Kmcalpin

It seems an odd time to fire a manager, with only 2 games remaining, but they do have season ticket sales to think about and need to be seen to be doing something.

I hope Bair signs an extension but we can't afford to let him leave for nothing when his deal expires. Our record for picking up decent strikers is exceptionally good. Dixie Deans, Joe Mcbride, Willie Pettigrew, Louis Moult, Chris Porter, Scott MacDonald, Dougie Arnott, Michael Higdon, Kevin Van Veen et al. He can be replaced.

I don't know for sure, but suspect he was brought in on a low cost "trial" basis if you like. A project. I doubt he was brought in as cover.

I'm thinking exactly the same thing. The Hibs Board aren't exactly known for their patience. Thankfully Maybe we had a narrow miss with Nick Montgomery.

Its a funny thing, I agree with a lot comments about Craig Levein. Apparently a nice guy out of football. I thought he'd be a very good fit for St Johnstone, as they have a reputation for being dull, hard working, well organised, effective and streetwise.

I've changed my view on him. During our horrendous run, I was all for parting ways, but he has turned things around and we'll now finish 9th at worst with the second lowest playing budget in the league. I think what did turn up the presure on him was the nature of our results. A more even distribution of results would not have seen the same fan reaction, as we saw during that shocking run. Last summer and and in January he had a fair bit of deadwood to offload, which he did fairly successfully and I expect that to continue in the coming weeks. So he'll have more financial leeway. There will be a lot of departuress and arrivals over the summer, and he'll have the chance to build his own squad and stamp his name on it. Lets hope he achieves a high success rate - all managers do have their transfer failures. I'm looking for him to strengthen the defence and defensive midfield, as a priority. I hate the term "Punching above our weight" and I don't think its unrealistic to aim for a top 6 place next term and a good cup run. We should be setting that as an achievable target.

I don't necessarily agree Joe. I think his performances have been a problem. When he first arrived they were considerably better than they are now. His form has shaded in the past 3 years. Overall, I'd say he's an average keeper for a lower Premiership side. If we aspire to a top six place we will have to recruit slightly better. Maybe we have been spoiled in recent years with the likes of Ruddy, Randoloph and Gillespie. Going back over the years I think he'll be judged as an average custodian. Better than the likes of Gardiner, Woods, Fraser and, Hollis; but not as good as McCloy, McRae, Rennie or Wyllie.

A great result so credit to SK and SF. When we lose they take criticism so its only right they take the plaudits when we win, especially like this. We'll done to the players too. Two nice goals through Paton and especially Spittal. I'm happy for the fans who journeyed North. They were rightly rewarded. At worst we'll finish 9th. We can now watch St Johnstone and Ross County battle it out. Saints fans are in complete meltdown and are not enamoured with Craig Levein.

You've nailed it. As Wellsince75 points out though the defence and midfield have not helped. In my book, taking into account his distribution, shot stopping and aerial ability he's average - probably lower level Premiership level. How long is it since we developed a first pick goalie from within our own ranks? Ally Maxwell?

Absolutely. I detect a degree of overconfidence amongst the herd. Hopefully that extends to their players.

Encouragingly both SK and SF have said in recent days that they want to get transfer business done sooner this year and go into pre season with a more settled squad. That makes perfect sense but may be easier said than done, given the scale of the task. Certainly they've had much more time this year to plan for the rotating door ahead this summer. If rumours are to be believed we've signed a few on PCAs. Its never ideal going into league cup games, even against lesser opposition, with incomplete or half baked squads.

I just hope the squad doesn't hit the beach. Ross County will be fired up for this one.

A tabloid rumour of courre and that comes with its own health warning. He'd be ok as a back up playing the very rare game and on a low wage. Stick two decent wing backs out wide, some huge central defenders, and a midfield screen in front of him and he'll be fine.

I think he's possibly one of the 2 rumoured Raith targets, partly because of our previous interest. Do I think he's Premiership level? Thats another matter entirely.

He's interesting Dunfermline apparently.

Another possible signing from Raith might be loanee Shaun Byrne, who will be out of contract with Dundee. I'm sure he's been linked with us before.

Given the lad's age, I'd be looking at a David Turnbull + fee. Not unreasonable and chickfeed to an English Premier League club.

I agree with most of that. I think Paton is underrated. He's no worldbeater but he brings an energy and mobility to the midfield no-one else does. I'm not convinced at all about Davor. Yes, he is the type of player we need, but he's just too lightweight. Despite his pugnacious language, Steelboy has a point about our midfield. All season it has failed to protect our central defence. Now thats a down to a combination of factors: players being played out of position (some moreso than others), the wrong combination being fielded and just not having a solid out and out defensive midfielder. I've been really impressed with Lennon Miller, but feel that his best position is slightly further forward than where he's been deployed. I take your point about Halliday's fitness, but am wary about us placing too much reliance on him next season. In short, our defensive frailties this term have not all been down to a shaky goalie and erratic central defence. That midfield weakness needs rectified. As we seem to be in a "Raith Rovers" mode right now, the kind of player we need is Scott Brown. However, I believe he's under contract form another year. A tenacious, hard tackling leader; thats what we need..

I assume so. Either that, or his contract isn't worth the paper its written on.

Liam Dick or Dylan Corr both defenders?

Incoming goalkeepers being discussed on P & B which is heading towards meltdown over their identities.

Anderson is off to Killie. Wages would be an issue for us, if Ross County want to keep players. I've no opinion on Murray but Callachan is a bit of a headless chicken going by his spells at Kirkcaldy, Edinburgh and Perth. I watched him a fair bit whilst he was at Starks Park and he always worked damned hard but didn't actually do anything.

Hearts would have a major say of course but surely his agent wouldn't release or agree to such an approach without consulting him? If he or she did then that a really poor show.

A lot of truth in that Weeyin. Coaching can only take players so far. The odd individual error is acceptable but if it happens time after time, albeit only twice or three times per game? Sloppy and overelaborate defending almost cost us early on last Saturday. On several occasions, we faffed about the back passing the ball to and fro when Livi players were closing us down quickly. Liam Kelly didn't help matters much though with his poor judgement when passing the ball out to players already under pressure. That wasn't down to individual errors.

I have mixed feelings about this. I get why he would pick up awards and have no problem with that. However, I personally think that the POTY award should involve more than just on the field performance. Weighting maybe 90% on the field performance and 10% other factors. If there are other close contenders then who are staying? His performances have tailed off since his PCA was made public, as a few posters have commented. Surely he had some say in the release of the news? Players and coaches have a different perspective to ordinary fans. In the past a few fans' favourites have been "disliked" in the dressing room.