MrCaleyjag

Having read and listened to what Terry has had to say in relation to more transfers etc I think it is more likely that the only way we would bring anyone else in is if they were offered to the club direct and they fit the bill of someone that can enhance the squad and not cost too much on wages. I don't see Terry/the club actively looking for someone else knowing that the budgets are at the maximum.

If it's something you feel strongly about then you should look into it more and see what can be done, maybe you can't do it yourself but I am sure with help from those in the know the issues you have highlighted will be raised at the appropriate level. If not for this reason to be at least given a proper answer to the reasons into why the decision was taken to only make the scheme accessible to those in receipt of medium/high DLA. Having been in receipt of high level DLA on two occasions myself I understand how difficult it is to even get the benefit you need then when you have it all the extra forms etc you have to fill in to become eligable for certain exemptions, sometimes it's easier not to have it and not be eligable.

The game on Saturday against the sheep will be my first of the season as I am now fit enough, I think, to go to games again not to mention it's a home game for me. Caleyjag will hopefully be able to come too so if you see a madman with a crutch don't worry it's only to help me walk haha Who else is making the game?

If the referees of the future are all in agreement about this, then Terry is right. We may as well stop tackling. How depressing. Agreed but this is symptomatic of the way the game is going and the more the years go on the more the rules chage to punish those that go to ground. Tackling in itself is an art like dribbling and making mazy runs etc but unfortunately those in power must have been strikers in their time as tackling is not seen that way anymore.

It was one of the revamps ..... it goes in front of a panel now (see link to failed st Mirren appeal) http://icrenfrewshir...-name_page.html Cheers Scotty, clears that up then. I was sure I had heard it was changed but couldn't remember where I heard it from. I am hoping that the decision is changed and the red card is resinded however I am not so sure, my brother is in the process of doing his referees course and he said that this decision came up in the course this week as a point for debate. All were in general concensus that Tokely made a scissor like motion with his legs from behind regardless if he got the ball or not, this was the thoughts of all on the course and also those teaching at the course. For these reasons I don't see it being changed as I have a feeling this will be how it has been seen from the ref's view/angle at the time. I am not saying it is correct nor that I agree with it just how it may be perceived unfortunately. For what it's worth I do think it was a great tackle to get the ball first I just don't think the ref seen that touch and the linesman never helped either.

Have the SPL/SFA changed the way the appeals procedure works? The reason I ask is that from what I remember when an appeal is made they confer with the referee who was at the game and ask him to review his decision, in my opinion not what an appeal should be about as how many referee's were likely to say they were wrong. If the procedure has been changed and it is an independant panel who review them without the referee's opinion being heard then great, if it hasn't then unfortunately I don't think anyone will have much luck with appeals this season including us.

St Johnstone aren't looking too clever either and their lack of a goalscorer will surely be worrying their fans especially as it's carried on from last season as well. I am sure there will be many twists and turns throughout the season but for me at the moment it's St Johnstone.

Shi#y Whitty isn't playing, it's Broadfoot thats playing on the right and Wallace on the left

Watching it online (still not ok to go to games yet) with the radio on which is a little weird as the game on SkyGo keeps buffering but so far so good especially taking it in at 0v0. Like others have said we have lived dangerously and on another day the penalty shouts would have been given but hey ho thats how it goes sometimes. Need to get midfield into it a bit more but look good going forward, hopefully the defence can keep up the concentration as they have looked better today, G Shinnie looks to have slotted back in well which is encouraging.

I'm not sure either, one player doesn't make a team. Our defence hasn't exactly covered itself in glory so far this season and Rangers have enough players that will run them ragged if they are allowed to run at us. My main fear is Naismith, Ortiz and Wylde all of whom can exploit their pace against our defence if they play with them.

The charges for phone bookings unfortunately happen everywhere, business's have to cover their costs to man a phone for people to use this service. Maybe ?2.50 is a bit high on top of the ticket price but did they charge you for postage? If not then this charge will also cover this even if it doesn't say so. Also this charge happens all the time not just now for this game. When you book online what are the charges, would it not be cheaper to do it that way?

Could this be madsooz's first 109 letters to write

Can Dougal actually make a point properly without having to resort in slagging someone or something off? Was there a need for the use of 'Orcs'? The club have a family section for that reason, it is a for families and the prices are reflected in that. You don't go to the theatre and expect to pay the same for the stalls as you do with the balcony.

Tbh I didn't think about it that way when I posted my initial thoughts and in no way was I trying to suggest that you were wrong with what you were saying, I guess I looked at it from a different angle. I can see and understand your argument and you are right that the OF have been hidding behind the facad that they are perceived as the driving force. It is up to the other clubs to back each other and force the issues that you have thrown up and actually stand up a bit more to the OF. Talking about the attendence drops though I do think that the decline especially at the OFs and in particular Celtic is hugely down to the ridiculous over inflated prices that they charge and in a way you can't blame people from staying away but then for years both have been known to have a core that always go and the rest is made up of people who go when the going is good.

I'm guessing you've either been in employment for a large number of years with one employer or not had to go to interviews for other jobs? The point I am trying to make is if you have been to interviews for other jobs of how many of them have you had a response letter to say that you haven't got the job but thanks for applying and good luck for the future? I would suggest that not many have actually replied as has been the case for me over the years, most don't even acknowledge that you have applied. Yes you will say that this is football but at the end of the day it is a business. At least they sat down with the youngster in question and spoke through things with him and explained why, do you really want to be giving youngsters letters saying well thanks for attending but to be honest you're not good enough. Surely the experience that he gained during his time at the club along with the memory and words of advice he was no doubtedly given would be far beneficial to him in future years. Some teams I am sure don't even go to this lengths with youth players. How long do you want to hold youngsters hands and tip toe them through life? Remember also that clubs prop these youth teams up themselves and it is really only the first team that generates the actual income at the end of the day so how much money do you throw at it and how far down does this money go?

I have always been very sceptical of these reports, the main reason being why do we have to wait so long for them to be published, also as said above there is such a large gulf between the old firm and the rest of the clubs plus it doesn't take a genius to work out that attendences are down and Celtic contribute a massive chunk to that, you only had to watch the games and highlights to figure that out. They reported everygame that they had 45000+ crowds but I am sure we all saw that the top tier of the ground was empty half the time. Greatest fans in the world? I ask you, really? I can see why CaleyD has raised that point that are these teams really dragging us down, in footballing terms they have been for years with their total domination of the game on the pitch and in the league but then in monetary terms have they really? Would the league without them have attracted the money that it has in tv money and sponsorship which ultimately relies on tv exposure? Would the other teams have had as high an overall attendence without them visting for away games? For me the report only serves to show how the old firm have been the ones to struggle massively in this period especially Celtic with their lack of Champions League football and their 'faithful Seville like' following due to the huge chunk of percentages that they take up. Does this drag us down? No as we are not part of the reporting period but for the SPL in reporting terms yes as the game is looked at on a whole but individually for the other ten SPL clubs I am not sure without examining every clubs reports for the period taken in the report. I do think that it as a very interesting topic and will no doubt throw up many arguments and ideas on our game but it isn't reflective of our club during the period. **edit: couldn't spell 'clubs'

I haven't seen enough of the team this season to properly pick a starting eleven but concur with IHE that surely TB and MM must have some sort of settled first eleven in mind. I would like to think that they do as surely training is based around such selections. However maybe they are performing better in training than on the pitch hence the changes. Based on my limited viewing of the team this season (was in Paris at weekend and not watched Alba coverage of game yet) here goes: Esson Piermayr, Aldred, Hogg, G Shinnie Jones Hayes, Ross, Tansey, Doran Foran

I don't think long ball should be deployed all the time as an out and out tactic from the first minute to the last however at times it is very effective. We have brought in players to the midfield that can get the ball down and play the ball to feet but it will take time, how long I don't know however I don't think it can be deployed all the time especially in a league that allows very little time for a player on the ball so movement is so important and it needs to be done quickly, I don't think we are at that stage yet and will take a while and teams get used to countering a tactic the longer the game goes on. Therefore the use of the long ball to mix it up is quite possibly the best way to go but not all the time. I hate it mostly especially when there are clear passing options available and we just hoof it which was evident a lot last season. Saying that we played this tactic a lot in the away 2v2 draw against Celtic and hoofed it to left wing where Richie won just about every ball played forward so it does work but circumstances and teams we play will dictate when it should be deployed. In response to Dougal I don't think that TB was solely regarded as one of the best centre backs of his generation for only his left foot hoofs up field but yes it was one trait that he was known for and got him a reputation as the no nonsense defender who got the ball clear. However I don't think that the players who play under him now necessarily do it because what was good enough for him is good enough for them, if they do it it's because he wants them too. Tactics so far would tend to suggest that it is not what he likes on the whole.

It's a worry when it is two defenders who are injured at the same time especially with a squad with so few defenders anyway, lets hope we don't get anymore injuries but it's not like we don't have players that can't come in at the moment. In respect to Gillet, G Shinnie can come in and may be able to put pressure on him which could ultimately help the team out in future weeks and months as competition for places always keeps players on their toes. For Proctor, yes while it's a shame that he is injured yet again but to be honest how many people on here can say they have been happy with his displays this season so far and how many have actually given him pass marks in the first few games not to mention friendlies. I personally would rather know what we had to work with than worry if what I did have was going to work.

Never happy unless they are in the limelight for something. My brother just came in and told me and i didn't believe him, really should have turned the telly on!! Also shocking news about CT as well, their fans must be ragging, it's one lie after another followed by bad decision after bad decision. Dundee Utd will be delighted with this as realistically they were going to be the closest challengers to them for third spot.

[Hi I wrote this lot above way back I didn't expect anyone to take any notice, but there is such a thing as second season syndrome. I expect either ICT or Dunfermline to be retegated this year. Because Dunfermline have just been promoted and will fight for every point I think ICT will miss out I havent got a season ticket this year. Not prepared to be bored out of my mind for a second year running Either learn to take throw ins or sign Rory Dilap when he becomes a free agent Doubt if I shall visit this forum again Laurence Rory Dilap??? Does anyone know who he is? I don't, oh wait I guess you still can't spell or your vast footballing knowledge has outshown you again. I think you'll find it's Rory Delap!!! Oh and do us all a favour stay away so we can enjoy the forum without glory hunters like you annoying us. If you do grace us again can you please just clear up who you actually support or who you used to support when you were down south, just so we can be clear about what you are used to watching.

I wasn't at the game on Saturday due to a recent operation but good to hear that the stewarding seemed relaxed although saying that I have never had a problem at the TCS nor away games really. Saying that I can see where Old Caley Girl is coming from regarding stewarding of away fans as you see it at away games we go to, I think some of these 'stewards' forget why they are there and almost go out of their way to annoy and antagonise folk just because they think they are in a position of authority, really all they are there for is directing people and keeping peace and order, half the time they cause the problems. I don't think it is caused by the clubs, I see it as a symptom of our society today and a damning reflecting on some people who grace it, contemp breads contempt. Anyway I hope to be at a home game soon with Caleyjag once I no longer have to wield my crutches in anger

Some games throw up more than their fair share of arguments for more technology to be used or an official in the stand with a moniter, like they have in rugby league, to view plays over and make the decisions that are needed and Saturdays had more than their fair share. At the speed the game is played now a days the officials are less and less likely to make those marginal decisions and always edge on caution which ultimately goes against the attacking team. Forans was so close and I don't think even tv's would have helped, if you use the line as a guide he was maybe ever so slightly offside but by that point the play has finished so would be pointless unless they let it go and pulled it back. Tade's I don't think was a penalty but the handball certainly was, even from the way he pulled his arm away after it hit it you could tell and how the ref and linesman missed it is beyond me. As for Foran being ripped down in the box by the last man, don't even get me started, short of a defender catching the ball you'll never see a more blatant penalty than that all season. I'm sure tha rules state that if a player is fouled from behind or the side without the opposing player getting to the ball first it is a foul, the only one who never saw it was the ref and linesman (I'm not even going to call him an assistant as he never assisted the ref once) anywhere else on the pitch and it would have been a foul. ?840odd pound a game, you're having a laugh aren't you!!!

Of all the groups we could have got this is probably the best we could have hoped for, with another year together hopefully we can improve and see what happens. When it comes to Scotland though I never get optimistic at anything as you just never know, we would beat teams like Italy and France but get beat by the Faroe Islansa, that's what gets to me about the national team. If we play to our best in every game I see no reason why we can't come close or even go that bit better although I some what doubt we can do it over ten games. At least we're in a group of 6 and not the usual group of 5 we normally get.

If he does well at Birmingham there will be other teams bigger than Birmingham sniffing around him. I would have him back in a heart beat, good on him though, yeah it's pre-season but goals breed confidence and he may just get the chance he needs come the start of the season.