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No room for complacency but we could not have asked for a kinder draw even if we were seeded. How pleasing would it be to keep this trophy in the Highlands ? We could parade it in Dingwall before the Hogmanay derby.

So, Tremarco scores 2, has a clean sheet and no bookings yet probably is feeling pretty much as frustrated as ever after a game as he didn't get a hat-trick - says a lot! I absolutely agree, Foran's signings have put Hughes to shame after just a few early games. Mcnaughton is undoubtedly one of the classiest players ever seen at our club (I believe it's thanks to Esson that he's here), would love to see Andy Shinnie back but King is perfect replacement, Mulraney appears to have fantastic potential and Boden ticks all the boxes for me. Goodness knows how we'll set up our team this season. Who misses out in defence out of Warren, Meekings (assuming he's sticking around), Tremarco and Raven? How do you set up your midfield when Polworth, Vigurs Mulraney, King, Tansey, Doran and Draper all seem first team certs? And of course, who is gonna get the number 9 shirt?? What a fantastic season we've got ahead :-)

No harm in asking! Reminds me of the time I phoned a small local cinema one evening to ask when the film starts, and (true story!) got the reply "When can you get here?"

Straight knock-out now, one leg, tie will be 9th or 10th August. What I'm not so sure about is what happens in the event of a draw after 90 mins - straight to pens like in the group stages, or extra time first? I'd suspect the latter, but I'm sure someone wil be able to confirm.

Probably the best team performance I've seen at ICT park. Large contribution from many of the players old and new. Certainly looking forward to the rest of the season.

Let's just remember that we've only been facing lower league sides do far. But if Boden and Vigurs can both maintain their goal a game averages, we will win the league.

A bit off topic SP but the signs over here are now nearly all in Gaelic so you are not alone

Mulraney is almost too good for us if you get what I mean. We will find it difficult to stop someone making a bid for him in the summer. He is probably the most talented player we have had here. Great performance against a struggling side, but as said, last season we would have come through by two or three. Foran has instilled that winning mentality into them and we looked good going forward. Thought it was a waste of time bringing on Draper, he's got nothing to prove, whereas Sutherland or Doran do require game time. Anyway, enjoyable stuff and well done everyone.

That was fun! Clearly Arbroath are not the greatest of teams but I think this was more a case of excellent attacking play than poor defending. Last year we had a lot of possession but seemed incapable of creating chances, but today we were pulling them this way and that with players running at the defence, we were pinging long diagonal balls across the park, we were slotting measured passes behind defenders and we were chipping balls over the top. Sometimes the delivery wasn't that great, but the variety of passing, the movement off the ball and the way players constantly wanted to get forward was very impressive. The way we played can perhaps best be summed up by the fact that Carl Tremarco will be disappointed he didn't get a hat-trick. It is looking good for the future. To my mind, one of the most promising aspects of the start of Foran's reign as manager is the quality of player he has brought in. With MacNaughton, King, Boden and Mulraney, Richie has already brought in considerably more talent than Hughes managed in nearly 3 years. Of course, we are yet to play any Premier Division opposition so next week will be a real test of how the team is shaping up. On today's performance there are very real grounds for optimism. that the club can start moving forwards again.

It's a mystery to me how you ever won that Worst Poster Award

Welcome back Smee you hoping for another good season