weeyin

Agree. It was the straight knockout that made it great and the fact that "big" teams could get knocked out early was part of the attraction. These days it's just a money making exercise where you can lose a couple of games and still progress.

I noticed they had lost on Friday. Strange league format that has teams playing on a Friday and the following Monday.

Unless lightning strikes and we win. Then the Rangers TV commentary would be comedy gold. I don't think we'll win this one, but the way SK sets up and has us playing we will always be in a game. And that gives us a puncher's chance of collecting a point.

All filla' no killa' Take your pick...

Could well be the case it has ended up costing more. I think those figures I found were the estimates put in front of the clubs for the vote, but would not be surprised if they hiked the price when it was implemented.

A sliding scale for VAR costs apparently.

4-2-4 it is, then.

When it comes to players, whether it's injuries, transfers or contracts, I take anything a manager says with a large pinch of salt. "One of our top earners" is pretty vague. If 80% of the senior players are on the same basic and a couple earn more, for example, that would make him one of the "top earners".

Without knowing the details of individual contracts it's, of course, impossible to say what happens in these situations. Sometimes clubs have an option to extend, sometimes a player earns an option to extend, sometimes there can be weird clauses. With overseas players like Efford there may even be some creativity needed to ensure work permits etc are granted. Sometimes, like Turnbull, players sign extensions knowing they are moving on but working with the club to generate extra revenue. Regardless, it looks like SK has been doing a good job of slashing our inflated payroll.

That's true - I didn't really think that one through!

You can also sign for a National League side any time as the Transfer Window doesn't apply to them.

Presumably SK tried to offload Efford during the window the same way as others were moved out i.e. with loan deals or clubs willing to sign permanently. Given we're very much one out/one in, you'd have to think we are close to getting someone fit again or bringing in a free agent.

Plus he'll get his man-bun on the telly more often at Wrexham. I wonder if we're still looking around at strikers in the free-agent market.

Found his level at mid-table League Two?

Good excuse for getting out the house though.

With Kelly dropping out the Scotland squad I hope he's not another injury to add to the list.

He's also a striker SK thinks he can coach into a better player, and I'm quite happy to give him time to prove that.

And, of course, had a spell as our captain in the First Division.

I know the pic was posted earlier, but it sums up every Motherwell v Hearts game I've watched since the 70s.

Denied.

SK has really made us difficult to beat. Which is the fundamental platform for any kind of success. Always fun to win at Tynecastle, and another great performance on the road.

Jambonanza Make your choice...

Right now we are. Whether we still are in March is debatable, but it's much more fun being at this end of the table, even in September.

That's post coffee maths.

Plan B - win by 4 clear goals.