Les Westander of County

Had he cut his jib in the first half then? Why did he come off?

We'd be more concerned if Del appeared unaffected. He'll use it to drive himself and the squad forward.

If we get Riordan then Del will concoct a formation that maximises his contribution and that of Quinn and everyone else as far as possible. I agree that Rocco seemed to do really well on the right. I'd also prefer to keep Vigurs busy connecting midfield and forward areas somehow. Riordan can maybe best play more centrally and forwardly. If Del wants to go 4 - 2 - 3 - 1 or 4 - 1 - 3 - 1 - 1 or 4 - 1 - 2 - 2 - 1 (etc) to enable Riordan to play just behind McMen then I hereby give him permission to go nuts.

/\ /\ /\ just jealous that Riordan never comes to watch St Mirren. If true it's a positive sign for me. We could really do with a replacement for Gardyne. So excited I could ... turn up to watch a match. Then I'd be just like Derek Riordan.

as dingdong & forkboy say / imply, if Del is willing to give the man a chance, that's good enough for me. If Mr Riordan signs then it will mean he has made a serious commitment by taking low wages at a provincial low-glamour club. It will mean that he has taken on board what the requirements and expectations are; and convinced the club that he will be a professional and work to the standard needed. If he doesn't sign then that implies it wouldn't have worked out.

I learn some of my best swears from kids.

I'd think Kovacevic knows the difference between Dundee United and Dundee by now, and that he would be comparing to something he knows about = DUFC. But I would certainly like a wee Toke of his pipe too. (Hey kids - Can you make a rude Tokely joke out of that?)

If you asked the Jailender he might say: "A very solid first half display in which we dominated, with Vigurs running the show. Stuart Kettlewell took his goal very well, placing the ball into the left side of the goal from around 20 yards out. Second goal was scored by Sam Morrow when he headed in from around 6 yards out, it looked to be a goal bound shot by Richard Brittain that Morrow just diverted past the keeper. Brora then scored with their only attempt on goal of the first half, a header by their No 13, following a corner. But County restored their two goal lead with another header from Morrow. Second half Brora made more of a game of it, but this was maybe more down to the fact we started with only two recognised defenders - this maybe highlighting the fact we need more cover in defence. Only Boyd and Munro were the familiar defenders, although Archie McPhee was at left back where he has played before, but Paul Lawson was moved to right back for the start of the second half. As is usual with friendlies, there were a lot of substitutions, so the game never really got going, County had several chances but the Brora keeper made a string of good saves. Glenn looked good and he, Craig and McMenamin linked up well together - especially given it's their first game together! A bright start to pre-season I would say!" But I wouldn't say anything as I wasn't there.

what is this "standing" you speak of, grandad?

No lack of thrust in my flanks. thanks. I did see a haiku yesterday at the top of the hill. Moo. Forfinn you might not be doing it right. 1cm water in the pan is enough. Get the water boiling before lowering your loaded pouch in there - and keep it on just enough heat to keep boiling for a 2 minutes or so. Feeling peckish now. Edited to add that Lakeland also do a pouch-lower-in-er tool, so you don't need to worry about steam or bubbles scalding your hands. Personally I think this is taking the piss, and you'd be more likely to tip your precious pouch and its cargo into the water.

Those are earrings. I find a Poaching Pocket from upmarket kitchenware store Lakeland does a good job for my egg. A spot of oil in the bottom. Salt & Pepper on the top, drop it in the boiling water. Boab's yer brother-in-law.

Not sure but don't think so. The first couple of metres in from the West end of the Stand will probably be stairs & walkway, so the seats won't start right into the corner.

I agree that he was one of our best performers in our seasonis horibilis, but that he has yet to prove himself at the lofty heights of the SPL. I reckon Del will do the best he can with the limited spending power of his budget and the evil tentacles of Father George, that have quarried out the odd gem from the dirt before. If he goes for the Barrowlad then I'll assume it was a decent decision based on faith in getting more out of him than ICT or Dunfermline did - and affordability. And consequently I will not go on about how sh*te he is until I've seen him being consistently sh*te for a while this coming season. Go Del.

who was that getting smothered by an unusually exuberant Del?

SPL Forum for this pish.

Yes - he was lying there clutching his napper for quite a while, which is not like him. Hope it's nothing serious, and only his brain.

That's an interesting option. The Lawson role has been best carried out by Lawson and in his absence Brittain. I had not considered Flynn as another possibility there. It could really work, but he may take time to learn to always be in the right place - especially being available for defenders passing forward. As a defender himself he should get that pretty easily though. The boy can strike a shot at goal too! Nearly scored on Tuesday. It's good to have choices.

Yes. Unlucky for him and a pity for County not to benefit from him. He needs to play so it's understandable. I would think County might have offered to loan him rather than lose him. But then we probably need to make way for higher quality now. The other midfielders have just been too dang good.

It seems on paper pretty sympathetic to maintaining the character of the ground. Slight loss of capacity from 6,900 down to 6,084 all seated. The Jail End is same dimensions as before = 9 rows of seats. All accessed from the front and gangways front to back every 25 seats or so. Plus the same gangway running right along the back behind the back row of seats. Away (North /Jubilee) End is a bit bigger with 15 rows, and accessed from stairs coming up through from behind. Just need to win the league now. Go County! Just noticed: Gents toilets imply that 25 urinals and 3 WCs require 6 handbasins. No worse than most of the bogs in Scottish grounds perhaps. But this implies we wash our hands in less than a quarter of the time we take to pee. Assuming we DO wash our hands (you know who you are you bacteria-harbouring mingers)- Is this equation hygienic?

Yeah but it is 4 midweeks and all the Saturdays in a row. So that is a month of 9 games.

Wholesale changes unlikely but Del should be looking out for players losing a bit of sharpness - and slipping in replacements before they have a poor game. This will be a challenge to any manager's abilities, so it will be interesting to see how he judges it and how well it works out. It takes a good squad to win a league. While the first half of the season's regulars may get grumpy about it, at least we know the people champing at the bit to come in will want to grab the opportunity. I think it is a brave decision to rest Munro or Boyd in particular. Indeed the whole Back Four shouldn't see more than one change at a time. But I think Flynn should now start to be getting a little game time as a sub where possible. Trouble is that all the others would also benefit from game time! But it is great to have the problem of these choices, and not have to rely entirely on a limited squad.

Thanks TJE ~ * navigates away to amend signature * ~ I agree that we can expect to see much more of Duncan and others, within Del's master-plan to keep up the standard over the whole season.

the club has said it is ready to put seating into the 2 ends behind the goals where the terracing is

I add my agreement to that. Lawson was merely okay at RB. Didn't like Kettlewell there. Brittain would likely do fine. The problem with all of them is that no-one has anything close to the pace of Miller. Who's fastest out of Boyd, Flynn, Lawson, Duncan & Kettlewell? I suspect it's Boydy or Flynn.

Finance aside, inspiring characters like Tade and their work ethic may have made a bigger difference to team performances last year. McGlynn was a magician and now he has much less to work with so can't produce the same magic.