LadywellToi

Based on his performance tonight Glen Johnson is now in our price range. Would allow Hatelely to stay in midfield and not spit the dummy and let Saunders grow into his role with Hutchison as centre half's.

Didn't he play with Rangers? Took a bung with Marseille though ... naughty

Been discussed before on another thread, however for budget bucks you can get innovative and cutting edge architecture avoiding the legobrick efforts. The construction industry is on its behind at present and many young and exciting firms are actively touting for work. Problem with Ravenscraig being a Brownfield site is you don't want to be going digging too deep or exposing too much topsoil. I'm a fan of the Wall stadium currently under construction in the middle east (I think it was quoted at USD $13m). Innovative as its a landmark building that acts as a draw and spin-off to the surrounding area (in much the same way the Falkirk wheel has evolved). A building such as this would attract additional home and away support for the novelty factor (whither it would sustain it over time I don't know however I would suggest the home support would increase a little with improved facilities). It is encircled by a massive dome because in a country where 45deg is a cool day you would look for underground parking. We don't necessarily need that feature (and associated costs) however combining it with a shopping centre could help sway the council planners and bank manager in one swoop. Granted our labour costs and some materials would be higher, however we don't need all the features and finishes. Cleverly budgeted we could move modestly and laugh at a number of other teams in the SPL who opted for the Barr ACME stadia. I can't see Boyle exhibiting a strong desire to incur extra costs nor do I see us earning a huge amount for the FP site, local authority support and cash or central government help. Therefore I think we'll be a FP for the next 5 years at least.

He was nippy .....

Updated Steve, shall I update your score to -1 just now?

That's my understanding too Finlay

I thought about that when typing it Finlay however I reckon it was maybe his age (granted only 27-28) and Coke being 24. There are no doubt all sorts of factors affecting if someone could/should be offered a offered a long deal over a short one.

Based on Leeann's interview and the deals already done this summer I would venture to suggest with hindsight the delay on Hateley resigning was the length of his contract offer, not a mulitude of other reasons as discussed at length on here already. We've taken a business decision to minimise our talent going elsewhere for a bargain, especially the young talent and common sense has prevailed especially when you see Hibs reaping the rewards. Maybe that's why we've no news on Coke so far as he's hoping for a short deal and we're only offering a 2-3 year contract. A 1 year deal and a continuation of the form he exhibited at the end of last season would be a springboard to bigger things, I reckon that is what he's thinking. A 2-3 year deal means someone would really want him and be prepared to stump up the readies, which would in turn possibly diminish his wage, unless money is no object of course.

Decorator = Mata Hari

What I'm finding hard to beleive is that despite all the moles and "I overheard Cragie's massage therapist in Asda talking about ...... " chat, not one person mentioned or even had a sniff of the Hateley 3 year deal or Charalambous.

So third choice at EPL to SPL to hopefully challenge for 3rd choice Scotland, he must be made up.

Ruddy was guilty of a few howlers in his time with us too, however by and large his performances were above par and he dominated the box, giving confidence to all those in front of him, especially the back 4. I do find it strange how as the previous post suggests that if Ruddy is not returning, lets just take a punt with Turner instead. Moving from an EPL club to the SPL is a major jump in salary and in today's football that's what its all about. OK so he gets to move back home, however he may look upon it as he's failed to make it at a higher level.

Hateley added to post #1, Jesus wept, never thought I'd be doing that and adding 2013 in brackets too. Not really sure who to credit with the 5 points in the Jim Gannon Memorial Trophy because I can't think of anyone saying it was a definite (Bop suggested that patience was the name of the game, however didn't scoop the signing news). If anyone wants to claim the points or suggest alternatives to the scoring system please feel free.

One thing is certain you will always struggle to appeal to everyone on something like this. There is certainly a retro feel about both strips, looks like powers that be didn't take 99.9% of the criticism on here regarding the dodgy collar into account. Looks like the logo's on the away strip are stitched and left printed on the home, however as yet we don't know if they are final production run efforts or just mock-ups to keep the fans happy. The home is OK, could have done with a little more as it looks like Puma were trying to save money rather than minimalise. On the away top, hope the kitman has lots of Daz on order as I'm struggling to see how you could get any more minimalistic. I'm guessing these designs are now set in stone?

First Player added to the "In's" column. Fraser's jacket looks like its on a shakey peg, shrewd Jack wouldn't have mentioned the potential move otherwise.

With the strips unveiled this week I guess its safe to say the new sponsor will be announced at the same time or will the strips be minus a logo for the time being?

You would think and hope that between them Jack and Vic have enough well established friendships and respect among a number of managers such as Ferige, Eck, Moyes and Coyle. Plus a host of others that Brown would have contacted regularly to ask about the status of Scottish internationalists and Knox would have spent time in the players lounge in his role as Fergie's assistant and then Everton assistant manager that we could get a wee gem or two on loan.

Just a guess I think we can rest assured that the little Cambodian children will be working overtime making WC2010 tops and will switch to club ones after the initial hullabaloo dies down in about 2 weeks from now. Also if the sponsor insists on having the strip incorporate their logo (Zoom style) then that may also delay things. Then they'll be put on a boat and sent to the UK. I wouldn't be surprised to see the players having FedExed one's for the Europa game and the plebs ones to follow for the SPL season starting. I hope powers that be have aligned themselves with the overwhelming support of a normal collar and the majority seeing nostalgic and historical relevance of a petrol blue strip of whatever format.

You lighten up Dildo, bugger off back to 1984.

1 paragraph of psycho analysis, 2 fact/conjecture. Seeing as Maths isn't your strongpoint, thanks for giving up time in your job at the Plain English campaign.

Isn't that the same as a loss of form?

I used to be Hateley's biggest advocate, I yearned for a time when he could return to his defensive midfield role he was played in before Christmas as I felt he was outstanding in most games. Subsequently I've been dismayed at the advice and bumming up that's been directed his way by his "yes" men. Lets not forget he is 20, last year he was playing for Reading reserves, now after a year in Scotland, he's got about 8 sky games under his belt and won young player of the year, quite a result from 12 months ago when things weren't looking all that rosy, how many kids with a famous parent end up not cutting it and bobbing about the lower leagues. Not many will know the circumstances why he was moved to midfield against Dundee Utd. (and retained there throughout the game despite obviously problems at right back), maybe he insisted, maybe he didn't. All the crap in the paper about the pitch is smoke and mirrors stuff. His performances in the last few games, what went on ...... loss of form (we've all had a run of bad luck where nothing seems to come off), an underlying feeling he was on his way and need not to perform or the hunger/desire to perform that was there 9 months before dissipated.

Cheers Flow, updated post #1. Also, with respect to the younger players, it hasn't gone unnoticed.

When was McHugh's existing contract due to run out?

Nope it was ages, well until their tax breaks and other government financed incentives ran out and the moved to the next European country offering the same/better.