weeyin

Another European trophy winner. Hope some of that eventually rubs off on our players.

I think the entire team and backroom staff lost their edge this season. I'm sure part of it us psychological. Last season, especially with so many new faces, players had a point to prove and they battled their way to 2nd. This season, I think they lost a bit of drive and whether consciously or unconsciously suffered a bit of "after the Lord Mayor's show" effect. Even successful teams with large budgets and frequent transfers can struggle to maintain a high level of performance, and without many fresh faces over the summer, we lost our focus. No doubt a few players resting on their laurels this season too. At the time I thought McCall was a wee bit hasty in resigning, but looking back, think the timing was right for all concerned. It must have been pretty exhausting to try and sustain a level of success with decreasing resources. He might count himself a little unlucky he didn't get access to the new owners coffers, but probably better the new gaffer gets to play with that anyway.

Did we not have a wee run-in there a few years ago trying to kick out paying customers?

Given our luck with injuries sustained during off-weeks, I'd be keeping our players away from any competitive action.

Aye, I think our "no transfer fee" policy hurt us on that front as often the youngsters cost something to bring in. I could understand that policy given the finances, but sometimes a little bit of cash wisely invested is what's required. Seems like the new owner is keen to adopt the investment approach.

I guarantee you if, say, Sky had to choose between 2 million viewers and a quarter empty stadium and 1.5 million viewers with a full stadium, they will take the 2 million every time and not give a toss. And if football goes down the pan, TV will just move on to another sport they can entice/charge punters to watch. They don't care if they have to show dwarf poodle racing - as long as they can deliver an audience.

It's an obvious conflict of interest, but one that is too late to change - TV companies want more people to watch the game on telly. So whatever they can do to have less fans making the journey and more fans staying at home (or in the pub) the better. Clubs thought, presumably, that getting some financial compensation would make up for the loss of fans. While it may do that in the short term, in the longer term the risk (and reality) is that it is one more thing to drive supporters away from the game.

According to Law 12 (from what I can see) both of the following are Red Card offences: - Denying the opposing team a goal or an obvious goalscoring opportunity by deliberately handling the ball (this does not apply to a goalkeeper within his own penalty area) - Denying an obvious goalscoring opportunity to an opponent moving towards the player’s goal by an offence punishable by a free kick or a penalty kick

Common sense disappeared from scheduling a long time ago. Unfortunately, we sold any chance of sanity (at an undervalued price) for a short term gain and without any thought to the long term impact of this kind of stupidity.

For all the rights and wrongs, it may have worked out well for us. If we had stayed at 11 men, we might have stuck with the defensive set-up we started off with and ended up losing the game.

Because it's supposed to help players develop their footballing skills, not their cold weather survival skills.

Sounds like one of those "Why the hell are we playing in this weather" games.

Wikipedia has George listed as a "Winger/Creative Midfielder".

From MFC Twitter: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a6OuPngemvE

Is that just in Scotland, or are there other weird local FA rules like the loan rules in England and differences between Premiership and Championship clubs etc.?

He's certainly putting his own stamp on the team in double quick time. Pleasantly surprised to see so much activity during the window as I was only expecting 2, or maybe 3, new faces at most. Hopefully it's enough to drag us up the table into safety - although it's still a big task. Should certainly inject some new energy into the squad.

No, I think when you are a free agent you can sign for a new club at any time. Players are being released from their contracts typically to free up space to bring in new players during the window.

Lineup will be the new keeper, 5 right backs, 4 in left mid and Sutton as lone striker.

Aye, just found a newspaper article that says Yeovil bid was rejected, and Johnson was also being watched by Notts County, Luton and Birmingham City.

You sound disappointed we made a signing you couldn't pretend to complain about (yet).

Unless it's free agents we are chasing.

Given that we are on the hook for at least part of loan players' salaries, we can only take them from clubs who pay around the same wages as we do.

You won't get an answer until the 11th hour though (except for "I'll listen to all offers and then decided nearer the time").

Twardzik seemed like an impulse signing to me. Our keepers were definitely going through a rough patch when we signed him on loan, but so was the whole team. We have been streaky the last couple of seasons, and Twardzik joined us at that start of one of those streaks. I posted at the time I thought he benefited from our upturn in form rather than being responsible for it, but that wasn't a popular opinion back then. From what I have seen of him, he's OK with a few bombscare moments. Was disappointed we didn't try the same approach as we did for Ruddy and Randolph as there is a wealth of good keepers out there needing games. Glad to see we have taken that approach now.

I hope they tell Brighton to stuff it. We have been waiting for Erwin to get through his injuries and have a run in the first team. Would hate to seen him leave just after he starts to establish himself.