weeyin

It's certainly going to be good to have options, because the upcoming season is going to be mental. Even without the winter break, any minor disruptions to the schedule could mean 4 games in 8 days. The clubs wanted it this way - and I don't blame them. Can't wait for it to start!

Gorrin in the play-off for Oxford today.

So you don't know the details of the deal, but you think it's ridiculous. I would be surprised if the loan isn't anything other than a standard deal. We pay a percentage of his wage and he doesn't play against the loan team. As I've said many times, I'm 100% against loans to teams in the same division, but it is what it is. "Playing guarantees" are just fantasy that people like to spout on the internet. Rotherham cut short his loan deal last season, so I don't see why we couldn't do the same if needed. He's back now, and has coaches that know him - so I'd rather he developed and did a jib than failed so we can say "telt ye". Time will tell.

I don't remember subscribing to your joke explaining service, but thanks.

Makes sense. I also heard the two of them must lodge with Jake Carroll in Larkhall for at least 90% of the time.

Ah, sorry - didn't make the connection. Then I withdraw my question and will return to my coffee.

I agree. If Rangers want him to play 90% of games they should stick him in their first team.

Did we not do this already in Andy P's poll ?

I think Budge has gone a bit Rangers.

The Scotsman is reporting Hearts are also trying to sign Hastie.

From Andrew Wilson on twitter:

They're looking for a buyer at the moment. If they find one, they might not be selling or releasing anyone.

The question is which neighbour is being the arsehole. Probably Carroll, but there is always a chance you end up with a neighbour that doesn't like Irish or black people. The quotes from the police: and from the club: suggest it wasn't a big deal.

Wigan were bought by a Hong Kong consortium just 4 weeks ago, at which point they promised to secure its future. It's sad, but not surprising, so many clubs like them overspend on a regular basis. It wasn't that long ago after the ITV Digital debacle that many of them had major financial issues and significant number went into Administration. Much like our friends in Govan, they still believe the solution to their problems is go further into debt in the hopes a big payday will show up soon.

From memory of the accounts that were posted, I'm pretty sure they did.

Have you read the front page of the Record in recent weeks? This is pretty typical sensationalist fodder. Probably drowned out all the flutes and drums that waft through the air this time of year.

From what I saw, his loan career followed a similar trajectory to his brief first team stint with us. Got off to a flyer, then after a few games was relegated to sub, then was dropped from the first team. Not sure if it was being sussed or something else. Personally, I've nothing against the guy. He probably made a poor decision from a footballing perspective, but not difficult to see why he was tempted. Whether he can be coached into varying his play and picking his crosses is something better minds than me would need to assess. My general gripe would be taking players on loan from a club in the same league - but that is a different topic.

They were poor in the final, but played well in the semi. Exactly what we've come to expect over the years.

We get it. You hate Baraclough - but now you are starting to sound bitter and petty. Running a U21 team isn't like running a club team - you are stuck with the players you have, and have to grind out the results. (And how do you think any team has beat Spain recently? By dominating possession against the Tiki-taka?). Like domestic U21 the role is as much about developing players and tactics so they are ready for the step up to the senior squad. The NI recruitment team thinks he did a great a job and has the credentials to continue that with the seniors. Given they have qualified for more major tourneys than Scotland recently, maybe they know a bit more about what they are looking for than you (or I) do.

As a team, Wigan have been hovering above the relegation zone since Kipré joined, but any time I have watched them the big man has been on top form. Would not be surprised if he gets a lucrative move.

And includes results like beating Spain in Spain.

Confirmed here. (on the Beeb) Always thought he was the front runner given the success he's had in his current role.

For anyone interested, there's a stream for Birmingham v Hull game here. I'm loaded up with ad blockers and malware blockers, so as always, make sure you're protected before streaming.

McCall picked up 7 points in the season he left us. I loved having him at Fir Park, but that was a disaster. A rot like that setting in has condemned many a team to relegation (see Hibs, Hearts, Dundee, Dundee Utd, Partick Thistle) and by turning that around for us I'll happily forgive Baraclough's dodgy start to the following season. The current gaffer was brought in to assist him that season too, so it all worked out in the end.

He also won the league and 2 cups with Sligo Rovers. Not quite as high a standard, but still domestic silverware.