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Typical. Folk complain we dont have enough of the local yoof coming into the team. And when one does get a few minutes, we go why the feck did he do that. This is how they get experience, and did he do any wrong, dont think so. Hearts appeared to do ok with two 17 year olds, and its what we have been asking for. Polly is an international at each of his age groups and is our youngest ever yoof to appear in the first team.

I wasn't at the game but I have seen the highlights. I would rather we pushed forward and passed at the risk of conceeding the odd goal. If we continue to play attacking football we could be in for some entertaining games this season.

There's something quite sad about all this. The fact is England has a population about ten times that of Scotland, so England is bound to produce more top athletes. I quite like this Team GB thing where we are all united against the rest of the world once again. What I don't like is this chip-on-the-shoulder attitude we Scots have developed towards our neighbours, where in football, for example, in the absence of quality in our own national team, we are reduced to hoping our neighbours lose and are quite proud of the fact we support whichever team is playing England! I am proud to be Scottish, but whereas Scottish patriotism is viewed positively, we dismiss English patriotism as arrogance.

It's "The Rangers" who want to retain all the benefits of the old regime, but none of the punishment for the immoral/illegal operations which afforded them the position they held. They can't expect to take all that was "good" (position, power, titles etc) and carry on as if nothing happened. If they want that then they have to accept the bad that comes with it...the punishment and bad press. They asked for a "Transfer of SFA Membership" as this was the only way they could be guaranteed to remain in the league setup at all....if they had gone for a new membership then the process would have had to be opened up to applications from other clubs. They also needed that transfer to afford them full SFA membership (and the rights that come with that), and not associate membership. There's even talks now of them trying to get around the 3 year European ban because they are...as far as footballing authorities should be concerned (in their eyes)....the same club due to the transfer of that SFA Membership.

IHE's assessment is bang on, you'll be pleased to hear, SMEE. Yesterday's approach was almost unrecognisable from most of last season's performances. Yesterday, I don't recall a single one of those speculative balls over the top that Mackay could do nothing with last season: the stress was entirely on retaining possession, building patiently from the back and allowing Doran, Shinnie and Sutherland to try to take players on and open up the defence, and even though we were still behind on almost 70 minutes, there was no sense of us panicking and starting to throw balls forward: players and management alike kept faith with the system they had started with and eventually it paid off. Sutherland worked hard and did manage to beat his man on several occasions, but I think he was tending to do this from such deep positions that he didn't create much threat; Andrew Shinnie had an excellent second half and was our most composed and creative player; but the performance that I found most encouraging was Aaron Doran's. On the previous occasions I had seen him he had a tendency to stay on the touchline and hide rather than getting involved, but yesterday he was coming inside and taking on his man at every opportunity. He could be a really important and effective player for us this season if he continues to do this. Mackay worked his socks off as usual and his goal was a just reward, but with this system we could ideally do with a striker who is adept at taking the ball at the edge of the box and carving out opportunities - either a Dargo or a Wyness in his heyday would have fitted into this team really well. The biggest thing lacking from yesterday's performance was the creation of more clear cut chances in front of goal. Ross Draper was the pick of the new boys for me: he protected the defence really well, was solid in his tackling and interceptions and moved the ball on in a simple and effective manner. It was difficult to assess the qualities of the new centre back pairing of Warren and King as they didn't have a great deal to do, but first impressions were that they were solid, held position well and fitted effectively into the new system by looking to use the ball to build attacks rather than simply hooking it away. Raven also looked solid enough, although as IHE has pointed out, Meekings had a greater impact with his tacking when he came on, probably becuase St Mirren at that stage were trying to get back into the game and threatening our defence more. Overall, it was a satisfactory result and a more than satisfactory performance. I've found our style of football over the past season and a half pretty depressing to sit through: like SMEE, I go to football primarily in the hope of seeing an attractive style of play, and if we end up near the bottom of the league but having played in this style all season, I will be more than happy.

Can I suggest that this thread is closed. It is old hat, history and unhelpful. We are in season 2012-2013 and the slate has been wiped. Only performances and managerial influence should be judged from henceforth.

Does anyone actually care what the wee c0ckwatcher has to say ? the guy has made a proffesion out of saying nothing of any importanance

I wouldn't mind if you two were funny. It's just embarrassing, like your dad trying to act cool in front of your mates.

Well if that doesnt confuse Accrington then nothing feckin will.

I was a season ticket holder until I moved to Spain 5 years ago, and I was one who said would buy a ticket if The management made the correct decision re the Rangers affair. Despite the fact that due to my location I will not be able to make any games I have today purchased a Family Season ticket and I am in discussion with the Club to work out some way of making sure that these seats are allocated to someone different each week (possibly a competition) and hopefully that will encourage some of them to come back

The reaction of the players when Foran scored that last minute overhead kick against Raith Rovers in a 4 - 3 win when we were in SFL1.