starchief

Don't know about everyone else but I wasn't trying to guess Burley's team, I was picking my own (hence why I have Mulgrew at LWB when he's not even in the squad).

Think with Ross, Imrie, Hayes, Eagle and McBain all capable of playing on the right, we're ok there. I'm still worried about our only ball-playing midfielder being a young guy (Cox) that's never played a season. Duncan and Stratford are defensive midfielders (it would seem with the latter), I'm sure if McBain could do it, he'd have got the chance before his 34th birthday. Other than that, it's wingers or attackers to cover, or taking a chance on some other young gun that's never done it regularly. It's such an important position, I'm surprised it's not been a priority.

Thats hardle a compliment is it to be top scorer last season. How many did he score 5 or 6. Thats bloody pish Yep, so why have you put Barrowman above him who didn't score even that? Or Odhiambo for that matter. Someone mentioned he was only 20 but Rooney's only a year older and has scored (and started) plenty more. I've seen Baggio, McCoist, Lineker and many others do the same. Hell, I've even seen Foran do it. If you think the other strikers have more potential, fair enough, but on the 'he missed a chance' reason, you'll soon end up with a Renegade line-up by having Djebi-Zadi up front through default. Strikers miss chances. Fact.

Surprised everyone has such a downer on Rooney. He was top scorer for both the first team and reserve team last year, yet people are putting Barrowman and Odhiambo above him? Odhiambo has ONE GOAL in his whole career. Barrowman scored TWO all last season, despite normally being the main striker. Sure Rooney misses chances. But he deserves to be above those two (tactics apart) on his showing.

Alexander G. Caldwell Hutton - Berra - S.Caldwell - Mulgrew Fletcher - Brown - Kommons McCormack - McFadden Hutton and Mulgrew to go flying down the wings, with G. Caldwell in the libre position. McCormack and Fletcher to create chances out of nothing. It's either going to be an amazing partnership or absolutely woeful. But I'll give them the chance (magnanimous sod that I am)

I think Manchester United will win the SFL1. I heard TV pundits say that United have such a strong squad, they are capable of winning everything this year.

One thing's for sure, if Rovers win, they'll be dancing in the streets of Albion!

Esson Stratford - Bulvitis - Munro- Djebi-Zadi Proctor - Cox Eagle - Sanchez - Imrie Rooney Give Proctor a chance in centre midfield. Eagle and Imrie in a fluid attacking midfield, giving them more opportunities to score, rather than continually wide on the wings.

Been saying for a good while now that I'd like to see Proctor be tried in that position. Good reader of the game, tidy, though none too adventurous passer, decent but not great tackler. No pace so best suited to a holding role. Sounds like a defensive mid to me. If it doesn't work out, then I guess it's back to Duncan.

Still worried about that central midfield. A choice of the old heads of Duncan and McBain (probably as def mid) and Cox or some other young gun. Aside from that, looking good!

We need summer football to stop this constant embarrassment. Motherwell and Aberdeen (and Falkirk to some extent) have barely got a team together with all their comings-and-goings. Celtic's first match might be the most important of their season, yet they've hardly warmed up. Just embarrassing for Scotland.

How many starts for Rooney last season? How many goals? How many starts for Barrowman last season? How many goals? As long as a goalscorer scores, he deserves to be in the line-up, even if he contributes nothing else. Hardest thing to do.

Bit early to say. A few signings could change everything. At the moment, Motherwell have lost too much, with no replacements. I think Falkirk needed Pressley to play on or replace him. Hamilton will probably release funds at Xmas if they are doing badly. Don't think St Mirren or Killie would be overly threatened. Killie should have done better last year and Saints look good going forward but need a bit more experience in defence to really push on. Can't say too much about St J though as I haven't seen them and don't know all that many of their players. At the moment, Motherwell.

Don't think St Mirren have lost any first-teamers have they? If they can get a good central defender (like Darren Dods), I think the rest of their team is better than Falkirk, Hamilton, St J and Motherwell. And unless 'Well splashes the cash, I can see them dropping like a stone. Lost way too much quality in the close season.

Was just about to say the very same thing. I made him my Young Player of the Season (um, cheque is in the post)

I liked Mark McGhee saying that he would only sign players if they were better than what he's got as he'd only end up strengthening the bench.

Are you trying to suggest he's a bit fruity, Mr Persident?

Hope it's as prevelant in the Middle East and North Africa as it has been. Honestly, I could watch on local and international Arabic TV, Libya Sport, Dubai Sport and Al Jazeera Sport. Only Germany and France perhaps came anywhere near close. Must be cheap!

Proctor and Imrie will be good enough for Division 1. Centre mid is the problem area.

I remember hearing Esson was dropped due to a bust up in training. Not sure if he'll play again. Was he included in any friendlies?

No, that can't be right as Lex Gold said the SPL would bring in at least as much money, maybe more, from a new tv deal. I mean, he must be right. His position would be untenable otherwise, so I'm sure he wouldn't say that through sheer blind optimism or spare himself a few blushes from his last deal being pants. Surely not :finger03:

What about Tokely Munro and Hastings at the back? Could work quite well. Would allow Tokely and Hastings to get forward a bit more and let someone like DZ do all his, erm, 'adventurous' work without having to worry too much about solid defending (which of course he's absolutely brilliant at, hence why we never lose a goal down that left hand side :finger03: )

Embarrassing for Scottish football. Maybe it's time we opted out of European football. Bad enough when it was Iceland but an amateur Welsh league...?

I can. A bit disastrous. It was one of the many times (it seems) when Dundee went for the spend-big-and-we're-bound-to-be-a-success theory.

Most are going for Don Cowie but he was pretty poor in his final season. Probably due to playing long ball mind you but I'm going to choose to ignore that point to make myself look smarter. Did it work