Fae_the_'briggs

Agreed that some of the "young" players have not been consistent enough or appear to lack the necessary talent for this division but the senior players, especially in defence and centre midfield. are just as culpable for the current situation we find ourselves in. No doubt injuries have played a part in disrupting us having a settled team but that is just part of the problem, we are losing goals and games because of schoolboy defending and lack of concentration. We have actually, in my humble opinion, played quite well in some of the games we have lost but for whatever reason, despite creating plenty of chances, we struggled to score and that gives opponents confidence. Ayr Utd and Raith Rovers away are games that spring to mind that we could and should have got something out of on possession and chances, Albion Rovers in the Cup also. Even in the 5 - 0 pumping by Morton we had two or three early chances to go in front before it all went pear-shaped. The fact that in most games we are still creating chances probably gives a few of us some hope that a resurgence is just round the corner but we need to stop gifting easy goals and start doing the basics right. Hopefully the new Manager can get things sorted out but unfortunately it may be too soon to expect his influence to show this Saturday.

I would think Brownlie would feel very hard done by if he was dropped just to let Higgins back in. A settled defence is about the most important part of the team I would say and Brownlie's displays have merited his continued inclusion. In my view only a couple of really poor displays by Brownlie, (or Dowie), or injury, or a change in formation would be Higgins' way back into the starting line-up and he'll possibly just have to be patient. Jacobs is maybe another player who has surprised a few this season and to my mind deserves his run in the team. He's maybe not a stand-out player but he works his socks off for the full 90 minutes. Fowler tended to chop and change the team depending on the opposition and Jacobs was hardly given a decent run plus he was asked to play in different positions when cover was needed.

Surprising that a Manager of Hartley's reputation doesn't have adequate cover for every position and has no plans to sign cover for a position that you say the present incumbent, although being regular 1st choice, has not been at his best. Sometimes a player's personal situation can affect performances, not saying this is the actual case in this instance, and you have to do what is best for the player and the team. Anyway time will tell if there is any truth in the rumours and we may be reading too much into them. He would still be a good addition to our squad however if it did come about.

If we are dealing in rumours then it's being claimed that the goss on the street suggests that Holt's personal circumstances would favour a move nearer to the Town and also rumours that his (football) relationship with his Manager is not the best. All rumours of course. Position wise, Holt I would say is probably the most left-sided of the names being bandied about and that appears to be the position that a lot of fans think needs strengthening. Of the players who have left recently, and talking about the playing side only, probably Danny Carmichael's situation would suggest he is the most obvious candidate to be sent out on loan but I'm sure he has stated that he wants to stay ay Hibs, get fit and impress the new Manager. It would be a decent move for us if he was loaned out to us however.

I mentioned Holt earlier, are you confirming that this is the player the Club is in talks about?

Holt from Dundee?

IIRC the thread was named "Scarves" but I wouldn't have the faintest idea what it was about. If you don't want to get in touch with him MB how will you know where to send these Arabic scarves?

I think 4th is realistically a bit beyond us tbh, which I would happily be proved wrong on, even finishing 5th I would consider to be very decent. I just hope we can do a bit better than last season's final position with a decent run in the Cups for a bit of added interest. Although it's still a bit early to be judging teams as most are still at the experimental stage I think Saturday's game against Partick Thistle will give a better indication of strengths and weaknesses that need to be addressed.

Yes, definitely double standards employed in major European and World Competitions than in domestic competitions and we're supposed to be working from the same Rule Book. Swerving slightly away from that issue, at last night's game an Airdrie player kicked the ball out for a throw-in to stop play because one of his team-mates' boot had come off. Surely this should only happen if a player is injured or something serious happens where the play should be stopped quickly, and you shouldn't expect to get the ball played back to you, which in this instance, the Queens player did. If it's not played out because of an injury or serious matter then I think you are within your rights to keep possession.

Just wondered if a player misses a game when he's picked up 2 bookings in different games as in the Euros. It will be interesting to see how referees react to goal celebrations when players run into the crowd after some of the celebrations witnessed at the Euros which went unpunished. I think scorers only got booked there if they removed their top. Serious double standards if our referees adopt a stricter stance.

Obviously everyone's situation is different. My disbelief at those who chose not to attend after the venue was switched was aimed more at those who had decided to drive up from Dumfries or travel on the supporters buses but then changed their minds when Hampden was ruled out. It just seem a bit strange to me considering the alternative venue would not cause those travellers much, if any, additional hassle. ETA: Laptop playing up, no idea why quoted poster's name appears twice.

I must have missed the player being booked in the kerfuffle at the free-kick decision. Certain few supporters around me wondered if he had been booked

I'll be the first to admit I wasn't one of Pickard's admirers last season, maybe because his performances were a bit hit and miss and his inclusion was keeping more experienced and potentially better players out of the team when I felt that was what was needed. I will say that what I have seen of him so far in the pre-season and yesterday, bearing in mind the level of opposition of course, has been quite impressive. Whether he can do it on a regular basis against better opposition remains to be seen. He at least deserves his chance but if it's not happening for him I hope Skelton is big enough to see it and not persevere with him which I thought Fowler was guilty of. As for yesterday's game, it was fairly comfortable and we should and could have scored more goals. We had a stonewall penalty denied us as the ref gave a free-kick at the edge of the box and not even a booking for the cynical tackle that led to it. Queens Park offered little as an attacking force but our players to their credit kept their attitude focused. Like others I am a bit confused why some supporters were not keen on going to the game yesterday just because it had been switched to Airdrie. Obviously a lot are on holiday or working but to not go if you are able just because it was not at Hampden seems a bit strange. As has already been said, you support the team and where they play should be irrelevant. It's not as if there is a major increase in distance. I see James Fowler has a full page spread in the Sunday Mail today talking about his desire to get back into the game. Part of me feels he was maybe a bit harshly treated by Queens but then I remember some of the dire performances and negativity last season and it was maybe the right decision for him to go. To his credit he has never said anything bad about the Club since he left and I wish him all the best in getting back into Management/Coaching in some capacity.

"Background music" in Banks and other offices that is played so loud that it is not really background music. Also the majority of music they play only heightens my realisation that they are trying to attract the younger clientele rather than those of us who are of more mature years. At least it's slightly better than the run up to Christmas where they pump out a loop of Christmassy songs from the beginning of November.

I've never understood why the Compare the Market meerkat "puppets" have Russian accents and names. Whilst it doesn't exactly keep me awake wondering, it does bother me slightly that I may be the only person who doesn't know the reason. And yes, apparently my life can be so boring at times that such things bug me.

I'll take your word on that as I have no idea who she or clean bandit are.

A fine instrument between her legs which she strokes lovingly. A Chello is the same as a cello but more friendly to play. ETA; Don't know what happened with that double quote.

^^^ This. I'm not really interested how many km a football player has run in comparison to his team's average, or how many % successful passes were made to teammates or misplaced. Commentators also like to throw in a lot of trivial stats as if to prove how smart they are. Things like "The player coming on as a sub actually played 15 minutes of a reserve game for an English League 2 side in 2008 whilst on loan from a Moldovian club." Aye very good pal but hardly relevant to the game your commentating on.

It's taking me a bit of time to get used to the new format also. Is there no autosave of previous content now?

People with "Caution, Baby on Board" or "Little Princess on Board" stickers in their car windows. In a lot of cases these people usually drive like arseholes and are more of a danger to their little darlings than other drivers will ever be. Also certain drivers who insist on driving big cars and 4 x 4's but who obviously struggle to manoeuvre and park their vehicles.

Jordan

The use of the term "early doors". Where did it even originate. Isn't it just as easy to say "early on"? People in the left lane who cut you up at roundabouts by not following the lane they are in and instead take a straight line across the inner lane and nearly taking your front wing off. The BBC's over the top coverage of Glastonbury. OK to have one channel and possibly red button covering it but sometimes it is on 3 channels and red button.(or maybe just feels like it) The television coverage of the UK Brexit vote which gives the reporters added opportunity to talk about "withdraw-Ring"and "withdraw-Ral". That tall Welsh man on the Ch4 Formula 1 coverage. I miss Suzy Perry.

These European Championships, too many action replays whilst the game is still going on and spectators more interested in looking at themselves on the big screens than watching the game. Also coaches and their assistants who cover their mouth when speaking to each other in case someone is lip-reading. What's the big secret? I've noticed the same with tennis players during doubles games, hand over the mouth when talking to each other. And their habit of "fist-bumping" after every point whether they win it or lose it.

Sounds like the clock-mender is at the wind-up.

Depending on type of door, facings (architraves) you want then about £400 would be a fair estimate, including plasterwork. Finishing the plasterwork off adequately and good decoration is important as the shape of the arch can still be noticeable if this is not done properly.