MelvinBragg

I suspect you may be disappointed. We currently have five centre halfs on our books plus Devine. We have five centre midfielders plus Cornelius. If Devine and Cornelius aren't going to be considered as first team options at their current age, there was no point in re signing them. So six players in each position. You can quibble about the quality, but the numbers are there. For me, to bring in someone else, you need to free up a wage. Up front is slightly different, 3 centre forwards and 3 wingers (I'm including Lawless here). No youngsters breaking through. Maybe another body required there but please not another 'can play anywhere in the front three'. Give me a striker or a winger, not someone who can 'do a job in both positions...

I have to admit to having mixed feelings on Alexamder. Results in the second half of last season were apparently good (I kept seeing form tables posted that had us top four since his arrival) but there's something about him that I'm not convinced by. I had the same feeling about McGhee first time round (second time round, I already knew he was a fraud). Nothing I can put my finger on, just something makes me sceptical about him. Having said this, I find it interesting that people are concerned about the defence. The manager did manage to pick up results with a back four of O'Donnell Mugabi Lamie McGinlay last season. And even when Gallagher came back, he was seldom the best defender on the day. That was with Crawford protecting the back four. Surely Donnelly will offer more. I'm aware we've looked a bit open in the league cup but that's a new young centre half and Donnelly returning slowly to fitness in front of him. My concern would be scoring goals. I like the look of Woolery but his choice not to cut back to Watt on Saturday when he had no angle to score concerned me. Decision making questionable. Van Veen? Unconvincing in front of goal no matter how good his link play is. A lot riding on Shields coming back and making an impact. I fear we're all going to be muttering "Big Devante would have put that away.." Just need to wait and see. I'm not all doom and gloom as some are. Would just feel better if I could see where the goals were coming from...

Ah, fair enough...

Guessing or a rumour doing the rounds?

You do realise that since around 1988, we've maybe have 4 or 5 creative midfielders, meaning someone who can thread a killer pass. Often we have favoured ball carriers who create by breaking the lines (Pearson, Law, O'Donnell are all prime examples of this) . These are more common. Basically don't expect a replacement for Turnbull. We don't have that type of player that often...

So wr have established that it needs to be 433 or 352? Good. We can bin the 442 and 343 shite that leaves us outmanned in midfield...

I find that interesting given it was announced on Saturday that Season Ticket holders had until 6pm on Tuesday 27th to confirm their intention to attend...

If he was examined properly and found to be fit, there would be other clubs he'd be signing for ahead of us. He only signs for us if there's a concern over his durability. So no thanks...

I don't disagree with any of that. I thought Donnelly and Maguire played well in the circumstances. Think a midfield three of those two and Slattery could work in a 352, your front two being Van Veen/Watt and Woolery...

People moaning about 433 need to have a look at what 343 does for your midfield. Effectively a 523 today. To play 343, your two wide men up top need to be players that will drop into midfield or you end up outnumbered in there. Whatever qualities Woolery and Amaluzor possess, dropping into to solidify the midfield isn't one of them. If the centre forward is being asked to do it, make it Watt as his passing is better than Van Veen's... I don't think we have the players for 343. I felt sorry for Donnelly and Maguire today. Hung out to dry by the manager....

Van Veen? Underwhelming would be my thoughts. Dives, shoots when others are better placed. Maybe he just needs a goal to settle him. To be fair, he holds the ball up well...

And your point is? We all know the midfield needs strengthening...

Club refunded the on Friday the £6 I was overcharged for the QOTS game. And have only taken £6 for the concession ticket this week. Issue resolved for me, can't speak for.others...

Aye, but did he smile...?

Four guys, one keen on the words 'paedo' and 'beast' to insult the opposition? I only ask because they were sitting not too far from us in the first half (suspect also not their seats given they were in the row in front of me about 3 seats along), but never reappeared at half time. Interestingly, I stopped to have a quick (masked) conversation on the concourse with a guy I know, wishing to congratulate him on his recent grandson. Literally two seconds, there was a steward asking me to move along. Again, I don't mind but all you'd hope for is consistency of approach...

You do realise that 352 often turns into a 3 man midfield?

You do know that's not the Dutch guy?

Cheers, mine just arrived...

Once again I ask, has anyone received their tickets yet?

Not the strongest lineup I've ever seen...

Anyone received their ticket email yet? Email did say within 24 hours. Assuming this means by Thursday morning, just wondered if anyone had received theirs yet..?

Kilmarnock...

Likewise. Wondered if it was a mistake. Guess maybe a few haven't applied as they have holiday plans (unlikely, I know) or maybe a few are wary with number of cases rising...

Obviously I looked at the same link you did initially. He doesn't seem to have played too much first team football. If the internet is to be believed (always a big if), David Devine has even played more than him with his meagre six first team games. Doesn't suggest someone that is going to be able to hit the ground running...

Unlikely given he's a forward...