Kmcalpin

I see Keith Lasley more as a defensive player or man marker. He's committed, gives 100% and has good positional sense. However he lacks pace and is not a box to type, although he's capable of scoring a nice goal now and again.

According to Stuart McCall himself he's looking to bring in a left sided player in this month's transfer window. Could it be that he's waiting to find out if he can land that type of player first before deciding on Marc Fitzpatrick's future. For the lad's sake I hope he knows where he stands quickly, so that he can get fixed up elsewhere if his contract isn't renewed.

John Boyle was spot on in his comments. Good to hear our point of view being promoted in an assertive way.

Blackford just off the A9 had 4 inches of snow on Friday night and the same again last night. Not looking good for travelling fans. Undoubtedly the weather will cut our support even further.

There's also the problem of getting to the game. Snow in Mid Fife is very thick maybe 8-10 cms deep. A lot might depend on conditions on the A9 in Perthshire. hopefully Police will take into account safety of travelling fans and not just those living a kilometre or two away from Dens.

Remember folks that any player playing in the cup tie at Dens will be cup tied. Will that affect the team selections on either side? Also worth noting that if Alan Gow had played at Dens he too would have been cup tied.

Just behind two big strikers?

Ah yes they will have to go some to fill the boots of great youngsters like Darren Mackie, Zander Diamond, Chris Clark, the Young brothers..... Just like Hibs ..... Aberdeen + young player = great young player. Not getting at you Lobey - this is a perpetual media myth.

That was always going to happen - well it was apparent as far back as a month or six weeks ago. When Dundee fans were moaning about having to field a skeleton side against us in the cup I can recall thinking - we'll lose more players than you will before the cup tie.

Too much gloom and doom. To anyone feeling down I'd say the older folk on these Boards have experienced real hard times - administration and relegation. Now they were black times indeed. We didn't even know if we'd have a club to support. Get a grip folks and rally round the club. When the enemy is launching a full frontal attack on our trenches the last thing we need is a platoon of Corporal Joneses and Private Frasers. "We're all doomed I tells ye."

In the main thats 100 % right. But they can up the prices for pay at the gate fans. Also a bigger cut of transfer fees will be siphoned off by the Government.

Another blow to hard pressed clubs. Clubs like the OF, Hearts and Hibs can't do much unless they target away fans as much of their gate income comes from season ticket holders. So at Tynecastle, away fans will be targeted?

An "exlcusive" for Keevins? Doing the rounds at FP for weeks.

Aye we could have selection problems, although if we win they'll disappear. If Blackman doesn't re-appear then the choice of personnel in midfield and up front will be absolutely crucial. John Sutton is a useful player but isn't mobile enough to be a target man and Jamie Murphy is too lightweight. Casagolda may be talented (?) but appears lightweight. Bob McHugh has shown little so far to warrant a starting place. We have no out and out attacking central midfielder and Jenno, Lasley and Hately are all variations on a defensive theme. Time to Stuart McCall to earn his corn!

Presumably the club will just absorb the VAT increase? 40p extra per matchday ticket siphoned off by the Government.

A complicated one Iain, and I don't know if there's a single answer to this issue. Some players may be on a downer for some reason - transfer issues/change of manager; others may be suffering from an injury or illness and yes some may simply not have an aggressive/determined character. Theres many a player failed because although they have talent they lack character. Some lads may appear to lack motivation but its a case that they know their own limitations and are reluctant to do anything outwith their comfort zone. Its Stuart McCall's job to get to know each of his charges individually and find out what makes them tick. Those he can't motivate he moves on.

A bit harsh on Accies. They worked tirelessly for 90 minutes and closed us down very effectively. Irrespective of where on the park our lads had the ball there was always at least a couple of their players in our face to stifle us. I was especially impressed by the way in which they closed down our defenders when their moves broke down. If they lost the ball in our box they immediately harried and hassled our lad who had won the ball. By comparison we back peddled as quickly as possible when they won the ball from us. Was it good to watch - not especially but thats another matter.

Welcome to the Well family.

Agreed - there's more to it than that. However its a factor. Both days are holidays but folk tend to have more commitments on New Years Day than on the 2nd. I know of a few fans who would have made it along but had family commitments on the 1st.

Add to all of that the game was played on 2nd January not New Years day and you have the answer.

Both sides are also pushing for promotion.

Stephen Craigan has been a loyal servant but he's getting ever slower and we should be looking to give him a back seat role next season - perhaps filling in as and when. His experience could be useful. Keith Lasley - I don't see what others see in him. Yes, hes a 100% player and always was but he's been pretty anonymous for much of this season - didn't show yesterday or against Rangers (maybe against Celtic too - I wasn't there). He's played well in short spells but thats been it. He was meant to be shielding our defence in the past few games but has been simply bulldozed by bigger and more aggresive opponents. Decent squad player, but no more.

This was his preferred position at Airdrie where he made his name. It was also his best position at Falkirk where he supplied the ammunition for Anthony Stokes. I'd give him a run there and if he still doesn't cut it then allow him to go.

No, I've been doing it for some time. When he first came I said he was lightweight and so he is. Yes, he can be overelaborate as he was yesterday but so were several others and he can be selfish. However, he has constantly been played out of position - he is a left winger so we should play him there. Let him provide ammunition from the left for two out and out strikers - thats his preferred role. Mark Fitzpatrick - a good honest squad player but no more. Allow to leave if we have someone else to come in. Nick Blackman - hard to judge. He's been given little or no support and I'd like to see him given that. Needs to improve his attitude though. If he leaves, we need to replace him. We don't want too many departures/arrivals before next Sunday.

A few of us will be travelling from Fife. Wouldn't miss Scottish Cup day. Remember that MFC will share in the gate money.