Well Up For It!

Very good news. Tying our young prospects to long term deals is more important than anything else for me. All extremely positive off the field just now with us.

That's to me is the most underlying reason for decline of Scottish Football. We had opportunity to balance the playing field when Rangers were demoted, but Aberdeen shafted us on that assuming they'd be the 2nd force and reap the rewards - which we then shafted them on that delusion. Twice. As for summer football, I'd be very much for it. Running the league March to November/December would save clubs a fortune on maintenance of parks, etc. A country with unpredictable winters such as ours is cut out for winter being our busiest period. We would benefit from more TV money as we'd be one of the more prominent summer leagues in Europe and could use that to our advantage in negations. Also think it would help our clubs perform in Europe. Also nothing worse than watching mid week football in January in the pissing rain, so punters would be more interested in better weather games. Decent article all in all, he talks a lot of sense. Really need to try and implement some of his ideas.

Coyne and Coyle for me, although Porter & McCormack deserve a mention

Exactly the sort of player we need. Hope he hits the ground running. We badly need someone to get some goals (if it is true of course)

This. Especially if its "gonna be all over the papers" in days anyway. You could have an exclusive

Never say never again... First division club can still qualify by winning the Scottish Cup

Think it has to focus on Barraclough, the decision to appoint him, why he got the job, why others didn't, should he be binned and are those who appointed him accountable?

I've brought this up in the past and been shot down in flames for it. His admission on the ByTheMin podcast that he was saving the club money, etc is very noble and all, but he should not be doing this at all now when Barraclough is under pressure. Since he was in the interview and appointment process and that he has influence over the board (again by his own admission) it is a major conflict of interest - interviewing the guy one minute, sacking him the next.

Waited until today to post my thoughts to let it digest... Following the big campaign from the club to come and support the team, I made my first home game since October, cancelling plans to accommodate - and to be honest, feel completely ripped off and in no rush to return. For a team in the deep stuff at the wrong end of the table we played with zero passion, zero desire and zero commitment. The line-up was beyond baffling and chasing the game we kept Sutton up front himself - who doesn't have the mobility to be effective without support. I think 90% of the squad should be taking a long hard look at themselves. Wonder how they are sleeping at night these days as they are meant to be professionals, and right now are looking like utter impostors. Which brings me on to Barraclough... There has been zero improvement since he took over. He is excellent at talking the talk, but proving he can't walk the walk. Strange decisions on Saturday, the team clearly don't seem to be responding to his methods and its the same excuse over and over. Its still early days, but his signings never excited me in the slightest, and Straker at LB is not a football player! Worst single performance by anyone I've seen at Fir Park in my life. I'm all for giving managers time, and not calling for his head yet, but something needs to change and fast. He has 3 games max for me to deliver a win - hell even a performance! The players need to get their finger out, especially the old heads. Sure injuries haven't helped, but surely the team that finished 2nd last year has enough about it to get past St. Mirren and Ross County? I lay the majority of blame squarely at the players feet - they have been completely embarrassing for McCall, Black and Barraclough which suggests there heads are not in it for whatever reason. My major question, is why was Barraclough given the job in the first place? It came as a surprise to everyone on hear when he got the nod and should his tenure come to an abrupt end, I will be looking to those who appointed what appears to be a complete fraudster of a manager to be held to account. While the buck stops with the manager and players, the people appointment the manager are accountable, especially when they took a "gamble" rather than appoint a tried and tested safe pair of hands and they will be as much to blame for relegation as anyone! Even today I'm still pissed off to fuck at the sorry state we are in. The most enraging thing is we are going down without a whimper. Shocking.

Agree with this, but would add that the actual day any relegation is cemented will be one of the worst of my football supporting life. Never seen us relegated, and while I believe I would come out the other end OK and enjoy the change of locations, that day, if it ever comes, would be traumatic. Also disagree that it would be a death-nail for us. With the people in charge just now think we could weather the storm and cut our cloth accordingly, rebuilding from the ground up - dare I say, similar to what Accies have done. Still have faith that we will be 10th come the final whistle on match day 38 though...

Very good read and given it says No.1, can only assume its the start of regular communication from the chairman which is a very welcome addition. All seems very positive off the field going forward.

If he is out of contract this season, surely the club wouldn't be holding him back on that account, would they? I was at the St.Johnstone away game and he looked miles ahead of anything we have in the team. My only time seeing him in the flesh.

The situation we are facing is totally in our own hands. I refuse to accept that we haven't got what it takes to get out this mess, and despite all the major issues us as fans can see on the park, we have to take into account bad luck with injuries, a clear lack of confidence, 7 new players trying to bed into the squad and a relatively new manager - not to mention new owner, assistant, directors, scout, etc. The result yesterday was a hard one to take, and do agree that St.Mirren and Ross County are looking better than us form wise at present. But I believe we are only one win away from gaining the much needed confidence, that could propel us on a good run that will take us out of trouble. I'm I shitting it at the thought of relegation? Of course I am. But the ship isn't sinking just yet, still time to save it and I think we will hang on and survive. Reading these boards really rile me at times, as there is so much utter negativity and contempt, and surely that gets passed onto players (through reading/hearing about whats written here and with support at games). They need a proper kick up there arse, but don't think for one second all the pros in our dressing room won't be hurting and as determined to avoid the drop as much as us - the more senior pros especially. It's going to be a very rough few months and a lot of it will be spent watching throw my hands - but the changes off the park have installed a positivity in me that we are moving in the right direction and that will be enough to see us pip St.Mirren and Ross County, with the possibility of Patrick being drawn into the mix.

As was I...that was there really a need for ANOTHER thread discussing how pish we are and how doomed we are when his post (properly punctuated) would have been "valid" in one of the many other threads?! So dry yer eyes and take yer pishy little tantrums and insults elsewhere!!

Careful...talking common sense on these boards could cause a meltdown!! Personally i think we should sack IB, find a new buyer cause Les isn't delivering, our new signings are all pish so sack our new chief scout, our new goalie still isn't big enough and needs replaced and all players from last year should be released and we should play our U16's for the rest of the season for experience since we are already relegated!!

Struggled to work my way though that (never heard of a paragraph?) and wondering why you felt the need to start a new thread when this fits in perfectly with all the other naysayer chat on the match thread?? HOTD for this pontless thread!!

You really are a pollution at times on these boards.

Absolutely shocking scoreline just now and highlights how much of a relegation fight we are in... But some of the comments on are even more shocking....

Think I'm going to put us on my coupon this week. Not done that in ages!

It really is a disgrace the situation with Ravenscraig. Given our new owners vision of a community club, I'm sure discussions with North Lanarkshire Council will be on the cards.

Very good article and believe it clears up a lot of stuff in relation to his role as GM opposed Leannes as CEO

Correct. The Sol Campbell case from a few years back cleared this up.

Top 6 anyone.

Excellent window all in, and a clear indication that the vast majority of our 18 or so players out of contract in the summer will be allowed to leave. Start of the revolution, and hopefully this will see us pull away from St. Mirren (who after losing two of their best players yesterday are doomed!) and Ross County. Someone else said it, but it really is amazing the difference a week can make in the world of football. Doom and gloom has been replaced with a refreshing positivity. Lets hope they can deliver when it matters.

Yes, kudos all round. Most exciting deadline day as a 'Well fan ever I believe! Solid effort by all involved.