CallumPar

It’s getting a bit tiresome seeing other clubs in the division making signings (in areas that we need players) and getting nothing from the club. I don’t doubt they’re trying, but it’s mental that they haven’t brought anyone in. Honestly don’t know whether the scouting department is poor, or they’re just not willing to pay players championship level wages. Given our chief scout is in our dugout during matches and on the pitch during warm ups, I’m not sure how we’re meant to be finding potential signings. What kind of professional structure has a ‘chief scout’ that takes warm ups and sits in the dugout during games? Surely they should be out watching potential signings on a Saturday? But, even then, we’ve been linked with players and a decent number of them end up at other championship clubs. Which suggests we just aren’t willing to pay players what other championship clubs are. Last season, we were told that the players we wanted wouldn’t drop down to league 1. I could understand that and got behind the philosophy of going with a small squad, rather than signing duds just to get out of that league. But that narrative suggested we had players in mind, or at least targets of a level that could improve the team this year. I’m not seeing any of that though. In 4 days, we’ll be halfway through this transfer window. I honestly can’t believe we haven’t got bodies in yet, given it’s been clear for months now that we need to add numbers asap. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again. If we aren’t competing at the top end of the championship (at the very least), running a training facility and academy just isn’t sustainable. We won’t be able to cover the running costs at all. Some investment is needed in the first team, in order to generate the funds required to pay for all of these costs. In terms of this dream we have of selling players to generate money, having them play through injury/rushing them back and/or having them cover several positions will only hamper their development and lower their value.

Hard to disagree with this. Although, I would point we didn’t have no injuries in the summer. From memory, Todd and KRH were out from very early on and I think Breen maybe had an issue too. O’Halloran also got injured as soon as he signed. We’re obviously much worse just now though than we were then. I was very open on here last week, that I was disappointed that we didn’t have any early window activity, particularly when we’ve been struggling for so long now. I said at the weekend, 2 players may be enough to keep us safe. But it won’t be comfortable. One has to be a CB. I’d prefer 2 CBs, but if we signed a midfielder, meaning Otoo and/or Hamilton can continue in defence, it’s not the end of the world. Knowing the extent of the injuries for Comrie/Benedictus/Breen, I’m tempted to say we also need a RB/RWB. It certainly seems like once Comrie’s back, he’ll still be needed in the back 3.

Have I missed something, or have you just made something up, to call an imaginary person deluded? Genuinely haven’t seen anyone say that we’re safe as we are. Everyone is well aware that we’re needing at least a couple of bodies in asap.

That very much sounds like you’re implying the board/manager might not want to add to the team this window. I’m honestly not sure what else you were trying to say here?

No. The club will absolutely be trying to bring in new players, there is no doubt about that. This post is the sort of thing I’d expect people to make up on .net and Facebook.

He was at the Raith game at new year, in full Pars gear. Was on the pitch during the warm ups. Then on Friday, he was in the dugout. There were 2/3 times that the camera showed McPake in the dugouts and Liam Craig was sitting beside him.

Noticed Liam Craig is now Callum Davidson’s assistant at Queens Park. He’s been involved in our match day stuff the last wee while and presumably been helping out with training as well. Assumed he’d actually joined the club and just hadn’t been announced, since he was always in full Pars gear.

Feel like we should be allowed to emergency loan a full squad right now. I think there’s zero chance of a goalkeeper joining on loan this month. We have such a thin squad, we aren’t wasting 2 loan spots on goalkeepers. As you say, even if Sharp goes back, I would be surprised if we replaced him. I can’t see why we would renew his loan, if I’m being honest. Right now, I’d believe any rumours of a defender being linked to the club. Could be a rumoured loan deal from Crossgates Primrose and it would seem believable. Thats how desperate we are at this point.

No problem with players being given a break. Hopefully helps them to recover a bit. Anyone that isn’t injured played a lot of football in a short period of time. Anyone who is injured will hopefully benefit from the extra rest. Relaxation will do them all some good.

glad that 6 have been arrested/charged. Here’s hoping everyone involved is found and gets what they deserve.

The owners of your football club sell Section North West gear. They own the soccer shop direct, who have a partnership with Section North West to sell their merchandise. There are also plenty of people who own the gear and don’t even sit in the north west. I’d also imagine that about 99.9% of people who buy it do not identify as part of any gang. It’s easy to sit in a section of the stadium, to think you’re ‘cool’. But, again, that doesn’t make you part of any supporters group that is around you. Particularly when the photos I’ve seen are from away games, where literally anyone with tickets for the Dunfermline end can sit/stand nearby and take photos around the SNW flags. No point arguing with you though. You aren’t interested in facts and are letting rivalry cloud your judgment. As I say, those involved in the attack should be locked away and certainly not be allowed in a football stadium again in their lives. But I also know that the guy who organises the fan displays etc for SNW would 100% be naming and shaming these guys if he knew who they were. But those involved in the anttack are about half his age and almost certainly won’t socialise at all with the people actively involved in the supporters group.

Anyone can buy that merchandise. Your owners are actually the ones that sell it - in their Soccer Shop Direct (or whatever it’s called) shop, so it’s publicly available. Owning the merchandise and having a ticket for the North West stand does not make you a member of the supporters group. Nobody is denying that those involved in the assault on Monday are cretins and the behaviour is completely unacceptable. But I don’t understand why you and a few others seem desperate to pin this on a supporters group. SNW need to improve their behaviour in the stadium, we’ve all agreed on that. But that doesn’t make them responsible for the disgusting attack on Monday.

I honestly thought he said they’re worried he’d torn his thigh again, but a bit higher up this time? Would obviously be delighted if I heard it wrong though.

I honestly hoped that we would have been preparing to do business early in the window, given how poor the last 3 games of December were. Injury list has been really bad all season and only seems to have gotten worse. Defence been a massive issue and we now need at least 2 CBs in asap. We can’t afford to play another game with a defence like that.

Injuries or not, we’re far too soft to win championship games right now. We seem to lose every 50/50 and every high ball and we’re just making abysmal decisions. Would genuinely say the same for most of the last 4/5 games. Against Raith, they won all of the battles. Against Arbroath, was the same until they got the red card. Against Ayr, was the same once they scored. It’s not good at the moment. Morale looks so low and there’s players clearly not fit enough to be out there, but having to play anyway. It’s hard to see how things improve without a decent number of new signings. Queens Park deserved that win and 2-1 flattered us, in my opinion.

McCann should be back soon. Don't really know about Otoo. Fisher, Breen and Benedictus all sound like they’re waiting to find out more. But all likely to be at least a few weeks. Bene and Breen, there’s definitely concern it’s 6+ weeks. Todd and KRH out long term. No idea what’s up with Andy Tod, but he’s been out since about September. Obviously don’t know much about Comrie/Jakubiak. But Jakubiak looked to be a hamstring and he looked upset, so could be another lengthy one. Calf injuries can be a frustratingly slow recovery too, but hopefully just a minor strain for Comrie.

Injury situation is a joke now. But tonight’s injuries make it even more important that we take action and bring players in asap. As I said in the match thread, we have a team of outfield players injured, that is better than the team of outfield players on the pitch Fisher Bene Breen Comrie Todd Otoo Ritchie-Hosler McCann Jakubiak Tod Thats not even accounting for Summers, O’Halloran and Wighton, who are playing through illness/injury, that would otherwise see them on the bench/in the stands. Majority of injuries seem like they are relatively long-term too, we need guys in now. Form and performances have been horrendous, we can’t just continue as it is and hope for the best.

Yeah. No idea why I said Stone definitely meant Sharp.

What about Harry Sharp, who can’t get a game ahead of Mehmet? (edited to correct Sharp’s name )

Half a squad, but that half includes every recognised defender - and it’s really shown tonight.

Now that Jakubiak’s injured, I’m fairly certain a team of our injured players would be stronger than the team out there. Fisher Benedictus Breen Comrie Todd Otoo KRH McCann Jakubiak Tod

We obviously have a very different definition of ‘back line’ if you don’t think a LB or CB are included in that.

I’m gonna be honest, I’m not sure the kids on the bench can really be worse than what any of our players have shown tonight. Makeshift back line, but that doesn’t explain everyone else’s performances.

What a terrible goal to lose. Summers messing about, to put pressure on our makeshift back line is just stupid.

We’ve definitely benefitted from the horrendous officiating so far.