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The problem with football is that we now have the culture where those inside are worried to make negative comments because of direct and indirect consequences from the authorities. When the referee is on the pitch, their authority is and should be absolute, but that needs tempered with a means of making appeals (or even voluntarily rescinding) decisions such as yellow and / or red cards. Unfortunately it is not possible to change scores or to amend points as there is no way to tell, unless it was beyond doubt, how a game could have turned around and then possibly turned back again - look at our semi-final when 2 men and a goal down until almost the last second. Add to that, as I posted elsewhere, there needs to be an effective means of monitoring the performance of the refs to achieve high standards at the top level. Too often the principle of the on-pitch authority is needlessly extended to include almost every aspect of the sport. The structure of the sport and how it is applied should never be beyond criticism.

Good advice - but in the spirit of this thread, if folk get into difficulty they can always call the A.A.

I see that Mackay-Steven has now signed a pre-contract agreement with Celtic. Having done so, that rules out the chance for anyone coming in with a bid which meets or exceeds Utd's valuation of him. Or does it? By definition it is not a contract so is it actually legally binding? I suppose the attraction of such arrangements for players is that if their new club does not have to pay a transfer fee, they can afford to offer the player better terms. Only cash rich clubs or those desparate to strengthen their squad in the window will be prepared to pay a significant fee and offer attractive personal terms to the players. Other clubs will focus on offering contracts to players when their existing contracts are coming to an end. The consequence of this is that apart from very big clubs making big offers for exceptional players, any offers for even pretty good players are likely to be modest. Sheffield Utd's offer of £80,000 for Mackay-Steven being a case in point. This highlights the need to try to get players tied up on longer term contracts. The club has made positive moves on this in the last 2 or 3 years and is no doubt thinking long and hard about what they have to do to keep those whose contract are up at the end of the season. It is understandable that players want to further their careers and earn more money, but they do need to recognise that sometimes the best way to further your career is to stay put. As far as Billy Mckay is concerned, he is currently at a club where the style of play suits him and where the manager (and fans!) will stick by him when he is not scoring. If he maintains his current form he has every chance of European football next season together with league and cup success. Being here has also not prevented him from playing at international level. Where else will he get those opportunities? He would find it hard to maintain his place in any other side which offers those possibilities and he risks sinking without trace if he cannot secure a regular starting spot. Of course other clubs can offer more money but there is a balance to be struck between playing regularly with the realistic opportunity for success, and the money. I just hope the club can make a good enough offer so that on balance Billy (and others) decide to stay here.

The part about the english doing what is best for their game, and us not doing so, I feel is very true. Instead of looking at how to benefit the game in Scotland I always feel that the blazers just copy whatever the english do - just look at the names of our divisions. It's a stupid notion on too many levels. Go on Yogi!

Advance against adversity altogether and act aggressively albeit appropriately. Annhilate arrogant Arabs and assimilate an advantage, accessing a autobahn and advancing at EUROPE.

Ha ha stupid iPad.......lol

You need a pee OCG........................................ in anticiation