Yngwie

Anyone who thinks they are going to "Almondvale" for this tie, get with the times. Over the years it's been the: - West Lothian Courier Stadium - City Stadium (but not in a city) - Braidwood Motor Company Stadium - Energy Assets Arena and as of the last few days, this latest name really takes the biscotti. Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the TONY MACARONI ARENA!!!

Still can't believe Kuhl wasn't booked for it. On camera it looks even worse than it did at the time.

I was impressed by his pace, power and workrate. Never got any chances to score though. He could be the missing piece of the jigsaw, but in the first half certainly it looked like we were trying a new jigsaw altogether, changing the way we play and overusing his attributes.

A game of two halves, as they say. We started poorly, taking a very direct approach (ie long balls for Storey to chase) and not retaining possession. Utd could/should really have had it sewn up by half time, with Fon W making a great stop when Rankin was played in by Billy. They also wasted 3 free kicks from the edge of the box, and with Draper and Tremarco picking up early yellows, things weren't looking great. The Utd player with the crazy hair somehow escaped a yellow when he hauled dopwn Christie who had just made a **** of him with a great turn to break clear down the wing. Boo. We were also angered when Utd decided to contest a drop ball, when play was stopped for their injured player and we were in possession. Boo. Late on, Foran contested one in return, which they didn't like, but they started it..... We came out much better in the 2nd half, equalising with our first real attempt on goal and the powerful header from Meekings didn't quite burst the net but it did burst Utd's fragile confidence, and they had little to offer from then on. Shortly after, the game's champagne moment was when Christie picked out a beautiful pass that only a top, top player would have spotted and weighted it perfectly for Tremarco to run onto, forcing the keeper into a save. Draper came very close to getting a second yellow, with the ref clearly indicating that next foul, he's off. Foran came on for Christie and Storey moved out to the right, but Foran's lack of pace made him pretty ineffective as a lone striker. What does it say about Lopez, though, when the striker pecking order seems to be Storey, Silva then Foran all ahead of him? Encouraging 2nd half and a decent point against a Utd team that without Billy Mckay would be a considerably weaker side. I look forward to the game when we play well for the full 90.

Someone's gotta ask this, but was there any particular reason you were browsing for dresses? If it's for yourself, I'm not sure the A-line style would be the most flattering. And anyway, I think predominantly blue is more your colour.

Indeed, his actions were merely a Victim Impact Statement, not a false accusation.

Well actually.....

I haven't been this excited about a striker since Andrew Barrowman scored on his debut.

Reminds me a bit of season 07/08 when we lost our first 6 games, then a home win v Hearts got our season started. (late Brewster winner, North stand erupted!)

During the transfer window, a lot of questions were asked about our scouting network (or lack of) and the way in which we identify and assess possible targets. A lot of it comes down to "contacts" and I certainly hope Hughes is still in contact with this chap Ross Wilson, who he took under his wing at Falkirk and has now gone on to be Southampton's head of scouting. Speaks highly of Yogi in this article. http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/34202470 I'm kinda hoping we can have an arrangement whereby when he identifies players who aren't quite good enough for the EPL, he sends the dossier up to us!

That's fair enough, isn't it? He single handedly won us all those games, so we can dispense with the services of the rest of the team, triple his pay and still be quids in. What's not to like?

During the summer he joined Boluspor in the Turkish 2nd flight. Played 3 games so far, no goals yet.

That painted kit could only have been better if it was done when our sponsor was "One Touch"!

I see that John Christophe Ayina is a free agent and was over in Scotland having talks with Falkirk last week, but nothing seems to have come of it. This is the French striker we were very keen on in July 2014 after a trial, but he was off like a shot when offered a trial at Osasuna (who had just been relegated from La Liga). Ended up signing for Getafe B in the 3rd flight though, the same level Dani Lopez was at. So he must be good! I would imagine that Hughes was aware of his availability and decided this wasn't the answer.

Hughes in the Highland news on these two loans: "Miles has been training with us for a couple of days and he’ll be with us until Christmas. He still has a bit to go in terms of his fitness. The intensity of our training opened his eyes a wee bit but he’s a player who just needs to be allowed to get game time. He’s got a natural talent and great technique and we’ll see what he’s all about so we are glad to get him. "Tobi has come in from Charlton Athletic. He’s a young player, more of a runner with plenty of pace up front. He is only 20, a young boy, but he looks good and we’re delighted to take him in." Doesn't really sound like either will be challenging Lopez for a starting slot just yet.

Presumably in Ryan's next game for us, he will become by a considerable margin the highest paid player ever to turn out for ICT?

My recollection was that we got something pitiful like £15k for the pair, as their contracts were expiring and we were pretty desperate for money. This was around the same era when Livi bought Raith's 3 best players (incl Marvin Andrews) in one swoop, for a pittance. Edit to add: RIG's response below has jogged my memory and I recall that the figure bandied about for Wilson was £60k, with Xausa £15k. All speculation though, nothing was ever confirmed.

OK, getting back to Sho-Silva.... I take it we're just gonna call him Tobi?

This one's been less of a window, more of a trapdoor.....

I hope Tobi's not reading this thread to see how excited the fans are at his arrival.

Have we ever publicised transfer fees? Not that I can recall anyway. Have we ever sold a player of note (apart from Niculae-gate) £65k for Rankin?? Mckay, Brown and Cowie too. The point is I don't think the club ever announce or confirm fees, and nor should they.

Have we ever publicised transfer fees? Not that I can recall anyway.

Another midfielder?! Edit to add: I see some references elsewhere to him being a striker as well, but his career stats seem to be one goal from 20 appearances for Welling Utd. So he's one of those non-scoring forwards that we seem to be so keen on these days.

Easy, we assume he'll be away in January and anything else is a bonus.

True, and I was just reading that Storey's pace and workrate are very decent.