Stirling Observer

Yup, really really enjoying all the Caley Thistle content on both these podcasts. Lots of respect to those contributing! Thanks from one happy fan, keep them coming!

Our position over the league ending debacle is very obvious in my eyes. We were in a win, win situation. Vote no, resolution fails, claim to back partick which would have lead to reconstruction to save them (and promote us funnily enough) and come out as the good guys. Or vote no (same reasons as above), lose the vote and get our money for 2nd place immediately. The individuals sg/rm involved were clearly irked but the shambles of the vote and were honest about it. The other clubs involved defended they side and spun the story to deflect from the original issue.

This is the type of situation where we should be progressing a few of the fort boys (if they are still under contract), I only saw they against clach but thought the centre half (can't remember his name) isn't far from being ready. MacGregor will hopefully become a mainstay along with Harper.

I think most would agree that sky would prefer Hearts in the top league. Their main gold ticket is the old firm, as long as you have the 4 games (which could be managed). After that the Edinburgh derby and tynecastle visits of the old firm must bring high viewing figures. It won't be sky who supper it, it will be the like of Hamilton, county, st mirren who don't want a big club in the league as competition. As well as the championship teams except us wanting Hearts relegated for big away gates.

Love the photos from Romania. Personally it's the pinnacle of supporting the club. Every moment was surreal and there was a great buzz

I wouldn't get too excited for these plans

To be honest I wouldn't give much scope to the Keith Jackson article. He is just stirring up the Celtic fans to follow the narrative that Gardiner (ex rangers) wanted null and void to stop Celtic 9 in a row etc etc. Classic redtop 'an unnamed source' article. He already said he wanted champions to be declared, but felt unfair to relegate teams. Obviously hinting towards reconstruction which would massively favour us. He wanted a resolution to pay out the money but not rush into fixed decisions on the league which is ultimately legitimate unless you fall for the spfl spin of their was no way possible to change the rules of a members organisation during a vote, that changed the rules. His statement on Sunday I think was a reaction to Doncaster on Sunday sportsound. It was a rant yes, didn't read too well but he got his point across fine. He contradicts what Doncaster was stating as fact on the radio. Only these guys involved know how it played out. There has been lots of he said, she said nonsense and pick and mix statements. The whole thing stinks of certain board members protecting their own clubs (namely Brechin, alloa and motherwell) whilst throwing others under the bus. This completely goes against what they are appointed to do. The set up is a mess and I hope it all falls apart, as it does little for the future of Scottish football.

Really enjoyed both parts. Certainly no love lost for Foran. If I remember correctly was Tansey not one of the 'bad apples' so maybe he may be harsher than most, but even so it was pretty damning. Perhaps moreso now Rice is making a bit of a name for himself as a manager and apparently Foran wouldn't listen to his advice.

I wouldn't be surprised if all high earning players out of contract in June have been told they won't have their contact renewed. Firstly, Carl has been a great servant to the club and I'm sorry he is leaving but people need to face up to the severity of the situation. The club will have to cut costs drastically just to survive. If it comes down to players or the club I know who I will back. Whilst harsh, especially on good club servants like Carl, it's simply the reality. No income on the horizon means dark days ahead. I don't know if this is the case with the out of contract players this summer in this instance, but some are offered contracts by the club and either feel they are not good enough offers or want to wait for better offers. Always a risk and looks rather risky at the moment as there wont be many clubs signing players compared to usual.

Realistically I don't think we can resign any of those who are out on contract. Clubs may gamble hoping to gain an advantage but if it may well backfire badly on them

Where to?

If we exclude the anomaly of the half hour game. I make that 3 wins, 1 defeat. Although it is a 75 % win ratio it's not enough games to make a proper judgement about how influential he is to us. Sorry I drifted from the team of the year argument. Just indulged my own interests

Sean Welsh. Win ratio for games started this season.

I am too lazy. What are his win stats for the games he has started? (Hoping someone less lazy than myself will work it out)

Worrying thing about that attendance is i can't think of any fixture to get the same size of crowd again.

Need to up your folding game

Excellent again lads. Really enjoyed part 1 and the teasers at the end. Looking forward to part 2 on its waty. Loved the bit at the end about Carlo lamping Vigurs. Forget all the football stuff, that's what the people need and want!

Our season has been finished for a few weeks now. The only thing that could affect us is the slight slight chance of reconstruction. I am mentally preparing for championship football but it will be very very different. Maybe not starting til very late in the year. Maybe watching lots of youth team players instead of our dorans and walshes.

Jordan mentioned on a podcast how he has missed playing with Polly. He knew that Polly would look for a pass into his feet for him to hold it up and lay it off. He said Keats is more of a striker and looks to shoot before a pass. Other podcasts iv listened too have talked about how the system revolved around Polly as he was the most creative/influential player. Crazy that he was chastised by a small number of numpties in the crowd because he showed frustration at times. Wonder if Polly has had an influence in Motherwell's move for white.

Regardless of what happens we will be cutting our cloth. Can't see any of the bigger name out of contract players resigning. Probably promote youth players and look for out of contract players looking for peanuts

I wonder what happens. Will the government continue to furlough until the end of 2020? Will football clubs extend out of contract players or leave them until football restarts? Interesting and scary time ahead

Alan. Use lockdown to get some of your demons out. Stokes is not the answer, accept it. Also accept that we can't just go and buy a 'shankland' who will score 25 goals. Accept that Storey has limitations. Accept that some 'small teams' might be better than you expected. Just be more accepting in general. Hope you accept this advice. Peace and love. John Rober ....ts

This has the potential of a win win for us. We get second place and the prize money for it. I believe Dundee negotiation with spfl was all about reconstruction and there is now a working team on it with powerful characters (Budge and Grey). Expect to see it heavily pushed. Obviously the 11-1 vote is the sticking point but maybe for one season teams will consider it. We could still be promoted despite the season ending today. Presume we are joint winners of the caremel cup aswell!

Think those were just one off voluntary payments made directly to the club

He also claimed we were the form team in the league because Dundee utd were struggling. Shows how much he knows about us. We lost our centre half's in January. Our best player is constantly injured. It is debatable whether we would finish second never mind get promoted. Taking the guaranteed second place prize money when we have no guarantee of it. Essentially its all pointless as there will be no way to play out the season anyway. So don't take his thoughts on our predicament too seriously.