Caley Mad In Berks

So the 4 dissenters have capitulated, or been sweetened!

Based on their current form I can't see Hibs being a worthwhile move for Rooney. OK, a bit more money and playing in front of a few more thousand, but surely a move to an Englih Championship side would achieve these two benefits, and more, and be a better platform for him in the longer term. I'd quite like it if he came to Reading where I'd see him once in a while. I know they're on the look out for a striker.

Yes, good luck to him, but I can't help feeling its a bit sad seeing some of our former heros dropping down the leagues, looking for a level they can cope with these days. A lot to be said for retiring gracefully!

The fish seem to be biting well tonight. Maybe I'll get the fishing rod out, stroll down to the Thames (less than half a mile away) and see if I can catch anything.

Sounds as if those crying out recently for Sanchez to be played have been proved right. Thank goodness for that. Still sounds like a pretty inept display though.

It is unrealistic for a club our size to hang on to our best players for ever. You can't blame the younger ones for wanting to move onwards and upwards. After all it is a short career and they need to maximise their earnings while they can I have been tremendously encouraged over the years after losing 'star' players (Robson, Brown, Rankin, Black, Cowie etc) by the way we have overcome it and sometimes replaced them eventually with better players (Esson for Brown, Hayes for Cowie as examples). I just wish our Board would be a bit more bullish in the fees they negotiate for our top players who leave. Other clubs seem to be able to command huge fees for very average players, while we seem to get relative peanuts. So Board, show me you can do it and don't accept less than 500K for Rooney if he has to go.

I wonder what pressure (or incentives!) will be placed on the 4 dissenters between now and 17th Jan. I just hope they remain strong and see this crackpot idea binned.

Couldn't agree more. There is potentially a huge banana skin waiting for us here if we take it lightly. I'd field our strongest team possible. No fiddling about!

I think if we're honest, looking at our last 5 games before they came about, we'd have thought 4 points not a bad haul. That is, lose to Celtic, Rangers and Hearts, beat St Mirren and draw with Killie. So we're only a point worse than that. It is just so disappointing that we saved our worst performances for last 2 home games. I agree with IHE that the tactics need to change. 4-5-1 against St Mirren was negative in the extreme. I also agree with Bronson's opening post where he questioned Rooney's scoring record. I tend to think his scoring to chances ratio is not great (forgetting the penalties of course). I'd also like to see Gillet back in the defence. Having said all that, wouldn't we have accepted this position at the start of the season? I think so, and if can hold things together reasonably well in the second half, top 6 is still a distinct possibility.

You have answered your own question - agents - just about the worst thing that I've seen happen to football in all my years.

After a bright start, it sounds as if we're lucky not to be behind! Come on lads, get a grip!

Here are a few more - Putting (and icecream) at Bellfield park The Ness Cafe The cafe in the Islands McPherson's sports shop in Ingles Street the sweet shop in Hill street near the Crown school Dan's shop in Old Edinburgh Road (near Hilton) Hetty's shop at the top of Castle Street

Having been around longer than most of you, I've seen every iteration of organisation in Scottish football since the early 50s. None has been sillier than the current set up with the SPL splitting for the last 5 games. The one I remember most fondly, from my youth, was a straight 2 divisions (A and B it used to be then)of about 18 teams. There was no automatic promotion from non league in these days which I think was a mistake. I'd now favour 2 divisions of 16, with play offs, with regional non league below that with a north v south play off between the non league teams at the end of the season for one place in the 2nd division.

Well worth the draw. We absolutely controlled the first half and should have been more up. The Hayes 'goal of the season' was absolutely sensational. Under the cosh for long spells in the second half and our defence stood up well. Well done lads. Even with so little possession we produced a couple of good chances. Softest penalty I've seen in a long time. Beattie (who clearly has eaten all the pies) blatantly dived and should have been sent off. Good save by Esson althouth it was poorly taken. Hayes was my 'Man of the match' by a mile. He really showed his class today. As did Mcgreggor for Rangers, having to prove many times why he is Scotland's no. 1 keeper. All in all a decent result even though I feel we could have nicked it.

Pardew's credentials for the job are impeccable - OK at Reading, poor at West Ham, even poorer at Charlton, just as poor at Southampton, plus a few months on the dole here and there. Well worthy of a 5.5 year contract in anyone's book. Still, I'm sure he is not worrying unduly. He'll walk away from Newcastle with millions in closer to 5.5 months than 5.5 years I would think.

Chris Hughton's sacking is an absolute disgrace imo. I guess Ashley wants a higher profile name to be in charge. Maybe he should try Shearer or Keegan again. That would see them slide down towards the relegation zone at a rate of knots, which is where I'd now like to see them end up.

I'm very pleased for him. I hope that will give him the boost to go on and start knocking them in for us on a regular basis.

I imagine it will go something like this ...... Blackpool will get fined ..., Holloway will offer his resignation..., his chairman won't accept it, and we all carry on as normal. Having said that, I like Holloway, and he is right not to be pushed around by EPL suits.

I'd keep Foran in for his experience, even though he is not at his best right now. At least he worked hard for our winning goal on Tuesday. The sooner Duncun and Gilet are back the better. For me we always seem to play better as a team when Duncan is in. And Shinnie I fear is not really ready at left back. I thought he was out of position far too much on Tuesday giving the Dons winger far too much room. The rest more or less picks itself.

I managed to watch it on BBC Alba (without knowing the score). I thought we stole it to be honest. A very soft penalty imo. Nearly all the Dons attacks came from their right where McGuire was given far too much room. Thank goodness for Esson again for at least 3 really good saves, although, to be picky, their goal came almost directly from a poor goal kick by him which didn't even reach half way. Still, I'm not proud and happy to take the three points. I've seen us play better and lose, so I suppose things tend to even out. Another nail in McGee's coffin!

As I plan to watch the rerun on BBC Alba at 22.00 hrs, I'll not be following the match on here. Nor will I be watching any news or answering the phone! But good luck to the lads. I predict Strachan at Pittodrie by the week-end!

Yes, technology I agree with. But I can't see it coming to fruition while Blatter is in charge of FIFA. I thought there already was a grading system for referees and that they could get downgraded if they get enough bad reports. However football could learn a lot from rugby (both union and leaague) where the refs stand absolutely no back chat/ arguing etc. Maybe football could even try the sin bin approach. It seems to work in rugby and ice hockey.

I'm watching Spurs game too. Gareth Bale is undoubtedly the best player to come out of the UK in many a year. Did you see his hat trick in last European match? Unbelievable! Just wish he was Scottish and not Welsh!

Sorted for you. You wouldn't want to upset all the people in Oman, would you?

I've seen this chap quite a few times when I've flown up from Luton to Edinburgh to watch ICT. Its quite surprising how many fans of Scottish teams fly from the London area up to Glasgow/Edinburgh/Prestwick on a regular basis. Mostly OF of course but quite a few others as well.