Handsome_Devil

That's positive, I missed that - I thought Sky only had the rights to more, I didn't realise they would definitely show them.

I don't know whether I dislike agreeing with Rangers or Grant Russell more but the TV arrangement is farcical. However, in the interests of fairness, it's worth pointing out that the reason we almost never do anything to benefit the long-term collective good is that it usually requires some short-term individual sacrifice and the clubs are certainly not volunteering for that.

Someone once suggested we have a 42 team league, play each other once and use the standings to define the teams for the regular leagues from then on. You could do this every 10/20 years as a giant reset and while it's obviously unfair as f**k, it sounds totally hilarious and therefore I'm all for it.

Mmm. In my fantasy world I'd be changing lots but on this specific point it's very much 50-50. A shame to lose historic clubs but I find myself generally agreeing with Strachan's comments a while ago that plenty were only playing at being professional clubs (hence why I'd be making big changes)...if Cove or others have the ambition and means to move up, so be it. Yes, question where the cash comes from in some instances but this is literally the point of the meritocracy of a league system.

I was sceptical at first but it's hard to say, given the realities of our situation in Scotland, it's not the best format we can realistically have. There's a reason why, with the exception of adding the playoffs, this hasn't changed in 20+ years. Personally I'd adopt a rip it up and start again approach to our entire pyramid etc but even you liked that theory - and of course plenty wouldn't - the practicalities of doing that are prohibitive.

I'm pro Casey in midfield, up front and generally everywhere - when we're winning.

I've never had to see anyone win the league at FP and tbh until that's Motherwell, I always think fine in that regard if we're seventh. On the other hand, stopping someone winning the league... tempting.

Ha, definitely not. Even being in a three-way final would be a cherry on top given how this season has been. It's just a bit like going mental winning a cup tie knowing you've got the OF in the next round - there's a big cash prize yes, sportingly though...bit meh. The reason everyone loved the Livingston day wasn't being in the top six, it was Europe being possible/likely.

I still think it's highly unlikely we'll make it but even if we do, for the sake of argument, four points is a lot to make up in five games. Psychologically it's little - as we remember from our own pant-wetting in this scenario - but in practice you're probably looking at two zeros v the OF and you can expect St Mirren to benefit by the league scheduling our trip to Paisley last, so the margin for error in two tough games - Killie on the plastic, Hearts at home - is tiny. Essentially I'd love to have round 33 being live but even if it all works out, I wouldn't be checking where the passports are sadly.

I'm surprised County are as far off the pace but basically it confirms what's been clear, there's almost f**k all between the shades of shite fifth to tenth. St Mirren will likely get Europe off the back of their good start - I also hadn't realised they had sunk back into the pack quite as much as they apparently have in terms of form.

Halliday has had a poor couple of games - hard to tell whether it's just a wee loss of form or he's not actually fully fit after injury. We've already signed him on a PCA btw.

We did years ago when we got Russia but prize money has since been adjusted and there's also cash for expenses. Quite why they feel the need to separate these I've no idea but there you go...I've forgotten the details so you'd need to Google it but while you might not make an absolute fortune out of an early exit, you certainly won't be in the red either. The biggest 'danger' is rather a giant f**k up completely sets the tone for the season. If you're anything like us (and I suspect others from recent results), you have half a squad as you don't settle that till August and you're probably coming off the sofa against a side who are match sharp. We deserve all the slagging we get for Sligo of course but if we'd played them at the reverse time of late February or early March we'd have absolutely slaughtered them. Ho hum. Anyway, hope you make it and enjoy it for what it is.

Blessed be the conspiracy theorists.

Normally you'd say definitely but he's 24 (ish?), is basically having his first decent season and is on - hinted kettlewell - peanuts as St Johnstone are effectively still paying him. He could sign for real wages and an extra year or two in case Eric is right (which let's be honest, is 50-50) - then he's effectively insured against a return to the norm but he obviously knows we won't stand in his way if he continues to progress because of the model.

You can argue - not that I necessarily would mind - that if he doesn't agree a contract extension thus summer we should be looking to sell him after he bodies Messi in the Copa America.

Even by the standards of VAR that was an absolute shocker. Obviously great at the time when you benefit but completely ridiculous.

This is not meant at you in particular (you just happened to prompt my thought) but despite losing only a handful of league games since the County debacle (deservedly to two of the top three, harshly to Celtic and Aberdeen), I've found the vitriol from some at some of our performances totally incomprehensible in relation to what was actually happening. It seems clear SK still hasn't been forgiven for autumn to December and it's really colouring things in a way which, well, leaves folk open to looking foolish. Against Livingston, Aberdeen, St Mirren and now Dundee, there was shrieking angst like we were in Livingston's position. Of course we were frustrating as hell in these games but basically we've been the definition of a lower mid table side whether losing in them or winning. Even at 2-0 down today, ignoring the drama, the balance of play and chances were clearly in our favour. We'd have kicked ourselves for losing ofc but the moaning, the sack Kettlewell chat etc, was miles off what we'd actually watched. Clearly the win defines the narrative today but Dundee made what, three or four chances and Kelly chucked a corner in. We on the other hand lost count...never mind Bair spurining a hat-trick, Vale could have had three or four, Halliday was close, Spittal missed a great chance...as much as we love a comeback, on another day we crush that 4-1 and it was cocktails for the last 15 minutes. As I repeat a lot...we are not as good as some think when doing well, we are nowhere near as bad as some think when not.

The context a bit different though. Alexander had clearly peaked and collapsed, Kettlewell has basically done what was asked on and off the park. In that context, the top six is basically irrelevant. The win at Ibrox should have effectively confirmed his position and seen the doubters concede he'd earned his summer rebuild imho. We may end up booting him in October but he's earned the right to be judged in autumn.

Well f**k me in the goat ass. What a fucking win.

We should be home and dry (honk) with three points on the balance of chances. Box to box we're as stodgy as anyone else but it's easy to see why Dundee and st Mirren are upper midtable and we're lower.

I think that's universally agreed. The difference in opinion is over whether we roll the dice on a new boss yet again or whether we try something different and develop SK.

It's impressive we can be equally generous at both ends of the park. We'd have been as well sending the points gift-wrapped and avoiding the hassle.

Nothing game, gift a goal, send our half chances off target. Been here before!

Not sure if that's a joke but the answer is aye, probably. An inconsequential issue for the new CEO to pick a fight over is ideal. Next step is having someone proof the communications written by the work experience kid before publishing!

Everyone complains about modern football, us 'playing under protest' to contest the result if we lose like it's the 19th century is fantastic.