2025/26 Ins & Outs Discussion

[Spiderpig]

59 minutes ago, weeyin said:

And we know it will go to one of the OF nominees.

Aye that's my view as well, McGregor for player of the year and Engels for the young players,. Rangers only got Igamane nominated to keep them sweet no chance he'll win though.

[wellgirl]

1 hour ago, weeyin said:

And we know it will go to one of the OF nominees.

Think it went to a Killie player last year. Fingers crossed for Lennon. 

[Kmcalpin]

James Wilson of Hearts willl take some beating. He ticks a lot of boxes. Thats assuming he's been nominated.

[Bart Verheul]

4 hours ago, grizzlyg said:

Not been announced yet. He is one of the 4 finalists 

That was the pfa awards that announced him as a finalist, he did win the spfl young player of the year which is a different award. I think 

 

Ignore me, I'm talking garbage sorry

Edited yesterday at 05:28 PM by Bart Verheul
Edited because I'm talking mince

[wellgirl]

1 hour ago, Kmcalpin said:

James Wilson of Hearts willl take some beating. He ticks a lot of boxes. Thats assuming he's been nominated.

He has for the pfa but so has Lennon 

[FirParkCornerExile]

2 hours ago, Kmcalpin said:

James Wilson of Hearts willl take some beating. He ticks a lot of boxes. Thats assuming he's been nominated.

I agree and if we are being honest Lennon Millers form has suffered by the utter dross surrounding him and the brutal tactics employed by SK. I think LM is a generational talent but if we judge purely on performances over the season I don't think he tops the list.

[mfc]

Lennons form has definitely dropped off since coming back from injury,between that and being a young player in his first full season,it was almost inevitable that he would dip at some point this season.kettlewell making him captain was mental that just added more unnecessary pressure on him.hes a class act though and it will be interesting too see what happens with him over the summer.

[grizzlyg]

56 minutes ago, mfc said:

Lennons form has definitely dropped off since coming back from injury,between that and being a young player in his first full season,it was almost inevitable that he would dip at some point this season.kettlewell making him captain was mental that just added more unnecessary pressure on him.hes a class act though and it will be interesting too see what happens with him over the summer.

Yep I think sometimes we forget he is only 18. We expect so much from him

[Big Stall]

13 hours ago, mio said:

I think he seems a decent enough guy as well 

Based on?

Iv no idea if he's a good guy or otherwise but the massive list of clubs he's been at - and been shifted on- suggests otherwise.

Pretty sure he got a name at dundee united for being a bad influence in the dressing room

[twistandshout1983]

I think Tony Watt should get another season at least 

Not suggesting he has been great at all, Saturday he was. Andy Halliday also. Definitely another season in there 

We need fresh faces, but I definitely think we should be keeping some experience also

[weeyin]

Nice article on Miller in The Herald. (You can read it in an Incognito Window in Chrome, or Private Window in Firefox).

Despite the fake outrage from some media outlets, it's obvious his senior team mates knew the score and what it's like to be stitched up if you misspeak.

Although it didn't prevent them dishing out the appropriate level of stick.

Also interesting to read about how interested he was in McTominay and Glimour playing overseas.

 

[wellgirl]

That's Halliday and Ward signed extensions 

See there's some discussion on pie and bov about Balcombe and Ox - assume Balcombe will be returning back down south at the end of his loan spell and that's why they've extended Wards contact as cover for Ox

[grizzlyg]

I can imagine a few folk unhappy but I am happy to see Halliday sign another deal. I think he is underrated and remember he probably played more games due to injuries. Is a good experienced pro to have on board.

Ward makes sense as we will need back up for Ox

[wellsince75]

30 minutes ago, wellgirl said:

That's Halliday and Ward signed extensions 

See there's some discussion on pie and bov about Balcombe and Ox - assume Balcombe will be returning back down south at the end of his loan spell and that's why they've extended Wards contact as cover for Ox

Hard to argue with Halliday given his game time - experienced pro etc . 

Ward - really don't get it tbh. If he's not an upgrade on Balcome or Ox I don't see the point.  If he is better than why's he had zero game time.   A background in National league and Finland doesn't convince me.   

Overall Im not sure if Ox is the obvious No1 . If he is would prefer Connelly to be the back up. 

[mio]

3 minutes ago, grizzlyg said:

I can imagine a few folk unhappy but I am happy to see Halliday sign another deal. I think he is underrated and remember he probably played more games due to injuries. Is a good experienced pro to have on board.

I get why we’ve given him another year but I do find him a frustrating player to watch. Probably the most annoying aspect to him is that there is a  very good player in there but the theatrics of him on a park and the constant diving and constant moaning just bugs me. (I do still get that feeling from him as well that he thinks he’s too good for us…. Might just be me tho)

He has been reliable tho so I’ll give him that, especially in and around the chocolate fireguards we signed up last year.

[wellgirl]

7 minutes ago, wellsince75 said:

Hard to argue with Halliday given his game time - experienced pro etc . 

Ward - really don't get it tbh. If he's not an upgrade on Balcome or Ox I don't see the point.  If he is better than why's he had zero game time.   A background in National league and Finland doesn't convince me.   

Overall Im not sure if Ox is the obvious No1 . If he is would prefer Connelly to be the back up. 

Balcome and Ward were signed quite close together I think. Obviously Kettlewell made the decision to go with Balcome. 

[weeyin]

15 minutes ago, wellsince75 said:

Hard to argue with Halliday given his game time - experienced pro etc . 

Ward - really don't get it tbh. If he's not an upgrade on Balcome or Ox I don't see the point.  If he is better than why's he had zero game time.   A background in National league and Finland doesn't convince me.   

Overall Im not sure if Ox is the obvious No1 . If he is would prefer Connelly to be the back up. 

It's always tough for young keepers. Sitting on the bench every week with with close to zero chance of game time isn't exactly a great way to develop. Going on loan gives you that experience, but then you're not available if the first team keeper is injured.

Someone like Ward has over 100 first team appearances, but presumably is OK playing second fiddle as needed. Either way, it can't be much fun being a second choice keeper anywhere.

[santheman]

When I saw the post I honestly couldn't initially remember who Calum Ward was which kinda sums up a mental season on the signings front.

Pleased about Halliday though.

[wellfan]

Halliday is one who has surprised me and surpassed my expectations this season, so I can’t really grumble at him being offered an extension. He’s been solid. 

Ward is an unknown but I can only assume - and hope - that he and Ox will be battling it out for the no. 1 jersey next season. 

[thewelllfan]

Squad under contract for next season :-

Goalkeepers- Ox, Ward

Centre-Backs- Gordon, Balmer, SOD

RWB - Sparrow, Johnny K

LWB- Wilson

Cm - Miller, Slattery, Halliday, Nicholson

Attackers - Maswanhise, Stam, Stuperavic, Robinson

16 now under contract. 2/3 need moved on to make space for new players who can have more of a contribution next season.

 

[Spit_It_Out]

Halliday does put a shift in and at least seems to care can't fault his efforts this season however I hope it stops there we need a massive clean out we can't be retaining a vast majority of this squad or we shall get the same results as this season it's simple as that.

 

 

 

[Kmcalpin]

3 hours ago, wellsince75 said:

Ward - really don't get it tbh. If he's not an upgrade on Balcome or Ox I don't see the point.  If he is better than why's he had zero game time.   A background in National league and Finland doesn't convince me.   

Overall Im not sure if Ox is the obvious No1 . If he is would prefer Connelly to be the back up. 

Balcombe is only on loan. Matty Connelly might be a decent enough keeper at non league/Second Division level but thats it.  He's now 22 and never made a first team appearance.  His problem is that he's just too small for the Premiership at 5-10 /6-0. He'd get battered by Jordan Whites and Ikpeazus of the world. These days 6-2 is about the minimum height for a top level keeper. St Johnstone has just signed a 6-8 keeper (don't know if he's any good mark you).  I suspect we'll release Matty Connelly at the end of the season and re-allocate his wages elsewhere.

A similar discussion on P & B.

[wellsince75]

8 minutes ago, Kmcalpin said:

Balcombe is only on loan. Matty Connelly might be a decent enough keeper at non league/Second Division level but thats it.  He's now 22 and never made a first team appearance.  His problem is that he's just too small for the Premiership at 5-10 /6-0. He'd get battered by Jordan Whites and Ikpeazus of the world. These days 6-2 is about the minimum height for a top level keeper. St Johnstone has just signed a 6-8 keeper (don't know if he's any good mark you).  I suspect we'll release Matty Connelly at the end of the season and re-allocate his wages elsewhere.

A similar discussion on P & B.

Makes sense , hadn’t realised MC was now in 20s .

Overall so far it’s a bit underwhelming as we have a lack of pace, guile and resigned a few mediocre players some of which unlikely to have much game time . 

Slattery aside , there’s not many resigning that make me think ‘oh good - I look forward to seeing them play’

appreciate some need of continuity , seasoned pros etc but we need to leave plenty of room for new blood. 

[David]

I’d expect that anyone being asked to remain at the club is someone the manager believes can contribute to the style of football he’s aiming to implement. So I wouldn’t view those players as simply being part of the status quo.

I suspect a few from this season will still be a good fit, but with several additions likely over the summer, the overall shape and approach of the team could look noticeably different next season.

[grizzlyg]

1 hour ago, wellsince75 said:

Makes sense , hadn’t realised MC was now in 20s .

Overall so far it’s a bit underwhelming as we have a lack of pace, guile and resigned a few mediocre players some of which unlikely to have much game time . 

Slattery aside , there’s not many resigning that make me think ‘oh good - I look forward to seeing them play’

appreciate some need of continuity , seasoned pros etc but we need to leave plenty of room for new blood. 

Getting Sparrow on extended deal good business also, joint top scorer and great energy