Gribz

We've been very unlucky with Kranjcar and Rossiter. Had Kranjcar still been in the side he would probably be running every game. If they had stayed fit then Hyndman and Toral wouldnt have come and with Hyndman it might be we get him again in the summer which would be a boost. Crooks has been a concerning one, there must have been something not picked up in his medical. We knew Windass came with an injury and he has been in and out. Id say one policy we must put in place now is not to sign anyone carrying so called short term injuries. If we go on a winning streak again of about 5 games and play some good stuff then the opinions about MW will probably change. I just dont see who could possibly replace him at the moment.

Good post Davie and I agree with the footballing side of things. Its still early for Garner but from the get go I just didn't fancy him fitting into our style of play. He would have probably been useful under McCoists team. This said I feel for Dodoo, he obviously has something in the locker being 1 or 2 levels up from Garner in England but he just doesn't seem to get a chance. Off the field we are now at stage 2. Stage 1 was complete - get through the lower leagues and rid of the previous bunch who ran the club. So by the time we get to stage 3 we should have finished 2nd in the league to get a crack at Europa football to generate income and somehow solve the merchandise matter. After this I see better days and Stage 3 will be challenge for the title. We still have a couple of seasons to get there before they are going for 10 IAR.

What happens is the team who finishes 2nd or 3rd win the Scottish cup? Does 4th place get into Europe also? Not sure why they can only use Celtic as an example. But the first qualifying round makes it all the more tricky for all qualifying sides especially when the teams the Scottish sides are likely to face will be half way through their season. This is what happens when they were too busy booting Rangers down the league - they create their own downfall. With result of this the Scottish co-efficient is dropping like a stone and the likes of Hearts and Aberdeen probably wont get to see Europa football past August. They will get a nice trip to Kazakhstan and be out. Or is the national teams performance counted also - although that wont help either.

Sorry but id extended both of them with immiedate effect as both have shown their qualites this season. I think Hill would be better with Wilson or an in form Senderos next to him but he has played the majority of games with Kiernan. Millers expierence is invaluable. He is a bit like Lovenkrands was in the at least he will show up in most of the big games. A player coach role may even be the better option but to keep a real professional such as him on the books is a clever move. There are worse players in the squad to replace than these two. Neither seems to be struggling with age.

And with this - its the reason I wanted to see Miller play behind Dodoo before the Ross County game, I just see that as a better partnership. Dodoo has briefly showed he has a quality finish and going back to the Partick game Millers assist was sublime. Why not give that a go. MW seems to have tried everything else Garner/Miller, Miller/Waghorn, Waghorn/Miller/Garner, Miller/Garner/McKay.

I thought KM and Hill had already agreed deals. But I wouldn't be buying into this story unless it came from nearer sources.

Mass problems at Leicester. Kasper Schmeichel asked after the game if they are behind the manager and he couldn't say yes. Even if they are not a player should just say yes to prevent the talk. Not sure what has went on but I feel a bit sorry for Ranieri more than the players. Next week against Swansea will be decisive and the Swans will be heavy favourites as they have turned a corner and were extremely unlucky not to leave Man City with a point.

Agree with Bearman's suggestion, even 2 hours as line ups can be known 90 mins prior. But dont agree with Tannoch - Its impossible to win every game so nothing wrong with predicting a draw - doesnt mean we want that score.

I can see Aguero and Sanchez leaving Man City and Arsenal respectively this summer, one of them to Chelsea would be freighting although both will likely go to Spain. I also think Conte will bring in one of his Italian defenders which will make them even better at the back.

Rbr's post earlier is spot on that its still very early days in this recovery. To pull the rug at the moment would be a set back. But I do share concerns with MW tactics recently. If he doesnt get second place then his position has to be looked at. If I was Joe Dodoo id be asking a lot of questions. He scored two cracking goals at Partick then only got 1 chance after that. Yet his main gripe should be how can Garner get a start ahead of him after being out for weeks.

Bad days betting again. I fancied Sunderland but only put them down for a draw - outstanding scoreline for them, quite happy with them winning though as I wouldnt be disappointed to see the back of Palace. Everton had it in the bag early on, good comeback from Bournemouth but Everton slip away. Credit to Hull again, they have showed the pundits up. I remember a few weeks ago hearing Merson and Thompson in Soccer Saturday slating the appointment saying this guy knows nothing about the league. It shows that there are good managers out there to be picked up. Fantastic away win for West Ham, great response. Didnt see that one coming either. But since Payets departure (bar Man City) they have been excellent. Chelsea were absolutely outstanding and actually a joy to watch and thats difficult to say. Under Mourinho in the past with Terry and Lampard etc they were horrible to watch and won ugly. But that system Conte is playing is unplayable. They dont have a weakness. They are solid in defending and awesome in attack. Credit to Conte for switching to this system earlier in the season. Luis, Kante, Pedro and Hazard were superb. As for Arsenal Wenger just looks lost and its a shame to see him bowing out on a wimper. Arsenal and Liverpool could be the two teams out the top 4 this season. Ozil should be allowed to leave on a free, what exactly does he do.

Perhaps a few changes needed today. Forderingham Hodson Wilson Hill Wallace Forrester Holt Hyndman McKay Miller Dodoo

The Championship is the most competitive league in the world every year. There is always at least 6 teams in the hunt for the play offs. I remember one year when 4 different teams were in the final play on the lat day at one stage, its great entertainment. Good result for Sheff Wed, Im hoping they get up with Leeds and Newcastle. Although Brighton look like they will go up and deservedly so. The Premier League this year is competitive this far - 6 teams going for 4 places and there is 6 or 7 in the relegation battle. Standard is another argument.

I agree with Pires also, if Arsenal didnt lose silly home games to Watford, and Swansea in the past then they would always be right up there. Then their is lack of performance against the Boltons and Stokes away in the past. Arsenals average point tally behind the champions since 2004 has been 13 points, thats 4 games against these type of clubs plus the need for 1 point off one of the top 6. Then look at Man Utd this season - Home draws with Hull, West Ham, Burnley and Stoke, is 8 points dropped which would have put them only 6 behind Chelsea. Plus they havent won against a top 6 side at home, had they got just 1 of them they would be right in the title race.

Right Im expecting better predictions this weekend but they arent easy and I wouldnt be surprised to see a few shocks. Im just picking out my coupon now and struggling to find a treble thats worth. I actually Sunderland to win 1-0 but have already put 1-0 Palace in my predictor so wont change it now. Chelsea 1-2 Arsenal (although I think 1-1 Im backing Arsenal at 3/1) Crystal Palace 1-0 Sunderland Everton 2-0 Bournemouth Hull 1-2 Liverpool Southampton 1-1 West Ham Watford 2-2 Burnley West Brom 1-1 Stoke Tottenham 3-0 Middlesboro Man City 3-1 Swansea Leicester 1-2 Man Utd

I think a lot of us didnt see there was a gulf in the top flight to the championship but on a weekly basis it seems there slightly is, not to mention everyone raises their games 20% against Rangers anyway. But your right not adapting and changing is a mistake.

So how does that work? Duplicated tickets or people getting in without a ticket. I guess its safety first but its poor organising.

Mw certainly should get the chance until the summer to clinch second spot. Id then also give him the Europa qualifiers and his target is to reach the group stages. If we plum out of the qualifiers against poor opposition then a change could be on the cards. Another thing before the summer is we expect to see better showings on our next trips to Pittodrie and Celtic Park - more so Pittodrie as we should be going there and winning. I like the idea of a Frank De Boer / Michael Laudrup type manager but that would probably be in a few years time when the club have more of a recovery as its still only season 1 back in the top flight.

Rangers 2-0 Ross County Hyndman FGS

That's shocking. What a balls up that is. Fans who didn't get have to get reimbursed with travel expenses also.

I still think its a knee jerk reaction against MW but he doesnt seem to be learning from past errors. He has to get to the end of the season and finish 2nd. But now he needs to get another response similar to the last Hearts away game. I think there is an argument for underestimating the top flight as some games havent been pretty and have taken last minute goals against Dundee and Partick to get points. We are still a work in progress, we were never going to start challenging Celtic when our income isnt in the same league. First step is go get second place then into the Europa league proper. And once / if the merchandise with Ashley is ever fixed thats going to be a good shot in the arm for income. These things are when we will start seeing improvements in the playing squad.

As good as Man City played I just still get the feeling that big pitch hampers West Ham as they never really got cuffed at Upton Park. But Thats Man City scored 9 goals there, Arsenal 5 and Watford 4. Bad result for Man Utd, still in with a shout of top 4 but when the Europa comes around it could be a bad thing for them.

Id be a bit nervous aswell with Albertz taking a 15 yard run up and about to whack a ball.

What a turnaround it is since the last trip to Tynecastle, 11 points ahead of them. With Aberdeen going to Celtic we can cement 2nd place tonight.

Hearts 0-1 Rangers Miller FGS