FoolPhysio

You'd be safe enough with most of the away support there - most would be wondering why there is notepaper in the cubical and why you would want to write anything anyway when there is a perfectly good wall to scrawl on. Unless they riot because there isn't a pen provided . . .

Of course this subject was covered at the weekend on BBC Scotland radio and one of the pundits trotted out the line about how well C*unty have been doing with attendances compared to us. It was then revealed by the wassock spouting this drivel that they had got most of this from Uncle Roy OTB. Surprise surprise. Some good stats have been posted on this site not all that long ago to show average attendances in the SPL over the last few years, and also for our average attendances as compared to Caley and Thistle in the HL days. Made for interesting comparisons and it would seem we are not along in seeing a general fall in attendances. We have to realise that we live in the digital age. When I started taking an interest in football, there was no such thing as a 5th TV channel - let alone dedicated sports channels beamed directly to your 52" LCD TV! There is so much more to capture the attention of people nowadays that it will forever be a struggle in a cold and damp wee country to encourage people to leave the warmth and comfort of their home or local hostelry to go stand in a stadium and watch it live, when they could be watching it on screen with reverse angles and replays to show the goal / foul / controversial incident ad nauseum. And that's assuming they are not watching Spanish league of course. For one I think our attendances are not so bad, when compared to others with much larger and concentrated populations that are served with a much better transport infrastructure as well. Could always be better of course!

Disappointing as it was, I did smile when TB was interviewed and his opening lines included "if this had been a boxing match the referee would have stopped it long ago". He was paraphrasing another SPL manager who had said the same thing about Dundee Utd earlier in the season. Sadly, TB's statement was more accurate on this occasion. While the other one continued his flights of fancy last night. As much as I detest KS, one thing I grudgingly admire is that he always talks up his team after every game. Even if it does border on clinical delusion.

Any word on the condition of Shinnie and Foran?

I think simply on the basis of number of games played in SPL this season, Reguero should be the choice for this weekend. Esson is an excellent keeper but making a return against the league leaders would be a big ask. Especially on the form they exhibited in the second half against Raith Rovers. It also keeps the team stability uppermost.

In the nicest possible way you are a total d**k! Same! But it certainly got us to open the thread!!

As ex-referee myself, I agree that there is no fixed rule HOWEVER, if the referee has already shown one yellow for persistent infringement, then it should only take two or three more fouls being committed before it becomes obvious that the player hasn't accepted that warning and is then shown the red. Also, if the referee has issued a yellow previously, perhaps for another reason, and then finds cause to warns the player that they are noting a number of persistent fouls now and that the next one could result in a yellow and therefore a red, the player should take note. If they don't heed that, then after the next one it is bye-bye. The problem is context. In any high level game that attracts media attention and especially TV cameras, most fans and commentators would be perplexed if a player was penalised for a "soft" foul, then shown a yellow and red. It doesn't mean the laws of the game are in abeyance, but it does make the application that little bit more difficult. Mind you, it was made very clear to me during my training that you never pull a first yellow unless you are willing to show a red, for exactly that reason. But then isn't that what makes the game so compelling? ;-)

First thought was this . . .

The "complaint" about the tickets makes me smile. As the proceeds are split two ways since it is a cup competition, rather than just for the home team as it would be for a league match, then surely that is a welcome income boost and another reason to be pleased we have progressed to this stage?

Good news. Last season McKay was struggling to score, and the club was only recently back after relegation to the lower division and had been hovering in the relegation zone before the turn of the year. This season the club is flying high, and McKay has now developed his positioning and goal sense to a point where he has become a key contributor to our attack force. This offer indicates a sign of confidence for both player and club, which is to be welcomed.

Certainly is a good one!

Ahh good, the entertainment has started

Spot on

Boring and predictable Dougal, your attack was no more than that of a clumsy schoolboy. Just think, if we hadn't merged, we wouldn't be 3rd in the top League having just dropped from a full week as 2nd. Sheesh.

How is it that the Motherwell/Aberdeen game has over 5 minutes of highlights but ours has only 2 and a half, despite having the same number of goals? I can see that there were an awful lot more shots on goal from Aberdeen than either us or C*unty managed combined, but our match wasn't THAT bad, was it??

I know this won't help, but I just strolled in and got a cup of tea, stood to watch the warm ups and then took my seat just before kick-off. Barely noticed the stewards. Did notice the large contingent of first aiders by the away dugout though - was that in case Adams had a heart attack if we went 3 up in 20 minutes?

That is just superb - good find!

How much sweeter it will be when we reinforce our position as the leading club in the Highlands. Bring it on, gudgie-master, bring it on. Make sure you check the pitch beforehand so you can get your excuses in early again.

Wasn't pretty, but it did the job. Now back to league business to hold on to our 2nd place position, worry about the Killie game later. @bishbashbosh - if your 3 mates are expecting a game like we played at the Global Warming Stadium or Pittodrie, every single time, then they don't know much about football. Good luck to them finding something more satisfying than putting your nearest neighbours (I hesitate to use the term "rivals" as they are never really challenging us in any way shape or form) out of the top Scottish cup competition, albeit at the second time of asking. Perhaps they should consider taking up a different sport to support?

Or the difference between Derek Adams and a jet engine? Eventually a jet engine stops whining.

Romped it. BZ ICT. Bring on Tuesday!

McKay, not Doran

Doran!!!!!!!!!!!! 3-0

Foran scores with his face again???