bdu98196

Has Pepper not signed a new deal though? Obviously TB sees enough in him to warrent keeping him at the club. I do agree I'd like to see more of Pepper play, but when you consider the loanees this year - Roberts, Taylor have been the only ones to really feature - while we have given more appearances to Ross & Sutherland than either of these guys. Its not like the team is built of loan players and perhaps the young players just arent good enough? Are we now saying that there are fans who would rather we loose and play in SFL1 with a team of local young players than have the balance we built this season and compete in the SPL at the upper end?

How much better as a team and unit do we look with Foran in the side though, its no conincidence in my mind that the team fights more in games when we have him in the side - starting with the fightback in Dundee last wk and his performance on Sat was excellent if undramatic, doing the dirty work of breaking up the play. Bad news for Esson picking up an injury and hope its not too serious, but I have to admit I perfer seeing Rugero in goal this season after that long run it just makes the backline more confident - although that could be down to the lack of game time with Esson in goal and time required to build the same levels for familiarisation. At the game I couldnt tell with the penalty call - but seeing it on TV, its a stonewaller. Overall on the balance of play we deserved to win I thought, although had County had Brittain playing t may have been different - IMO he is as important to RC as Foran is to us.

I would suggest that if they were deemed good enough then they would play ahead of signing players from england on loan - considering examples such as Sutherland & Morrison - they have hardly broken into the team and showed they are better than what we have taken on loan IMO.

I may be wrong but we will be Celtic & County away (they do look safe for top 6 TBH), Motherwell at home then whoever makes up the others. So thats a Celtic team who will have the league wrapped up so may be 'weaker', County who are in our pockets and a chance to finally avange Motherwell this season. Also, am I right in thinking with our 5 game unbeaten run, if we continue undefeated to the end of the season that would be 12 games - beating the current County record of 11 unbeaten in the SPL this season - now thats an incentive!!!!

There will still be some out there amoung our support who won't acknowledge the achievement and be waiting for the next defeat of little blip to call for the axing of TB. All my early season expectations have been met and exceeded by survival and a cup semi - now if we can make Europe that would be fantastic, credit to Terry, Mo, the rest of the team and all the players.

Yep. Now the push for a euro spot.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/21785178 Would this open the door for Deek Adams to move there?

As someone at the game, the lashing out was so un-noticable that the only reason I knew was because it was mentioned on 'Open all Mic's' - most fans probably never knew until they got home. It was clearly nothing more than frustration and if you look at where TB was sitting him elbowing the perspex - which broke. He never got up and made his way over, threw a full haymaker then gave it a boot for good measure, as some seem to be indicating happened - a ful scale display of rage. Equally had be been in another dugout somewhere else he may have cracked a bone or had he been in another seat knocked Mo in the chops. Responsibly he admitted guilt, no-one was hurt, he said sorry, paying the damage personally - think its time to let it die and move on, before we get comments that more 'popular' managers wouldnt do this like Robbo, 10CC, StevieP and this becomes another TB witch-hunt thread.

Lieshman was on the radio on Sat - he is putting together a consortium to save the club.

He's passionate, cares for the cause and shares the fans frustrations, agreed its a poor example to set but he came out immediately after the game and owned up, apologised and offered to pay which is the right thing to do. Given the frustration of the fans and the 2nd half performance I'm surprised TB was restrained enough not to do more damage. While walking back to the car I passed a fine young local chap in sportswear trying all the doors of the parked cars as he ambled along the streets.

Rather than celebrate the positives and achievements this season beyond expectations back in August, seems that some are more interested in our neighbours failing and doing worse. No matter what we do so long as its better than County - there are 2 groups of fans with that attitude in Glasgow, we are better than that!!!

Usual team, usual formation only change is to bring in Foran from the start.

Previoulsy on a similar post a few months back I posted Shinniesta, McKay, Foran in that order, but having seen Shinnie dip in form and the number of goals starting to slow down, it highlights to me while maybe not player of the season, but Foran is most important player of the season - the team just plays and operates much better with him present.

What disappointed me about the Dundee game was that in the first half we played some decent football but lacked pace in the last 3rd, too often Billy was dropping back or out wide and we never had anyone in the box to play it into, then there were other times where nobody would take a shot - we needed Foran's presence to grab the game by the 'balls'. The second half was just desperate play that we have seen before too often when trailing and just hoofing the ball from the back, missing the midflield and loosing possession as Billy cant win those balls against bigger defenders, although we looked much better when Foran came on and started to have an influence in the air. Really hope that we step it up at the wknd for County, although they are on a great run much of that is down to their sand covered pitch giving advantage.

Ah twitter - the internet version of the old fish wife.

Good news, lets hope for more seasons like this one from Billy.

As I'm down in that area at teh wknd think I will head along, possibly try drag a mate too

Lets hope Dundee haven't suddenly found form, just in time for our visit.

I think Rugero will be away, as will King. Shane is a continual bench warmer and sadly think he will be released but no sure about Morrison as he hasnt really had much of a first team chance. Anyone know whats the next generation of young players like - have we anyone in our youth teams as good as those on the bench to step up?

Did Terry not say that before the County game he had some more contract announcments this wk - 2 more in addition to Warren who was announced last wk?

Posted before that after the Well game our push for top 6 starts again. Realistically think we can have 10 points from the next 4 games - wins away to dundee & hibs, then draw wi County and beat Saints. But if we get top 6 we will still not be happy and want Euro place!!!

Usually (Dundee & Dunfermline exceptions) promoted teams usually do ok in the first season, St M, St J, ourselves, even Livi when they made it. Its usually due to the high of maintaining form from the lower league, high confidence and being a bit more physical and IMO it takes the SPL clubs a while to work out how to combat that. Usualy in seasons 2/3 the level drops unless they invest in better players rather than the usual journeymen. County do have some good SPL experience players and ex-OF youth so probably have a good basis, but I'm sure Roy will be investing more in the team and offering better wages than similar sized SPL clubs. If you consider how he has grown his business empire, he is no fool but obviously has a drive to be at the top and successful - which he is probably envoking in his football club (within measured reason).

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/21614533

OddQ - I believe that under the new laws relating to sectarianism the ploice have the powers to arrest if certain phrases, words or songs are envoked in a public place without need for individual complain, not sure regarding other non-sectarian issues although anything referencing a minority or discriminatroy would be unacceptable. I think everyone (well most) know what is and isnt acceptable in society. On a lighter note - will there be any issues with the food at Viccy Park? I mean if they serve the pies and burgers what transport will they use to get home?

Meekings drops out if Devine was to play I'd guess? But think TB will stick with his usual line up.