MelvinBragg

Ciftci to Celtic is what I've heard...

He did play for our U20s. Technically from our academy...

I suspect he's including Hammell and Lasley in that as I can't think of nine. Or he means these nine... Carswell Leitch Moore Erwin Angol Kerr Cummins Murray McHugh Some of these guys are very much on the fringes, some came to us at U20 level, some left and can!e back. Not as impressive as it sounds though if it helps us attract young talent in the area that the likes of Dundee Utd and Hibs are picking up, then I can overlook the white lie.. One thing I would say is that the signings of Anier, Twarzik, Josh Law and previously Vigurs along with the retaining of Leitch, Carswell and Moore means McCall is bringing the average age of the squad down. Not bad for a guy who many thought had a weakness in the area of working with young players...

If Ramsden had been fit, second half of last season then I'd have considered it. Hutchinson is a good player but his form was very ropey since January. Would I be happy for him to stay? Yes, but do I think he was immense week in, week out? No. I actually suspect our defence may be better without him, not down to his flaws necessarily, but more down to the fact that he and McManus are too similar in style...

No, I'm aware Hutchinson has left. We have Ramsden coming back and as Reid was brought in to cover for his absence, we're not really any weaker there in my opinion...

With the exception of McFadden (who apparently contributed nothing, if you listen to some), it's basically the same squad that finished second. If Ainsworth signs...

If Ainsworth signs then the squad looks pretty decent. Plenty of options in defence and in centre midfield, a few different types of striker. Only issue would be even with Ainsworth, could argue we're short of a replacement for McFadden. Irrespective of his form and fitness last season, he at least provided an option if Ainsworth was out or if we were chasing a game (last day of the season?). He and Ainsworth were the only players we had last season that would try and take a player on. I guess it depends how much faith McCall has in Thomas...

His missus is Scottish and he met her while with us, I believe...

Not in the slightest. I suspect he'll sign (and hope he does) but even if he doesn't, centre midfield is an area we have a bit of cover in...

Only annoying thing there is the Rangers fan in the comments section suggesting that McCall has also learned enough at Fir Park and should move on. I wonder where this Gers fan had in mind...

Sadly most of them will be thinking the same about a trip to North Lanarkshire...

No chance whatsoever...

I tend to agree that he's not that bad. Judging him on 20 or so appearances over three seasons with a variety of partners at the back seems harsh. His positional sense could be better and he is occasionally rash, but that could equally be said of Hutchinson. For me, the only thing that counts against him is his age. He's 21 now and you have to figure that not having made a real impression so far, younger guys from the U20s will be coming up on his heels. Time will tell, I guess, but with Hutchinson leaving, there is an opportunity for Cummins to play alongside a much more experienced partner, something that's not always been the case. One thing is sure: Hammell, Ramsden and McManus are all the other side of 30. Sooner rather than later we may have to put our faith in Cummins, Kerr and Angol, no matter what we fans think of them. Just need to hope that the young boys can learn from playing and training with the older guys...

Am I the only one that doesn't think Cummins is that bad a player? He's had some poor games, but also had a few good games as well. Bit early to be dismissing him as not good enough maybe. I think those looking for a direct replacement for Hutchinson will be left disappointed. We currently have five guys under contract that can play centre back. Given the number of options we have in centre midfield (assuming Leitch stays), for me what remains of our budget should be used to give us more options on the wing. Another thought. I felt Hutchinson and McManus were too similar as a pairing. Playing Ramsden alongside McManus might give better balance...

Given Reid played every game since he came into the team and Kerr was available and on the bench for much of that time, I reckon it's more likely we'll see Ramsden and Reid forming the right hand side of the back four. Who plays centre back and who plays right back will be the question...

The same...

What stuns me more, Frazzle, is the number of players people think we'll sign despite admitting we were skint. Reid, Lasley and possibly Ainsworth. I don't see much more movement than that...

But do we need another midfielder?

Funny, whenever I think of McPake, that's the night I think of. Fact we lost our two first choice midfielders in the first half of that game and still won said something about the quality and character of both teams. Give McPake his due, he was outclassed but one of the few Hibs players that didn't give up that night. Clearly the warning signs were there for Hibs that night but weren't heeded...

Listen, we're all entitled to opinions. How many goals did Sutton score for Hearts? There were times last season when I looked at the starting lineup and thought McCall had got it wrong. Occasionally he does, but most of the time it becomes clear why we pay for our seats and he gets a free one in the dugout. That being said, it won't stop any of us voicing our opinions. Because that's what fans do. Not convinced about McPake but I'm happy to give McCall the chance to make me look stupid again...

McPake wouldn't be my first choice, but then again neither would Clancy, Ramsden, Reid have been. McCall generally gets it right. I remember people on here complaining about the signing of Sutton last year. It worked out alright. Again, the only concern is what it means for the likes of Murray and Kerr. We won't see our young players develop into sellable assets unless they get time on the field...

Leitch is really a concern for me. A couple of Celtic fans I know picked him out as our best player in the recent 3-3 draw. I know he's had a stop start career for someone so young but there really does seem real potential there and I'd hate to see him picked up by one of our rivals or worse still, his potential ruined at the hands of Levein or McCoist. Sign him up now. If we have money to offer McManus a two year deal, there surely is money there for Leitch. I'd go as far to say that it's pointless signing a 24 year old midfielder as we have done while not holding on to an 18 year old that has shown real promise...

I tend to agree with that. Ramsden was a big miss and irrespective of your opinion of our keepers, it probably would have helped having the same keeper all season in order that the defence could get an understanding with him. Carswell is a funny one. I rate him quite highly but it'll be interesting to see where he fits into McCall's thinking. On the face of it, we have a surplus of guys who can play central midfield. Lasley, Lawson, Leitch, Carswell, Law, Vigurs, even Craig Reid in an emergency. If you assume that Vigurs will play on the left, you're still looking at five players for two, maybe there positions. Unbalanced squad, or do we think Lawson may get moved on? And what is Leitch's contract situation? If Cummins is to be released, you'd figure that a new defender would be a priority, particularly given McCall's comments on releasing McFadden. Looking at the squad we have signed up just now... Nielsen Twarzik Kerr Ramsden McManus Hammell Murray (?) Lawson Carswell Vigurs Law Leitch (?) Angol Sutton Anier Erwin Moore McHugh Add Lasley, Reid and Ainsworth to that and it's not a bad squad. Maybe a defender and a winger short of what we'd like but given the financial reality, I could live with that squad...

I don't think it's so much that McManus was the problem last season, but that he and Hutchinson were too similar in style. Both centre halfs who like to go for the first header. Hutchinson's best form has come alongside centre backs who are not as dominant in the air and will let him deal with the first header. Thinking of Craigan, Ramsden and Clancy... Other reason we were more defensively suspect last season was, for me, the fact we gave away possession more therefore invited pressure. In that respect, the signing of Law and the emergence of Leitch may help, despite not being "defensive" players...

Don't remember him playing in centre midfield in the Cup Final against Celtic then...?