RC55 FFC

Going to be honest. I thought it was a decent run out for the young lads and let's not forget, that's what it was. They were up against a much older squad and didn't look out of place or out muscled. Paul Watson looks commanding, good distribution too. I think he will work well with Peter Grant (who came along to watch tonight). Ryan Blair in the middle of the park played very well too and saw a lot of the ball, he was very composed. Can see why FFC think he'll be the next big thing. Cameron Blues beside him played very well also. Thomas Grant will be like a new signing this year. He's looking sharp and his final ball is immense. In terms of the young trialists. Apparently it's Thomas Reilly who was released today from St Mirren. Alex Smith says they are taking a look at him for the development team but may not go anywhere. The trialist keeper came on and did ok. Again, would be for the development team. Of the "senior" players in the team, Shepherd & Cooper, the former ran about a lot but as per last season had no output. The latter was almost in the same bracket, some nice runs but final ball was poor. He had a couple of half chances at the end. Decent 90 mins viewing and nice to see a healthy crowd back the young team. Sent from my iPhone using Pie & Bovril

Anyone going along tonight to the Falkirk X1 game versus Spartans? Mix of 1st team squad and development squad apparently. Rumour on twitter of a trialist striker & midfielder but no idea of names. Sent from my iPhone using Pie & Bovril

Duffie is due back this week to 1st team training. Re Biabi, I'm not so sure he is injured, he's been training with the squad during the week. Sent from my iPhone using Pie & Bovril

Yep, says he's working on an experienced striker to complement Baird & McHugh and would also be used to coach Shepherd & O'Hara.No mention of Biabi which confirms to me the rumours that he's all but away. Sent from my iPhone using Pie & Bovril

Only as back up IMHO. I think he'll be in the U20s and that's about it. Sent from my iPhone using Pie & Bovril

Good interviews with Houstie, Paul Watson & young Mark Finlayson on ffc tv. Houstie saying Watson has impressed him every time he's seen him and will be partnering Grant at centre half. Muirhead will stay at RB until Duffie is fit (at least) but says positions will stay with those in form. Wants Vaulks to remain in midfield, as does Will himself. I agree with him that we now have decent cover in defence to be honest. Duffie/Muirhead/Maybury for RB, Grant/Muirhead/Watson/McCracken/McGeever for CH and Leahy/Dick covering LB. Vaulks can cover all of those positions too. Paul Watson came across well and said he's been training with Hibs for the last couple of weeks but Falkirk came in on Thursday with a contract and jumped at it. Assume he'll get some game time on Tues night in the Falkirk X1 game versus Spartans. Sent from my iPhone using Pie & Bovril

Not sure what was up with Sibbald today (again). Other than a neat turn and flick in the box, he was pretty poor and didn't look interested. I assume he was hooked at HT due to the collision with the advertising boarding. Sent from my iPhone using Pie & Bovril

Thought it was a decent game to be honest. We were very unlucky not to win it and Thistle only got more of the ball when we brought loads of subs on. For the second game in a row Smith put himself about and played some neat stuff. Just need him to take that into competitive action. Thought the keeper did well bar 1 fumble in the 2nd half. Thankfully comes for crosses too unlike his predecessor. Lastly, thought Baird & McHugh linked up well together and had a couple of half chances. Can see that getting better each game. Sent from my iPhone using Pie & Bovril

Heard about McCracken also. I think we may see Muirhead stay at RB. Sent from my iPhone using Pie & Bovril

I know it's all shoulda, woulda, coulda but I see if ICT progress they will likely play West Ham United. That would have been an epic trip to London. Sent from my iPhone using Pie & Bovril

I think we need to be patient with O'Hara. He's barely 16 and in all likelihood will not feature much for the first team this season but may have the odd 10mins from the bench. I'd much rather he got game time in the U20s and continues to score for fun there. Sent from my iPhone using Pie & Bovril

Spot on. Sent from my iPhone using Pie & Bovril

This "lazy" (onef) chat is pretty boring now. Do people honestly think Housty waits for the phone to ring? He's out at games all the time watching players and upcoming teams. He wouldn't still have a managerial career if he didn't after all these years. He's been a coach/scout since the early 90s FFS. Sent from my iPhone using Pie & Bovril

Yeah, he sat just in front of us with his family at the cup final. Was as gutted as most at the final whistle. Sent from my iPhone using Pie & Bovril

I think Cooper may kick on this season like Higginbotham did in his 2nd season. It would be like a new signing if he did. Sent from my iPhone using Pie & Bovril

Nope, Smith & Cooper came on and didn't play too badly at all to be honest Sent from my iPhone using Pie & Bovril

Just watched it.Houstie saying McHugh has flu and wasn't risked and Rogers strained his thigh during kicking practice yesterday, both not risked as a precaution. Says Heffernan is a clever player but his legs are away and wasn't offered a deal. Houstie says he has irons in the fire for 1, possibly 2 new players coming in. Sent from my iPhone using Pie & Bovril

Lost 3-2. Hamilton were the better team in the 1st half and we probobly just edged the 2nd half. Sadly both newbies in Rogers & McHugh were ill and couldn't play. Rumours are potentially 1 or 2 new signings over the next day or so. Crowd was just over 700 with about 25-30 from Hamilton. Typical friendly in all honesty but good to get back to the football. Sent from my iPhone using Pie & Bovril

Terrific delivery from Thomas Grant at the 2nd goal. Sent from my iPhone using Pie & Bovril

Heard Heffernan is away too. I think there could be another striker on the way this week. Sent from my iPhone using Pie & Bovril

I'd agree, from what I hear also, Biabi is a done deal and they are simply waiting on key figures in the deal getting back round the table. That should easily see the funding in place for another experienced forward. Sent from my iPhone using Pie & Bovril

Just listened to the post match interviews from yesterday, sounds like both McHugh & Heffernan will be signed but he's also looking at another experienced striker with 1 or 2 more coming in for training. Sent from my iPhone using Pie & Bovril

Sounds like 2 good performances and good score lines on the road in Ireland. Goals breed confidence, especially in the strikers so hopefully they can keep that going into the 2 home friendlies versus Hamilton and Partick. Whilst not that glamorous, both will be good meaningful tests. Sent from my iPhone using Pie & Bovril

4 trialists in total have flown with the team to Ireland I'm told. Sent from my iPhone using Pie & Bovril

Baird, Alston, Smith x2 & Trialist got the goals Sent from my iPhone using Pie & Bovril