Broken Algorithms

Signed a new deal just before Christmas. I don't think he's what they need. They'll try for McInnes and not get him. Then maybe go for Alex Neill or Stephen Robinson.

Sounds like our worst nightmare

If Murray goes, there's a ready made replacement in Tam Courts.

Graham was also suggesting that they looked like they might catch us in the league at one point, but the closest they got was about 6 or 7 points. Given the differences in the number of games the top flight and second tier clubs play, you're always going to struggle to n find a better solution than what's on offer just now. Last season had it been two up and two down the final day in the championship would've been carnage. The advantage of finishing second offered absolutely nothing for Ayr United. We've finished fourth, third and second at different points and there's advantages and disadvantages to each spot. It's a common issue for the second place club to want a bounce game on the Saturday when the 3rd and 4th place playoff is on, but every other team is on holiday.

The Dan O'Reilly derby. After a gruelling quarter final, Rovers make the trip to Firhill on Tuesday. Hopefully should be a really good away support.

Byrne has been excellent. He perfectly complimented Sam Stanton's absolute motoring performances which saw us pick up so many points until late December when the latter got injured. Second half of the season he's been in and out of the team with the resurgence of Ross Matthews but overall he's exactly what we'll need going forwards. Rudden comes in for a fair bit of stick and you can tell he's destined to be the type of player who will split supports whichever club he's at. I think he's had a positive impact but you can almost immediately tell if he's going to be an absolutely relentless menace or spend an afternoon failing to win headers within 5 minutes. He's scored a few goals since coming in, but doesn't look like he's able to get the consistency. Ironically I don't think it helped Jack Hamilton by signing him. If you're offering a straight choice between the two I'd take Hamilton but I'm still a fan of Rudden. Ashcroft was hugely unfortunate. I'd hoped we'd maybe get him back for the playoffs but it wasn't to be. We'd spent an age bemoaning that we'd not signed a centre half, only to get one proven at this level and he gets injured within half an hour.

Given your track record, he'll be in charge of the club within a fortnight. I don't know much about gambling, and definitely feel that football has a rather uneasy relationship with that industry to say the least. Aside from front of shirt sponsorship, you've got TV shows,podcasts and other media all geared up towards gambling. I don't think it's much of a surprise to see that bookies using social media in their favour in that way. You'll always find people who are looking for an easy win, and with the nature of that industry it's not a shock to see that being used in their favour. The original model called out sounded a lot worse, where there was profit coming from each loss. I'd be a lot more concerned if that had still been going on. As it is, I'd have to say that there's a degree of naivety from anyone who thinks that a betting site will only produce winners or to think this stuff wouldn't go on but then it's an industry tailored towards the worst habits of those who end up in horrific spirals. Can't see any changes coming off the back of this and I don't feel like it puts Ruaridh in a position where he should be resigning. It's not something I'd condone myself but it's not exactly the journalist murdering, human rights abusing sportswashing state sponsorship you'll see down south. Not that it's a top trumps of questionable behaviour.

It also says we're in contention for them. As others have alluded to, McMann would be a real coup.

There was a lot of chuckling about McGlynn saying it'll be a quiet window as he's used up all his budget - no doubt half that squad. Plus ca change and all that.

Stevenson went to school at Balwearie (the school across the railway line from Stark's) and used to go to our games. He's spoken before on podcasts about planning for the future and had an interest in coaching. I'd expect us to be in for both, but I don't any decisions will be made for a few weeks from the players.

It's more that Partick only appear to have two wingers, one of them out until early 2025. There was a rumour doing the rounds today that he's signing with us from a fan account (from our non affiliated seniors side no less). If you're Chalmers, you'll likely wait until after the playoffs.

I guess you're speaking more in hypotheticals but Mullin signed on a three year deal last summer. Chalmers would be an excellent signing for any side in this league. I'd expect both ourselves and Partick will be in contact with him after the playoffs.