Kmcalpin

Just and no more. Why did the ref call the 2 captains over out of interest?

It was walk up last Saturday.

Hopefully, the club will capitalise on the demise, albeit the sad one, of Club 100. Perhaps that will boost patronage onf the club's own hospitality facilities be they the Cooper or Centenary Suites and the developing Mrs Baillies or other kiosks. Its vital that the our off the field income is maximised.

I'm very heartened from JBA's presser. It seems like a steady as you go approach is no longer acceptable. Its no longer our plan to just keep a successful squad together for as long as we can; rather we want strengthen it if possible by bringing in another 1/2/3 players. No massive overhaul required just gradual improvement. Our rivals will be trying to strengthen this window so we must keep that bit ahead of them. We'll see what the next 10 days or so bring.

Not 100% sure, but I thought if it was a straight red it applied to the next game.

According to STV news at 6, we are in continuing dialogue with Celtic about Stephen Welsh.

Presumably Mayo's straight red last week will rule him out from Saturday's clash?

How much do we receive in TV fees for this game?

Exactly Joe. Unlikely in the extreme that Brian Caldwell, JBA or a board member has discussed the club's TJ valuation, if he even has one, with Halliday.

My exact tongue in cheek point earlier. Going by such rumours, we would appear to have little or no say in the matter. The fact that he is contracted to us seems to be of no relevance whatsoever.

Also played at Montrose if my memory is correct.

I suspect any Welsh transfer to us is a no goer. The stumbling block of course is likely to be his wages. I accept that not all players are purely and solely money driven, but thats unlikely. Its likely he's on something like £10,000 a week and even if he was to drop that by 50% it would represent a huge drop. My other concern is that we hold onto Watt and especially TJ this window as their loss would impact on us both results wise and financially. Summer is a different matter. Hopefully, the club would be involved in any discussions with other clubs before deals were signed. As their contracts are with us, it would be nice to have even a nominal amount of say in the matter. Is that a lot to ask?

A fine Viking name! Welcome Eythor.

We're certainly light in the striking department now, with Hendry out injured for several weeks too.

Shane Blaney joins Sligo Rovers again on loan from Livi.

I'm a bit late to this particular party I know, but I was surprised by the state of the pitch last Saturday. The POD Stand side looked a bit on the bare side. I know we've ahd far worse, but we've also had much better. The winter so far, hasn't been that bad, so it seems a bit odd. In previous years, we've hired UV growing lights in winter to boost growth. By Scottish standards we've got a state of the art pitch and spent a wad of cash on it so why the problems?

1st prize 350328 2nd prize 349841 3rd prize 349957

Rubbish draw but winnable

I really don't know what Celtic are playing at with Welsh. Either way, he won't be happy.

A player can go down too easily but that doesn't mean is not a penalty. Not quite the same thing but I recall Richard Tait winning a foul at Easter Road and then being booked for simulation at the same time.

Encouraging to see a healthy crowd of 5,547 at yesterday's game. It may not have been as much as some expected but I felt anything over 5,000 would be absolutely fine. Its put into context by crowds at Kilmarnock, Tannadice and Almondvale. Certainly not many travelling fans from Dingwall to swell numbers. Cup crowds do tend to be lower and £10/15 is quite a lot for some folk to fork out in January. Last year's attendance at Mcdiarmid Park was about 3,800 by comparison. Its up to the club to capitalise on these increased attendances in terms of hospitality & catering income but thats maybe a longer term project, given the limitations of the Centenary and Cooper Suites. Certainly the closure of Club 100, whilst regrettable, will have helped MFC.

In terms of loan players, Dylan Wells played 45 minutes for Stirling yesterday and Olly Whyte seems to have been outstanding again for Stenhousemuir.

Yes, I'm sorry for the staff at Club 100, who lost their jobs of course, but the premises certainly piggy backed off MFC on matchdays as does the likes of Dalzell Bowling Club. Mrs Baillies was also closed yesterday for some reason and had it been open that might have taken some of the pressure off. Still, MFC would benefit yesterday from busier than usual hospitality sales. Discussed on P & B would the club be interested in acquiring the now vacant Club 100 premises for any purpose?

I'd say not as good. Both do well on the ground but thats not the issue. Ward made the odd howler but yesterday Matty had about a 50% howler rate based on only 2 real saves admittedly. However he looks very frail in the air, much moreso than Ward did.

Today's game turned out just as I expected. Ross County park their buses and we struggle to break them down winning by a single goal or perhaps two at a push. We're through and thats all that counts. A much changed line up that took me by surprise but it worked just after some much needed adjustment. Maybe I'm in a minority of one but I wasn't overly impressed by Connelly today. Yes, he's excellent with the ball at his feet and pulled off one great save but also fumbled a fairly straightforward shot and looks most uncomfortable in the air. I didn't think Luca Ross did very much but thats probably due to the role he was asked to play. Liam Gordon was my MOTM. Hardly put a foot wrong and kept White in his pocket. Priestman too impressed and he's looking useful. Really encouraging too to see Jordan McGhee slot effortlessly into the back line. County made it difficult for us with their defensive tactics and gamesmanship, aided by a compliant referee. However patience paid off and that forced them out of their defensive shell. In the dying stages the team assumed it was game over and became a bit sloppy but County were unable to capitalise on that slackness. The big takeaway for me was our lack of punch in the box and it would seem that JBA agrees. We progress but there are still potentially exceedingly dangerous cup sides like Falkirk and St Mirren lying in wait, both of whom have the necessary qualities to do well in the tournament.