CallumPar
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Posts posted by CallumPar
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That's genuinely VERY disappointing. M'Voto is a bomb scare.
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Stay full time, get a manager who knows his onions and Raith will be back next season.
Qos, livvy and maybe Alloa have shown previously it's a piece of pish.
The diddies Dunfermline and Morton aren't the best examples but I'm sure you'll be fine, just don't pretend you are world beaters ala Qos and Dunfermline when you do come back, it is the diddy league....good luck
I'd agree be with us being a terrible example - we're probably an example of what can happen if you don't appoint the right manager. However, Morton bounced straight back, when everyone in league one was spending the money that they got from Rangers being in the league the year before. For me, that's much more impressive than what Livingston have done this year.
Remember whoever goes down, has about double the budget of those already in the league, because of the way prize money is distributed. Raith and Ayr will be near the top of the league next season, and it wouldn't surprise me to see one win the league and the other come up through the play-offs.0 -
We should Reilly with a proven striker like Loy? Loaning out Williamson, Spence and maybe Hopkirk. Would keep Farid on and see if we can get one more in? Right back and Herron replacement if injured. Geggan, Martin and Fordyce can fill in but we lack a real quality right back.
If we can keep everyone fit we will stay up but if Herron or Murdoch gets injured we will struggle.
In an ideal world, I would agree. However, you've got to accept the reality of the situation. We can't just send Reilly back to Hearts. There was no recall agreement in place when the loan was agreed. Also, we cannot afford to have quality replacements/backup for every position. I'm sure every team in this division (perhaps except from Hibs), would be struggling if they lost one or two key players, as Herron and Murdoch are for us. That's the reality of where we are, and it doesn't put us at a disadvantage when compared to our rivals. That's why it's important to have versatile players like Geggan and Martin, who are competent in a few different roles.
Spence can only be loaned back to Brechin, as he cannot play for any other club this season. Hopkirk is never fit, so can't see him leaving on loan - unless we pay a substantial percentage of his wages. If possible, we should be trying to loan out Williamson - again, you need interest from other teams for that to happen.
AJ sees Martin as a full back. He has looked very good this season and is our first choice RB. Geggan has done well covering there, and Fordyce is also an option there. We also have Spark and Duthie in the u20s as options. I'd be very surprised if we spent money on another RB, and would argue that LB is a bigger concern. With nobody other than Martin (first choice RB ) to cover there. We have no left sided defenders other than Talbot.
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Anyone know what the deal is with Lewis Spence? Originally announced that his loan deal would expire late October, but is still playing with Brechin... Wedderburn's red card, and Geggan finding form at RB leaves us short of midfield cover for the next couple of games. Also very short of defensive cover, which is why I assume Geggan will stay in his RB role.
I haven't made any U20's games this year, is there anyone in there that's maybe ready for the step up? Even a defender, if we put Geggan back in midfield for a bit.0 -
El Alagui, maybe?0 -
Is Fordyce still club captain? I assumed that he was, but noticed Geggan was wearing the armband yesterday.
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In all seriousness, fair play to your board, for doing this. It's important to listen to fans, and it's now up to the fans complaining, to turn up. If they don't, then their complaints will cost the club money.
I'd guess that you'll probably determine the price for the second Pars game at Starks, based on how many people are willing to pay £20 this time around (ie. Might be £18 or something, if turnout isn't great)? No point in lowering prices v Dunfermline, Hibs & Dundee Utd to £15, when they'll all bring a good crowd at a higher price. Again though, smart move to say the prices will be announced for those games on a game-by-game basis, to allow prices to change, based on responses to existing £20 tickets.0 -
Let's be realistic here... At best, our lifeline fund is bringing our budget to a competitive level in this division. Looking at prize money from last season, we received around £105k and Ayr £90k. 8th in the championship received just under £170k. Raith in 4th received £274k (so around £170k more than us) and Falkirk £400k (almost 4 times what we got)... And well, there's no question that our budget is a lot lower than Hibs'. Dundee United got around £950k, and will receive parachute payments, so will be well ahead of us also.
This means that, budget wise, we are likely to be competing with Raith, Morton, St Mirren (who will be receiving parachute payments) & QotS. It won't be until we consolidate our Championship status, and receive the prize money from that, that will we will gain a financial advantage from the lifeline.
I realise that a bigger budget doesn't guarantee success and a smaller budget doesn't guarantee failure. But finances would suggest that anywhere from 4th-8th would be a decent finish. Anything above that, would be great and anything lower than that, would be poor.
We have several first team players (Murdoch, Williamson, Ben, Martin, Spence, Hopkirk, McCabe...) who have never played regular football above league one level before - some have arguably never played regular football at league one level.
The experience of Fordyce, Talbot, Geggan and Wedderburn in particular might come in handy, as they will know about grinding out results at this level, as well as recovering from poor results/performances. They were involved in teams that battled relegation. Geggan played for us, when we had a bunch of kids struggling to stay up. These guys will be wanting to prove what they can do, at this level.
Adapting to playing full time players most weeks, and higher quality of players, whilst dealing with the expectation of fans/coaching staff, will be a real test for these players. We have got quality, and some players who have coped at a higher level. Again, their experience should prove useful and hopefully help out others around them. It should be an interesting season, there will be a few learning curves and poor results, along the way. I just hope that when the going gets tough, the fans stick behind the team.0 -
This is getting a bit embarrassing. Even if Brashy is telling the truth, it sounds like he just can't take a bit of banter or understand sarcasm. It's very common for football fans to feign arrogance about their team, to wind up opposition/rival fans. Quite a few Raith fans seem to be falling for it...
Is this where our 'arrogant' reputation comes from? Because some people choose to take everything dead serious, and don't even consider the fact that things are said tongue in cheek? If you're going to keep getting wound up about how 'arrogant' we are, Pars fans will keep winding you up with false over-confidence.
For what it's worth, the majority of Pars fans know this will not be an easy season, and know we have no chance of winning the league. However, we know that with our budget, we should be challenging for a play-off spot. Hence, that is the expectation of fans. I also don't think anyone's getting too carried away about the result of a friendly on Saturday. In the same way that nobody panicked when we drew with Alloa. I also don't believe that the League Cup will even give an indication of how the season will go. Until the league campaign starts, there's no telling what might come. It's all about getting off to a good start. Our second and third games will be big tests for us. Up against two teams that made the play-offs last year, away from home.0 -
With Buchanan playing against Dunfermline and Cowdenbeath, I wondered if they're trying to help him find a club by allowing coaches/scouts to see in an actual game situation?
If that's the case, I don't think yesterday will have done him any favours. Looked just as useless, as when he was part of the Cowdenbeath team we beat 7-1.0 -
Think we need to get attackers signed up soon. We can't hold off waiting for Faiss anymore. We saw with McCabe's inconsistency and the disappointment of MAC last season, just how important a good pre-season is. We can't afford to only have 2 strikers that have done pre-season training. You could see last year, that service to the strikers had been worked on throughout pre-season. Paton in particular, always seemed to know where Faiss would be when crossing. Would like to think we can have a chance to get that sort of link-up play again.
I know it's early, and most teams are going back around now, but I feel like we're giving Faissal far too much time. We're clearly his 'last resort' - he is waiting for better offers, and I think has been disappointed at how poor they've been so far. If he wanted to stay at all, he would have made a decision before pre-season training. You don't stall over a contract that you want to sign, for 5 months!
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Pictures on official site, from training today, appear to show a goalkeeping coach. Any idea who he is?
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What are your opinions on Reilly? Obviously Johnston rates him highly, and believes he fits our style of play. What kind of striker is he? Is he a poacher, or more of a hard worker/skilful player, that creates chances for himself?
Also, did he link up well with Paton? Paton set up a lot of goals for Faissal last season, so I think it's important that we have someone who will link up well with him again.
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That's impressive. About £500,000 in season ticket sales thus far.
Unfortunately, when you include concessions and U12s etc, you will probably find its a lot closer to £300-350k. It's still a very impressive figure. Hopefully, we can sell a lot more, in the coming months, and push towards the 3k mark.
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As for comparing the guy with Husband, I don't think you're making the point you wanted to make...
he is a similar style to Husband. Which means, as this proves, he is always going to divide opinion. He won't always look like he's giving his all, but that's just his style/role. I rated Husband and thought he was an asset. Plenty of others agreed with me, many disagreed. There will be games next season, where McCabe's ability to pick out a pass that nobody else can see, will prove crucial.
We are not going to be the best team in the league next year. This means that tactics will need to be changed, depending on who we're against. Games against Ayr and Dumbarton will require different tactics to those v Hibs and Falkirk. One thing that seemed clear with last season's midfield, was that we seemed unable to 'mix things up' in midfield. I think McCabe is best suited to being the attacking midfielder in a 3 man central midfield, with 2 more defensive players behind. I'm not sure Johnston will play that way, but it's clear that Johnston believes he fits into the plan somewhere. Just got to have some faith.
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Given the fact that Josh was one of our high earners, this isn't a great surprise. I think a lot of people confuse effort with ability. He has been a very passionate and loyal player, through very tough times. For that, I am grateful and wish him well. However, we must look to progress. I've found him frustrating for the last year or two, because of his poor passing ability on the ball. In League One, against part time teams, we got away with outrunning opposition. Josh was great for that. AJ keeps mentioning that the Championship requires more technical ability. Seems to me, that he recognises Falkingham's inconsistency when it comes to completing passes. Spence will be on about 50-60% of Josh's salary. So it's genuinely not even remotely close to being a case of keeping him or Josh.
With regards to McCabe. He's a Stephen Husband type player. Not going to run around for 90 minutes, chasing every ball. But he can pick out a pass. We have 3 midfielders who have that energy (Geggam, Wedderburn & Spence) and McCabe offers a different option. Husband did well for us in the championship/first division. Then wasn't as impressive in League One. I would guess that's a sign that McCabe may be better suited to the championship. Ross Forbes has also one well at Morton, in the championship, despite struggling at League One level.
Can we all just get behind AJ here. Managers have to make decisions like this. We can't keep the same players and keep progressing. I would guess, if we stay up, the prize money would increase our budget and result in more first team players being replaced. It's never nice to see players released, and I hope he finds a new club soon, but in order to progress, decisions like this are going to be necessary.
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Paton was far too inconsistent
Don't have the actual figures, but I believe Paton had around 20 assists during the season. As much as he had bad games, that tells you that he had a very positive impact over the course of the season.
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Think Shaun Byrne will do a job for you. Undoubtedly has talent, but has never really fulfilled it at Dunfermline. A move was best for both parties in the end. He can be quite lightweight, and has been known to disappear in big games, but a good player on his day. Hopefully moving to a new club and working under different coaching will be what he needs.
Started very well for us in 2015/16, then got subbed off after half an hour away to Peterhead in August, for being a passenger, and never regained his place. Hope the move works out for both Livingston and Shaun.
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Having Spence as backup, allows a larger wage to be available for the first choice midfielders ahead of him, rather than having Falkingham (already a high earner) warming the bench and being unable to afford the wages for the quality of player AJ is looking at. Spence's wages will be at least £200p/w less than Falkingham would demand.
If AJ is targeting a better quality than Falkingham, that's why this decision makes sense. Spence was (by all reports) excellent for Brechin, and showed promise with us last season. Most likely, now has a year to prove that he can fulfil potential.
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Not including Alan Johnstone ?
Up before the beaks this week with Nish.
Nope. Just Nish that is.
For what it's worth, I think it's ridiculous that Nish could get a ban for that. Finnie put in the worst refereeing display I've seen, since a young Willie Collum officiated a Dunfermline v Inverness tie around 10 years ago. Nish, Dair & AJ were seemingly all sent to the stand for daring to question his decisions, many of which were baffling at best. Referees need a degree of arrogance to be able to handle games. However, Finnie's arrogance is totally excessive and means he loses control of games as he is too focused on being the centre of attention, rather than doing his job properly.
I noticed Bollan praising Charleston post-match for explaining his decision to him at full time. If more referees were willing to have mature discussions with captains/managers, a lot of these issues could be avoided. Admittedly, this would require said captains/managers to show a lot more maturity than they often do nowadays.
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Like you've said "so far" so surely you'll be due atleast another 4-5 players in. The likes of Murdoch, Paton, Cardle, Talbot and fordyce will be on a lot more than the players you've released. You've still Wallace, falkingham, Moffat and a few other on the books that will make a decent wage so I'm pretty sure your wage bill will be more next season considering the signings you've made that have all dropped down a league. You don't drop down leagues for less money in this day and age. Let's face it, once again you's are spending money you's clearly don't have. And Davo was being offered silly money abroad so surely you's are dangling some sort of carrot for him to consider not leaving to go there and join you's.
AJ mentioned 4 or 5 players before the signings today. That now makes it 2 or 3. No clubs outside the top 6 in Scotland have much money at all. We have higher average attendances than most Championship clubs, as well as our Lifeline scheme, which generates an additional £200k per year for the club. That means that we can afford to match, if not beat, wages offered by the majority of clubs in the league(s) above us.
You're using Talbot and Fordyce as examples. Livingston's average attendances over the last few years have been around the 1,000 mark I believe. Which suggests their players won't be on very much at all, for a full time club. Same goes with Paton from QotS. Murdoch has never been first choice keeper anywhere and has recently been playing the equivalent of Juniors football in the U.S. - so I don't think he'll command ridiculous wages. So I find it hard to see how you've come to this conclusion... Or are you telling me that every single club in Scotland apart from your beloved Raith are overspending? Barrowman, Buchanan, McAusland and Paterson were some of our top earners, I believe, along with those mentioned by you. This freed up that money.
Being in a lower league, doesn't mean we automatically have less income. Majority of income comes from the size of fan base (ticket sales, merchandise sales). As I say, we do have a larger amount of ticket sales, and going by the attendance at the kit launch, probably more kits sold.
We also recently signed a lucrative sponsorship deal with SRJ Windows. This has resulted in them having advertising in the dugouts, outside the stadium and on the shirts. Again, this provides decent income. Funnily enough, more income means we have more money available to spend.
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Where is all your money coming from haha? Cardle will be on a decent wage. AJ wouldn't step down into league one if he wasn't getting a no bad wage aswell. Talk of Davo going to you's also so there's another decent wage haha. Once against you's are shooting yourselves in the foot to try and get out a division you's will still make an a**e of and end up coming second to cowden and losing the play offs again. I'll be back in May
Released 18 players, and (so far) signed 7. And you're wondering where the money is coming from? Did you go to school?! AJ going for quality over quantity. Got rid of some of our higher earners, and a lot of the low-paid squad players. Now he's signing a much smaller amount of decent players with the budget left over. Or is that too complicated for you? No doubt you'll try and cover up your lack of understanding with the excuse of 'trolling' or 'looking for a bite'...
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Noticed they're already selling tickets for the new year derby. With a high chance of postponent around this time of year. There is little chance of anyone buying tickets until the day of the match.
Selling tickets now might generate the cash flow to allow us to use the USH for these games, which would significantly reduce the risk of postponement... No?
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Walking Down The Halbeath Road
in Scottish Championship General Chatter
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I've not seen us post anything?