squeezeboxson

The full time status of Morton, Livingston, Dunfermline, Queens (not so long ago) and to a lesser extent St Mirren last year has not made the slightest bit of difference to them struggling in the last 5 years or so. If any team gets the blend wrong or management just doesn't work out then there's every chance of that happening again. I agree it looks difficult for us, but we are capable of competing. Really no need to be pressing the panic button just yet.

To be fair, we have been quite lucky the last few years. Livi (twice), Cowdenbeath, Morton, and Dunfermline have all helped up out at one point or another along the way to survive in this league. But we also helped ourselves out a lot. Of course there is no guarantee, but there is always a chance that Morton, Queens, Raithby (less likely after last season!) or Dunfermline are down there fighting for survival.

The more you think back and take into account his form since he left and his form until he joined us, it is nothing short of miraculous what he produced that season. He was outstanding and FT teams were looking at him on the back of it. Whatever it was that made him choose to step down to the level below and things... It stopped him continuing the best for of his career, by miles, into the next season with us or another championship side.

I didn't notice that, but I did notice they had named them (well Clark) for the game at the weekend and things. So I assumed some kind of agreement must have been reached for a contract. Love how we have development players without a development squad/team for them to play in...

To be fair Ewings came in for the 2nd half of last season and completely proved myself and many other wrong. He was actually being considered for player of the year by one or two people I know, just because in the rest of the squad not many stood out all that much. Sadly, we made the mistake of signing Mark Brown on a 2 year contract last preseason.

I was actually quite impressed with the way the team played, especially in the first half before all the subs/injuries changed the formation quite a lot. As mentioned already, finishing with neither of our first choice CB pairing on the park was always going to cause trouble. Gall looks quite good, but what did we think of him at this point last season?? My biggest problem is that I feel Stevo could be a passenger this season. His set pieces are absolutely excellent, but he doesn't contribute so much in open play. I fear we can't afford that luxury when we will be under pressure a lot of the season. I hope I'm wrong! Finally, it is hard to say whether Ewings or Pettigrew is at fault for the last goal. Thought it should have been the 'keepers ball. But if he has shouted (which I'm not sure he did!) then it is the defenders fault. If he hasn't shouted, then it is his fault!

Got to love some folk right enough... I too am surprised at Nade dropping a league. But at the end of the day... not only did we hear he was out of shape. But more money makes it a no brainer for him! If I was offered a job in a lower position at work with an increased wage... At the end of the day, they guy is trying to make a living.

Thinking you might be at the wind up? Yeah, over the last 6 months we struggled to score away from home. That, as mentioned above, makes no difference to a player being out of his depth. Add in that half of our team has changed, especially in an attacking sense, then I'd say your point doesn't really stand.

Thommo looked like a young Bomber Brown which I thoroughly enjoyed last night!

Out of all the trialists I think the only one who looked decent was Tatar. The rest ran about and things, but hard to say anything about what they would offer the squad.

Fairly reasonable summary! Stevo looks rediculously unfit. He tried to talk the ref into letting him take a corner at the wrong side, just so he didn't have to move from the corner he was in actually might have been the corner we scored from? Guys behind me were clueless, the whole first half went on about how they couldn't believe Ewings was playing and Brown who signed from Ross County is on the bench. 'Ewings can't fit into his shirt never mind this team' was my facourier quote of the night. I reckoned Brown was slightly to blame for the 2nd goal? Hard to say, but looked well inside the 6 yard box - which I'd class as GK territory.

As has been said before, there have been plenty of players in the last few years who have been branded in a similar way, only to be successful with us. Let's hope he turns out the same. I'm also fairly happy with him signing, more so because we haven't just signed him up based on him coming from Falkirk. The Stevies' have had a look at him and deemed him good enough. I'll trust their judgement for the time being and make my own once I have seen him in a few games.

To be honest, everyone is entitled to have their opinion. But, without any sustance or reason to back a differing opinion the reply above is a completely pointless one.

Very worthwhile post...

As BBPF has said, don't think you can. Which is always a shame, because everyone knows that these first games are 'glorified friendlies'.

Sounds more productive than 'work' to me! At least I'm on my break...

Not sure really. He was at East Fife 2 years back but wouldn't surprise me if he played for a lower league 2 club last season.

Scott Smith I assume the same one who played for us? Not that surprised he is having to take part in the trials. Unless he has sorted out his fitness then he will continue to struggle. I did think Cooper would have found a club to be honest. Wouldn't mind him joining.

East end park is one of the few grounds I've not been too (despite us playing there quite a few times over the last few years). That's my birthday also, so I look forward to that opening fixture regardless of the result I guess. It does look tough, but I actually don't think it looks any tougher than last season when I seen that. I just think we have to look to compete with most teams at home, as we have done this season. Then we have to look at picking up our points vs Ayr, Morton, Queens and Dunfermline. It remains to be seen whether Raith can kick on from last season or if they may fall back into the mid table territory again with so many 'bigger' sides this year.

Fair point but I'm sure Megginson has left and moved back to Aberdeen. Fully expect him to sign for Peterhead or another team up that way.

'The Cheaper Stadium'

To be honest, half of the rumours clearly come from forums like this one.

Imagine having 2 actual wingers?? Seems so long since we had them. Started last season with only Gibson and finished it with only Walsh. Definitely be a positive move for us if it came off. See Ryan Conroy still doesn't have a club. Would he make the move to PT?

Harsh to single him out when the whole team was terrible away from home?

Would be fine, but for the fact we only have half the players signed.