Noah Dosser

Can't say I have any idea which way big Erwin will go, but why would a 21 year old 1st team player sign for any club with a view to being 'development' player. Firstly he would be taking a step backwards in playing terms and secondly he is too old now and would be only able to play as an over-age player. I would suggest/ hope another season at least with the Well to Firmly establish himself then go south for good money and even more exposure. Whatever he chooses I wish him well.

Wonder if the irony is lost by him?

Cracking new look guys, well done!

Imho part of the 'losing players for nothing' scenario came about because the club wasn't as media savvy or as cute in a business sense as the teams mentioned earlier. A bit of ' Well set to offer Randolph/ Hutchison/ whoever bumper 4 year deal' or any player ' I want to stay at Steelmen for life' dripped into the press and whispered to various agents would, I feel, at least make interested clubs sound out the club re availability and potential transfer price. We instead gave players 1 and 2 year extensions and as far as I can remember didn't really make a big fuss of it. Football is a dodgy business and maybe we have been a bit too nice and honest when it came to moving on our prize assets.

Most salient post I've read on here in ages. Cap doffed.

In many ways I thought the appointment of IB was a refreshing change and a wee bit 'out of the box' thinking even if not an obvious or 1st choice for me. Definitely a risk but maybe worth a wee gamble. What I didn't reckon on was the large number of players brought in during January; 3 imho would have been enough to retain harmony and enhance the team. I feel the heart has been ripped out of the side and players are unable to shake off the bad form they are in, especially given some of IB's signings are to be blunt 'gash' and must cause resentment by their inclusion ahead of inherited players. The standard of signings had to be much higher, not just in a technical sense but the mentality had to be right as well ie hardened pros ready for a short term fix to avoid relegation or play - offs. We cried out for Erwin, Thomas and the returning Moore to play. What does IB do?, bench the most productive one and play the other 2 in positions alien to them. As a club time was the big enemy, and whether or not his signings become superstars in the fullness of time, his scatter-gun approach has backfired spectacularly. Sorry to say this but the clock is running down and short of a complete turnaround I cannot see a way out of our predicament.

Have to say I was firmly wanting Butcher back, purely on the basis he has a bit of stature and knowledge of the game in Scotland. V.D Gaag would have been very acceptable too. That said I did welcome IB and hoped we had uncovered a decent manager from a fairly unknown background. His failings to date have genuinely shocked me. Retaining the 'old guard' in the starting eleven despite lack of form and stomach for a relegation dog-fight . Playing young players out of position. Promising a pressing game high up the pitch which doesn't happen. Bringing in 7 new players halfway thru' the season was a big. big risk and looks like it hasn't paid off. Fingers crossed he can turn it round but I just don't think he has a strong enough mentality or personality to do so. Worrying times !

L. Watt is indeed a full back from the 20's squad. Wee brother of former Well player Josh Watt.

Erwin is out of contract this year as well.

Thank the Lord for being in Englandshire today. I would have been at this shambles if I had been able to come up the road. Get the finger out and start acting like professional footballers. Gutted.

Wouldn't have been my choice but that's an irrelevance, let's get behind the man and hopefully he can get us back into some kind of decent tactical shape and better form. If the papers are right, of course, welcome to FP Ian.

Terry Butcher for me. I feel we need a big personality to come in and shake the whole place up. I know there are questions re his time at Hivs but imho Jose Mourinho couldn't have saved that team. Butcher has the presence and stature to get the team fit and playing as a unit.

F'in yaldie, that is all !

Just back on dry land again, not going to go ott re SM going, he did well for us but imho his time was up. It's a hard game and results dictate the way a club functions sadly. Re O'Brien, what exactly are you banging on about ? The club will only be paying an agreed percentage of his wage as negotiated with his parent club. I would imagine the only reason is he is here is because Derby were happy to keep paying the biggest part of his wage rather than the usual 50% as a favour to us. Matters not a jot whether he's on £10 or £10,000.

Re Leitch I've heard it's a double ligament problem. Wish him well and a speedy recovery.

Back home for the first time in a few weeks so decided to head up to Perth. Wtf? I knew we were toiling but deary me. Agree with most previous posts re fitness and players out of position. Confidence looks really shot. Anyway I'm off again so fingers crossed my next visit home will see us further up the table.

S M seems to have a major weakness in believing players who have plied their trade in England are the dugs baws. His outright lack of faith in young players is now coming home to roost. Rather than play a good/ promising youth the team will get juggled to accommodate a 'senior pro'. Ramsden eg did not train at all this week but is a 1st pick. We got away with this last season due to our great record against the bottom 6 clubs and the others in the top 6 taking points from each other. S M's policy of looking down south for players who are not up to standard must be questioned, as is his lack of faith in our youths.

I've not been at FP recently due to work,but from what I'm reading and seeing on telly, McManus seems even slower than last season and Twardzik makes saves for the camera. Neither are bossing the defence which is an integral part of their respective positions, especially big Mick given his pedigree. Playing Kerr out of position is starting to really undermine any good points the big fella has. Bump O'Brien who imho is no better at cb than Kerr and give McManus the pace Kerr brings beside him. Give Sutton a rest and play Henrik and Erwin for a few games to inject a bit of freshness up front. The midfield has to be sorted and maybe going 'solid' ie leaving out Vigurs, might be an option. Oh and playing guys in their correct positions in all areas might help. Anyways roll on Dundee, 3 points in this match and consolidate from there.

Thought he lived in Strathaven. Imho the whole situation is interlinked with the overall financial situation at FP. Players who were sellable assets being allowed to move on without fees has been a risky strategy and not, I would suggest, a prudent one. A. Burrows has been hung out to dry by the board, but whilst I have sympathy for him, I just don't feel he is detached enough from his love of our club, to make some difficult decisions.

Keep the faith brothers and sisters, we will prevail on Sat. Wee Leitch is a good tidy player but imho not mobile or quick enough yet for regular 1st team place.

Ramsden and Hammell will of course ease the problem a bit, but the whole team , especially the midfield, have to defend better and become a solid unit. Goals will come as long as chances are being made. Maybe worth throwing D. Thomas on for last 30 mins just to give the team something different and cause County a bit of confusion. He might not do anything fantastic but he has got the ability to get the fans going with his direct running at defenders.

About time we started smelling the coffee. We have admitidly punched above our weight over the last couple of years, but it was only a matter of time before SM's luck ran out. We have a very limited squad and a manager who has very little faith or trust in younger players as has been shown over the last few seasons during his time in charge. Lack of foresight and a reluctance to trust younger players are SM's achilles heel and are costing points regularly. Sad to say it, as I really do like him as a manager, but play players whatever age in their proper positions !

Going by SM's past record for shuffling things about I reckon it'll be someone like Leitch or Carswell at LB.

Poor performance but let's not press the panic button just yet. Pleased to hear big Kerr is looking more like himself in his natural position. Sorry young Ferguson has had such a torrid time, only remember seeing him play left back for 20's once or twice. That said didn't get to many games last season and when I did Leitch was playing there most times, if memory serves. Can't think of another natural lb in the youths who could fill in. Erwin will flourish if given time but I, like others, fear SM will playing Henrik instead of him.

Well done the youngsters ! SM's hand forced and the young un's once again don't let any one down. Shit result but maybe long term benefits.