Coventry Saint

Yeah, agreed. I think bringing established-at-this-level players in is always the aim for a club like ours, as it gives the younger lads a less risky/exposed platform to develop. They also get great mentors to learn from. The issue is, established players are a) more expensive and b) less likely to take a risk on joining a club they perceive as being a relegation risk. Our relative success over the past couple of years has left us able to afford a) and shake off the tag of relegation candidates, per b). As it happens I think the league will be much tougher next year so hopefully our solid platform of experience will stand us in good stead. Our survival last year was built entirely on being tough to score against (mostly); our failure to hit the top six was provably down to our lack of goals scored. I think we'll repeat that pattern this year. I think we've done very good early business. Obviously one or two more would be welcome, but I've said several times now, if we fail to add anyone else to the squad between now and the first weekend, I won't be overly worried. The concern remains that McGrath moves on, but if he does, we're getting paid, and I also believe we've already bought his replacement in Kiltie.

I always tend to think the 12/13/14 vintage was pretty good; we've still never really replaced Thommo. Perhaps we never will, given he only signed for us because he loves the club. You're right, though, in terms of strength in depth. We've got quality - and replacement quality - right across the park.

Hmm. I think we're just the supporting cast there, tbh. Can't see us wanting another body up front unless there's truth in Erwin leaving.

FFS not again. I didn't see the game, tbf, but understand we had a decent number of attempts on goal. Hopefully it's just a case of a group of strikers who are new to each other starting to click (including Brophy in that because of his injury). The idea of us being comfortable in these group stage matches is a big step up from where we've been in previous years. I'd imagine Covid is affecting the prep of teams such as Dunfermline that have caused us a lot of problems in the LC in the past. At this stage I'd settle for just looking solid and well-organised and hope that the goals will come.

What you doing in so early, game's not for ages yet

Yep, obviously.

That a 3-5-2 with Henderson at RWB? Edit: strong team, though.

Agreed. If I ever won Euromillions I'd sponsor Saints for a couple seasons to have a blank shirt.

Literally got to be in for the length of a game before the actual game. In a country where no beer is served in grounds. Ridiculous just about covers it.

From the poster that gave us the St Mirren Relegation Express thread shortly before we got promoted and Thistle got double relegated.

I felt Erhahon's reaction to being substituted revealed his suspect attitude.

Bruce Anderson bringing his mam along for the photoshoot is the kind of classy touch you don't get with the so-called bigger clubs, IMO.

Surprised to hear Ethan is so fast. Does he not fancy showing that in games?

A couple of posters on here had mentioned the development fee issue with JDH; kudos to them. Good interview, though - love how he talks JDH up then basically says Power's better anyway

I ripped up my season ticket.* * Deleted my auto-saved card details from the TV platform.

Ha, I didn't mean that to be negative. I just think we misused Durmus quite badly, and he did very well in the circumstances. I can't see that being made to play wingback is that appealing for a pure attacking winger. I'm not a huge fan of the back 3, but Jim is fairly wedded to it and he knows much more than I do about this sort of thing.

We won't attract a winger worth having while our first choice formation doesn't use them.

If we sell him and he turns out to secretly be a footballer after all I'll be livid.

I reckon that's probably our opening day starting XI there, with the possible exception of Tait/Fraser at RWB for Henderson, and assuming Ethan doesn't get sold.

Will the games still get shown (ie available for anyone to purchase) on SMTV this season, do we think? Hard to know where they'll stand with restrictions. I'd imagine they'd need to respect the wishes of those who don't yet wish to be in crowded places

It was effectively "My time will come", posted at the very end of the transfer window. Maybe we agreed to consider a transfer for him if he stopped until the summer.

Steadfastly refusing to let Skyview benefit from the exposure that a pre-season friendly at Linfield would have afforded them. I too approve.

We've got decent depth there. I don't think we'll bring many more in.

Quite the strong line up we put out.

I hope outbidding Celtic for Aaron Mooy doesn't stretch Hibs too far financially.