weeyin

Stats and all that, but Fulham's defence was ranked 23rd in the Championship last season (83 goals conceded) and currently ranked 22nd thanks to an impressive 67 goals conceded so far. Not all Hutchinson's fault, of course, but he hasn't exactly shored it up.

It was Mark Reynolds that did us this season. Did us a favour I mean. Am I right??!!

Purely based on our Youtube channel, it seems Watt still blows a bit hot and cold. Not unusual at that age, but needs to be more consistent for the step up.

I think we get our ball boys from the local school.

In the U20s, Craigan has said a few times he doesn't think Thomas' final balls get the reward they deserve i.e. we don't score enough goals from them. So it seems he does have the final product, albeit it's much tougher to reproduce in the first team; especially when you are only coming on as sub. McGhee had talked about loaning him out to get first team experience like Cadden, but I guess that didn't work out. He certainly seems the type of player that would benefit from a longer run in the first team.

Right, but what if playing a few youngsters now means we can sell them on for more, and sooner? Then it's a short term loss for a long term gain, and that is the kind of balance the new structure needs to maintain. If we don't bring in any of them and still finish 6th, then it was a wasted opportunity. So, swings and roundabouts.

Part of Les' strategy, which McGhee appeared to buy into, was to give more youngsters first team experience. With Cadden and Hall, that has already been somewhat implemented, but it was McGhee himself that said he'd be looking to give more youngsters game time once we were safe. Recent years are not a good precedent as that has resulted in almost zero transfer revenue for the club. Hence the change in strategy this season.

Nah. By the time we take more points of Aberdeen the title race will be over.

Aye, we voted to reduce the size of second place pay out. Which hurt us that year, but should benefit us most seasons.

We've taken 1 point from 9 against County and 3 from 9 against St Johnstone. Granted we are playing much better now, but certainly not a banker in either of those games.

Forget last season - look at where we were in January. And the nature of the league is that wherever we finish (4th, 5th or 6th) that is *exactly* what we were capable of achieving.

They do come from somewhere. They play in youth and reserve teams then, frustrated at the lack of opportunities, drop down a level or two for first team action. After that, it seems, they then go and sit on the bench at a better club and hope they get a chance. We got Ruddy on loan for that very reason. And Randolph is a classic example of hoping he can advance his career by sitting on the bench. It's a tough career as there is no opportunity to play anywhere other than between the sticks.

Maybe it's just me, but I'll be fine with 6th. Anything beyond that far exceeds my expectations for this season. In fact, 6th far exceeds my expectations. I have been following football, and this mob in particular, for too many years and know how hard it is to stop the rot of a team in free fall. So still delighted we are in the top half after the split. Kudos to everyone involved for turning it around - especially after the way we started.

Not going to keep this going in match thread, so this is my last comment about it on here. But that kind of complaint is not unusual from a guy like King and I'd be surprised if, when he walks (and he will) he doesn't pocket a tidy sum for his troubles. In the circles he moves in it's criminally easy to borrow money to make a deal that generates a nice profit. And I guarantee he didn't spend a penny of his own money to take control.

I have said this before, but don't mind saying it again - the nature of the goalkeeping position makes it a rare event that any club brings one through the ranks. Typically, they don't peak until later than outfield players. Off the top of my head, the only keeper I can think of that graduated from a youth team outside Ally Maxwell is Richard Wright when he was at Ipswich. They tend to be the exception rather than the rule.

Shouldn't right mid be taking care of runs from the opposition left back?

I think if you look at the season as a whole, rather than just McGhee's time in charge, Ripley has been one of the more consistent performers - even when we were dire early on. Given it's his first real crack in the first team, and given his young age (especially for a keeper), I'd be happy to see him back next season.

I worked in financial services for 12 years - I know my way around a balance sheet. I also dealt with many people who are quite happy to throw money at a business like Rangers for various reasons - none of them footballing. Manchester United are run on dodgy loans originally obtained by leverging the club and its assests at a high interest rate. After they were restructured it's still a terrible deal for them. The owners dont' care, though, as they invested basically nothing, have zero risk thanks the asset backed nature of the loan, and all the while they skim off millions directly into their pockets. Like them or loathe them (and I'm in the latter camp), Rangers have a world wide brand they can trade on - not as large as other clubs, but large enough that there are enough daft punters who will spend money on them. Dave King saw the opportunity to make himelf some cash, and grabbed it. He'll be kicked out soon enough and another, slightly more honest backer will be found. While it would be entertaining to see them go out of business, I just can't see it happening any time soon.

People tend to be much more forgiving of a young outfield player's mistakes than a young keeper's mistakes, even though keepers don't reach their peak until later than outfield players.

No stock market or bank will touch us, but we found an investor. There are plenty of wealthy fans and business men out there who would take a punt, same as happened at Hearts. Of course, they will want King out, but there is money to be made at Ibrox. Just ask Mike Ashley.

There will be no shortage of rich idiots happy to throw some money at the Govan mob. They may not be as free spending as they used to be, but it won't take much to push them up towards the top of the table.

Admittedly, I'm a bit further away, but it looked OK to me too.

Err. Aye.

Listening to McGhee he seems to have the same opinion as the rest of us - that we stood too far off first half and let them play, but better in 2nd half when we pressed more. Still enjoying my beer and curry tonight while I watch the boxing, so not too disappointed.

If it's tight is the guidance not that the benefit is given to the attacking player?