Oleg_Mcnoleg

They're clear favourites and I'm not expecting much from the game, tbh. Both sides have strengthened since the semi-final game. But they look a more settled side than we do right now and we've misplaced the zip that overwhelmed their midfield last time out. Ach well, if we lose it'll hurt, if we get thumped it'll hurt more but it's not like it hasn't happened before and when we've not had the relative disadvantage we do at the moment. And just think what'll be like if we overturn the odds in their festering midden...

I don't think he's saying he didn't wish things hadn't gone better. I think he's saying he was pleased to have been involved with the club that he cares about.

They have more money than we do right do. I can live with that: I'm grateful we've still got a fecking club, but hey ho.

If we play as we did in the Euro qualifiers against Germany, Poland and the RoI, we might do OK. Not great , but OK. Georgia away-level of performance and we'll struggle to finish bottom! You could get a solid midfield from that squad, especially now that lump Brown doesn't need to be accommodated. But centre back and centre forward look very ordinary indeed. Pretty much playing for pride though, but I'd take that at the moment, tbh.

He's not as bad as some of his predecessors. Vogts, Burley and Levein took incompetence to previous unseen levels which, given it's Scotland and the SFA we're talking about, is pretty impressive. Levein added to his incompetence by being an absolute bell-end. But Strachan needs some solid performances pronto. That Georgia game and the subsequent failure to qualify for the Euros threatens to completely undermine the solid if unspectacular progress evident earlier. Needs some decent displays PDQ, especially as the world cup qualification groups looks an arse. I still want Scotland to win, but I find myself caring a lot less than I used to. It's a real fecking ordeal.

Charlie Adam injured or just out of favour?

Haven't United seriously wound down their youth set-up. Saw an article about all the former United players trying to get their sons into the City academy set-up.

Thought he was quite poor when he started against the Accies. Don't think he's got the legs to play ninety mins and perhaps not even to start a game. Seems ideal to come on as opponents get tired for the time being. We all hope he gets truly fit but also have to realise that he might not ever get to the stage where he contributes well for a full ninety mins.

He could/should have squared it. The pass certainly shouldn't have been beyond him.

Were far too close together. Seem to be trying to take up the same position.

Yeah, but in this instance the subs brought a significant increase in movement and dynamism (well, not Krancjar but moving is not his forte!). I suppose you could give M'well some credit for denying us space but it was like the midfield and wide players had been snorting Horlicks before the game: static off the ball and ponderous and slow with it. I'd excuse Miller to some extent: he was dropping deep and moving wide but nobody ever got beyond him to take advantage of that.

And what do folk realistically expect us to do? We've an untenable situation where our contracted kit provider can't put the club's badge on the shirts. Their replies suggest they've taken legal advice and that that advice is 'fuck 'em'. They knew full well they've effectively taken sides in a dispute. They can't then be suppressed if our collective response is similarly disdainful. Folk are free to do what they want but they can kiss my swingers if they think they're getting a penny out of me.

Probably fair enough. Can see us giving some teams an absolute shoeing but think we're too flaky to win it just yet. We'll drop some daft points.

Last season's team would have been top 6, IMHO. We should go closer with the signings

The concern I have is the way we were pulled out of shape. The new signings really don't look fit so the midfield wasn't at the races and defence left exposed (though they didn't help themselves).

It's a big ask to finish first. Though Celtic have pissed a lot of it away on mediocrity, they've got a lot more cash than us. I'd take four or five of our midfielders ahead of any of theirs but Grifftiths is the best goal scorer in the division and Toure the best centre back. With the new manager and a couple of decent signings in Toure and Dembele, they'lll be significantly better than last season, IMHO. That said, I'm pretty confident last season's team would have been top four and we're looking much stronger. Realistically, and it's not going to be popular, I'd settle for us being competitive and staying in the mix for the title until late season, playing good stuff, improving and building for the season after. I disagree with the article about Hill, incidentally. I think he'll play when fit, probably alongside Wilson. Think we need his organisational skills and experience if we're to reduce the number of soft goals we concede.

Got wan fae next week:bouncy2:

Whilst I'm delighted at the money we're raking in, I'm a bit pissed off that it'll be near impossible for to get an effing ticket on my occasional trips north! Only up a two or three times a season: Accies ticket secured for the 6th but my usual Christmas match looks unlikely. [edit. I do realise that this is my problem and that the club doesn't owe me a great seat whenever I fancy showing up.]

This. We're still not paying proper fees: how many freebies are there of the requisite age and ability, in the correct position, that aren't being offered higher wages in more lucrative leagues? Maybe a centre back will come in on loan but that'll probably be that. I do hope the RVP nonsense isn't going to make this all an anticlimax.

Miller? Dodoo? O'Halloran?

Was talking to a QPR season ticket holder at friends' anniversary party on Saturday night. Couldn't speak highly enough of Clint Hill. Said he was brilliant at organising and a real leader and their support were pretty disappointed he was allowed to leave. On Barton, he said he'll be fine as long as he keeps it simple (as at Burnley). At QPR, he thought he was too busy trying to play like Pirlo to do a proper job.

Wasn't nearly as bad as I was expecting. , tbh.

He does. Wasn't he looked at for a youth contract but impressed sufficiently to get a first team gig. Really want to see more of him: tipped to do very well. Hope he gets a chance

I'm pretty happy with this. It's not going to get anyone excited but, on a year contract on a free, it looks a no-brainer. Signing someone at this stage suggests he hasn't necessarily given up on Wilson and/or Kiernan but wants more experience alongside. [edit: see we're also linked with Mariappa and the Aucho story still running so I might be wrong about Wilson/Kiernan]

He's only one year into a three year contract: he's not effing off before the start of the season. Whether he fancies staying beyond his current contract is anyone's guess.