qwerty11

Looks like the Dev. squad came back from 2-0 down to get a draw against County this afternoon. Both goals from our 'impressive' no 10 according to their twitter. 

46 minutes ago, Ten4 said:

Horner, Fisher,  oWilliams,  Vigurs.

No need for concern only 4 players left signed by tippy tappy toes

Tansey

Overall I'm disappointed that it has come to this. The Raven situation and the recruitment in the last 10 months or so are certainly black marks beside Yogi's name. However, I would argue that Yogi has done much more good than bad. The technical improvements in Warren, Draper and Tremarco are down to Yogi in my opinion. The style of football, although not quite everyone's cup of tea, is mostly good I think. He must also be given credit for introducing Christie to the first team squad as soon as he was appointed manager (Butcher gave Christie no game time). 

Personally, I am not too concerned for next season. There is the makings of a solid team still at the club. In a new manager I would like to see someone like Steve Lomas - young but with a bit of experience in Scottish football. I'd like to see any new manager be willing to be a bit more tactically adaptable i.e. If we're passing it about nicely but not going anywhere or creating anything let's go direct or mix it up in some way. I would also hope that the new manager is open to the idea of resigning Raven and Roberts. 

I will remember the Yogi era with pretty fond memories. Onward we go!

(I reckon if we'd had a pacey striker eg. Storey/Watkins/Mckay in July we could be remembering Yogi as the man who'd led us to a European tie against West Ham)

4 hours ago, Renegade said:

I take it Calum Ferguson has been/is being released as I see he's not one of the U20s being offered a senior deal.  Probably could've come good but had some terrible injuries.

Yes, Ferguson has been released. Really feel for him, definitely think he had the talent and work rate to make it at first team level. But as you say, injuries ruined any chance of a new contract. 

Also, if it hasn't been noted already: deals have been completed for Doran (2 years plus club option of extra year), Horner (1 year) and Fisher (6 months plus club option of extra year).

Pretty humiliating that. I know the management team are the most qualified to make these calls, but I just feel it is so blatantly obvious that we need to get the spine of Warren and Meekings back together. I'm not as critical of Devine as some people, I feel he has a part to play in the squad, but as pretty much every fan seems to think, a back 4 of Raven-Meekings-Warren-Tremarco would provide more balance and a solid base. The substitution of Roberts was also bizarre, he was still looking pretty energetic. No injury crisis to hide behind tonight. Cannot wait for this season to end. 

Rumored to be signed on a PCA...we shall see

4 hours ago, bdu98196 said:

Sorry, not dismissing the validity but with vague statements like that it could be a cleaner and someone in the pie shop. So many posters on here have 'sources in the club' - if these sources are so happy to discuss and divulge confidential information relating to players contracts or terms of employment then they obviously have no respect for their position, employer or colleagues confidentiality so may as well just be completely public with the information - unless of course its hear-say and conjecture?

If Warren is highest paid its deserved, he has been leader and captain of our most successful team and acted in a highly professional manner - easily displaying attributes to make him successful at a higher level. In life people either get paid a) what they are worth or b) what they ask for - often these are not the same, hopefully the club behaves in the manner of a) and everyone is paid based on what they can contribute and represent good value - running an organisation with the structure of option b) wont be sustainable very long!!

 

I understand what you're saying. I was just trying to contribute to the discussion. Apologies. To be totally honest, I thought it was almost common knowledge that Foran and Doran were/are the top earners. 

2 hours ago, RiG said:

Source for this? Not doubting you but intrigued nonetheless!

Don't want to state exact source but from a couple of people inside the club. This info is actually about a year old now, so as I say, new contracts may mean that it's no longer true. Chris Hogg was the top earner alongside Foran before he left, also. 

2 hours ago, rocky1 said:

Richie Foran and Aaron Dorran both signed up for long term then both sustained long term injuries . Result higher wage bill as they get paid whether playing or not and we need other players to cover who also are unlikely to be of the same quality.

so long term contracts can also back fire it certainly doesn't guarantee success 

Interestingly, they are (or at least were until Draper and Warren's new deals) our two highest paid players...

Dundee FC confirming Williams and Vincent have signed PCAs...3 year deals for both

OFW has been stand out over the last month or so. Not too much between them but I'd say OFW just shades it for me. Shame for Brill but that's football I suppose - he'll have no problem finding a new club if indeed OFW signs the contract he seems to have been offered. 

OFW

Horner Warren Devine Tremarco 

Roberts Draper Wedderburn Williams

Hughes

Storey

Similar shape to the second half of last season when we played Ofere and Watkins through the middle (I know it wasn't quite 4-4-2 but you get the idea)

Lots of opinions and theories flying about but one thing I can tell you is that our poor form is certainly nothing to do with the absence of Russell Latapy  

Very frustrating - yes. Couple of slight overreactions on here, though. Stirling is right, finding a striker is not easy. Storey is a very good SPFL striker as stand-out performances v Celtic, County and Aberdeen have shown. If he's available for Saturday I'd be tempted to throw Foran up there with him (for 60 minutes or so) to give Hamilton something slightly different to think about. I think everyone's probably agreed that we need to revert to a back 4 although this may be an issue with the forthcoming suspensions. Getting to the stage of the season where 'we've got quality players to come back in' isn't going to cut it...

27 minutes ago, PerfICT said:

Nobody think Meekings might be in with a shout to start at right back? He was on the bench on Sunday. I don't really thin that's his best position, but given Raven's absence, he might be the best we have there!

Fairly certain he wasn't on the bench on Sunday...still out with the knee problem

I reckon Yogi's thinking was; 'we've looked a little flat since beating Aberdeen, let's try something different tactically.' Didn't really pay off today. Lucky to still be in the cup. Today was probably Storey's worst performance for us - certainly as bad as I've seen him. Thought Roberts did okay but Draper and Warren were standouts again imo. Great atmosphere! The dream lives on! 

Hoban tweet is definitely a dressing room prank 

Warren now signed up until 2019! 

https://t.co/CFAQdfJaZG Looks like Foran sustained another injury

I hope we retain Baptie for another couple of seasons.  He's got potential.  Presume Ferguson will be kept on as well.

Baptie has been told he won't be offered a new contract.

 - and a decision on Ferguson will be given next week.

Mostly agree with what's being said about tonight's match. I just feel Billy Mckay is being wasted in this system. He'll still score goals but won't be quite as prolific as he previously was. In my opinion, he is one of the best 'off the shoulder' strikers in the league. He is brilliant at running in behind and into the channels. Under Hughes, he is forced to constantly play with his back to goal. We're not playing to his strengths and are simply not going to get the best out of him.

6 points

Agree with what's being said. Absolutely fantastic performance, we were undoubtedly the better team on the night. So good to see Tansey dictating play from the centre of the park and not stuck out on the right side of midfield. He was MOTM for me. Adams once again embarrasses himself - and his club -  post match.

WINGERS ARE WINNERS!!

it's hughes' track record with this style that worries me.

This 'pretty' style Hughes is trying to bring in is boring in my opinion.There is no 'right' way to play football and, particularly in the SPFL, there is no point in knocking the ball about in your own third. This bunch of players was not assembled to fit this style. We created no clear cut opportunities this evening and the Watkins/Winger situation is baffling. He was probably our stand out attacker in the cup final and has looked sharp when he's come on.

Christie, who I felt on Saturday wasn't at his best, was magnificent when he came on. Changed the pace of the play brilliantly and scored a cracker. 

A 5th place finish (at best) seems likely.