LadywellToi

I guess time will tell if Gow is the better signing over McCluskey. As for Kerkar, for all the reports his signing would allow Saunders to gradually move into central midfield to replace Reynolds if he does go in January and Craigan as he ramps up his appearances on Monday nights. If he's out our price range then fair enough, we can only play the cards we're dealt.

Just read the projected line-ups on the BBC website, it appears on paper we have the stronger squad to pick from, which is good news at least.

Diddy Cup? Who's Freddie?

Are season tickets valid?

Craigie Speaks Didn't realise he was such a fan of Tim "the toolman" Taylor

One of my neighbours (the wiffy one) said you go in and there is a bit of waste ground where there are always a few cars (maybe not today) and walk up a bit and look down into the training complex through a fence. From how he described it I assumed it wouldn't be any worse than one of the pitches at Dalziel Park except you are further away and higher up.

Let me guess, you got credit for English however foundation in Put-downs .... then you decided to leave school early, signed on for a bit, did a bit of labouring, determined that window cleaning could be the future, then was offered some narcotics, started of with tame stuff, next thing you know you're high on poppers, ball deep in a porno with a Bavarian called Walter. Followed by a spell living in the underpass in Brandon Parade, begging "50p for a diddy donut big man". The shame is too much so you turn to showing your support for a team by coming on here as a keyboard hard man. Time for your cookies and milk fannybaws.

There's a 1/2 pizza crunch in it for you big man if you do

If someone can conceal a smoke bomb in their cavity I think we have a "Thai style" half-time entertainment sorted.

I take these sort of matches aren't ever announced? I don't live that far away from Lennoxtown and would have went if I knew. I guess you need a mate who is a player to send a sneeky text.

Peter Jackson tried really hard with the censors to have him entered in the final credits, alas no joy.

A lot to cover and its a shame that the actual events of the game are 2nd behind a lot of other nonsense. Firstly, Randolph's save .... reckon he didn't know too much about it however there is a lot to be said about his uncanny ability so far this season to be in the right place at the right time, instinct and confidence seems to ooze from him at the moment, inspired signing and 3 year deal too. Blackman's goal was a peach. Murphy appeared to do really well to earn the second. From what I've read and heard Humphrey is improving game on game. Reynolds also played a blinder, however the highlights didn't show any of it to give him full credit. Craigan's challenge, what was all that about? Talk about the red mist descending, absolutely crazy. I'd be interested to know how close to the final whistle it was? I'd be surprised if the same people who lit the smoke bomb are among those who sing and identify with the nazi slogans and chants. Bought the Daily Record for the first time in ages today, read the report, essentially this is how it went: Motherwell blitzed St. J off the park, Blackman's goal in 3 mins, Murphy got Polish defender to make an arse of it. Then 90% of the remainder on how Humphrey is playing out his skin, how the management are helping him, his willingness to endeavour to repay their faith. End of article. Good result, professional performance, all the rest is a bloody joke.

Based on what I've just read in the poll thread by his biggest fan I suggest you may have to defend that statement going forward buddy.

Humphrey is getting the early votes on the MotM poll, guessing his distribution was better today? Did Gow impress in his 3 minutes?

I'll take them if nobody has snapped them up via PM.

Celtic will win that, they seem adept at losing pounds they thought they'd have.

me four

First mention of Gow on this thread goes to Evening Times via Weeyin. Subject to any loans or free agents signing then it looks like that newspaper is going to clinch the title. With respect to Murphy I don't know what would benefit him best, he looked like a world-beater against Hibs and Odense (and to a lesser degree against Celtic) in the first half then drifted away in the 2nd in all three games. One thing is important, that he doesn't go off the boil the same as Forbes has. It's still too early to determine how all our attacking options may gel going forward, there is no doubt we have blistering pace available from a couple (Humphrey & Blackman), strength and aerial threat from another (Sutton) and touch and creativity from 2 more (Murphy and Gow). What besides an immaculate conception that Casagolda offers will no doubt become clear as the season progresses. They all can't play at the same time so will Brown pick his 11 on the eleven strongest players or pick a formation and and slot players in to accommodate that.

It's fair to say the 3 Euro games were pretty well attended (certainly much higher crowds than your standard friendlies). As a result I reckon gate receipts combined with prize money ensured a conservative £400k profit on a standard pre-season. However I'd say Boyle has a different way of operating from in the past and some of the £400k I reckon would be used to offset the loss of the Celtic home game post-split last season (approx £200k). And possible some more to cover the pitch repairs obviously done via an accounting exercise to not make it too obvious. We do have £175,000 now for Quinn, however I'm sure that would be in last years budget forecast, not this seasons. Fraser would have only left with some sort of severance offer so we only get to see the saving in real terms around Christmas time from not having on the books on a full wage. Money is tighter than I think we all think, I reckon Commworld got us for a steal. I also don't see Casagolda locating the pot of gold next time there is a rainbow as has been touted on here. Going forward I reckon we'll get 1 loan and 1 free agent in the next week, lets not ignore the footballing experience of +60 years in our management team, I'd like to credit them with knowing where the team currently falls short.

I'll put a ten spot on that Mel

One born every minute Steve

Seems ludicrous as Murphy is on the books for another 3 years as he extended his deal in the summer. I got the impression that Leeann was following the Hibs model of not letting your young talent go for pennies due to their contract running out.

How to endear yourself to the support - Rule #43 43.1 As a new manager, swiftly after your appointment call a press conference and announce that you intend to change the ethos and direction of the club. 43.2 Tell the fans that you will favour home grown local boys which will appeal to fans both in terms of cost to the club and fostering young players from roughly the same background as you. 43.3 Suggest that you are going for a ball on deck philosophy, playing the ball from defence to attack with composed snappy play that will be a joy to watch. This will enhance your standing among the support almost universally because its the sort of thing every true supporter likes to hear. You must try to avoid losing the dressing room or castigating players when they need support during their development. It would also be advisable that you don't spend your whole time actively looking to make the next step in your career.

Anyone want to make a punt on any names, Jim Gannon Memorial Trophy is still up for grabs despite Hammerfist's inside knowledge.

Between Randolph and Lasley, to be honest was leaning towards the keeper until I heard Craig's interview where he said that he pulled off an amazing save but the rest were pretty much bread a butter for someone of his stature and level. Even though he was used very little, when he was required he did his job he did it and did it very well. Lasley played outstanding, for someone who has been hooked in a few of our recent games, a full 90 minutes of battling impressed me on a pretty disappointing day. Some need to remember that Hateley won player of the year only a few months ago, I can see remnants of what he offered last season and his form improving even if its only creeping back to what it was. Celtic's LB was outstanding and as a result I'd be surprised if Humphrey will come up against another defender in the SPL as assured over the next 9 months. He totally stifled him however could have benefited from switching wings (like Odense away). He needs to think what else he can offer in terms of support to those around him if this happens again. Lennon is following on from O'Neils thinking, massive physical defenders who boss the opposition in the last third. The were all big lads (who's ever seen an Oriental that big before?) who used there presence to upset our mobile but slight attack (apart from Sutton). Saunders was a little naive however so was the referee, wouldn't mind something 50-50 going our way.