weeyin

Get in there with the pre-season disappointment! Don't think about it as even a friendly. Think about it as a training session where the gaffer gets to try out some new tactics, pairings and ideas. Because that's exactly what it is. Also remember the players are out there on the back of some hard single and double training sessions - the exact opposite of normal game prep. The players won't be fit until the Rangers game, so be ready for some non-peak performances in the Cup too. Then put your feet up, have a beer and enjoy your weekend.

Robinson said his plan today was to give players 60 mins or more, with some having a full 90.

Depends on who's offering, but if it's a Championship club I'd start at 1 million and maybe drop to 750 with the appropriate add-ons. Marvin was about 650 plus addons apparently, and I think Moult is worth more than that. EDIT: Of course if Accies make a bid it must be worth at least a million to them to never have to play against him again.

If the increase is within our salary structure, that's fine. However, it's just as likely to be a bargaining tool to bump up his price when he leaves during the window.

This. Plus I'm sure when Moult leaves it will be for an English club.

Do we not get salary paid by insurance when a player is out for long term injury?

Classic. Even now, when I picture walking up to Fir Park, that is what comes to mind.

Play for an extra 4 or 5 weeks in the summer is not going to fix the malaise in our game. It's a fundamental overhaul that is required, and as I have said in other threads, that is never going to happen under the current regime.

Surely a full-time professional Scottish team can beat the part-time, 4th best team in Luxembourg who have lost to League of Ireland teams 6 times out of 6. Of course we have a chance of beating them, but if anything, I suspect they will be even more intent in getting off to a good start to their league campaign than they are now. Will not be an easy game.

A tax dodger double.

The McManus that missed half of last season due to injury? I have criticised him in the past, but he obviously needs game time right now.

Falconer is the best prospect from the U20s, but I don't know that he fits the "pacey" mould.

Good to hear Robinson say in his post-match today that he is still looking for a bit of pace up front. While guys like Sutton and Higdon were about as mobile as the Exxon Valdez, they benefited from speed merchants around them and a lot of our success has been due to pace on the break.

Exactly. Like I said in an earlier post, we have a wage structure and need to stick to it. As soon as you make an exception, you have no structure and instantly cause unrest among the players. When Moult moves on, it won't be because he couldn't get an extra few quid out of us. It will be because a better team, offering more career development opportunities comes in for him, and bumps his salary to a level we can't compete with. Also, crowdfunding a player's salary is mental. If you want to throw extra money to the club, give it to the Society before the end of the year, and it will be worth double.

Robinson is spot on and I think it's good that he's setting fans expectations. Given the chat on here, some people need a wee bit of a reality check on what we can afford. When Moult leaves it will likely be for about double his current salary, so paying him and extra 500 quid a week now isn't going to prevent that. The club has admitted in previous years that it let salaries and bonuses get out of hand based on poor planning and an assumption of high league finishes. We need a wage structure at the club and to stick with it. As soon as you make an exception, then you no longer have a structure and you risk causing unrest other players. Of course, there are a lot more creative ways to structure a new deal than a flat weekly increase. Appearance money, goal targets, league position win bonuses, cup bonuses etc. that could average out to more than 500 quid a week. After the last few seasons, it's about time players started doing enough to get some more win bonuses under their belt.

Last year we were killed in the second half of the season due to lack of cover at the back. If we have 8 choices there this season, that is fine by me.

It will all be kickabouts until the Rangers game. Even the League Cup games I expect will be trial formations and giving youngsters a few games. As Robinson said yesterday (and every other manger says too) pre-season fixtures are about 2 things. Getting game time and avoiding injuries.

Seems to be the modern way. Full backs often more likely to play like wing-backs than defenders. Can't say I'm a big fan of that approach, but I'm constantly reminded I'm old and know nothing about this game.

It's always amusing to read the critiques of an early pre-season game. When we play them behind close doors, people complain. When we play them in front of fans, it's panic stations that we aren't a well oiled machine after a few days back in training.

So exactly what you'd expect with 5 weeks of preseason before we kick off our league campaign. Certainly, exactly what I'd expect at this stage.

I imagine there will a twitter commentary too.

Again, though, I suspect Robinson knows this. He has experience of both leagues and, as he mentioned in his interview, sees unfulfilled potential in Dunne he hopes to encourage. In general, we can't afford players from exactly our level our above, so most of our signings are going to be lower league guys we hope to develop. At the very least, maybe let's just give him a chance to show what he can do before moaning. Although I do realise there are a lot of posters who prefer the latter.

More weight than the thoughts of our manager who had him as a player at Oldham?

TBF, it's the journos that ALWAYS ask that OF question to every English player we sign. I have some sympathy with the interview process too - here ye go, son. We just signed you now go and speak to the press on camera. The gaffer's interview that was just posted gives more insight into why we signed him and what his hopes are for him. Maybe even more insight than the Blackpool fans. Seems like we are looking for a right-sided defender now and waiting to see how the trialists perform in the next couple of games.

Fans are idiots.