Howlin' Wilf

I mean no disrespect to either OK3 or BBPF and they and others are perfectly entitled to express their views on players and the re-signing thereof. I make the point again though, is it possibly the case that Murray has surveyed the SPFL landscape and decided not to take a risk with alternative signings? That is to say that maybe he has made a list of available goalkeepers, maybe he has enquired about some, maybe he has concluded that those available would offer little or no improvement and/or higher cost? The goalkeeping coach will have had an input here too. I don't think there's anyone here not surprised with the signings of McDougall and Smith........but Murray knows these guys, sees them in training and obviously feels that he can improve them and get more from them. Perhaps better to offer guys like that another chance than to bring in others who are disgruntled about not getting a game? I may be wrong and these signings may well come back to haunt him, but I for one am pleased that it is Murray who is making these decisions. We were all delighted to see him re-sign, it is maybe time to trust in him.

So he's good but not perfect. Kevin Smith's signing was met with approval at the time as he had a reasonable track record. Owen Ronald? well it didn't work out - he may make a claim elsewhere. No manager gets it 100% right, but for a work in progress Murray's percentages are pretty good.

I'm guessing that Murray has had a look around and decided there is no point in churning the squad for the sake of it. He seems to be opting for continuity and that may be no bad thing. Of the seven teams in our league from last season, only Accies and ourselves improved on our position. Maybe he thinks there is more improvement to be squeezed from the current squad. The main gripe seems to be the re-signings of Smith and McDougall. At face value these seem curious I'd agree but lets wait and see if they take the opportunity they've been offered. Murray obviously thinks they can offer something. On the keepers, again it may be that there have been enquiries made and that the manager feels that there's nothing better available. On McGinn, Linton and Megginson I guess that offers have been made but that the players concerned have others to consider? Morton are an obvious lesson in what churning from a strong position can achieve.

I'm confident that Ian Murray is a better judge of a player than anyone posting here.

George was a nice fella. I used to see him regularly in Dumbarton High Street. Until a few years ago he'd always have his bike and he would seek you out to talk about Dumbarton. Trigger like, and after a few vain attempts at correcting him, he always called me Wullie. 'Tea Time Ref!' R.I.P.

Oh.. My mistake..

I noticed Cowden had their names on their shirts for the play offs. I don't think they had that for league games. I think it's a good thing.

The first Sons season ticket I bought was in 1971-72 in the old second division when I was 11. It was £1.50. Pay at the gate for under 16s was 10p There was near mutiny when the price went to £2.50 and 15p the following season in the old first division. In these days the season ticket got you into League, League Cup , Scottish Cup and all reserve games! On gate prices, I recall paying £20 for the first division play off second leg at Airdrie.

As other posters have already said, it's more our style of play that is responsible for the high goals against total, as it is indeed for the goals for. In the same way that the players you mention track back, Andy,Marko and Mike Miller weren't averse to a bit of attacking play themselves. I never said Andy Graham was 'blameless'. I do think that an attacking right back, as we currently have in Paul McGinn, needs a bit of pace so maybe that is why Andy was moved from that position in the first place? It's not a blame game but I'd tend to think that a new keeper might be worth a try. If Cowden's Flynn could be persuaded to enlist then he'd be a good shout I think. The other name I've heard mentioned is Robinson of Raith Rovers but he seems a bit accident prone which has been our problem on occasion this season. It should be pointed out that Grindlay coming into the team coincided with a long unbeaten run and both our keepers were ok, it's just that if we were looking for a position to improve that's got to be the one.

I don't think Andy is to blame for our goals against and he looked pretty good with Marko as he did with Barry. Surely pace is more something we'd look for in a right back than a centre half?

Dost thou jest? Gilhaney has been a magnificent player for us. There's a section of the support have a blind spot for him right enough...

I'm pleased to see Gills and Prunts re-sign. I'm thinking that Murray is looking to keep most of the squad together with a few additions rather than any wholesale clear out. Some changes may be forced upon him and I'd agree that McGinn and Megginson look likely in this respect but who knows? Andy Graham is a huge player for us and I'm not just talking about physical stature. I'll be delighted to hear of him signing. Christ and Kirky are signed. I hope to hear soon that Aggie will sign to complete our midfield. TBH I'd have expected Garry Fleming to have signed before Prunts but I hope he does stay. The priority is a goalkeeper if rumours of Grindlay/Ewings* departures are true as well as a centre back** partner for big Andy. *Flynn of Cowdenbeath looked pretty good last night..... **Not sure if Marko has another season in him. Maybe Miller is the man? We all know Nish will re-sign.....

I think it's fair enough for the club to raise ST prices substantially. They have done vary well over recent seasons in rewarding the supporters with little or no increase. However with our third season in the second tier coming up and with the manager secured on an increased package, not to mention the need for new blood player wise, more money is required to finance this. I hear that part of the problem is that the majority of season tickets sold are concessions or parent/child. I think the full price STs account for something like 25 - 30% of the total. We're punching above our weight and trying to establish ourselves as a natural Championship club. So far so good - but it takes money.

League games are all included in the SPFL TV deal, Rangers included. The TV money is pulled and shared via the payout for points. Cup games are different, hence Albion Rovers big payday for the televised Cup game.

^^^^^^^^ Heartily agree...

Like everyone I'm delighted and particularly so with all the apparent interest from others. Great news!

The speculation mounts: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2626617/Dumbartons-Ian-Murray-favourites-replace-Danny-Lennon-St-Mirren.html I did think that the picture used to illustrate the article was a stick on for a caption competition.

Looks promising indeed. Let's hope it is finalised soon.

That's different from it being signed though.

The last time I spoke with any board members was at the end of season bash a week ago and it was all on a much lighter topic than Ian Murray's contract negotiations. My post was a personal view on the managerial choreography that takes place at this time of year. In particular it looks like Danny Lennon will not have his contract renewed. I tend to think that Murray would be high on Saints' list were that the case. I don't know what Hibs situation is other than that they seem to have achieved the task of appointing a worse manager than Pat Fenlon. They also will have observed a club legend blazing a trail as a manager in the Championship. I assume that Ian Murray hasn't yet re-signed as there has been no news to that effect. Any fool could have come to the conclusion that I have.

Well here's some bad news. Murray is going to leave. It may be next week or next year but he isn't long term. He was never going to be. Either he would fail and be sacked or succeed and move on. He has already reached the average tenure for a Sons manager so anything more is a bonus. If we begin season 2014-15 with Murray still in charge I'll be delighted. And surprised.

I wonder if Lennon is so bad? Good record with Cowdenbeath and has kept St. Mirren up against the odds and won a national trophy for them. I'm surprised he hasn't hooked Chick Young for his constant predictions of his demise as Saints' manager.

That woman at the fish counter in Morrisons is under pressure. There are two signs, one says 'Fish customers here' the other says 'Latest Ian Murray rumours here' I was in this morning and she says she's only sold a small halibut, a jar of mussels and some crab sticks but that an appointment system has had to be introduced for her sideline.

The Sons We're the Ones! http://bigrab.files.wordpress.com/2014/05/the-sons-were-the-ones.mp3 2014 remix of the 1978 classic. New words but retaining that heavy cheese sauce!

The most important signing will be Murray himself. Good sign that he appears to be planning for next season but I'll be happier when I hear he's put pen to paper.