Onthefringes

Dougie Arnott & Andy Walker were a product of the junior clubs rather than farmed out by any professional club were they not? Teacher & footy coach at school was involved at Baillieston when the Andy Walker deal came about & Dougie Arnott was plucked in similar circumstances from Pollock(?)

All fair points, well made.

That'll be me told... right of reply? Circumstances may well have been different, the essence of my point was the team was on a downward spiral at that point in time & the 'new manager bounce' that's oft heralded in some quarters prevailed. And not for the first time, a play on my words to suit your lofty stance. Openly embraced the appointment of Baraclough, ticked the boxes of many with a left of field appointment that meant, yet again, progressive thinking had the tired media hacks scratching round for relevance & the great Scottish old-boys managerial network didn't get a foot hold at my club. Felt a new broom should have swept clean - it didn't. May well be other factors in that, but, would we be any worse appointing he of ex-Airdrie until the end of the season & performed a proper root & branch re-build then, given you said, in your own words, 'If we're wanting to survive relegation the best thing to go for is continuity'? Now, I didn't expect Baraclough to be able to come in and sprinkle some magic dust to turn around our fortunes as you put it - leather purse & sow's ear comes to mind, but, we have seen no shoots of recovery though unless I've been living on the moon. His job description must be failrly lax given some of the shambolic offerings & current run of form he's presided over - other walks of life would have seen fit to dismiss, why then not football? Let him do his job for fuck sake man? Charming. I have done entirely that, from a position of embracing his appointment to the lack of confidence currently felt. Like I said previously, the current squad weren't up for debate - the compound problems between them, their comfort zone & our ex-management staff will be well documented in time, but, I certainly don't think I'd be the only one suggesting we are now in a worse state than we were previously? He dinitely wasn't brought in too late to halt the decline, yes, he had to be backed, if it ends up in relegation - he'll be as culpable not guilty by association - it's why I don't think throwing more money at a tradesman who is showing he hasn't the aptitude to perform the task would be the creative use of the budget much required at the club. You keep fighting the good fight though

We could really do with posters not humouring trolls.

It takes more time? Can point out a recent managerial appointment that goes against that particular chain of thought, Craig Brown? Claims were made he had some background on the current squad prior to interview - that would suggest he knew he didn't have a squad capable of playing football he wants to play, yet, looks to have pulled the wool over the eyes of many by talking the talk & for some a reserved judgement that he can't walk the walk. Whilst I don't know his contract situation, there's always an alternative. If he takes the team into the Championship which not only on current form is the direction we're heading, I would expect those who made the left of field decision to appoint Baraclough, to be strong enough to issue a redundancy notice and if not, should fall on their own swords. Yes, they'll be a requirement to rebuild given the numbers out of contract, but, if the worst case scenario happens - are you suggesting he should be given use of a budget to rectify mistakes made?

Well just taking him at face value & how he impressed that he likes his teams to play a 'pressing game', we have seen little or no evidence of this... that's 'exactly what I was wanting from him this early into his reign as manager' as you put it. Yes, he's operating with the same players (mind, it's not them that's up for discussion here, special ire is kept for them), but, given some of the team formations & tactical nous witnessed until now has baffled at best - I'd wager I'm not the only one who isn't so sure the base tools are there for an overhaul in his own stamp. The Summer? Potentially we could have taken a tumble by then. You engage a tradesman to undertake work on your behalf - you aren't going to throw what little monies you have at this person to carry on now are you? Same rules apply.

Quite understanding of where we as a club are & to where we require to be recruiting new players. Your first point IS exactly what the lad meant and hard to argue with his ideal, but, some are easily entertained it seems on this board... 'assume IB thinks he will add to the team'? Aye? Well IB certainly hasn't covered himself in glory since his appointment, but, hell, he talks some game on his pre/post match interviews. Can't wait for the next installment

Comparing apples with oranges now...

Your use of the the 'Aye right the players from the top clubs in Europe are queing up to sign for us' analogy is a crock of shit. Read what's being said - it's not about where the player comes from.

Snap! The, erm, manager does the exact same... talk is cheap.

Whilst not discounting how you describe his recent stay, we did not make best use of the assets he can offer & he was hardly helped by his supporting cast was he? Now, for some, it's a simplistic approach that using the budget now available with his departiure allows for 2 new players. I'd question the ability to strengthen the squad by adding just two players...

A contradiction is it not? That and you don't seem to have grasped the term 'administration'? Why would we call in the administrators? Have we unknown debts we don't know of that cannot be paid? Information available has all creditors paid up with no opportunity in some years to incur bank debt. Calling in administrators for that would be a new one in the business world. Cloth cutting? Rebudgeting? Dress it up how we like - current board have held their hands up & we'll now be in a period of change, an evolution if you like. It's required. Whilst not one for normally mentioning potential earnings of club staff, it's unsustainable to be paying more on average to players who rarely figure in our first team squad than competitors featuring regularly in performing top six teams. As mentioned by others on another thread, we are going to have to be creative in scouting & sourcing talent, improved coaching & a willingness to blood our future earlier. Not going to argue over the stadium drain.

They are related. The ONLY player on trial this week too. Kicked Ainsworth all over the training ground so I wouldn't be surprised if he's now on the lengthy injury list... As for Tomas Cerny - was never at the club, training or otherwise as rumoured to be. Begs the question, this selling point of our erm, management was what? Surely not an extensive list of available players in lower leagues elsewhere and/or contacts who could make these players available. Out his depth? Well, you wouldn't give money to a plumber who couldn't do his job would you?

Stephen McManus certainly didn't give that impression last night.

Jack Leitch back running this week. Given his injury occurred in October(?) an amazing feat - first player operated on by a new technique with benefit there for all to see.

Thanks for the erm, insight. Now breathe.

It would be, the reality is as Goggles & Flippers puts it - no way enough revenue can come in over 5 hours every fortnight for the club to come close to even give it a thought. God forbid, a Cooper Suite Mark 2.

Like I said in the shout box, too many currant buns with their hands in the till & has been the case for years. Some can dress it up how they like, it was a Rangers shop & won't be missed by plenty. With the licensed trade being in the shape it is, could be the opportunity of creating a proper fanzone may well be outwith realms of possibility.

Held in the same regard as Sutton is at ours at the moment, similar things said so I offered to drive hime 'home'.

The decorator & he'll have pictures to prove it

Well, he knocked back Dundee United in favour of ourselves as it was 'a bit further away' from family who are based in the North West so I'd doubt a move to the back of beyond will be on the horizon. He's done anyway, a shadow of his former self when I last seen him at Blades.

Bang on the money with that post I've also heard Derek Weir accept responsibility on past decisions made.

I despair. Clarity on his role? As hard as it is, often watching through fingers, it's time many got back to following the team. When did having to know the duties of behind the scenes staff fall into the remit of a rank & file 'supporter'? Hell, the kit fetishist has been notable by his absence or defection to P&B - how many times did he query if the post of media manager was filled? Likely truth of the matter is, for 7 to 8 months now that fella has been firefighting off the park in what, despite the upheaval, will be seen shortly as a massive culture shift. Change is afoot, evolution maybe, time for us to roll with it. Over the top describes your post succinctly, to align his appointment with a failure of the football department is beyond me & many who have supported Flow on this 'ere thread. Mere coincidence... This most successful manager you speak of, whilst he owed us nothing, left us in poor shape. We are where/what we are - what goes up must come down, as long as we don't shit upon those we ran over the top of getting there (second thoughts, the mirth enjoyed at others expense has been a just cause) as we're sure to meet them on way back. We've no divine right to be challenging where we have been, I suspect we will get back though. I don't need to know who signs off cheques or makes tea while we get there.

Crass & reeks of the green eyed monster. He accepted the challenge of moving up knowing & having friends remind him it may be his last job at the club. To be fair I think the lad is juggling soot at times. Let's not be kidded, he's well thought of internally & rated externally. I've a hunch our benefactor realised similar in their many dealings long before the link made public domain. We are about to see our club evolve, in what guise or how succesful is debate for the future, but, would urge the process be embraced. Make no mistake - he'll be at the forefront.

Yeah, the Society hierarchy will announce a meeting about another meeting - it's how they do it & deem it acceptable.