Aloysius Snuffleupagus

Gate money went on unsustainable wages. Third-tier juniors was a mixture of drastic budget cuts; a decision to maintain a reserve squad [and the requisite extra players] but mainly being sold Snake Oil by Brogan The Junior Whisperer. Of particular note on the latter was the promise that he'd bring in the best keeper in the Juniors... who turned out to be four stone overweight and unable to train during the week. Dunlop's was down to Brian Kerr feeling Mick was past it and only offering a contract to Ross.

Given the way it was funded, I doubt there any figures on that. However, what I do now is that the consents needed for any work are far easier to obtain if the structure is six steps or less.

I never said it cleared all of it...

I'm afraid the Clyde fan is the closest to the mark here. The Rangers earnings went mainly on wages to obtain and then maintain League One status. The terrace was built on donations, both material and labour. The Celtic game was different; the money had been pissed away by then and more with it, so it went on clearing debt.

I reckon we could scrape a draw in one of the next three. A win? I'm not sure I see one of those this calendar year

The end of the first quarter, apparently. Not sure why, as we're clearly going to get fcuked by Cowden, Stirling and Annan, just like we've been fcuked by the other six

Well, hello there! I'm still here, but seriously considering hibernation until the play-offs. As others have said, the Junior / Alloa weans gamble hasn't worked. However, even if we thank John brogan for his efforts on his way out the door, we won't be able to get an entirely new squad in mid-season. Could Jurgen Klopp turn this mob into a competent team at this level? I'm really not convinced... and he's busy with Liverpool, anyway

It's apparently more that he can't train during the week, but yeah, very 'juniorish' indeed. That was much better yesterday. We have a squad of mostly limited players but the gap was nearly bridged by sheer determination and hard graft. The midfield actually got the ball on the deck quite a bit this week and McGeouch was the stand-out bursting forward whenever he could. Young Guthrie was excellent when he came on too and must be getting near a start. We absolutely lack width so I'm not sure Hampden will suit us next week, but similar levels of graft should see us run QP close. Some quicker touches in the box too, and who knows, we may even score.

Woah! How do you know any of that is true? Anyway, to yesterday's game, and my first sight of the new-look Rovers. Clearly, they're set up for 0-0 draws as when their defensive resistance finally crumbled just after the half hour, all the heads went down. They'd actually looked solid enough to that point, but one silly pass from the boy from Rangers (Gray) put a follow loanee (Donaldson?) in trouble and it was 1-0 with little chance of a recovery. Why was there little chance of a recovery? Well, the whole attacking strategy seems to be for the keeper to kick it into the midfield for a a headed knock-on (normally from McGeouch) and young Cunningham then looks for scraps. There is little attempt to play out through wing-backs, and the midfield's role seems to be to win the ball back, as they normally only get it from the opposition. I believe the correct description for this type of football is 'direct', and I can't say I'm looking forward to much more of it. Rovers Man of the Match was Cunningham, if only for how hard he worked trying to make the game plan work. I'm sure that when we do score it will be through him. However, I'm not sure that will be next week or even this month, and we do run the risk of being on national [U.K] news bulletins and 'magazine' programs soon; six competitive games without a goal is disgraceful, no matter the opposition. Seriously, we really are deep in the shit here, and I don't think any of us sees a way out other than through the trapdoor

Aye, its the hope that kills your right enough. I wonder if the SPFL would mind us going into hibernation until late April and then throwing everything at the playoff

You did bring this up before and you were told then it was wrong. Why post it again?

Just noticed this Any Rovers' fans planning to get John Brogan tattooed on their arse next May?

Yes, honesty shines through on those interviews. I do get a 'out of his depth' vibe as well, but I might be allowing my judgement to be skewed by the fact that he was a 'left-field' appointment that most people have laughed at, and from my worry that we're stood on a trapdoor we won't get off. Certainly, he comes across as a guy who it will be easy to root for. There really is a lot riding on next Saturday. The message from the management seems to be one of 'it will be alright on the night' i.e we'll find our feet once we start playing teams at our own level. However, if we get a real doing at Ainslie Park next week, morale will utterly plummet. We also surely can't go a fifth competitive game without scoring; that's howlingly poor regardless of the quality of the opposition to date.

To be fair, big Harlan did lat least look like a footballer, unlike the Bambi on Ice character we got from Hearts at the same time. He'd be a great model for a kit manufacturer... as long as there was no football involved in the photographs

Yeah, last season's budget was the start of financial reality, although it seems like largesse compared to what we have now.

Decent track record as a full-time pro, but hasn't really transferred that to the part-time world. Big part of the community side at Rovers though, and a thoroughly nice guy. I take it there's a coaching part to his role with Clydebank? I'm not convinced I'd see him continuing as a player only, especially at a lower level.

Indeed, but only because the club had failed to give him indication that he'd be kept on after January. Embarrassing PR again from Rovers. Also a bit surprised that the new manager wouldn't consider giving Scott a go for next year. Is he any worse than the myriad of Tier 3 juniors that we're signing?

100%

I really didn't think he was that bad, and certainly far better than Jason Marr who came with a more positive reputation from [previous clubs. He does have mistakes in him, but he's a grafter, and doesn't go hiding when times get tough.

No, but individual Trust members do.

2 shilling and sixpence! Seriously! They aren't openly traded so the share price has never changed since 1919.

Yes, big style! There was talk of Ian Murray but not sure he would have fancied the low budget and almost non-existent wage.

Hello and goodbye, as we toddle down to take your place. Brilliant achievement to win the League and he's hoping you can stay up; if we can get three seasons out of it; there's no reason why Montrose can't

Alas, I've never met the lady. As far as I know, she never went to watch him manage; his kids and father-in-law did though

The way I read it was that only Brian was offered a contract. Certainly, I'm aware of some angst around the behaviour of his assistant; witness the dressing room video and touchline antics. Personally, I'd have kept Brian but with a calmer and more experienced head beside him. I can though see why that may not have been palatable to him, especially if a reduced wage was also part of the deal. If only Paul Martin's wife would let him come back!