bdu98196

Are we not in a situation where the SPL is always going to be a dead duck and 2 horse race regardless of being 10, 12, 16 or more teams. The fact is that thanks to UEFA the Champions League has killed national leagues, its always the same 2, 3 or 4 teams in each country that win the league and always qualify ignoring blips or billionaires coming in to invest. Other countries of similar size to Scotland have the same issue with a league being dominated by 1 or 2 clubs, just look at Denmark, Belgium etc always the same teams win and get into the Champions League - until that flow of cash is stemed we wont ever see a level playing field or anywhere near it.

The structure has to involve loacalised leagues at lower level with amalgamation of smaller clubs, Scotland can't sustain 42 senior clubs plus, juniors, amature leagues etc. A serious look has to be taken at what can be done to improve clubs and help the smaller clubs survive - yes history may be lost but its a long term goal for sustainable football. It worked for us when we had the prize of getting into the SFL, it could work for others if the prize was promotion from lower leagues into the SFL/SPL set up.

As for the top flight, 10 teams is too small, we will have the top 2 as usual then 8 fighting to avoid the drop - how will this encourage youth development as the onus every year is to survive where the big money is, it creates even more pressure than a 12 team league we have now. We go to 16 its too few games, 18 or 20 then do we really have enough teams in Div 1 that can come up with suitable attandances that will bring anything of value? There is the potantial as siad for many meaningless games mid table, but could the lower pressure allow youth to get developed? Or do we stay with what we have, everyone hates the split - its a stupid concept, but it creates some excitement afterall everyone wants top 6 and 2 extra OF games. if we cant propose anything better then stick with the status quo and revolutionise grass roots - unless the OF are willing to split the Champions League cash equally with the other league teams (wont happen though)

Cant see him going to russia, turkey or any other eastern eurpoean location. Championship maybe, also think that if Kenny Millar leaves Castle Greyskull then Rangers may come calling for Rooney or Salmon. While I'd like Adam to stay and get back on the scoring charts, perhaps we have to accept that if he still hasnt signed a contract he is wanting to see what is on offer, in which case then we have to accept a decent offer that comes in, but at ?100k I'd rather keep him and hope we get as high up the SPL as possible and maybe a decent cup run where we can recoup more than that.

While 2010 was a great year for the team & club, getting promotion, sitting in a good SPL position and the development of some high quality young players, is there cause for concern, especially given our home form. While the run away has been exceptional, we haveto accept it cant go on forever - sooner or later we will start dropping away points and loosing games, surely we need to sort this home issue out. Relegation form at home, yet title form away - whats going wrong.

With the window opening do we need to get some mre loan players, perhaps a creative central player as we seem to struggle to create at home? Or is it perhaps time for TB to think about changing the formation and personel/way we play in home games?

Rumours that they are being looked at by both Preston & Burnley.

As a fan & viewer we have been short changed by the BBC regarding SPL highlights for years now, each progressivly getting worse. Out of 6 games a wk, they struggle to show a 30min programme at a 'decent' day & time. The highlights amount to little more than the goals, very little else (unless its an extended 5 mins of highlights from one of the OF games), the guests are usually very poor quality as well, with no real discussion into the relevent issues or the games shown.Sadly it has me looking back to STV & Scotsport (ok, Jim White was a ***) and the better quality, guests and highlights. Its about time if the Beeb are serious about supporting Scottish football they covered the TV side as good as the radio. If they can pull together a show like MOTD with only 2 games or in most wks 6 games, then the same on a Sunday, have high quality guests & topical discussions then why not do that up here?Perhaps its time for the beeb to overhaul their programme in line with what happens in the league structure - let everyone & everything be new, fresh & what the fans want!!

A 10 team top flight wil be worse than even now, still playing each other 4 times yet not even the 'excitement' of trying to go for a coveted top 6 position for the split.

While increasing to 16/18/20 will reduce revenue against the OF, its got to mentioned that looking at the teams over the last few years who have got promoted/relegated, I think its fair to say that at least 6 teams from D1 would hold their own against the lower 5 or 6 in the SPL in terms of quality. The biggest problem in Scotland like much of Europe (even the Eng Prem) is that its the same teams every year getting into the Champions League thus making the cash and increasing the wealth gap over the rest of that league - this is even more of an issue whan you have a huge fan base differential liek the OF. UEFA are part of the problem with uncompetitive leagues, look at the Eng Prem, teams like Man City need investment of ?100M's just to break into the 'big 4' and historically they have been in the Champions League almost every season for the last 10 years.

Anyways point is, that to improve Scottish football the leagues need to be more competitive. The lower divisions need to be looked at with teams being forced to merge as we have too many part-time clubs with only a few 100 fans, its just not sustainable. Or the lower divisions are regionalised north/south?

If Rooney leaves to go down south, I dont think it will be to the summer, the big worry I think should be closer to home. If as the press have you believe there is no chance of Kenny Miller resigning at Castle Greyskull, then he will be sold in Jan, then i think Rangers who have next to no cash will come calling for Rooney as a bargain replacement - he's the best striker outside the OF in terms of goals and looking at their record without KM they will struggle for goals.

I hope I'm wrong and I'd like to see Adam stay til the summer and beyond, but I think TB will already be casting an eye for an affordable replacement.

Away against anybody - shown this season we have nothing to fear!!! Although I'd perfer to avoid, Parkhead, Castle Greyskull. or Tynecastle

Rather than wasting cash on 'squad' players who are no better than what we have right now, we should be using the cash to keep Rooney on a long term deal. If we need to fill the bench, give some youth players a chance.

If we cant get Rooney on a long term deal though, perhaps we have to consider what fee we can get in Jan (controverisal I know) and look towards Dundee & Griffiths - although we may not be able to afford him & compete with the bigger clubs that will circle, but retaining Rooney for the next few years should be top priority.

Any gaps in the squad we should look to bring in loans from elsewhere, look at Motherwell with Blackman etc - consolidation this year is the key and retaining SPL status which Rooney will greatly help with rather than 'splashing cash' on wages/fees for bit part bench warmers.

Think I'd be right in saying that when this happened with Pompy that they got a dispensation to sell players outwith the transfer window, onder if that will happen with Dundee, although I'm sure that a player like Griffiths would appeal to 'bigger' SPL clubs like Hearts, Hibs & Utd maybe even some english teams, which would probably clear some of the debt in one go. Also sure a few other young players ould be worth some cash, they must have enough assets in terms of playing staff to clear the 350k debts?

the SPL has almost split into little groups over the last few years, I think we will be fighting with St J to be the 7th/8th along with hibs. Can see aberdeen scraping top 6 and then the 3 teams fighting relegation - hopefully we can keep clear of that. But overall I'd say we are on a par with St J at the moment, top 6 is unrealtistic IMO.

Top 2 - OF

next 3 - Dundee UTD, Mother well, Hearts

next 4 - Aberdeen, hibs, St J, ICT

Relegation battlers - killie, hamilton, st mirren

probably Midden for the drop this year.

Yeah, seems an odd choice. I'm not a Miller fan but this is probably his best ever form, although he hasn't really shown himself to be a reliable scorer at this level, saying that I'd rather see him play than a totally untested player who hasnt even got european or top flight experience. I would understand if Fletcher had been given the nod over Miller as I really think based on last year @ Burnley he is a genuie top class player who can score & create in games where th oposition is on top - he would be a goal threat.

As for Caldwell, not a lot of other options for a holding role, although I'm not sure if 'Super' Charlie Adam deseved a start due to his good early Prem form and creativity.

Not at all, none of my mates support their local teams (glory hunting OF fans). Dont get the oppertunity to attend many ICT games now due to work, but over the years I've been to home & away games - remember tho although you're on your own - you are NOT alone

I believe - although based on the league and fixtures, Tue night is shaping up to be the biggest game of the season. We win its then 100% in our hands, anything else in the game and its going to be nervy. We are in control of the Dundee situation now, even if it goes to the last game of the season.......but County - we need to finish the job

I would get him signed up.......just for the chance to swatch Amy MacDonald in the crowd

May as well go attacking and give the game a go, lets face it we arent qualifying anyways. Would like to see Miller left to keep the bench warm as its his best position!!! Think the physical presence of O'Connor could cause a few problems plus he can actually hold the ball up.

Gordon

Hutton Berra Wier G.Alexander

Faddy S.Brown Fletcher Maloney

S.Fletcher G.O'Connor

A truely awful display of managerial incompetance. I dont want to call for Burley to go, but its time him & his whole team including Gordon Smith all walked. How can we have TB (who is an English defesive legend) and Pressley, yet the defence was a shambles with the wrong players selected and less discipline and organisation than when WS or AM were in charge?

Burley may appear Mr Nice in teh press, but why is he alienating so many players? Ok, action had to be taken over Ferguson & MacGregor but GB has to take some responsibility as well. With Gordon out injured we have no choice but to rely on MacGregor, like it or not as a country we are too small to outcast talented players. Another is Boyd, who knows what all really went on there, but if GB really thinks a player getting a hatful of League 1 goals is any better than someone who has Europea experience and scores SPL goals for fun, then we are doomed.

Quite why he persists with Miller is unkown, he is not an out and out scorer or goals and cant hold teh ball up. Why was Alexander played out of position, the same with Fletcher?

Its a mess, no idea who would be a good replacement but someone with club experience in European competition is a minimum. How did Belgium get Advocaat? As a nation our FA must have similar money for wages, why can we not get someone of similar calibre?