LadywellToi

Hibs are 3 points ahead with 6 games to play, form has been worse than ours and its easily conceivable that we could get 4th place and guarantee European football on merit opposed to results going our way in the cup. Its a bit defeatist to settle for 5th at this stage in the season.

Approx £230k in prize money according to the SPL. For a club our size in the current climate that is a huge amount and guaranteed European Football too. Based on our run this year, I'd rather do that than pointless friendlies against English Div 2 teams. Be interesting to know if our European campaign resulted in a loss or profit financially this season.

I'll agree with you to a degree. I'm critical of Brown for the St. Mirren game and to be fair he took the rap himself. Didn't agree with him authorising the week off. Tannadice, wasn't there and didn't have access to BBC Alba, but what I've read in the press, on here and saw on the highlights it was a mare of a day and we returned to December-esque behaviour. Don't know to what degree he is responsible, however when a team goes down to 10 men then you would think the manager really wouldn't have to do too much or change things up. Today, can't help but feel that Ruddy must have been doubtful before the game, Moyes would be justified to get on the phone and give it a bit of "Craig what the hell are you all about?" (Also felt he brought Jutkiewicz back too early and he's not been at the same level as he was before the Rangers game). The first sub was enforced, couldn't understand why no other change at half-time, however Lasley was another enforced sub. Humphrey did well considering but not enough balls were played to him. Just didn't see any tactical changes when things weren't working. Brown created a bit of a rod for his own back with the record established at the start of his reign. My criticism is very soft critique, if you offered me the current points total and league position in late December I'd have bitten you hand off. Overall great job, just questionable of late.

Merit to both arguments, Fraser would benefit definitely, however its not like last season, we aren't limited to 7th position no matter how we play. Ruddy has a certain presence between the sticks partly due to his physical size and I feel gives the players around him assurance he'll be there come what may. He has been outstanding this season and been touted for player of the season by many on here for his record and displays. For what he's brought to the team and as a bit of loyalty we should allow him to play a full season (I remember reading the comments he made in his interview a few months back that he hadn't had a steady run anywhere - loan here, short spell there) is justified. At least allow to have it on his CV as it appears he may be touting it in the forthcoming months. Plus considering our final SPL league place determines our "prize money" in multiples of £75k per place a 4th place finish over a 5th or 6th could cost us as much as £150k in revenue. Nobody could argue that some of his displays this season have gained us points we would have otherwise lost. With 7 games left, by including him I think we could at least gain one league position due to his presence and intervention. The extra £75k would help cover or at least offset what we've contributed to his salary this season. However I don't like this "5th place, Scottish cup finalists go our way" chat. We have a group of players who have it within them to attain 3rd place if we regain the form of 3 weeks ago. Can't help feeling the week off, lets go to the races, top six assured has had an effect on the drive and performance level of many. No offence to Fraser he did well today but I get a little butterfly when he was called on, however if it was Ruddy I'd be blazee about him dealing with it and already looking to see who was free to start the next attack.

I'm going for Craigan too, felt he looked composed compared to the rest. Poor response to the "bring a mate" initiative though. Fraser looked shakey but its his first home game and that can only be expected, I'm sure his confidence will grow and that save will have earned him a few plaudits. Humphry managed to put in the two best crosses of the game (I never thought I'd say that) and based on the luck we rode in the same fixture before in October over the two games 3 points a piece is probably fair. 2 disappointing results in a week after 2 weeks off which included that little holiday for everyone. Can't help with hindsight it should have been a different plan. Questionable behaviour by Brown today, Ruddy is not our property but was obviously having issues (why have Hammell briefed to take by-kicks), can't help feel that this has happened before with Jutkiewicz since the Rangers game. Things also weren't working and I didn't see any change in tactics or approach that were aimed at countering Falkirk.

Yeah all good, but what about the sandwiches?

He lived three doors down from me during his entire Rangers career, his ex-wife is still there. I remember playing kirby and "accidently" threw the ball that little bit harder than it needed to be into his path on more than one occasion. Always got a few wee fancies and a bit of keepy up before returning the ball - absolute legend.

It would appear that quote is a verbal assurance and what Brown was commenting on the radio is he hasn't got it in writing. After how things panned out with Gannon it seems incredible that this is repeating itself.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SPL_2009-10 click on the history tab at the top and select whatever date you want from the season and you can get the league table on that date.

No I don't however it has been known mjw. I'm not a professional footballer in a mid season hiatus finding myself with 2 weeks off that wasn't expected a few months ago though. Foreign trip were all the rage during the winter shutdowns, how is this any different? I do take your point about the English players though. Lets just hope we don't see JOB 7 sheets to the wind jumping off the back of a recent winner Dettori style.

I'm all for some R&R and rewards especially after the run we've been on. Could JB have arranged a trip to the Algarve that includes the whole team with his contacts? Just think a bit of training in the sun with individual activities in the evenings may have been more beneficial than "see you in a week". Saying that if we beat Dundee Utd. no issue Craig, inspired decision.

I wasn't trying to prove any points, I started this thread to highlight 2 things, not score kudos. The first of these is the history option in Wikipedia that allows you to access league tables on almost any date throughout the season. I picked tables I thought were significant. The second was to comment on the low, high, low, high, hopefully high we've all experienced in the past season. Even at our worst league position (7th)so far, how many would have taken a 7th place finish in June 2009? Last summer, with a decimated squad, no manager, money tight, wondering if any of the U16's could play first team, we were in a sorry state and many (myself included even after putting the best possible spin on things) thought this year would be very tough. A relegation battle at best, alone at the foot of the table by a long way at worst. I found the appointment of Gannon after researching his background an inspired decision by JB. Initial worries were put to bed with our start to the season and by mid October I thought, despite everything we might achieve top 6 (I knew we'd have a lull with the experience levels and consistency). The first table I posted showed the initial high, the second showed that in the following 2 months (8 games) we achieved 3 further points, the second low. We all know where we are now and what we are challenging for to make season 2009-10 a success. Quite a rollercoaster ride we've been on and definitely not where many thought we would be. Who would have thought 9 months ago they'd be threads about finishing second (granted a little tongue in cheek), European qualification for the second year running (on performance opposed to our crime count), etc. I just think its been remarkable and this wasn't designed to highlight Gannon vs Brown, Nethertonwellfan eloquently pointed out that we needed both of them this season in another thread. Gannon has been among the best scouts we've ever had (French right backs aside) and Brown has showed experience does temper fresh ideas and initiates on occasion.

Just to remind everyone where we were after Gannon's initial run of good form. P Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts 1 Celtic 10 7 2 1 20 8 +12 23 2 Hibernian 10 6 2 2 16 8 +8 20 3 Rangers 9 5 4 0 15 6 +9 19 4 Motherwell 10 4 5 1 12 9 +3 17 5 D Utd 9 4 4 1 12 7 +5 16 6 St. Mirren 10 3 3 4 12 14 −2 12 7 Aberdeen 10 2 5 3 7 9 −2 11 8 Hearts 10 2 3 5 9 13 −4 9 9 Killie 10 2 3 5 8 12 −4 9 10 St. John 10 2 3 5 16 21 −5 9 11 Accies 10 2 2 6 8 17 −9 8 12 Falkirk 10 0 4 6 5 16 −11 4 Also after the the Hearts game at Tynecastle (technically Jack and Vic were in charge but I don't count it as their first games as they probably didn't know anyone's name and Youngy picked the team). P Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts 1 Rangers 18 13 4 1 46 12 +34 43 2 Celtic 17 11 3 3 36 18 +18 36 3 Hibernian 17 9 5 3 25 14 +11 32 4 Dun Utd 17 7 7 3 22 22 0 28 5 Hearts 18 6 5 7 16 19 −3 23 6 Motherwell 18 4 8 6 21 29 −8 20 7 St. John 17 5 4 8 25 30 −5 19 8 Aberdeen 16 4 6 6 12 18 −6 18 9 Accies 16 4 4 8 15 26 −11 16 10 St. Mirren 16 3 5 8 18 25 −7 14 11 Killie 17 3 5 9 12 22 −10 14 12 Falkirk 17 2 6 9 14 27 −13 12 Considering we haven't dropped below 6th and the way the squad was over the summer this has been a remarkable season. Also a 17 point swing to Rangers at the top. The first away game I went to was vs Celtic at Parkhead in 1990/91 I think, we won 2-0 Dougie Arnott scored at least one and it was the old terracing and jungle. During that game I didn't fear them in the slightest. I felt the same watching us hump Van Hooijdonk at Hampden singing "There's only one Tommy Coyne". I think the same can be said at our next meeting, based on his recent form Keane needs man marked though, However Mowbray is probably thinking the same of Jennings. A really useful tip I learned today for anyone inclined or bothered who doesn't know already, if you use wikipedia and click the history tab you can select any date of revision for review, allowing easy access to stats at specific periods.

Did I not mention I have a thing for ging's? Note to self: make sure to place "good" after "pretty" in future posts.

Can't award it to the defence because Hearts were so ineffectual however would like to say Hammell should be rewarded immediately with a new contract. Craigan was composed and Renyolds took his goal well and looked pretty too. Hateley probably had his first below average game in a well shirt. Midfield, due to the fact we lost the midfield in the 2nd half I can't give full marks but Jennings stood out. For me the MotM was Murphy, just thought whenever he was involved he added that little bit extra.

+2

Over Hammell?

How often do you ever hear a manager give an interview like that? Can understand his honesty and reasons, however I'd be a little more aggrieved if I'd paid good money to see the experiment. Clean sheet and a point against our bogie team of late.

Again a flaw in my plan .... how about a Scouting consultancy, that way he'd be his own boss? I reckon if he were to meet Sir Alex, Perluigi Collina and Pele, he'd offer suggestions where they all have went wrong and could make improvements. Cue Harry Endfield You don't wanna do that .......

As I said, he'd make a very good scout which he could combined with a day release course on man management at a local further education establishment allowing him to re-enter management and fulfil his true potential. Or he could go on hopping from various clubs in trouble, staying no longer than 18 months, noising up most who interact with him on a daily basis, punting for a big jobs unaware his behaviour and demeanour means he is slowly making that possibility more distant.

Sorry Al B, just read what was included in quotes on Hammy's first post rather than click through.

Short notice cataracts operation

He omitted to mention Walter Smith called for it too. Mowbray is too busy crying into his crunchie nut and checking the classified ads. He won't slag off the old firm, where we he go for his bacon roll and lunch 5 days a week?

What tune did you sing it to? Just need to put into context.

You'd be able to get the Celtic game on p2p4u or Irag Goals, last time I watched the unwashed play the half time studio (broom cupboard) analysis was so amateur it was funny.