buster.

Happier day fo DB. Plays the full 90 minutes as Hamburg win away from home, 0-3.

You have to develop consistency before you can reasonably call something 'a given'. We haven't played enough games yet (especially domestic / only one draw). The one consistent thing thus far had been our back four, today it changes. Nor do we really know the level of St.Mirren yet. I still think we'll win but changing the side sandwiched in between European matches is always a difficult challenge.

Flanagan to RB and Barsic at LB should be a plus defensively,......... less the lack of familiarity. Add no Ryan Jack in front of them and I'd call it a net minus on the defence. I think St.Mirren will look to close McCrorie down quickly and force mistakes. I don't see any reason why middle to front is going to suddenly fire unless individuals up their average performance levels. Looking forward to seeing Barsic going forward. This result is no given.

Eyebrows raised !!

Fee agreed ?

Just to rub it in, McGinn seems to have been credited with an assist 13 minutes into his Villa career ps. Windass on the bench for Wigan (same game)

The finish was exquiste. Was playing a deeper role today, behind the main striker.

Consistency of league result is what we must aim for this season, regardless of them. First off, we have to beat St.Mirren tomorrow.

Watched the game.....they were Colin Nish ! Can't see them getting past AEK. Hearts were busy, lively, more determined but not great as a football side.

Lafferty has just put them to the sword in Edinburgh. A win tomorrow would put us a point ahead of Celtic.

Not a surprise. Last 4 games against them, he's started, he's scored, he's been booked and been sub'd. 9 K. Lafferty 8' 18' 9 K. Lafferty 19' 67' 9 K. Lafferty 35' 45' 9 K. Lafferty 8' 56'

Lafferty starts against Celtic. Will be interesting to see how he does and it could have a material effect on any further negotiation.

Ashely appeared to be in a strong negotiating position and he is someone who will use 'carefully prepared' leverage to the maximum. We'll await word on what is going on and hope it is without spin.

I'd go as far as to say it's an interesting development but the last few years tells us better to reserve comment until more information comes to light.

You are right, my mistake. I thought it was only once. Does Wallace come into consideration or will it be Halliday ?

Lennon will be an interested observer of the current saga. The first 20 minutes of the Hearts v Celtic match might be worth a watch on Saturday.

Glass half empty take is that we have to get better at closing out results. The 3 goals conceded have all come in the latter stages of either first or second half....89, 92, 40. - Two of those goals have come with Jack off the field Is Ryan Jack our most important 'defender' ?

Thanks, I missed that. August is a busy, difficult and crucial month. It's a month when we could probably do with a 25 man sqaud now (potentially 9 games in 29 days). A successful August will see regular midweek fixtures throughout the first half of the season. However, we still have significant hurdles to get over, including Kilmarnock (A) in the League Cup.

Re.10 I don't see enough creativity or guile for when we come up against better opposition. I'm far from convinced that Ejaria will be the answer. 9 A Lafferty deal might yet happen. Solanke talk doesn't go away.

9 IMO you can't trust Morelos and another option breathing down his neck may push him in the right direction. Sadiq is yet to prove himself. 10 We need a decent alternative to Ejaria / a replacement for Windass 5 No brainer Re. 9 & 10 A splash of quality in at least one of these numbers would be good although may have to be another loan.

We now have to seriously consider the possibility of 6 extra high profile midweek games when finalising the squad,...which would be a wonderful problem to have. One that might allow the budget to stretch a little bit extra in the final week of the window. As it stands, it's only a possibility.

The way we countered adversity at Aberdeen showed that the management team know what they are doing and importantly can get the message through to players, who in turn can carry out instructions. As you say though, it's early days and there will be setbacks....but if we stay the course and give SG&Co the support required, I'm confident that we'll get where we want to go within 2 seasons.

5 9 10

Still some work to do on strengthening our squad. We need several more in.