Villageman

Reading Hughes comments I'm not sure it is the same Vigurs we had last year!.

Yes a good interview from Craigan. The most significant bit for me was " From now on they are professional players,they have to train,play,eat and live like professional players". Most of what we are hearing from the Club is very positive and welcome.

What struck me most about the highlights was the height / build of the players. Ainsworth, Trialist excepted all looked to 6 feet and well built too.

Have to admit to being there as a 12 yo. Sadly tho can't remember very much about it. Sadly recall not as active as it used to be. Not as memorable as 1952.

Yes I agree cars are more flexible but could give you an argument on time. We left the football car park at 5.05 was back in Carluke at 8.30 via stops at Motherwell and Wishaw. A journey of around 185 miles.Inverness may be a poor example for comparison because all vehicles are restricted to average speed of 50mph on A9. There are concessions on the buses mentioned to which I am entitled. As also mentioned earlier I live in a village on outskirts of the Borders and when I drive to home games mostly on my own the the cost petrol exceeds the cost of the bus to Inverness.

Yes I Have plus a few Rovers matches. Don't get me wrong I am not comparing him to Leitch or which one is better or even ready for a lengthy first team stretch in the event of Pearson being absent and no replacement brought in. All I am saying is that if that scenario happens he would be better suited to play alongside Lasley. I think too it would be a lot to ask any of the youngsters to play in that position for presumably for 4 months if the rumours are true.

My post regarding car share was not in relation to the bois travel arrangements. I was trying to do two things 1) Understand like Dewell why more people do not use a supporters bus. Yes I know there are restrictions. 2) Encourage fans to use them also there must many fans on the outskirts of the North / South Lanarkshire borders like me that could maybe tempted. Back to Saturday I did not hear any announcement of the number of visiting fans but did read 400 quoted elsewhere, Two supporters buses around 60 fans, So 340 fans made other arrangements. I am also curious to understand Ya Bezzer whose location is given as north lodge, Motherwell? when I lived there chose to go to Ayr when train admittedly was too expensive could have used the Central supporters bus which was not. Not a criticism in any way.

Do not agree he has answered his own question or do I agree other modes of transport have become cheaper. For instance I looked at options for Inverness, train £60+ and does not ensure return same day after the match. Car? If you are in area where share is an option then £10 / 12 each should cover. Many of us are not and I for one in the borders area travel to meet the supporters bus and I believe charges are very attractive. On the car share years ago the Club asked those from outlying areas to advise if interested but I believe the response was poor. I enjoy my away days to Inverness etc. bot there are other reasons why a 450 / 500 mile round trip does not appeal. What might do tho is a car share to the nearest supporter bus pick up point. I know supporter bus sometime struggle to fill them.

Re, Cadden: Only seen him play 10 or so games but imho has a Stephen Gerrard style. Not for a moment am I suggesting he is that good. If Pearson is out for long and transfer market is not successful he would be a better option than Leitch as partner to Lasley.

Correct he stayed on after the tackle and a few minutes later made a pass out wide and noticeably suffered a reaction.he then rather cautiously walked at half time soon after.

Laing for me. Aware that this was the first "real" game of the season but having watched him in the Gers games and the friendlies he has improved greatly on the raw boy sent off in his first game.

Quote "We picked up 3 points from a difficult game" Was only a difficult game on paper. Inverness were very poor and as usual physicality used as a substitute for in the main. They have players with some skill but no end product. Unless you include their ability to go down rather easily.

With maybe a bit of luck and more composure the match would/should have been over by half time. The Inverness player was panicking prior to that incident and the ball was kicked out of play a yard or so behind him. He actually turned to kick it out. Why didn't he boot it out of play nearer the half way line and the way he was facing. His attention was focused on the sub on the other touchline.

Well I hope that has settled the "should we" argument. Not asked to do much but as has been said elsewhere came for crosses and bossed his area and at times the players in.front of him. Also nice see that he appears to have been made with the same kit as two former keepers.

Just shows how differently we see players performance. I agree with almost of all your post but not about Lasley. Yes he put himself about a bit made tackles and blocks but for me the then made too many square and ineffective passes. but then again I have never quite understood the hero worship he is given. Pearson was the missing link in the second half. I hope we do not have to depend on a Lasley Leitch pairing. For me it has to be one or the other not both.

Apologies Postiejim the comments were in response to Supermarv's follow up to your twitter quote.

You are really clever at " expanding " things on here. Its on twitter so it must be a fact. Then the assumption that Baraclough knows him and would solve the midfield cover needed. How did we ever get to know the facts before twitter?.

I did not take the car last week but there was plenty of parking beside the main stand and also at end next to it. there were stewards at one entrance to the front park but I am not aware of the reason. It looked to be free parking. There is also the Lidl car park with restrictions for customers and time but not sure how or if it is "policed". There is also major construction work next to it with access restrictions. On further thought that maybe the reason for the stewards being there.

Obviously well aware it was a friendly however The starting back four looked comfortable. Watt in in his first game for me at rb was steady, distribution needs work but the wind certainly did not help him and others too. To me the centre back pair of Kennedy and Laing looked better and steadier than McManus and Laing though I doubt the experience of McManus will be left out.come the season start. If thats so then Kennedy would be my choice. Fletcher and Moult need a Skippy in there to bring them on. Although only on for 10-15 minutes I liked what I saw of Cadden, pretty well built and prepared to drive play forward. We still need a creative midfielder.We cannot rely on Johnson and Ainsworth to create all the time.

I blame the 2pm kick off.

Might be a good idea to wait and see how Caley fare in their Europa tie first. If they get through then I guess it will be moved to the Sunday.

Maybe I should wait 5 minutes more before posting.

I am probably in the minority but have never seen the great need for an U20 manager for a squad of around 40 players. Did JJ coach the U20 or was picking the team his remit?.Who has the final say on the major decisions such as who is retained, promoted etc. Can only be Barraclough. He, and Robinson who has valuable experience with youths and the new keeper coach should be able to manage a group of this size and also keeping the group together. So I would not be surprised if he is not replaced. Remember too we have coaches at every age level.

Not getting at anyone in particular but if you aim for mediocrity then that's just what you will achieve.

Received mine this morning, Grandson and I watched them this afternoon. Granddaughter (11) with no interest in football whatsoever was doing all the twist and shout actions by the end of the first game.