Malky79

Regardless of a step up or not I'd have thought after how likes of Porter, Higdon or Jutkiewicz were judged within minutes as not good enough there wouldn't be a single Well fan left who would rush to judgement on any player so quick. I was tempted to write Laing off after his debut but even some of the worst of starts are no basis for such quick decisions. I not had the chance to see either of the opening two games, but in short we've created chances and not looked to bad at the back. Edged one and unlucky to lose the other, long way to go to be anything like the finished article but allowing our new signings and young players a decent run before casting judgement would seem wise.

BBC stats suggest a fairly even game. Late own goal and presume from sound of it hit late on counter adding a bit of undeserved gloss to a slightly fortunate lead for Utd?

Take your word on that one as my memory is sketchy, I remember it happening with regularity years ago and then happening less.

Shouldn't even be a fine. As I'm sure I read above we increased our security precautions way beyond normal for an old firm match, a bit of over zealous exuberance was quickly marshalled so it wouldn't escalate and within a handful of minutes fans on the park were off it again. We also haven't had an end of season pitch invasion for a few years that I recall, it isn't like its been a situation the club turned a blind eye towards.

To be honest I don't see Dundee Utd as being any tougher than ICT, like Caley they have suffered with loss of some key players. The one reason I see it as a tougher challenge is the expected absence of Pearson and without his influence we are definitely weaker, especially whilst Ainsworth still has one more game to run on his ban. Provided Lasley and Leitch can not be over run I reckon we carry more threat, I'd be very confident if Pearson and Ainsworth were available, as it is I still reckon we can edge it before two real tests of where we are at Tynecastle and at home to Aberdeen.

Bit unexpected after bringing in a keeper on Friday but I guess Barraclough really doesn't rate Dan.

Big chance for Leitch to stake a claim for a regular start but a new face is surely a must even if he grabs it with both hands. I know Cadden is also on the fringes but the difference Pearson made last season was massive. Having seen the tackle thought it looked a 50/50 kind of tackle, one loads of players would get pelters for if they pulled out. Didn't look like much more than a reasonably strong coming together at the time, a shame if it is so serious but Pearson and Lasley are there to fight for the ball and make their presence felt.

Lasley and Pearson as centre mids will be no pushovers but I suspect at times we will find there are gaps to be found especially when we play with two wingers. Lasley will be 36 shortly and with best will in the world must be very close to reaching a point where he can't compete at SPL level. With less numbers it is a big season for someone like Jack Leitch to step up when he gets a chance and hopefully step into being a regular for next season. Then we might be looking more closely at Pearson to see how much more he has left. No doubt we have one or two gaps in the squad but hopefully some younger players like Leitch, Watt and Thomas who are thereabouts will take that next step.

Celtic need to get a return from their youth system same as any club. You don't let a saleable asset go for free. They are fortunate to be in a position to take the risk of being stuck with a player they don't need.

Encouraging performance last night on the whole. I thought Chalmers looked a bit of a fish out of water in midfield but not absolutely awful. Some decents touches and involvement but just wasn't natural to him, he certainly is no winger but looked like a potentially solid player who could be an able deputy at left back if Hammell misses any games and a possible replacement in the future.

Fair enough, can see that on shoutbox now was on phone earlier.

Sky sports says Clarkson for our goal.

Well perhaps we should leave ourselves the option of a recall but unless one or more of our new forwards is basically duff unless he does exceptionally well up until January is he really going to come back in and get games? If he looks like he is kicking on and doing well in the Championship we can still offer him a new deal with the incentive of being a more integral part of the team next season. Look at how St. Johnstone handled Stevie May. He got a few games as a young lad where he showed some signs of talent but was clearly not ready, spent two full seasons out on loan in the old 2nd then 1st divisions getting games and scoring goals and then got promoted when he was much more seasoned. If only it was always so simple but with 4 players ahead of Moore in the queue and all Barraclough signings I wouldn't expect much in way of opportunities with us this season

With Clarkson, Fletcher, Moult and now McDonald on board I'd like to see Moore out on a season long loan to a Championship club. Certainly good to see some competition for places and whilst McDonald could play deeper as a 5th midfielder I'd like to see one more dedicated midfield option along with a non Samson keeper and we should be in decent shape. Can wait to transfer window for the midfield position, no major rush but another keeper asap.

Nice to get off the mark even in preseason.

Anyone got any game updates, don't have the shoutbox on phone.

And when did we need McHugh? If we add McDonald or another striker fine but a keeper and another midfield option is surely priority. Still be delighted if we get McDonald but if Fletcher,Moult and Clarkson can get among the goals I be more than happy. Be a pleasant surprise if Moore can make an impact and if come January he isn't making headway perhaps we can look for something then if McDonald hasn't joined and if the other boys aren't doing the business but with 3 new first team forwards due a chance it not an absolute necessity right now.

I would have kept Kerr, thought he did well enough in the centre to take the role of first back up to Laing.. Might be better for Kerr however to drop a level for regular games if anything comes up for him.

Pretty sure McHugh has done ok on a previous Championship loan, QOTS season or two back. Think he'd do ok, be surprised if he could make the step up but a season or two of regular games might bring out more in him. Certainly hope he doesn't well.

Talk about quoting out of context

McFadden didn't fulfil his attention but he had more ability is wee toe than about 80% of players in the top division. Everton was the wrong club for him, square peg in a round hole a lot pig the time. Was solid at Birmingham before injuries took their toll but like has been said never quite hit the heights. Honestly believe in a club and manager like Arsenal and Wenger had took a punt on him he if was willing to listen would have benefited much more even if didn't make the grade at that very top level.

I'd love to see us sign McFadden so he could prove all the doubters wrong. However I fear the doubters are right regards his ability to influence a game at SPL level. That being said most people advocating his signature are looking at what he can contribute beyond his playing ability. Experience to pass on, a coaching role if his interests lie there. If he is up for a coaching role I'd be delighted to see him back at Fir Park,if he happened to be registered as a player as well and unexpectedly had an Indian summerto his playing career that would be superb. If not like to think he still has something to offer and as a club I wouldn't advocate we give what should be a rich person charity but an opportunity to get into coaching and potentially management in the future why not.

League and cup double, no to much? Top 6 and a cup run would be perfectly acceptable but in all seriousness we should be aiming for second. Aberdeen look big favourites for that but you saw how far we fell in a season, they'll do well to replicate last season's consistency.

Cautiously optimistic with the signings and how the team is shaping up. Biggest priority right now is a keeper. Twardzik is not the worst back up but no one even his strongest defenders reckon he has what it takes to be more than at best adequate with a fear of some howlers. Long wasn't hugely impressive but certainly performed when it counted at Ibrox. Certainly willing to give him benefit of the doubt if he returns. Biggest fear in the defence is another year older McManus. Solid against Rangers in the main largely rotten through most of the season, can he roll back the years and be the leader of the back four we anticipated? We have some cover in Chalmers and Watt certainly looked promising. I like the look of midfield four but the next priority is surely someone to give Lasley and Pearson competition and cover. Hopefully Leitch can step up here but still like another signing. Up front we have three new faces and Moore, McDonald would be a superb bonus especially given the versatility he showed in Rangers games. All in all a lot of question marks remain and you never know until the serious stuff starts where you are but it looks like a reinvigorated squad that will hopefully kick on and do much better than last season

14/15 goals in each of his final two seasons. Did have some tough seasons not producing a lot before that after initial early flurry. Don't expect to see that many sitters from him as a more mature player. Fit and playing reasonably regularly in a half decent team I'd expect double figures again. Still kind of hoping he more supersub than first pick but we'ok need to wait and see.