Jazzar

Yep - he's young and still learning. Reckon he'll be a regular in due course but I hope it's with us and not another development club. Rose moving from midfield to centre back was a master stroke and he came on leaps and bounds in no time (our loss, Coventry City's gain). Roscoe, of a similar age I believe, will learn quickly and could become a key signing for us. Hope so - having solid reliable central defenders is the basis of anything in football.

100%. How many of us experts-behind-keyboards would have predicted that Luke McCowan would be doing what he's now doing for us in the Championship? Some young players blossom when given the chance, others take time while others just freeze. Teams like Ayr United need to be making the 'readiness' decisions about young players as soon as possible and this seems like an ideal opportunity, tough though it will be in North Wales. Not seen much of Hare-Reid or Ecrepont but I think McCall will know by now having seen them day-in day-out in training - it's up to them and their mental strength in coming into the first team. I well remember a youth player at Ayr telling me that 'coming into the first team means you need to look better than some of the existing players and not just hope to survive among them'. That player was a guy called Stevie Nicol. He was decent.

The state of you.

I'd quite like to buy some airgun pellets so those feckin seagulls get the message. But seriously, is there no one out there with falconry skills?

I very much doubt you'll be as bad as that but thanks for the reminder - having a sub booked soon after coming on and then sent off for a daft tackle was a real low for you guys and the performance itself had 'relegation fodder' written all over it. We were good going forward yesterday but not totally convincing at the back so who knows how this will play out. If we tighten up then you could be in trouble - if we don't then you'll likely win. Draw looks favourite.

Fair comment, though it may have been a deliberate selection on their part given our lack of it. Physicality and brute strength worked for Ross County last season and to a lesser extent Caley too. When the winter weather with pitches to match arrive, we'll need a bit more of a physical presence and I'm not sure where it will come from. So I hope we can garner some early points in the bag like last season while the pitches are in good nick. Thought Forrest was excellent yesterday with McCowan and Moffat very good at finding passes in the final third where it matters; 4 different goalscorers too so that was pleasing given the loss of Shankland. I'd like Doolan to get off the mark soon and maybe remove the need for a big striker as I'd prefer us to be looking for a RB as Geggan is no more than makeshift there. Ferguson could be tried in a more central defensive role too as he's decent in the air and is certainly big enough. But getting Adams fit and raring to go like yesterday could be vital (esp if he can avoid those regular yellow cards). 3 points - move on.

A fairly accurate assessment, I'd say. I really wanted McGuffie to stick that late chance away because he'd have got an enormous confidence boost - he definitely HAS improved though especially in the final third (chances apart!) and his goal at Berwick was well taken. I'd love it if he proves the doubters wrong. Ross Doohan is an immense signing for us and I hope the good relationship McCall has with Lennon continues ad infinitum. Kelly is a really excellent prospect and it's obvious why Gerrard wants him to get game time in a decent league (another reason why we need to be in this league at the very least). The boy oozes potential. McCowan is a real find and I'll leave it there because I don't want any potential suitors for him in January. Pleased Geggan scored as I'm not his biggest fan and I just love it when players prove me wrong. As for the game against Falkirk, we were fortunate in the end even though their 1st goal (well taken my arse, Falkirk TV! Have you heard of deflections ffs) and their penalty was fortunate to say the least. They played some decent stuff though without looking totally convincing - but they have some good journeymen and should get promoted without much trouble. Still think their manager is a nob which may raise question marks about their prospects. Onwards Ayr and let's not underestimate Stranraer please.

Really want McGuffie to play like that every week - he has a tendency to get disheartened when things don't come off for him but I saw definite signs of improvement yesterday. His first time centre for Doolan's headed goal was a thing of beauty - a perfect cross that got a deserved quality finish.

That's a very timely comparison. And interesting that it doesn't include McGuffie or McCowan, both of whom featured prominently yesterday. One or two of the youngsters are also getting close to the first team squad so it's looking promising at least. I shouldn't be optimistic because I'm an Ayr United fan but I'm enjoying the feeling for now.

Not getting carried away as the opposition were very very poor but I thought we were well organised and professional throughout today's game. Kelly will do very nicely but perhaps will struggle once the pitches and conditions in general deteriorate. Good to see Forrest back and I think Roscoe will be difficult to shift once Bell and Adams are fit again - and Ferguson could be an adequate enough replacement at right back for the seemingly injury-prone Geggan. No Murdoch or Moore on view either so what is there to have doubts about? Plus McCowan impresses me more every time I see him and McGuffie was certainly up for it today. As ever, injuries and suspensions will stretch us but I'm more than happy with that having lost Shankland, Rose, Smith, Crawford and McDaid from last season's team. A target man up front would seem to be the priority right now. Well done McCall - another sound start to the season. Tuesday will be a totally different test but there was lots today to admire.

Bring back the Rangers store. Thanks for reminding me of that embarrassing image

.....must try harder

Not disagreeing - you had a real big off-night (shit happens, often in front of TV audiences) and we had the opposite (everything went for us, no question - even the ref was kind to us at times which made the experience all the more incredible for Ayr fans). Yes, we weren't "5-0 at home better" because it was actually "worse" than that for you actually - Shankland could have had 6 and Moffat missed a couple of decent chances too. Still think you'll be there or thereabouts in April/May and you're a shoe-in for promotion if we've lost Shankland by then. Keep the heid, lad

The signings debate surely revolves around which league we'll be playing in next year. Avoiding injuries to key players (ye, those mentioned in an earlier post) between now and the end of the season could mean a step up in quality for the whole club. I've been very impressed with McCall's signings in the last two seasons but even he will have to raise his sights a bit higher if we are to make an effective challenge in the SPL (cf Livvi). Nothing to fear though and while I've accepted we wont have Shankland next season, I see no reason to be downbeat about anything else. Onwards and upwards

Little danger of that because (a) it's not really necessary anymore and (b) the money isn't there in the first place!

Golden Showers off - played Thistle 3 times lol

He's been what we've needed going up a league - a more reliable 'keeper who the back four can have confidence in and who's distribution is usually very good. He's made mistakes for sure but what goalie doesn't? I hope our back-up 'keeper has been watching and learning.

The away end at Paisley that night.....not half bad for an under-performing team. Big noise when Chris scored.

... and probably not far from the truth with the expletive deleted.

What he said

Lucky you - the ones I know are knuckle draggin bigots with no sense of humour and who can't and won't ever understand people like me who support their local team. Tragic.

Hope you shower afterwards...

Can't remember a season when the sheer quality of the signings has been this excellent - well done everyone

...means their sisters are given a rest.