Stirling Observer

I believe there are restrictions from uefa about showing a 3pm Saturday ko unless you are streaming outside of your country. It's currently lifted for obvious reasons.

Wow, they are seriously splashing the cash!

Ah go on then

I fully expect 1/2 youngsters to sign up this week or whenever training resumes. They will probably be on very low wages for the league and will provide squad depth. Think they have been on furlough until so wouldn't have been announced until training restarts. I could be completely wrong though.

Who are the two right backs? I can only think of McKay

Always want to give players a chance but disappointed is my initial reaction. He seemed decent when covering for meekings or Warren to begin with but we he got longer stints in the team he looked lost. He has hardly shone for partick or pars and has been released from them. My biggest issue is the lack of leadership/communicators at the back, from what I remember, Devine didn't do much organising. Mchattie seems quiet, Brad is more worried about his hair and not seen enough from toshney. Hopefully deas has that skillset because it can cost teams so many goals if not (see Sevilla 2nd goal last night). 

Was he not upfront against Arbroath when the emptied us 3-0

I think if we are playing only 1 up top. He will play someone who can hold the ball up and bring others into play. If that's the case it's likely to be Shane or Toddy than Miles

I, like many others I think, took this trip as a potential once and once only experience and therefore relished every every moment. Still have a warm, fuzzy feeling when I think back. 

Thought the fans represented the club very well

I think by forward he means someone who can play on wings, attacking midfielder or up front. 

He has allardice, Vincent, Carson, Welsh for the central midfield roles.

I'm presuming he's going to play 4-5-1/ 4-3-3.

With a small squad he needs lots of versatile players who can cover a few positions

I'm pleased about this. That's 6 games before the league starts. Hopefully we can start the season with a bang and Robbo knows his best 11

I think the 6 players who are self isolating will still be unavailable. Think the fixture is next midweek. The 2 who have tested positive will be available but I guess it depends on how the virus affects their health and fitness.

Rb (right footed), Midfielder and forward.

That would make us appear quite top heavy although storey, Mackay could be classed as wingers and toddy as a defender in necessary.

I disagree with the points thing as Aberdeen were willing to play. It was the government who basically overuled the league. I get that the decision was made due to the Aberdeen players breaking their sporting protocol but the club were happy to play with reduced squad. 

I presume the players will receive a hefty fine and presume 2 weeks without training for the players will affect their own match fitness and therefore the clubs chances for success. This will be a natural punishment as it is. 

Maybe I'm a just a big softy

Feel sorry for St Johnstone just now. They have suffered most from this in football terms as will have an extra fixture squeezed in unnecessarily through no fault of their own

I agree. Although the next 2 games are due to go ahead. I presume this is because the players will be tested prior to the Hamilton game?

Aberdeen wanted to play. It was a joint decision between politicians and the football bodies to postpone it. 

It's a tricky subject the contract length. We were very cautious for a long time and as a result lost players on longer deals. Then after some success with Hughes we began to offer longer contracts to bang average players on decent money which then has scuppered us somewhat financially after relegation. 

Ryan Christie when he hopefully moves on will recoup a very large sum for a club of our size. 

County have wasted plenty money or lost decent players on expired contracts just like we have. They aren't a particularly good comparative example to prove a point. 

Regardless of youth systems I can't see youth players flourishing unless we increase the league numbers.

12/10 is far too tight/competitive to blood youngsters. Managers are fearing for their jobs and will stick with experience over youth. Yes it makes for more excitement and intrigue. We have seen especially in the championship you can go from relegation candidates to having playoff potential after a couple of wins. This is great for fans but not for young players.

A larger league and less risk of relegation would probably increase the game time afforded to younger players to gain said experience and allow them to develop. Until this happens all this 'projects' are a waste of time imo.

I'm not sure that's factually correct

Some issues.

Cup games aren't normally included in ST price.

No guarantee we will have technology in place.

No guarantee other clubs in our group would have technology in place. 

We will be using them as friendlies, lots of substitutions I presume (maybe unfair to charge people to watch essentially a fitness exercise (well for us)).

Swings and roundabouts. When we were on top we took many of their players.

Now they are on top they are taking ours.

Pretty reasonable and simple if you think about it. Only two full time teams in the area. Any other move would require relocation. 

Yup, there is a proposal for a tier 6 but regionalised I believe into two leagues (east and west). In discussions just now. It would include the north juniors and NCL. I presume the north-east junior sides with strong financial backing would be the immediate beneficiaries. However it gives ambitious clubs a good gateway. I do worry about a load of gretna cases though, a rich businessman/woman wants some publicity and a plaything for a few years. 

Yup. It's a no from me. You get puma, produce a banging home strip then produce some very bright pink nonsense with no link to the club. Hospice would probably have benefited if the colours were at least somewhat related to the club. 25 years and we go pink. Why?

Guess I'm in the minority here. I'm pleased for Carl personally. But still think the club made the right decision.

Fans always state they want more local youngsters being given a chance. Well this is a sign of the club doing just that. Obviously there is monetary considerations aswell. People say he would have signed for less money? Maybe but I think in our position we don't have the budget for 2 players for every position. It will be 1 per position then probably 5/6 players who can cover a few positions then the young lads. Then you make a choice. Keep a club legend at 35? Or free a young highly rated local lad?

Cameron Harper looks perfectly capable of competing at this level and could have great potential. It could go terribly wrong for him/us but we need to give him the opportunity and platform to play.

The money freed up from Carl's wages may be spent on a gem or a dud but that's football. You have to take risks and be objective rather than overly sentimental.

I'm sorry to see Carl go and thank him for his contribution to the club but now my focus and energy is on Cameron and his future with the club.