Kmcalpin

Sorry, not the best use of an example. We were playing like this season too but the most recent example was in the Rangers game. Our full backs do suffer from lack of cover in front of them and as we play narrowly, then opponents have the time and space to run at them or if they prefer whip over crosses.

I hope so, but in the recent game at Fir Park our defence and midfield was awful. Although we could have scored 9 they could have scored 12. Now that would have been some scoreline!

Couldn't agree more. Its concerning that that we can play 5 men in the midfield and still get caught out down the wings. The recent Rangers game comes to mind.

I assume that our options are somewhat limited at the moment with both Moult and Blyth out injured and a vacancy for an attacking midfielder. For these reasons the League Cup may not prove the best indication of our future tactics.

Credit to the manager and players for winning comfortably today and qualifying for the next round. Good to see Chris Cadden come onto a game. Does anyone know how Clay fared?

True, a win on penalties wouldn't suit them either. Its vital though that MacDonald receives decent support from midfield and that the wide men link up effectively with him. When he plays on his own up front thats rarely been the case.

Not sure that that they do have a wee bit of money, if the word on the street is to be believed. As an aside, Paul Hartley's comments on Hemmings puts some of Mark McGhee's comments into perspective. In any event I doubt if striker is a priority for us at the moment. Given our current injury list, there's perhaps a chance for Dylan Mackin to showcase his talents, if only from the bench.

Dundee have been watching him for months now but I reckon he's holding off to see whether he can get a move down south.

A lot will depend on Stranraer's attitude. Its their home game and so that might give a wee bit more incentive to attack which will suit us, as we are more of a counterattacking team. If they sit in, on the other hand, we could struggle as may have only one out and out striker on the park.

There was, but the problem is that Les Hutchison wants to change that repayment plan so that his investment is paid back early (we've discussed this very issue elsewhere). If the Society wants to take ownership of the club early then it has to come to some kind of agreement with him. I suspect that the only way the Society could meet condensed timescales would be if Les were to be given or promised a cut of transfer income.

You'd imagine too that clubs who were seriously interested would speak to the player first, through his agent of course, to find out if he would be equally interested; and to determine any relevant release clauses in his contract.

Absolutely. I imagine that future transfer fees are actively being discussed as a way of paying off Les and this is why the fan takeover has been delayed with negotiations ongoing. A large chunk of any transfer fees will be taken by Les, hopefully leaving the club with a little to recycle in the process. If Les were to hoover all this income up, it would affect the short term viability of the club.

Agreed, Greg, the classic domino effect. Who then replaces Ainsworth - Dom Thomas? A few members, me included, feel that he might benefit from a loan period away from the club.

Pretty much my take on things Iain. The key things from our point of view is that when he does depart its not at the very end of the window and we have an adequate replacement lined up.

And back to player recruitment...

Any idea why Stevie Hammell was substituted last night? Was it simply tactical to give Joe Chalmers some game time?

I read that quite a few of our members are calling for Dom Thomas to be loaned out this season and that might be a good shout. However, if Marvin departs for pastures new, that would only leave us with one winger with first team experience in the shape of Lionel Ainsworth. A bit tight?

Didn't make the game tonight. Very, very interesting comments. Its a frequent feature of our play that if we field 5 midfielders we still play very narrow - I don't know why, and it caused us terrible problems against Rangers. I realise that we're short of strikers but never for a moment did I think we'd play McDonald on his own up front. I had assumed he'd be partnered by Johnson, Ainsworth or Mackin. As you say Skippy simply can't play on his own up front. I thought we'd binned that idea. A lone striker against East Stirling at home??? The BBC stats maybe reflect our set up - 23 shots at goal with 11 being on target and hitting the net 3 times. Finally playing 2 central defensive midfielders (on the assumption that Clay is a holding midfielder)? Given the gulf in class a poor result but yes, we did win. However the scoreline and pattern of the game would seem to reflect our set up. Maybe Mark McGhee used the game as a warm up for Killie? Worth noting other Premiership sides experienced problems tonight - no doubt reflecting lower league teams enviable fitness at this time of year.

Interesting. Faddy is doing his coaching badges and knows the club and players......a double edged sword? For some time now many fans have suggested he could be used in a coaching role. he's more than due a chance, although sentimentality shouldn't come into it.

Given the timing of the games, in mid July, the poor crowds, and the derisory prize money on offer, I suppose your overall opinion of the tournament depends on which of 2 ways you view it. As a competition its misconceived but if you view it purely as pre season preparation it may be ok. That said some managers prefer to engage with non Scots opposition. Am I right in thinking too that yellow / red cards result in financial deductions from the already poor prize money?

Apologies - erroneous post. Mods please delete.

Thanks for the information Andy. Maybe its just me but I find the prize money on offer to be shockingly paltry. A mere £10,000 for our televised group game against Rangers? I was expecting at least circa £50k. 3rd placed group teams get £19k whilst the 4 worst runners up get a mere £4,000 more! Those clubs going out in the 2nd round get a mere £7,000 more than that. When you take into account players' bonuses there's virtually no incentive to do well. Even gate money is split with the SPFL creaming some off. Now I know every penny counts for us as a club and normally I'd advocate going all out to win every cup game but I now understand why some managers, maybe including Mark McGhee, are placing more emphasis on preparing for our first league game. Even crowds are poor for this tournament so far. On learning these figures I've completely changed my mind about this competition. Whoever dreamt up this format and commercial deal should get their books.

A reasonable line up Captain and probably what I'd opt for. Even although the opposition is East Stirling I think we could expect a few close things with that midfield but I wouldn't go so far as to suggest they'll cause us serious trouble. Given attendances elsewhere I expect an attendance in the 2,000 - 2,800 range.

Good analysis - well done. So, in short, what you're saying is that goal difference could be crucial.

Maybe 5 goals is being ambitious but certainly we have to score as many as we can and not let up. I'd say a 3 goal margin would be the very minimum we should be looking for. We must leave nothing to chance.