stewarty

I'll take it Alan.

I was going to reply with something about Ladyboys but I guess thats a sensitive subject since a different one rams/rims you every night

Agreed. Cuellar has probably played more game this season than he has in his previous two yet has taken it all in his stride. I cant think of him making too many mistakes and I guess the only thing you could ask from him is maybe one or two more goals from set pieces. Even then, it's hard to criticise a man who has been in such strong consistent form.

We wont need him. Celtic didn't offer much that had me in a sweat. Walter has the Indian sign over Chesney too

Just watched that clip again and I have to agree. He clips his own leg, stumbles and then is off balance. Also, Brown doesn't go down or appeal for the penalty so it's a non-issue. Couldn't believe how much time was devoted to it by Setanta and as an aside, can I just say how much Ian Crocker and Scott Booth are grating on me. A more painful combination to listen to you will not find.

Stick me down for one at the end of the month once we know what the fixtures are. Apologies again for missing the Hibs one the other week.

He did indeed. I still think he is the most ignorant out of that list though.

Agreed, but I would throw in a few expletives and some leprechuan and tattie munching references as well!! As I said, the ref made the correct decision. This is the type of simulation that the SFA intend to crack down on from next season so I hope Thommo doesn't make a habit of it.

Arsene for me. His comments on Saturday after Diaby got his marching orders were interesting. Despite saying the red card was deserved he stated that there wasn't any intent on the part of his player. Compare and contrast with his comments on Taylor of Birmingham after the Eduardo incident...

I thought it was a clear pen at first look. After the replay I think Stuart Dougal got it spot on.

Same old timothy - reverting to type when the going gets tough. Their players personified this with the number of tackles they were flying into at the end of the game. Also, that was the 14th Yellow Card that Broonaldo hasn't deserved this season..... NOT!!!

Apologies for missing the Hibs preview chaps. Not been near a computer since Thursday as have been refurbishing the bathroom and staying with the outlaws whilst it's getting done.

I have personally tried to be less critical of our playing style given the number of games we have played, and still have to play for that matter. It wont stop me from criticising when necessary but I accept that substance is better than style at this time of the season.

I'm sceptical as to the tangible benefits it will provide but if, and I stress if, it brings in money and increases brand awareness then I dont have any objections.

Rangers, Scotland and any team playing Celtc

Cant claim credit for it but it made me laugh and was worth sharing...

Menu; Starter - Sour Grapes Main Course - Plaice (might be 2nd) Pudding - Selection from (Caldwell, McManus, Donati or Veneegor of Hessledink) Followed by HARD CHEESE & BISCUITS or fresh fruit - ORANGES . Drinks available at bar (mainly TRIPLES) - but NO TROPHY BITTER !! Also a special selection of WHINES from STRACHAN'S vast cellar !!! Coffee or tea served in mugs - SORRY NO CUPS AVAILABLE RIGHT NOW !!! CHARITY AUCTION AT END OF NIGHT; Main item - ONE TROPHY CABINET (surplus to requirements)

The point about politicians getting involved is mainly about forcing the hand of the existing parties i.e. the SFA, SFL and SPL. Given that Salmond is in power he is therefore accountable and should get his party involved whether you like his politics or not. Each existing body serves their own needs and as the old saying goes - Turkeys dont vote for christmas so I cannot see a situation where all three bodies agree to merge for the common good. The structure of the SFA alone makes this difficult. If the government of the time were to force the issue then they would have no option. Where I agree with Juffery in a sense is that you would not want sport to become a party political ping pong ball that is subject to the short termist meddling which has been the hallmark of politics for too long.

Listening to Real Radio this evening I heard one caller query the selection of referees for cup finals. According to this man, 73% of cup finals in the past 10 years have been refereed by just two men - Kenny Clarke and Hugh Dallas. It got me thinking, since I'm the cynical type, is this really true? Now, before we get to the facts, I didn't catch whether this caller was of the green and white persuasion, Dundee United or any other club but suffice to say he should think about re-sitting his Primary 4 maths test. So, first up - the Scottish Cup. Somewhat surprisingly, Dougie McDonald has refereed the past two but there is a spread of referees with no-one else getting it two seasons running. Scottish Cup Year Referee 2007 Dougie McDonald 2006 Dougie McDonald 2005 John Rowbotham 2004 Stuart Dougal 2003 Kenny Clark 2002 Hugh Dallas 2001 Kenny Clark 2000 Jim McCluskey 1999 Hugh Dallas 1998 Willie Young Then we have the League Cup... League Cup Year Referee 2008 Kenny Clark 2007 Dougie McDonald 2006 Stuart Dougal 2005 Mike McCurry 2004 Willie Young 2003 Kenny Clark 2002 Hugh Dallas 2001 Hugh Dallas 2000 Kenny Clark 1999 Hugh Dallas So, to sum this up in terms of percentages.... Referee Finals % Dougie McDonald 3 15% John Rowbotham 1 5% Stuart Dougal 2 10% Kenny Clark 5 25% Jim McCluskey 1 5% Hugh Dallas 5 25% Willie Young 1 5% Mike McCurry 1 5% It doesn't take Stephen Hawking to work out that Kenny Clark and Hugh Dallas have refereed 50% rather than the fanciful 73% suggested by this mathematically challenged halfwit. :uzi: It's still a very high percentage but it's down to the fact we have very few decent referees. Overall I thought Clarke had a decent game yesterday. Like most refs in most games he did make a couple of mistakes and it's only usually the ones that are perceived to be crucial that get highlighted. Most people are saying it was a stone waller. Others are saying the United player went down too easily. Some described it as a Judo throw to the ground and others say it was good strength and determination to get to the ball first from Cuellar. Crucially, Clarke didn't give it. From the angle he saw it you can understand why. Both players were trying to do the same thing it's just that Carlos won the challenge. So, to conclude... -There was no injustice. -The referee gave it as he saw it. -This decision did not decide the outcome of the game - there was 119 minutes and 55 seconds worth of play + penalties that did that. And another thing. I'm sick of hearing how gutted Eddie Thompson is/was. I know he's ill but some of the media coverage before and after the game has been boring as hell. Think of something else to write about. Give us another angle that has some thought and is researched. Stop fuelling this thicko mentality that believes everything the Sun tells them which is then regurgitated on football phone ins as poorly conceived ideas masquerading as fact. Rant over.

FAO Fraser - Mind you have a preview to do... :cheers:

I'm looking forward to seeing Steven Fletcher getting his first cap. He has to be the best striking option we've produced for some years now. He's a good finisher, has a good left foot, has decent pace and can actually play football - get him signed!

6 if you consider Hemdani a centre half since he has played there in the past for us and Marseille....

Take it a step further. We had 5 centre half's playing yesterday!! Big De Vries might be a handful with his height but we didn't need five of them to cope with him

I agree with what you are saying and I am reluctant to criticise Walter, but given the crammed schedule and the injuries and suspensions we have at the moment, 4-4-2 with Boyd starting should always have been the starting line up yesterday. If JCD wasn't fit we didn't exactly have many options so for me it was a no brainer.

I must have missed Gow in the press. What was he saying? Anything I've hear d about him, usually from Yogi Hughes talking about 'Gowser', has always been very positive about his attitude...