lewfal

With regard to Buchanan, whilst he's unproven to be "premier league" quality, he has been involved in two promotion winning campaigns with St Mirren and Livingston (albeit transferred from one to the other in the same season). He has certainly proven that he is capable of holding his own in a promotion winning team. That's the sort of experience we need IMO

Belgium

would take both.

We went for him I believe?

Not to mention the players who would rather sit on the bench in the Premier League than get involved in a relegation scrap.

When McKinnon joined, I always thought he needed a summer window to get the right men in. There was no way he would get all the players he required to sort out the mess in January. I do still feel Ray should get the opportunity to rebuild the squad. Yes the negative tactics toward the end weren't good, but the last game of the season showed how we could, and should IMO, be playing. Whilst people will say "Hartley came in and turned around our season in January", Hartley was also building on a team that had finished second the season before. Ray was building on a team that would struggle to compete in League 2.

Heard that about the coaching badges too. New Manager/Owner role being created potentially

If true, the perfect timing for change prior to season tickets. A couple of signings and a takeover would go nicely too.

Agreed. He was exposed in a back two, but in a back three you could see what he had to offer. Whilst I don't think he is ready for Premier League football yet, I do agree that he has the potential to go a lot further than Hamilton

He was on mega money in Iran. Surely he's looking at a bigger club than us?

All,If anyone is interested in joining BAIRNforLife, please find the Facebook link below and join. You will find on this page the group Ethos, Standing Order and Application Form. BAIRNforLife Facebook PageWe will be at the Meet the Manager event on Thursday should anyone like to take the forms then.Thanks,Lewis

Houston has all but admitted our midfield leaves a void with Vaulks gone and Rankin in. Other teams have been more ambitious in their strengthening. I can't see us doing better than 5th place at the time being. I'm not worried about defence or attack, but if you don't have anyone that can create openings/chances for the attack, then what chance have you got?

during the summer holidays?

is it not just a persons choice who their favourite players are rather than who was the best player in that season? Alston, albeit had great games, I thought was inconsistent.

I saw him doing shuttle runs at Bankier Primary School so he can't be far away

so why all the chat about Vaulks being away when there's been nothing in the media at all about it today?

Conor's bought a new place in the Falkirk area, but this may just be used as a base house for him

I'd say Miller and Kerr have done more than alright, particularly with Kerr picking up one of the official player of the year awards and Miller getting a 1 year extension to his contract. They've provided the necessary experience our team lacked and also know what the club and the fans are all about.

surely we can do better than replace Vaulks (if he's away) with John Rankin. A midfielder in his mid 20's would be preferable

Don't think we can class Austin as being in our strongest XI yet. he's untested at this level. I would also have Muirhead in over Kidd at RB going by Kidd's first game (I know you can't judge a player by one game). To start vs St Johnstone, I'd rather it was: Mehmet (23) Muirhead (25) - Gasparotto (21) - Grant (22) - Leahy (23) Craigan (25) - Kerr (34) - Vaulks (22) - Sibbald (21) Miller (33) - McHugh (25)

to be fair, I dont think he's lost!

Penalty vs Sevco. As I said, he merited a start last season, however this season it should be an even playing field for starting. No one has any divine right to start over any other striker now.

it was those goals against mid table teams and below that got us where we finished though. plus he was lethal on penalties which he seemed to lose in the second half of the season. Last season, he was a guaranteed starter as he would get a goal every other game in the first half of the season. After persevering with him for the second half of the season, I would say that none of the strikers are guaranteed starters, which should ramp up the competition.

After last nights display I would hope that we start the same team on Saturday as we started yesterday, There was no bad performances, with McHugh & Baird making a positive impact coming off the bench. Would have been nice to see Austin score, but he was getting in the right positions. Deniz also looked far more comfortable in goals than Rodgers

Drop Rodgers, Kidd and Baird for tonight. Possibly one of the midfield if Vaulks is fit. Mehmet Muirhead-Watson-Gasparotto-Leahy Craigen-Kerr-Sibbald-Hippo McHugh-Stone Cold