fat_tony

I wonder if Robinson is considering Tait as an option on the left side and looking at someone like McGinn for the right. Given Tait seems equally comfortable with both feet and played there last week, it was something that had crossed my mind.

Isn't that the epitome of the modern full back though? These days they seem to be more about attack than defence.

Interestingly, the quote from Robinson on the BBC article about it says that Moult has said he's not going to sign the contract offer at the moment. That to me suggests that he wants to move this window but wouldn't be against extending if the move he wants doesn't happen. Whatever happens, he's been a great player for us, conducted himself very well throughout, and deserves his chance when it comes. He'll move on, and the club will continue regardless.

If he's fit, Moult should start. He's simply the most proven goalscorer we have at the club. I've looked the look of Fisher, despite the lack of goals so far. Not being given a consistent run up top won't be helping things. If Moult does go, you'd feel that it will benefit Fisher most of all. I'd like to see McLean given a shot too, given his impressive display in the cup, and although McHugh is a miss, Rose seems to have done well last week and I think between him, Bigi, Cadden and Campbell, we've got enough cover in the middle of the park. Maybe Plummer to get his debut down the left if McLean didn't get the chance.

It definitely is, but needs to be supplemented with more support for the officials on match day to allow them to review game changing decisions. It's all well and good getting a red card rescinded a few days later, but it doesn't help much if a game balanced on a knife edge is massively affected by that decision. Limited use of video was implemented well in the women's Euros I thought, so hopefully it's only a matter of time for it to be rolled out further. I understand cost is a massive issue with the adoption of video tech though.

Absolutely superb first post. I'd quit while you're ahead

A bit harsh on Griffiths in my opinion, it looked like it took a pretty sizeable deflection on the way through. It's kind of ironic but I doubt it would have happened with Samson as he would have been rooted to his line which would have forced Kipre to try to clear it. Mind you, I'm sure he would have thrown a couple at the feet of St Johnstone players just to make up for it.

I've only watched our highlights, so it's difficult to say conclusively, but it certainly looks like Carson was on the line when he picks up the ball, and Dunne barely makes any contact at all for his red card. On that evidence alone (fully aware it's not a great angle) it's really difficult to see how Thomson can be 100% certain each incident is worthy of a red card. Even if Carson has handled outside the box, it should be a yellow card under the new rules. McHugh's one is harder to tell. It doesn't look like a dangerous tackle from that angle. He goes in with his leg rather than studs first, so that explains it not being a straight red. However, it does look like he's caught the boy late, so I can see why he's received a second yellow for it. Poor decision making from Carson, Kipre, and McHugh though. The first incident should have been cleared by either Carson or the Kipper before it became an issue, while McHugh needs to be smart about making that challenge. He's certainly following in Lasley's footsteps there though! Superb from O'Halloran for the second goal, but we have three defenders following him as he cuts inside and not one gets close enough to put in a challenge. Need to be sharper. Sore one, but it's hardly time for panic stations yet. We do however need to learn to be a bit more streetwise and not make it so easy for referees to make decisions like we saw yesterday.

I'm starting to buy into the conspiracy theories

Extra time...

You may very well be right, my memory's a bit fuzzy. It's probably more likely to be "favour the guy in the Rangers shirt"

I'm sure I remember someone posting a summary of the rules after the ICT game a couple of seasons ago. From what I can remember the upshot was basically "it favours the attacking team". So given that Rangers scored from it, it would be unlikely to be retaken unless someone seriously intruded and got in the keeper's way.

This. The rumours about Bigi were well publicised when he was at rangers, so does anyone seriously believe that we would have successfully signed him if he were totally ineligible to pay for us? And of course have played for us in our league cup games?

That was the suggestion from some which, for the reasons weeyin has highlighted, is utterly preposterous.

Great, cheers. Hopefully it's short term and he's back for Wednesday, as he's really looked the part so far.

Disappointing result, but plenty to be optimistic about. It's important though, that we build on the positives and get some results over the coming weeks. On that display today, that shouldn't be an issue. Sadly most disappointed in both McHugh and Moult today, but I'm pretty confident that was a one off for the skipper, and that Moult isn't up to full fitness yet. I'm not totally sold on Rose yet, but I get the impression he'll not be a preferred starter every week. Tanner made a few poor choices and got some deliveries wrong, but also looked like a quality find at times. Quick feet, some good, quick passing, and some brilliant vision. Shame he picked the wrong option near the end, but these things happen. Frear had their right-back on toast for a while in the first half, and Cadden was great. Special mention to Fisher who I thought had an immediate impact when he came on and was involved in some really nice stuff. If he can play like that each week, he'll be amongst the goals soon. And Kipre...what an absolute mountain he is. Cult hero in the making. Anyone know what the score is with Bigi? And without any of this, "I know something you don't know" bullshit? I'm guessing injured?

We managed to see off the establishment Rangers at the weekend, so the wee rangers shouldn't be any issue...

It's a funny old game, isn't it? I thought the exact opposite! The first half just seemed like a training match, and we didn't seem that bothered. I thought we had much more application in the second half, and created more as a result, with Tanner, Frear, and Cadden all having more of a bearing on proceedings. It simply didn't happen for Fisher today, and he seems to be an easy target for the boo boys already. Hopefully he just needs a bit of luck for it all to come together. Not Moult's best today, but pleased with the impact Newell had. He seemed quick, clever, and keen to make an impact. Could be an additional option up front that we perhaps weren't expecting to have. Bigi strolled it at times, and I thought Dunne and Kipre grew into the game well despite a bit of a shaky start. We really missed McHugh in midfield though, so I hope we have a solution for our defensive issues. All in all, we did what was required, and I'm not too fussed about the fact we made hard work of it at times as we never really needed to get out of second gear. 100% record by any means will do nicely.

I think the same can (and should) be applied to all of the new signings. I've been quite pleased with Tanner so far, I think there could be a player in there.

Maybe it's tactical, and he's been signed as a target for the boo boys in order to spare the rest of the team the brunt. Like coating metal in zinc...

It's possibly just been something that suits both parties. He doesn't need to rush out and find a new club after being released, and can consider what he wants to do while he's somewhere familiar with a shot at game time. We need a decent keeper to challenge for the #1 spot and provide viable cover. Win win. Delighted with the news about McHugh, he displayed some real character this season and seems to have the respect of his team-mates. Also indicates how highly he is rated by Robinson. A contract extension would be mightily appreciated...

The hacks certainly seem to so who knows?! "You can stick your fancy scouting database up your arse, I'm going to ask the footballing oracle that is Steelmen Online who we should sign." - Arsene Wenger, 2017

Do you really think so though? I mean, looking at last season, we finished four points behind Partick in 6th (okay we were eight behind County in 7th), but there really isn't a massive gap between the bottom six teams. Any one of us could sneak into the top six with a reasonable run of consistency. Aiming for an extra two or three wins isn't all that extreme really. I'd definitely take getting through at least one knock-out round in either cup as progress though!

I think we should be aiming to make the top six. Anything further is a bonus, and if we narrowly miss out, then fine. But seeing how close the teams between 11th and 7th were this season, we should definitely be capable of challenging for a place on the top half come the split. A positive improvement on this season's play would be my main wish however.

Clay's a strange one. I don't think he's a terrible footballer at all. Given a chance, he seems quite tidy on the ball actually. Problem is, he appears to need an extra 3-4 seconds to do anything, which you just don't get in this league. At a lower level, I think he'd be a standout, but I just don't think he's got that instinctive, quick thinking that players need to be a success at our level.