Onthefringes

Firstly, in reply to weeyin, Comparison you say? What of our near neighbours? Removal of their all weather surface with tarmacadam base and other hardcore type layers prior to installation of formation, undersoil heating, topsoil and the lush surface they have enjoyed since in similar timescales. Secondly, in reply to deaddogman... Bearing in mind the original specification as to what was required was scaled down... only thing I'd debate was depth of substratum actually renewed, but, I'll bow to your superior knowledge. Were the covers on during the heavy snowfall? Haven't seen evidence to show they were... What was the requirement to have them on? Well, when the snow acts as an insulation for the period it lies dormant, thaws and our new drainage system would come into play. The snow was cleared from a good surface on Boxing Day, again, what was the requirement to have them on and the undersoil heating working? I'd suggest inappropriate use down to the groundstaff... hell, they're qualified... Baldy Shaw? Andy Russell? Weren't to my knowledge, but, consistently had a playing surface comparable with the best there was. Getting the picture? Industry chat mentions a common denominator Bully for you! Ooh! Can't count? Get you. Maths and English wasn't the first two at our school given, survival took the place of that. Must have been truant or in the remedial class when meteorology was being studied. The broader base to your retort was taught by the finest Geography teacher with a caliper (others on this board will have too) funnily enough, in the Geography Department. I knew the winter kicked in 5 months post pitch renewal, I wouldn't have expected winter to be upon us the following May/June/July some 12 months later which I alluded to, hence, the LOL emoticon. Inconsistent performance by our head groundsman? You still with us? Progressive downturn in pitch quality, year on year. Before the sycophants arrive, I understand no games have been postponed due to the pitch which could suggest otherwise... I seen what you did there... ya cheeky wee rascal! Changing an informed point (yes, relevant qualifications in geo-technics, industry contacts in pitch design and turf management help) by personal slate in an attempt to ingratiate yourself with aw the mile-oots, wank-jobs and bullied at school fucking bangers who frequent here. Can the admin add a 'wanker' emoticon? It should suffice as it'll help the cooler than thou not wishing to cut and paste quote and spurious claim from others not so cool.

Another bravo!!! We understand the fact that we renewed the pitch in the summer, grass and erm... not all as you put it. Yes, we had the severest winter in years, undersoil heating worked, drainage worked. Covers necessary? The length of time the covers lay on the grass all but killed the new grass? Down to the groundstaff and inappropriate use is it not? Our pitch was laid in the summer and the winter hit just 5 months later! Naw! Geography not a strong point when you were at school? Summer, Fall, Winter... You wouldn't expect winter to hit 12 months later would you? Other pitches? It's a clutching at straws that! Not our concern except when the 'slag everything Motherwell bandwagon' is in effect. If our pitch was renewed two years or so ago and the SPL clubs renewed theirs in the summer then ours would be in a far superior state? Willing to wager that we will have the best surface in Scotland? Eh? I'd keep my hard earned in my pocket if I were you... Our pitch has succumbed to a process mentioned earlier, not of the pitch contractors making either. We've mentioned also the pitch required feeding, a task undertaken by running heavy machinery over what is in effect a sand blanket, hence, the tyre imprints. The pitch was dried out as heat was added. To enhance the feeder and keep moisture in the pitch and allowing to bind, why was a sprinkler not employed? Again avoidable, tut, tut Mr Groundsman.

Well, those with a fondness of egg chasing and grown adults feeling each other up in the scrum are permitted, even when viewing the match! On a serious note, A yes for me if it's worked under the same regulation as enjoyed across the border. Works fine there, isn't allowed within the viewing area (differs to what the usual suspects in the Scottish footy media would have you believe, well, on the account they've never tested sitting with the normal rank and file) and a welcome change from the normal dirge and lack of facilities prevalent in Scotland. Facilities wise, only certain grounds could offer this in Scotland. Ibrox, The San Giro, those in Edinburgh, Paisley, Falkirk and Perth to name a few. Ourselves? South and Cooper Stands. East Stand at our current abode wouldn't allow, concourse not ideal in the Main similarly ruling Tannadice out. Our near neighbours? Least said about that shower the better...

Yet again, another 'team' performance. Choosing from that 11 was tough, Jennings for me. When Ale shakes his shorts prior to washing them this morning I wouldn't be surprised if Steven Davis falls out.

Not one to change a winning team myself... likely introduction of our loanee McGlinchey?

Aye, bravo. Go on, tell us how we all got him wrong when you were right all along... Zzzzzzz

For what? Processes not correctly followed would negate any claim by the club, no?

Although a poor spectacle in the demand for excellence that is top flight Scottish footy, we still had plenty of positives to add to the three points. Not a poor performer for me throughout, Reynolds for me, Craigans legs if truth be told, but assured and a great footballing head on one so young. Rangers shouldn't fancy their chances this coming Wednesday...

Bravo! More holes in your argument than swiss cheese! You've stated you are by no means a gardener - are you a member of the groundstaff? Simply needs time to set in roots? Which it hasn't had? It's had more than most... Again, upon removal of their all weather surface, our near neighbours constructed a pitch in less time, barring minor issues with undersoil heating have a surface of decent quality. Think of a new golf course? Couldn't think of two surfaces so different by comparison. Saying that, a member of the groundstaff mentioned before on this 'ere board the credentials of our current head groundsman, "Did you see Hamilton Golf Course about five years ago?" It is winter, no sh*t Sherlock! Nothing grows? Use of undersoil heating systems naturally has the root system thinking it's growth season. The pitch required to be fed, as mentioned by the groundstaff... we utilised a tractor on a sodden surface! Usual vantage points in the East Stand will unlikely make out the tyre tracks, my higher than normal vantage point yesterday witnessed tracks that resembled the best ever demolition derby and not that of motion to feed the pitch. If it's the same next year? After the budget demand of last summer, all that piss about percentage sand/soil mix and special grass type and alleged levelling of the ground (that's right, we've a level pitch with a 1:26 gradient )? Understanding of light issues created by South Stand construction, but, it was built nigh on 20 years since! Progressively got worse year on year with current staff, you wouldn't keep throwing money at tradesmen who keep faltering on their work in your house would you? We need the spring and quick? You need the raw materials to add to the foundation... Grass? It ain't there! As for the game and not the green green grass of home debate. I'd take 1-0 victories every week as I would have pre-match yesterday. Win 1-0 every week and you win the league! Simples. Just couldn't seem to build up a head of steam going forward, never felt under pressure even as they added bodies to their attack in injury time. League table doesn't lie, Hamilton are piss. Did I hear correctly on the radio, the dug out swinging nyaff said they battered us for half an hour? The Mickey Weir in Hamilton must have taken a leap in grade and quality...

At a reported £3000 per week too!

Tard. It's obviously working... if it gives me days out like I had yesterday! Tax evasion? Power to him I'd say. On a side note: Instead of inane rambling, tell the masses how much you like The Prodigys' new offering - I am the portacabin firestarter... available from no good record stores and most shit ones!

Jennings for me. At the heart of everything we did well. On a great team performance, not a weak link throughout, a notable shift from Mark Fitzpatrick - kept the balance we required in midfield I mentioned last week and nullified Derek Young (I know, I know it's only Derek Young, but, he has hit a run of form of late for them) as he had done with the likes of Alan Hutton in the past.

Hammell for me too. Following up from a solid performance on Saturday past.

This is where we lose the balance of our midfield methinks. Not a pro-Forbes slant either - his best work seems to be off the ball at the moment and only recognised by looking at the bigger picture. 2 out and out wingers? Not how Craig Brown sets his teams up, we look organised, hard to beat as is his forte. The introduction of Humphrey has been to create impact.

Well, some have qualifications in this field The pitch required to be fed, same for all other clubs, ecology that one. Use of undersoil heating systems naturally has the root system thinking it's growth season. Use of tractor on a sodden surface? Folly. Increased task maybe, this could have been handled manually. If remedial work was required, could the area between the South and Main Stand not be utilised as a nursery patch given the same processes of the pitch last close season with turf of similar quality? It worked before... To align with current industry talk, understanding the first winter was to be difficult and we'd have problems, particularly if it was harsh which it has proved. The pitch has succumbed to the process of 'leaching', whereby water has been standing then draining too quickly. With incorrect use of surface protection or warmth causing baldness just like in yer average follically challenged fellow. Totally avoidable, tut tut groundsman. Anytime you want, he's proven he couldn't put a nut in a monkeys mouth. Again.

Can you enlighten us on what happened to the portacabin at the back of the South Stand just after you left the club?

Well, tell your colleague their nose will get bigger! Simple science maybe, but, our problem was totally avoidable. Can't see the pitch designers mischief making can you? Forced into, rather than good to see remedial work being undertaken. At what cost? Further shrinking of the playing budget?

Simple. Don't like the wallbash emoticon and it's the latest in a long line of misguided quote! As I said, it doesn't make it any easier. Realism. A player's current contract are considered for compensation to be calculated aided by combination of length of contract and a few different clubs really wanting the player wouldn't go amiss, I don't think we have a possible bidding war do we? Comparison to a failed summer signing at the San Giro? Fatuity. Contracted to 2011, those in charge of finances will decide if we need to sell him now... We need these players to generate income no matter how harsh it sounds, but, prospects moving for next to nothing must be avoided at all costs. Do we really call the shots? Sad indictment of today's game, players and unscrupulous agent fiends do. Realism. I'd love the club to play hardball, feel we just aren't in the financial position (that includes clout from any perceived position of strength) to do so unfortunately unless you could clarify different.

We all know how it works. Doesn't make it right or any easier, but, time for some to get their heads back down from the clouds...

I'll second that. Although coming onto a stronger game in the second half, definitely not the accomplished performance by Lasley lauded by many on here.

Not spot on at all. Pains me to say it, our nearest neighbours constructed a new pitch from scratch in 2008 and minor mishaps with their undersoil heating aside haven't had the same problems. We have access to training pitches with Grade A certification (akin to Hampden Park et all) with a maintenance budget far less than the one utilised to provide the same facility at the stadium. Why? For the record, our lot played really well on a surface, albeit sticky in places, way above the level of Fir Park yesterday. 8-3 in our favour over Accies

Now, when the pitch designers are raising concerns... Care to explain the process of 'leaching' to the punters? Tut, Tut, groundsman. Totally avoidable, but, hey, you can post hollow claim of trying your best and can only guard against the weather... Money down the drain. Literally.

Most outlandish statemnet (as you put it )? Paul Warnock is going to do "yo police ass muthafucka" when he catches up with you flat feet

19 games played, 17 starts, 1 goal, 2 assists after 25 attempts...

Erm, naw. Simple arithmetic. Not quite following your logic, but, I'll bow to your superior knowledge, probably have a wank about it too. Kinky that way, me. Drearily commonplace and often predictable? Your top of the charts for that m'lad. No?