Pull My Strings

Yeah, I was a bit apprehensive seeing Glass starting in a position which needs a bit more defensive discipline but I thought he was excellent in building play and also around the opposition box. Best full game that I think he's had for United, albeit against a poor team. If he can sort out the defensive weaknesses, such as they are or were, then he could be a real asset. You don't get many guys who can strike the ball as well as he does from the edge of the box.

Seaside leagues are Div 1 and 2, no?

Possession means nothing. It was one way traffic from start to finish and probably should have been more than three. Difficult to judge how good or bad teams are at this stage of the season but I'd say United were quite good and Ayr are pish.

As what?

Think I'd be tempted to go with Denholm at right back. For all that he was bullied against both Spartans and Thistle at centre half, he does look like a very tidy player with a good range of passing. Maybe too much of an ask to throw him into midfield alongside Meekison, when Meekison is also not great defensively. Alternatively, maybe Grimshaw and Denholm in the middle with Bisland at right back?

Well, it's true that he missed the last game due to injury and that was the 2nd game so, yes.

No please, not a back five. I can't take it. The first choice back four are all fit and available and working well. We need cover at right back and another defensive minded midfielder to cover for Sibbald and Docherty. That should be the priority. Let's not panic and go back to a system which, almost invariably in Scotland, sacrifices attacking football for simply an extra body in the box. It rarely improves the defence in the long term and almost always damages the attacking side of the game. We need to be aiming to win every game. That won't happen with a back five. Also, McMann is a shite wing back. I could go on ...

Not the same job, no. Mochrie's also injured, in any event.

Make your mind up lads.

Aye, likewise. Middleton and Cudjoe: nae end product; McMann: mediocre at best. Notwithstanding Moult's three assists and goal, I'd have been tempted to give McMann MOTM. Just absolutely relentless up and down the line, winning challenges, skinning guys and banging in crosses. The volley from 20 yards against the post just taking the piss. I think we've found our level.

Mulgrew was player coach with us last season. Hardly a recommendation on either count.

Maybe. He’s been capped at various youth levels but I don’t think he’s ever played for the first team.

That sounds about right.

Is this to do with you guys being after Mulgrew and Chalmers? Mulgrew is definitely not wanted and it's just a case of finding someone to take on enough of his wages. Chalmers is probably 3rd/4th choice for his position and on a decent wage (stemming from the very short window when Micky Mellon rated him before he immediately got injured and no one else has greatly fancied him since). I think he'd be allowed to leave if someone wants to take on his wages (and maybe a fee/sell-on) but he won't be chased away, unlike Mulgrew. There's a keeper going cheap too, if you're interested? To answer the actual question, I don't think he's in the know at all, so it'll be rumours regurgitated from elsewhere.

You're a fortnight too late with that chat. We appear to have an actual goalkeeper now.

If you're Declan G or Declan G, you should be fine. That Declan G guy is going to have pay though, as are you (unless you're Declan G).

Aye.

He still lives in the city apparently, since his time at Dens.

Yeah, that's a perfectly valid view. I'm not advocating against the guy, just not keen on violent thugs in general. Hopefully he's a changed man.

Not greatly impressed with signing Gallagher. On the one hand, he's clearly a violent thug and I struggle to dismiss taking a baseball bat to someone's head as merely a youthful indiscretion. On the other hand, we do need a right sided centre half. I'd just rather it wasn't him.

United top of the group now. Just need both Spartans and Peterhead to win on Saturday and we're through(just by one-nil for Spartans though thank you very much). On you go lads.

Yeah, I think the disruptive stuff was folk putting two and two together and coming up with fifteen. Charlie's a good guy. But, his legs have gone.

Charlie's legs have gone. I think he'd have to drop down a few divisions before he could get away with it. Mind, McGeady's legs have also gone so maybe that's not considered to be an issue.

None of them are proven yet at this level but I'd be disappointed if we bring in some plodder to push them down the pecking order. All three are lovely, technical players who need games. I'd be very surprised if we can get a more experienced player with that sort of talent. You've got to give players a chance and this is the time for all three, imo. They won't all play at once but they should all be pushing for a starting place and there should be at least one spot available for them.