capable of. I would say it's a risk not keeping Dowie especially, he'd have been a decent backup but delighted that he's not afraid to make decisions & obviously believes there's better (probably younger) players out there available for the same money. Releasing Craig and Dowie suggests that Archie has replacements lined up. He will need a larger squad - extra goalkeeper, right-back, left-back and centre-back at least. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
amsterdam jag Posted May 4, 2013 Report Share Posted May 4, 2013 My only reservation is SOD who is "injured". Apparently SOD has been getting daily injections over last month or so, so it really does not surprise he is not in squad today Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kni Posted May 4, 2013 Report Share Posted May 4, 2013 Apparently SOD has been getting daily injections over last month or so, so it really does not surprise he is not in squad today So he could have aggravated his injury. McMillan's illness would have forced Archie to risk him when he could/should have been rested. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr Bunny Posted May 4, 2013 Report Share Posted May 4, 2013 I think the inference from Archie's preview is that all the players apart from Craig and Dowie will be offered something. That is a point. Someone who hasn't really quite broken through yet might be willing to take a lesser deal (though a bit better than current one) for the chance of playing in the SPL. Thus not a big expense. But that's just guessing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lindau Posted May 4, 2013 Report Share Posted May 4, 2013 My gut feeling is that Archie has players lined up and will probably be announced once this season is over But I really hope that he gets Doolan signed up soon Dools in the Record today saying that he will not be discussing a new contract with the club until the season is over. Well Kris, its over now.....sign on the dotted line for another two years! You know it makes sense 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chunky jag Posted May 4, 2013 Report Share Posted May 4, 2013 My bro has said mcmillan said on twitter it's his last game for thistle Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kni Posted May 4, 2013 Report Share Posted May 4, 2013 Dools in the Record today saying that he will not be discussing a new contract with the club until the season is over. Well Kris, its over now.....sign on the dotted line for another two years! You know it makes sense You are assuming that he will be offered a new 2 year deal. I would not bet on it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lindau Posted May 4, 2013 Report Share Posted May 4, 2013 My bro has said mcmillan said on twitter it's his last game for thistle Disappointed by that, if true Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lindau Posted May 4, 2013 Report Share Posted May 4, 2013 Not quite sure what this means though looking at some of his tweets it looks like a lot of Sevco fans want him back there!! Jordan McMillan @jordox24x 1h Season over gutted for ma boys at DAFC in playoffs have more than enough tho I am sure if was my last game for thistle appreciated it all Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trotter Posted May 4, 2013 Report Share Posted May 4, 2013 McMillan said IF was to be his last game.... Would suggest that he's either not had something offered by club (would doubt that to be case) or he's hedging his bets to see if something better comes along. Rumours of a return to Sevco rife. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
read'n'yell Posted May 4, 2013 Report Share Posted May 4, 2013 I know it's only twitter but a full stop or a comma wouldn't got a miss. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ifu02348 Posted May 4, 2013 Report Share Posted May 4, 2013 Not quite sure what this means though looking at some of his tweets it looks like a lot of Sevco fans want him back there!! Jordan McMillan @jordox24x 1h ��Season over gutted for ma boys at DAFC in playoffs have more than enough tho I am sure if was my last game for thistle appreciated it all �� Id interpret this as Season Over Gutter for ma boys at DAFC in playoffs (they) have than enough tho I am sure If was my last game for this thistle (I) appreciated it all Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harry Wragg Posted May 5, 2013 Report Share Posted May 5, 2013 Would love to see Gary Harkins back in a Thistle jersey this coming season , what a playmaker !!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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