weeyin

Even if you win, I don't think the Cup winner's deserve a place. It was different when there was a European Cup Winners' competition that could be entered. The UEFA (and its replacement) Cup should be for consistency over a season; not winning 5 games.

Is the 7 day ban over already? How time flies.

Only if he hit him with his car.

I think it's less deserved than even Falkirk's place, but I'd take it.

I know what you are saying, but like it or not, the modern day manager is expected to be media friendly. I'm no McGhee fanboy, and was royally pissed off at him prostituting himself shortly after he joined us. These days, however, I don't mind having him articulate coherent thoughts in the press or on television any more than I minded when Butcher did it. It makes a change from the "Eh, aye Chick, eh, ye know, aye full credit to the boy, you know, ehh, aye, innat, aye, ehhh" ramblings from 99% of the player and managers. I doubt it distracts from the rest of his job as it's the assistant manager that runs the day-to-day at most clubs.

Of course he's a self-publicist. Most managers are. I have been the first to criticize him when he was going through months of weaselly answers in regard to Scotland jobs and Hearts jobs etc. and thought he was doing himself and the club a disservice. However, regardless of the reasons, he has steered away from those public comments and put a decent spin out there for his team (and himself). It doesn't mean he has no faults, and it doesn't mean he won't be off if a better offer comes along. However, I'd rather see him talking us up in the press than moaning about us.

McGhee had very specific requirements for a central defender. You can argue they were too specific, but it's difficult to argue he didn't look (although, not difficult for some posters here, granted).

Well, if the reports are to believed, he had a few on trial - none of whom measured up. And wasn't Klimpl originally brought in for central defence?

All he promised was that he was looking for one.

Whether you agree with Boyle's or not, it's not the same situation at all. If Setanta go into administration, then they can be compared. I do love it when tabloids turn sanctimonious, mind you. Thank goodness we have them to turn towards when we need a moral compass.

Klimpl 'could' make these passes? So why doesn't he? Has McGhee told him not to? If we lose Hughes, we have two options. We can try and find another playmaker and look to find the form and style from last season, or we can sign couple of runners and start playing like the St. Mirrens of the league. I really don't want to see a midfield full of 'hard-working' or 'honest' players with a 'good engine' and all the other footballing cliches. I'd like to see the team keep trying to play some football.

We need at least one creative midfielder. We already struggled thanks to losing Rosco's creative spark. If we lose Hughes as well, we are running out of options in the "put the foot on the ball" department. If he does go - I'd rather we replaced him with a footballer, not a clogger.

Are you laying odds on that?

Being over forty doesn't mean you're not hip to what the kids on the street are getting down to, man. I'm 44 and I don't agree with most of Kmac or Grew's comments either. Groovy

The OF should set up their own 2-team league. They can play each other 10 times at home, and 10 times away (half of which can be played in Ireland to help cut down on the fans' traveling expenses). OF supporters can subscribe to their own pay-per-view service (Sectanta?) to watch every game. They can have their own cup competition - the winner of which gets automatically put out of Europe. Then they can see how well they manage without the support of other clubs.

While we might lose a place or two, the OF wouldn't be taking the top 2 places every season, so I think we would be pretty close to the situation we are in now (except we would actually have a shot at a Champions League place once in a while).

I don't quite follow that

Why? Every country is entitled to a champions league place and if the OF moved out, we would have much more chance of taking it.

Ireland has to compete with Gaelic Football and Hurling, though, (not to mention rugby) which historically are much more popular sports.

Almost. Ipswich beat Inter at Portman Road, but that was after they qualified from their EPL position. It was the following season they qualified through the Fair Play when they went out in the first round proper.

And others have every right to reply to their rants. What's your point, caller?

So we can count on you not posting about them?

I thought I'd heard a whisper about that, but will he pass the whistle test?

Maybe they didn't want you back.

Two legs = 1 European game in my old fashioned way of thinking, but I take your point.