MelvinBragg

I don't disagree.. Bit of a concern Pearson going off...

All three of Fletcher's goals have been after the keeper has parried the ball out. Poacher...

Same as on here...

Still no email...

Tried to register. No email came through. Plan on getting Frazzle to give you my cash and square him up later...

I already feel that when I see Jack Leitch play...

I think that's how it will be on paper but he'll play up front in the same way that McFadden played up front with Lehmann and Clarkson. He'll drop deep to pick up the ball and try to make things happen...

I agree with much of this. I suspect that the idea will be for McDonald to perform a similar role as he did against Rangers by dropping into the midfield to help out Pearson and Lasley. As you say, in terms of midfield we'll be looking for Leitch, McLean and Cadden to step up a bit this season...

Should we sign a keeper before tomorrow, I'd be tempted to leave him on the bench for this game. Irrespective of your opinion of Twardzik, the back four know how he plays and can adjust their own game accordingly...

Not this season. Next season? Possibly...

Fairly or unfairly, for a game away from home against Inverness I would ask if Thomas has the defensive discipline or game smarts to start the game. Remaining solid would be the first aim in this kind of game. Thomas started away against Dundee last season and we found ourselves exposed (though I'm not pinning the defeat all on him). I suspect if we were starting the season at home to Hamilton or Partick, then Thomas might get the nod...

And that's why I listed him...

I suspect that Luke Watt is also being considered as a first team squad member but you never know how young players will develop so I only listed those who've started a few games for us..

Interesting comparison. Start of last season Goalkeepers Dan Twardzik Gunnar Nielsen Defenders Reid Ramsden Kerr Cummins O'Brien McManus Hammell Angol Midfielders Lasley Lawson Vigurs Carswell Leitch Law (signed as a midfielder) Wingers Ainsworth Strikers Erwin Sutton Moore (injured) Ojaama Start of this season (so far) Goalkeepers Dan Twardzik Defenders Reid Law Laing Kennedy McManus Hammell Chalmers Midfielders Lasley Pearson Leitch Wingers Ainsworth Johnson Strikers McDonald Clarkson Moult Fletcher Moore Obviously, you can add the likes of Watt, Cadden, Thomas and McLean who have featured this close season (and some games last season) but at first glance, we're down in terms of numbers in midfield and defence but have more attacking options. On the other hand, how much did Lawson, O'Brien, Cummins, Carswell and Vigurs (second half of the season) contribute? Surely the very definition of getting rid of dead wood...?

The point I think that was being made there was that in your original post, Dave, you suggested we hadn't done anything to address the issue of an aging left back. As you admit in this post, we have attempted to do so with the signing of Chalmers...

While I agree that we need another midfielder, I'm hoping to see Leitch and Cadden feature this season. I'd be happy with Leitch or Cadden alongside Lasley or Pearson, but I wouldn't want to see a midfield of Leitch and Cadden this season. Start of next season, if they get a few games under their belt and prove themselves, then it may be something I'd be more comfortable with. Until then, we do need someone with a few more games under their belt should the worst happen and Lasley and Pearson both be unavailable for a game...

Bad news for Wes Fletcher...

I would hope that we'll be casting our net pretty wide in search of a new goalkeeper so figure we shouldn't worry too much when the likes of Bell and Langfield fall out of favour at their clubs. Having said that both Langfield and Bell, it could be argued, would be improvements on recent keepers...

I said something similar before the game on Friday. Happy enough to go into August with Twardzik as our only senior goalkeeper but would be concerned going into September in the same situation. Haven't changed my opinion. Would rather wait for the right goalkeeper. The fact that the club seem to feel we need two players in the positions that fans feel we need them suggests that where we are short is obvious to everyone and it will be addressed...

According to..?

Sad thing is, other gifted mavericks who have found themselves effectively done once they're past 30 have pretty much done it to themselves. Think of Gascoigne or Best. By all accounts, McFadden is pretty professional. Injuries have simply taken their toll on a player who was never blessed with pace to start with...

That's a distinct possibility...

I would say that outwith Celtic, we won't face a team as good as Preston this season. Maybe Aberdeen, at a push. So won't be too upset if we lose tonight...

No wonder Woods made some errors. What is wrong with his eyes...?

I took that to mean that he and Derek Rae had been watching him closely...