AJS

Dont think I'd be dropping Ross to the bench. I'd have that back four. Cox and Ross in the middle with Hayes and Doran on the wing. Tade as the holding striker and Sutherland running of him. Yes I've dropped Foran. He may be a great motivator and works hard but he is far too unfit just now. IMO Foran needs a long rest to recuperate. Must admit i did find it a very difficult choice between Ross and Doran, if Davis leaves in January then it would be Ross i would put in the middle. I can only imagine the headache Terry will have when more players regain fitness.

You referring to Wilsononourwing? and oh yeah im all up for this keep the faith thing :ictscarf:

Esson Piermayr, Tokely, Golobart, G. Shinnie Davis, Foran Ross, Tansey, Chippendale Tade Subs: Tuffey, Meekings, Gillet, Cox, A. Shinnie, Sutherland, McKay

Esson Piermayr, Tokely, Hogg, G. Shinnie Hayes, Tansey, Davis, Doran Foran, Tade Subs: Tuffey, Tudur-Jones, Gillet, Ross, Cox, McKay, Sutherland

I think lack of continuity is the main problem. Back four has been constantly changed due to injury or lack of form. IMO our strongest back line is Piermayr, Tokely, Hogg, G. Shinnie. Piermayr has dipped in form since he arrived, thought he was really impressive to start with but his confidence seems to have dipped a bit which is understandable given our form. Tokely i dont think is past it but is certainly heading that way. Hogg is our best defender but crocked at present. For me G. Shinnie has been the only defender that has been consistently good this season...and has luckily avoided injury. Proctor not really a defender but does well enough when called upon, Golobart is just too fancy for my liking but he is young and may learn IMO Grant Munro was never properly replaced, some might say thats why Hogg came back but lets not forget Hogg and Munro were both here last season. For me that would have been a great pairing in the heart of defence, with Tokely providing competition/cover for this season but no sense in dwelling on it. Language shouldnt be an issue. Butcher has gone on record saying all our foreign players speak good english. For me the only answer is that we try and get everyone back to full fitness asap, go with a back 4 and stick with it, we dont even know if Golobart will be here after January so that could see us dipping into the market once again.

Proctors off. Should we start introducing an injury sweep stake on the buses?

Glad Chippendale is starting, we need some width in the team.

This! Butcher has alot to justify to us with the amount of changes he has made over the summer. Injuries have been a major disruption but its not a strong enough excuse. Our form of the previous season was a reflection of how settled our squad was, strange how much can happen in a year. So far the only consistent factors in our form this season are that we have no clean sheets and that out of the 8 games weve played 3 of them have seen us drop points in the last few minutes. This is simply not good enough, regardless. However despite our hurrendous start i havent heard anyone calling for Butcher's head and i dont think we should. He isnt one to walk away from a challenge, he's made his changes and will stick with them. After the Celtic game we have some key games against the likes of St Mirren and Dunfermline, these are the games i think that will define where we stand for the season, however if we fail to take anything from these games then i will start to worry.

Esson Piermayr, Tokely, Golobart, Gillet Ross, Tansey, Davis, G. Shinnie Tade, Foran Subs: Tuffey, Proctor, Morrison, A. Shinnie, Chippendale, McKay, Sutherland Having watched Graeme Shinnie yesterday his ability to get forward yesterday was amazing, and it seemed like the only way United could stop him at times was to chop him down and giving that we lacked any real width yesterday id say pushing him forward wouldnt be a bad idea.

Best opening display ive seen from us so far this season. We looked dangerous on the attack and were creating chances...but as usual the defending lets us down. Cheap goals to concede and it is something that needs to be sorted. While Golobart was having to contend with Tade's pass he should have down better at attacking the ball, his reluctance to head the ball at times is a worry. It is dissapointing as he started the game rather brightly. 2nd half we were a different team, the only players that really came out for the 2nd half were Graeme Shinnie and Ryan Esson. Davis who had started the game very brightly became a complete passenger in the 2nd half and simply stopped running and Tansey was far too busy trying to pick out the perfect pass, most of which werent paying off and United came out much more eager to increase their lead. As for the hullabaloo at full time i dont think there was really anyone in the right here. Fans should get behind the team but have a right to their opinion as paying punters. If the Shinnie family are going to be in attendance then they are going to have to accept the fact that sometimes their boys are going to get some stick, as much as theyd like to defend their boys - thats football, if you cant handle it then dont come to the game.

Esson is amazing and is incredibly underrated, as is Gillet and Tansey. Doran's rating being dropped is purely because he left Blackburn. Hogg was a 68 in Fifa 11 so why the sudden slump? And last and probably most important where is the rest of our team?

Duff wants to try his hand playing abroad. He has been training with amateur teams down Dundee way recently to keep his fitness up. Can't say we miss him too much to be honest. Id heard the same thing, heard there was a team in Cyprus who were intrested in him.

Esson Piermayr, Tokely, Hogg, G. Shinnie Ross, Tansey, Davis, A. Shinnie, Foran Tade Subs: Tuffey, Gillet, Golobart, Morrison, Chippendale, McKay, Sutherland What pleases me about our team at the moment is we now have some options on the bench if Butcher feels the need to change things around...and thats still with about 5 key players missing.

Hearing that Stuart Duff was training with Ayr United, wonder if his reluctance to commit to us was really worth it after all?

Has he ever brought himself to watch the tv replay? Probably not as he would probably be too ashamed.

Surely he didn't have any say in the matter, the keeper kicked the ball off Ross's legs and it rolled out to Tade. Was sitting in the North Stand - from the view i had it looked like Nick passed it, couldnt see the keeper touch it, just seen it on the TV so sorry i guess.

Yet another late goal conceded. This is becoming a familiar pattern and it is one that needs sorted asap. The performance overall imo was very encouraging. Davis slotted in nicely to midfield with Chippendale looking dangerous when he came on. Think the stick Andy Shinnie is getting is a bit unecessary, thought he had a decent game especially in the 2nd half, sent Tade through, performed a lovely turn as well during an attack and was unlucky not to score himself. Goal was well taken, Ross didnt have to chase it down but it was clear that McDonald was struggling to get to it and Ross kept his head and was very unselfish in squaring it to Tade. Cant complain too much, would have been satisfied with a point at the start of the game but was dissapointed that we didnt kill the game off. Performance was encouraging enough and hoping that we can build on it in the coming weeks.

Come January there could be one or two spaces available in the squad. Im willing to bet that there will be a major scramble for the signature of Sutton and i think we could at least chuck our hat into the ring. Though he may look for a move down south with loan market opening soon.

I think any real judgement on the new faces has been disrupted by our ongoing injury problems. However from what ive seen of most folks there seems to be alot of talent in the squad. Agreed that another couple of months are needed till a real opinion can be given.

Didnt see Savage coming back and quite glad that he didnt in the end. Kenny's a great guy, best of luck to him.

Esson Piermayr, Tokely, Hogg, Gillet Ross, Tansey, Davis, G. Shinnie Foran, Tade Subs: Tuffey, Golobart, Morrison, A. Shinnie, Chippendale, Sutherland, McKay

Was going to suggest Fairburn but the chances are we would probably come away with more injuries.

Its not a question of how much was spent in Scotland. Its a case of which teams actually are capable of spending money, i can only think of 3, maybe 4 teams.

Quite satisfied with the buisness conducted today, suppose if any players are required there are a number of players released from their deals today so picking up free bes would be another option if necessary.

Would be great to see us get a proper striker in but i thought we were just looking for 2 new signings? Balotelli would certainly raise our profile