ALSY

1-2 Wood. Good to see another young player on the scoresheet. Can we hold on?....

FFS. 1-1. Wonder how much defensive clowning was to blame?

0-1 Vigurs. Good show.

From memory - heard the team lines on BBC about 5 mins ago - esson Tokely McGuire Duff Djebi-Zadi Cowie Vigurs Black (?) Wilson Wood McAllister Lots of changes - great if it works and glad to see Vigurs and Wood get the chance. Hopefully because Hibs have suffered the requisite giant-killing ignominy of this round, we will be spared

BBC 2 Scotland are actually showing it live, Scotty. QoS have been fantastic in the 2nd half but just lost a really unlucky goal on the counter-attack. Hope they can score and take it to ET. Also brings home the importance of a good cup run - on this evidence, and with a bit of luck in the qualifying draw, it wouldn't be beyond a club like ICT to make the group stages.

Think it was a guy called Matt Smart. Isn't Allan Smart at MK Dons now?

The only time I've seen him was that horrible 4-1 defeat away to Killie last season, so it was hard to judge. He had some nice touches in the first half and the impression he gave was of an elegant midfielder who shields the ball well and sees and makes good passes. However, the whole team capitulated so badly that he looked lost in the second half. I may be wrong, but he didn't look like a wide player, or a particularly hard tackler, which suggests that his main competition in the first team is Blackie. If that's the case, he may struggle to break into the first team in the near future, although Blackie didn't sound that great on Saturday.

Transfer window's still open...

Good God. Probably does mean they sent their entire third team though, which, if true, is a wee bit of a shame for the fans and Barry. Still, sounds like a good run out for the likes of Wood & McAllister, as whatever the team, these must still be players that Liverpool hope can make the grade.

Probably reading something into nothing here, but I wondered whether there is any connection between the final sentence about Czaba being keen to bring in more Ugandan talent and the suggestion we are going to take Wagaluka on a three-month deal. Three months seems a pretty short period to take such a far-travelled player for, but would take us quite close to the opening of the next tranfer window. Any possibility that Hearts want to see how he settles into Scottish football before snapping him up for themselves on a longer deal? Also, apparently the world is ruled by giant lizards...

FT 0-1 Brewster's tactics seemed good to me - start with last week's line-up then make changes early if it isn't working - but it sounded like we didn't really start playing until we went a goal behind and Hamilton packed the area, defended well and we didn't have the quality to break them down. Will be interested to read the reactions of those who got to the match. Always really disappointing when your early season optimism takes its first knock, though.

Rory for Duff :o Can't criticise Brew for being too cautious

Wilson for Cowie. Suppose that makes sense given that Rooney is now playing Cowie's starting role, but I always like to see Don on the field. Haven't really heard Mcbain mentioned at all this half.

Att. 3595. Thought we might get more than that for a first game of the season (says he, sitting at home). Wonder how many Hamilton took up? Sounding more encouraging this half, Rooney's contribution in particular.

HT 0-1. Really doesn't sound like we played much football there - didn't hear Blackie's name mentioned with any reference to creativity or build-up play, and Imrie seems to have been pretty anonymous too, whereas both were very effective last week. Several references to Duncan carrying an injury and being below-par - maybe Brew shoud be thinking about bringing Rooney on early and moving Cowie back, with Black sitting in a bit more, provided he can time his tackles. May also be a case for introducing Wilson for Mcbain quite early if we don't start creating more. Shame Duff seems to have been culpable for the goal - we're crying out for confidence in central defence, and i hope it doesn't affect him too much. Sure we can come back though - I predicted a 3-2 win and maybe the goal will open the game up and I'll be proven correct.

@rse

Ah - for some reason the link the Rebel posted works for me. Now tuned in. County seem to be turning their season around! 2-0 up already...

Don't know if I'm being thick, but I can only find either the open all mikes programme or the Rangers game through the BBC website. My computer doesn't seem to want to connect to Scotty's link, so I'm making do with the open all mikes stuff. Rebel - not sure of the Hamilton line-up (same as Monday's is as much as I know), but the full ICT line-up is: Fraser Tokely McGuire Duff Hastings Imrie Cowie Black Duncan McBain Barrowman Either Cowie or Imrie may be supporting Barrowman up front, and Imrie played down both the right and the left at different times last weekend, so I'm not sure that the formation I've posted is exactly correct, but the personnel is.

Oddly enough, Paul Hartley, one of the players chosen to model the strip, usually has all three but appears to have shaved them off for this shoot. Or perhaps they were 'sticky on' all along and blew off in a stout west-coast breeze...

Yeah, I predicted he'd start on the bench on the merged Rooney thread. Makes a lot of sense - the players made last week's formation work really well because of Barrowman's willingness to hold his position and the support Imrie and Cowie offered him. 1 up front isn't necessarily negative. Also might not be fair to throw Rooney in the day after his arrival with everyone waiting to see what he can do. Hope he gets at least 20 minutes in the 2nd half though, as long as the game's going to plan.

According to Sportsound, Rooney starts on the bench and Jamie Duff makes debut - I assume a straight swap for Granty, with the rest of the line up the same as last week. edit: Scotty (added lineups)

Same feelings as most other posters - this is a bold bit of business which suggests the club is being more ambitious in building for the future. Really hope it pays off for us. It's also nice to be taken slightly by surprise (ie by the permanent deal & length of contract), as every potential piece of club business appears to have been prevaricated over in full public view in the past couple of years. Will be interesting to see what Brew's tactics are for tomorrow - was he intending to stay with one up front against Hamilton, and will this change now? Gut feeling is Rooney may still start on the bench.

Tenner says he gets sent off on Saturday.

Looking forward to the new term? Don't get carried away, Ross...

Excellent point. There's nothing to be gained by continuing to criticsie or express doubts now a new season has begun. Yesterday was a promising start for Brew: his tactics were correct, the team looked motivated and worked tirelessly, it wasn't just long ball stuff and two of his signings (Imrie and Barrowman) were among the stand-out performers.