bdu98196

Great performance on Sat all round, Vincent and Watkins shone bright. As much as I rate Billy, he is so low on confidence and missed several chances he would have scored, his workrate is great and he gets in the positions but for Celtic an Hamilton we need to not waste any chances, so I'd be inclined to rest him and play Marley up front. Nick Ross disappointed me, I would have likes to see him do more as I think at times he has been a good player for us and with Christe suspended it could have been a chance for him to show Hughes that he is an option for that position back. The Tansey Draper pairing get stronger with Tansey taking the lead role now I feel, they do a lot to protect the back, however I would like to see more overlapping runs from Raven and Shinnie as they sit too deep at times when we could push on. Overall though a great display against one of the leagues top teams, all this and we still have our captain to return although where he can get a game who knows lol. Great to see Esson involved on the bench, clearly getting more involved in the coaching side, plenty little chats with Latapay during the game.

Brill Raven Warren Meekings Shinnie Draper Tansey Christie Vincent Wiliams Watkins As much as I'm a fan of Billy and his workrate was excellent on Sat again, but he missed some chances that on form he would have put away - we cant afford at Parkhead not to take every chance we have. Billy looks short on confidence and while dropping him may not help that, it will give us the opportunity to rest him and bring him on later if required. Vincent was great on Sat so keep him, bring back in Christie and put Marley up front as he is on form with goals. I was disapointed that with Christie suspended Nick never did more when he came on to try stake a place in the team.

Brill Raven Warren Meekings Tremarco Tansey Shinnie Watkins Vincent Williams Mckay Although he may leave Shinnie at LB and play Polworth alongside Tansey. Cant see us playing anything other than Billy alone upfront.

HT: 1-1 FT: 3-2 1st ICT: Warren 1st Opp: MacKay-Steven Time of 1st Goal: 12mins

HT:0-0 FT: 0-1 1st ICT: Mckay 1st Opp: None Time of 1st Goal: 56 min

It was announced as 44k on the tannoy? Disappointing not to be a sell out but the place did look full other than half the upper deck of the copland?

HT: 2-0 FT: 3-1 1st ICT: warren 1st Opp: gardyne Time of 1st Goal: 16min 1st Yellow Card: draper

Brill Raven Warren Meekings Shinnie Draper Tansey Doran Christie Ross MacKay

This seems to always be a re-occuring topic, yet nobody seems to come up with answers? Personally I am a ST holder and dont go to every game for various reasons I dont need to justify, but what has disappointed me greatly and was being honest expected is that we had a huge support at the cup final (subtract the 3k regular hardcore, that still left 5-6k extra), where are they now? What are or can the club do, when cup final tickets were bought do they have contact details for these 'fair weather' fans? If so can they get sent letters, offers, discounts to attend? Everyone knows games like Kille, St J, St M do little to stir the imagination for anyone even the hardcore fan, therefore do the club for these game need to do more to offer incentives to get fans in the door? I dont know what the answer is, most peole say football and fans is results driven - look at Aberdeen & D Utd, when they do well gates go up, even Dundee have shown this, where Hibs gates have dropped. Sadly we buck that trend with always having circa 3k, no matter where in the league or the product on show. There must be other reasons, perhaps its time for marketing to have higher focus, while I appriciate getting an experienced marketing team in place with media and communications skills is expensive perhaps it is needed? Get some public surveys around the town, look at the offers and the way the club is shown, more local business involvment - perhaps on here we are all biased in some way as true fans, so miss the issues the public actually have?

HT: 0-0 FT: 1-1 1st ICT: Doran 1st Opp: Rooney Time of 1st Goal: 52mins

Billy is always at the games, usually find 10CC sitting just along that row too.

HT: 1-1 FT: 1-3 1st ICT: Warren 1st Opp: Clark Time of 1st Goal: 13 mins

Excellent recognition for the hard work at the club and great start to the season. Lets hope the MoM curse doesnt strike now and we continue form into having another great month. Well done to Yogi too considering the stick he has had since arriving.

HT: 0-0 FT: 0-1 1st ICT: MacKay 1st Opp: None Time of 1st Goal: 65mins

Free agents is a great option out with the window now the season is underway, some of these guys will be desperate for a seasons football and may be realistic to reduce previously unfeasible wage demands into ICT brakets on the basis that its better than being unemployed and getting games at a good level. We could strike it lucky with a determined player out to prove himself and get nticed over the next season, winning situation all round but we need to trust in JH to find that guy with teh right temprament & attitude not unbalance the great bunch we have.

While I would like to see one striker come in and push Billy, having seen the games so far its worth noting there is great versatility. We coped with Warren and Devine out to sacrifice Draper into the backline. We also have Tremarco meaning Shinnie can cover any manner of positions including midfield along with Polworth, Doran, Ross and Foran who can all push to play. When Foran will return he could cover up front for Billy as can Watkins, or whats to say even Draper might do well in that role? Overall the squad has a few very versatile players along with youngsters and providing we dont have a significant injury crisis I think having the small squad we can cope but at points JH may have to make bold decisions such as dropping or resting Billy or otehr key players plus we have to make sure Ryan doesnt burn out. Its clear there is a terriffic work ethic and team spirit in place and if we have to stick with the lads we have until Jan then I'd be happy. Focus on retention not addition is the key right now IMO especially as we all acknowledge money is tight.

HT: 1-0 FT: 2-0 1st ICT: MacKay 1st Opp: None Time of 1st Goal: 20 mins

HT: 1-0 FT: 2-1 1st ICT: Warren 1st Opp: MacGregor Time of 1st Goal: 22 mins

HT: 0-1 FT: 1-1 1st ICT:Christie 1st Opp: Ojamaa Time of 1st Goal: 25mins

ht 0-0 ft 3-1 us McKay them Harkins time 20 mins

Start of season expectation should be the treble Realistic - 1 good cup run (semi or better) Top 6 based on the lack of real quality in the SPFL with teams missing, if we start looking at being relegation candicates with the squad we have (not budget) then we are doomed when the 3 'big' teams return.

Not trying to be argumentitive, but who said that was Yogis job for the summer? People on here, some fans perhaps but have the club, management or board ever come out and said this or any other objectives - if they havent then how can we speculate what Yogi was asked to do this summer? I'm no Yogi fanboy, but I'm willing to give the guy a chance now heading into a new season with the time spent on how he wants us to play and the plaers he wants to use. As I posted before transfer window isnt closing yet so why panic.

A lot of work was done in the latter half of last season securing the services of our established players where for the first time in a long time we went into the summer with a secure 11 in place. Some of these players were fresh intakes last year and have proven well and others been influencial in getting us consecutive Top 6 and soild cup runs. The fact we only consider the requirement for an additional striker the bit of business needed then we shouldnt panic too much yet. There is still time in the window and there will still be available players who may have been holding out for a 'bigger' deal that ICT can offer who may yet come in as their time and options reduce. If we can bring in back up or even solid competition for Billy then its been a successful 6 months in terms of securing a squad. The released players never did enough to show they were going to contribute so are perhaps not a big loss plus we have some good youth coming along. I'd rather be where we are this season than doing a County/Motherwell/Dundee who have brought in a large number of players hoping they gel.

HT. 0-1 FT. 1-1 1ST ICT Scorer McKay 1st Opp scorer Imrie Time of first goal. 35 minutes

I'd like County on the first game of the season as there may be less chance of them getting it postponed or abandoned keeping us waiting til January when Uncle Roy brings out the panic signing chequebook..................