Kmcalpin

A toss up between George Long and Conor Grant, Long just shaded it for me. Despite being left exposed by a poor central midfield he didn't make a mistake.

Agreed Haggis. The majority of our new signings are also on short term contracts - effectively only 3 months. The sole exception would be if they're not match fit. That said why sign someone for 3 months if they're not fit? Midfield in particular has been absolutely shocking this season, although injuries have played a significant part in that. Thats the area of the team in which I'm expecting to see wholesale changes.

Thats encouraging, very encouraging. We need a physically robust mobile centre midfield player who can provide our central defence with the protection and cover they desperately need and indeed deserve.

Apologies if this post is going a wee bit off track. I've just had a look at Accies' website to find out more about their youth academy. The academy is well staffed with a sports scientist and seems to be very efficiently run in business terms. One thing is for sure it won't come cheap. They even have a documented exit policy, which although well set out doesn't actually say very much and sounds sinister. Teams all play in the same system 4-3-3, albeit with variations. They also specify which qualities they look for in each position eg Goalie "Tall at least 6' " I'd sum it up by saying its ruthlessly efficient. By comparison we know little about ours. I'd like to compare the relative budgets. We certainly need to overhaul our set up - probably already underway.

Just listened to the excellent PODcast and yes thats the message thats coming through. Its surprisingly ruthless: in effect "If you're not good enough at 16/17 then on your bike we're not wasting money on you." I can't see that attitude impressing many parents, so there must be more to it.

I wouldn't argue with that but does anyone know why Hamilton are so attractive to youngsters? Is it because they have top notch coaches? Is their academy excellent in terms of facilities - pithces/changing rooms etc What about generous cash payments? Are kids enthralled by the dream of making their first team, which most won't, and earning a big money move?

Apologies, I was just continuing the humorous theme started by Bigeeze & Ropy. It won't be discussed unless in jest. There will be far more important items to discuss - the new Directors, future direction of the club; a chance to question Ian Baraclough perhaps.

It has little effect as the Society would be the major shareholder. Say for example the Society held 280,000 shares representing 70% of the issued share capital. Other minor shareholders would then hold the remaining 30%. If a poster on here bought say 5 shares that would only represent 0.00125% of the share capital - a miniscule proportion. If however someone wanted to buy say 40,000 shares that might be a different matter.

Yes, you have to be shareholder but anyone can buy them reasonably easily. They used to be valued at about £10 each.

I'm sure the venue, which is Fir Park, will be top of the agenda and will generate heated discussion.

The Club's AGM has been scheduled for the 26 February.

Not much interest in this game from our group until last week. Now there are a few of us planning to travel up for it.

I realise that that was the worst case scenario but don't worry that isn't going to be the case now. County lost heavily to Aberdeen yesterday and whatever the result next Saturday they will not send us 12th.

Probably best for all for all parties concerned. We can now move on.

Our reply posted on Fb site Iain. Good luck and hopefully it can be re-arranged without too much disruption.

Not quite as far. Inverness about 100 and Dingwall about 115. Motherwell is approximately 150 miles from Aberdeen.

Yes that would be interesting. I suspect however that the deadline day was the culmination of weeks of hard work, watching players, talking to agents and drawing up hit lists. The guys we signed weren't targeted from scratch on the last day.

The number of fans who are inconvenienced are neither here nor there to the TV companies. Simply not an issue. The only message they understand is customers cancelling packages or not watching their offerings....end of.

+1 Alan

You've hit the nail on the head. I think St Mirren have been a wee bit rattled by our transfer activity in more ways than one. Gary Teale has been panicked into searching for additional out of contract players. However you'd imagine the best acquisitions have already been snapped up. From what I can gather we snatched a couple from under their noses.

If we pick up one or two "injuries" in training then Jim McIntyre's job in trying to guess our line up and tactics will be impossible.

Agreed, but also well done to the staff who obviously worked like beavers in the past few days to do the business. No doubt what we've seen is the tip of the iceberg. Probably for every deal that went through 2 were abortive. Seems we have some contacts down south!

Wow! I can't ever recall a transfer window like it, especially in January. Having now had an opportunity to assess most of the squad I can only assume that Ian Baraclough has not been impressed by what he was left. Interesting posts from Leanne have added a bit of spice to the day for us.

Conor Grant?

+1 Some folk are never pleased. By all means complain in a few months time if new acquisitions turn out to be flops, but come on give them a chance.