C&A not the shop

Oh yeah, him....

Big Dunc would be great fun, might go wrong nit it would be good fun. First player to play against us in a cup final that has ended up managing us?

Huge appointment. Someone with experience of making do with what's available (like an international manager) would be ideal. Levein would be a great shout I think. As would Strachan if he was interested in managing again. If there was an ex well player with the credentials I'd be delighted for them to come in but I can't think of any other than Lambert. In fact he's been out of work for 18 months, he's probably a decent shout. Ipswich binned him after he got them relegated and wasn't looking like taking them back up but he's got a load of experience and has a connection to the club. He needs a success somewhere to get a big job again so maybe we're the place to do it....

We need to win this one. Simple as. I'm definitely a happy clapper, one of life's optimists and willing to give players and managers a chance to turn things around far past the point its sensible but if we don't win this Alexander is doomed for this season. The mood is against him in a way that last seasons league finish isn't going to placate. A win here and a good performance next round is the minimum to give him time and then a good league opening and a league cup run makes him unsackable. Which I'm happy enough with, results that make the manager unsackable are great for me.

I think this year there will be 3 sets of 4 teams bunched quite close. Rangers and Celtic obviously top 2 but I think Hearts will be closer than any team has been for a while. Not in danger of finishing in the top 2 but close enough for it to be a thing for a bit. Aberdeen also I expect to have a good year. The middle group, fighting for top 6 and the last euro spot will be United, Hibs, Killie and us or County (I think Malky for all he's an idiot has done very well there). Last group St Mirren, St Johnstone, Livi and the other of us or County. Anything above 9th will be a decent season for us. If we make top 6 it'll be a great year. I'd take 10th if we won the league Cup (and definitely for a Scottish cup)

Aye, not a great draw. Sparta Prague the fun trip that's doable travel wise but on to a hiding. The North Macedonian side/Latvian mob could be a winnable tie. Wouldn't fancy Astana or Istanbul (actually Istanbul is a cool place but it will be stupidly hot and I don't fancy going to a match over there).

And what's the real difference between a 4-3-3 and a 4-2-3-1? If you think of the forwards dripping back and the midfield 3 being a triangle with Spittal at the top of it it's effectively the same position he's playing in with a similar role.

Spittal is clearly capable of creating in the SPL. Tierney is a young lad I've high hopes for this season and Morris has shown he can create in league one and two down south. I don't know what level of player you expect us to sign?

I thought he'd played there abit but I may be mixing him up with Stephen McGinn... Aye, Saturday should answer some questions. Although I won't be there, swore off friendlies a long time ago.

Could play a 4-2-3-1, think we have the personnel for that. Slattery and Maguire/McGinn as the 2. Spittal, Morris, Tierney, Shields, Efford, Goss could all work as part of that 3, obviously KVV as the one.

Are they a full time side? I'm assuming they're bottom half championship level, the sort of team we should put away buy will have enough about them that can cause us problems if we're not at it or miss a few chances. Basically it's Morton but a bit further west. So how do we line up? That's the big question. Have we changed shape from last year or are we going out the same 4-3-3? I'd say Kelly, Slattery and KVV are guaranteed starters regardless of formation but after that I think every other position is up for debate.

I think its because TNS got pumped out the Champions league and Newton got through so there are three Welsh teams in the conference league but not enough uefa grounds available

Yup. But only if Bala win, if Sligo win then its as is.

Just saw the P&B thread, Newton won so if Bala win we are away first now....

Into extra time. If Bala win is the other results that move the away game to Tuesday still in play?