ShakehandsTom - DFC

Cheers LM. Sounds like a lot of hassle and effort for very little reward. I might have a go at it, but doesn't seem like it'll be worth my whole for the time I'd be dedicating to it.

Has anyone ever done the 'participating in surveys online' for a few extra quid? What are their/your thoughts on it? Is it worthwhile? Many thanks.

Nicoll was released at the end of the season. I'd be surprised if he doesn't get a Second Division club tbh.

I'd have happily seen him back in a Sons jersey next season, but as BBPF says, he's been trying to go full-time for a couple of seasons and it hasn't happened for him. He'd be a capable First Division signing, but in the Second Division he should stand out as one of the best in the division. He's a solid tackler and good in the air. Not the quickest, but that could be said of many a centre-half. All the best to him, but he's done himself out of it a bit by trying to go full-time and it's not materialised, therefore he's having to drop down a division. Good Luck to him though.

17 June IN Geejay OUT Fudge Me

I don't book it until we've got ten (or at least nine) grafters, to avoid situations like this occurring. Tonight will be loused, obviously, but if we take names for next Monday now, I'm happy to book it towards the end of the week if the grafters are there.

I can't say Linton has stood out much for me when he's played against us, albeit he seems to have been 'solid' and well-rated by Cowden'. I doubt he'll start as back-up, this to me would signify that Smith and Graham will be the central pairing with Linton and McGinn either side. Although we're obviously going to be adding more to the defence as we need more depth, and he may well be back, I wouldn't be at all surprised if Lithgow has 'missed the boat' so to speak. Pretty pleased with this signing. Welcome Scott!

Just waiting for his lift, Tam McManus to arrive.

Martinez is a decent enough appointment, although my gut reaction is a bit 'meh'. He's a decent manager and seems to be rated by many in football, I'd just have liked to have seen us aim a bit higher. His win record with Wigan was far from great, and he's resided over a very leaky defence, and a side which in the end was relegated from The Premiership. I think he'll do a decent job for us, and for me, Top 6 should again be the aim. If he's able to being players in, then it will all depend on how much he's got to do so, on the calibre of those players. Yes, I'd certainly have McCarthy, probably McArthur too, and perhaps one or two others as squad players, but I'd like to see Martinez be given at least a wee bit of money to spend. As much as he's great and we all love him, if a Fellaini offer comes in, I'd let him go. It would free up some money for Martinez to strengthen the squad, and perhaps more importantly, as has been our downfall in the last couple of seasons IMO, add a bit of depth to the squad as well.

Easy there, let's not be totally ridiculous.

Great news that McGinn has re-signed. He was excellent for us last year, and his over-lapping runs and deliveries from that side were immense. I understand the concerns about our defence looking like largely the same leaky backline from last season, but they're good defenders individually, and I think a good pre-season will benefit them as a unit and in turn make us more resolute. I'll admit I know next to nothing about McKerracher, but the reviews from folks on here who know more about him seem pretty positive, and I can only echo the comments of those who note that it's great for the team and the club as a whole that we're able to promote a number of players from the U19's to the first-team over the last couple of years.

Oh you. We did play the week before though. And I'm up for a game every few weeks, although maybe not next Monday. Who's in for next Monday (10th) and should there be sufficient interest, I'm happy to book it for you.

Good news that Shay has signed on for next season. He's a solid goalkeeper, albeit his reluctance to come for crosses still irks me. He's a cracking shot-stopper though, and has saved us in more games than he's cost us. I imagine he'll be in a battle for the Number One jersey next season, as Murray will be looking for more competition in that area, but that can only be a good thing as far as I'm concerned.

Cheers, that's great! I'll have a look at that one.

Well Done on the PB Disco Duck! Some cracking achievements here! I've had a look online and there are numerous, so many I can't tell what's good and what's not, but can anyone give me some guidelines or plans for half-marathon training that they've used? Not sure what I should be doing as part of my training.

Cancelled due to lack of numbers guys.

Unless there's a sudden increase in grafters committing to Monday, I'll cancel this today. And if people do want to play and the numbers then materialise, then I can phone on Monday and hope a pitch is available.

D. Bannatyne Someone blooter the ball out the park for me, eh?

Yeah, he certainly is. That fair amused me when I read it this morning.

Yeah, I think he was if my memory serves me correctly. Although there is the danger that if he doesn't re-sign (if he's been offered terms) then Murray could pursue other targets in the meantime and the offer could be taken off the table...

That's fair enough. I can see where you're coming from with that. I wouldn't say that Lithgow is that quick, albeit he is quicker than Graham or Murray. I'm just trying not to pin anything on Lithgow being part of the squad next season, as the initial signs aren't good given that he's yet to sign. And if we were to field Graham and Murray, I wouldn't be immediately yearning for Lithgow's return. I do really hope that Lithgow re-signs, but I'd imagine he'll hold off as long as he can in an attempt to get full-time football, and do we even know if Lithgow has been offered terms by Murray?

I hope that when Murray has touted a possible 'change in style', as others have suggested, that it means he's going to try and make us more resolute and hard to beat. We were very gung-ho last season, and while it was very entertaining, we could do with tempering it a bit with being more mean defensively. Murray playing in defence can only improve that area as far as I'm concerned. He and Graham (for example) would make a good defensive partnership IMO. Undoubtedly Murray will work on defending set-pieces, as that's one of our weakest areas.

^^^ What he said.