MelvinBragg

My brother who has a season ticket at Ibrox says he can play either side. Phrase used was "Played a few games there under Beale. Didn't look out of place"

I think we may look back on not getting Van Veen as a bullet dodged...

My understanding of the Van Veen situation is that it's a loan so wages probably not the issue here so much as how much each club can contribute. So it might be Groningen that decides rather than Van Veen himself...

That's a separate issue, number of starts. You said two goals in fourteen games like he'd started every game. But when you're called out on it, you move the goalposts. It's now not about how many goals he scored, it's about how many games he started is why he's 'shite'. Which is what you're talking...

Apparently we're one of several clubs in for Van Veen. Unsure whether it'd be a good idea or not...

I was wondering about this. Might they take the approach that the last manager they pinched from St Mirren didn't work out so that might count against him? Dunno and care less... Regards Saturday's game, until we see what business we do, it's impossible to guess at our lineup. And that'll dictate my level of optimism/hope ahead of kick off...

Read what I wrote, then do some basic research and then come back to me...

You're right. Two goals having only started five games, appalling...

He started three league games. They clearly make up their mind there as quickly as some here do...

If you look closely at his stats, Vale only started five games for Lincoln and scored two goals. On at least three of his eleven sub league appearance, Lincoln City were down to ten men when he came on, or a minute after.. Do these stats mean he's any good? No, but it's context. More context than a simple 'he scored two in seventeen appearances for Lincoln, he must be shit'. As with most of our signings, we won't know til we see him play...

Don't be troubling people with facts now..

More to the point, how in the name of all that is holy is he only 32?

It hasn't worked out badly for Girona or Union St Gilloise...?

I don't disagree that January signings, you want them to hit the ground running. There's no preseason to try and show them what you're after and fine tune. This guy wouldn't be top of my shopping list. Also for the same reasons as Halliday, lack of match sharpness (although I don't know how often he's featured for St Mirren reserves). But the Bair example (not to mention others who don't work out at one club but do at another - John Sutton at St Johnstone and Hearts?) means I'm not automatically reaching for "Awfirfuxake". Sceptical, yes. Convinced he'll be a flop? No... And again this is if we sign him...

Have fans on here not learned the lesson of Theo Bair? Can we not wait and judge what someone does in claret and amber if they sign? Am I enthused by the name Nahmani? Not particularly but Kettlewell has managed to get a tune out of someone who scored one goal last season so I'm willing to trust he might see something in him...

Who are the six? Are they any good?

True. But there is the issue with players coming to the end of their contract. If he's agreed a contract elsewhere with a guaranteed SPL wage, will that affect his commitment for the rest of the season? Pulling out of challenges?

Hilarious. I don't particularly rate Kettlewell but Courts? Jesus...

It's a horrendous statistic. But it's only two defeats in nine games. An away draw in the league is never a disaster in itself...

By who?

Who's that?

As is well established, we're not the first pick for most players if they're looking for a club to join. So sometimes we gamble on a player that we think has slightly more quality even if they have an issue be it a patchy injury record, a couple of moves that haven't worked out, basically a player whose reputation has taken a knock. But it is a gamble and the club know this. In the last couple of years, with Moult and Obika, the gambles haven't paid off. So do you go for a slightly lower quality player who will always be available..?

I'm assuming he'll move abroad. Having seen what it's done for Ferguson, Hickey and young English talent, he probably should. He probably should have done before moving to Celtic but hindsight is a wonderful thing...

We spoke about this at the game last week. Until a striker or strikers arrive, you have to think that Mugabi as a battering ram will be the option. Although Kettlewell took him off at 1-1 so maybe not...

Not in a system that requires your wing backs bombing up and down the park. O'Donnell on one wing and Halliday on the other, jesus wept..