DumbartonTheSons

I do agree that the club are damned if they do and damned if they don’t at times, although they don’t help themselves sometimes. No consultation or survey with the fans regarding the strip, resulting in a bogging kit that very few like or will buy, thus costing the club some much needed income. Making bold statements regarding our aims and aspirations for the season ahead, thus giving fans certain expectations and then signing largely jobbers or young lads which then disappoints fans from the get go. Apparently blocking a fan on social media because he voiced his opinion (if it was abuse or threats absolutely fair enough). But from what the guy who posted it says, he disagreed with something. So for him to be blocked and as a result he now doesn’t want to buy a season ticket or merchandise etc is a huge boob from the club which could easily have been avoided. At a time when funds are extremely tight, when people expect to pay for parking anyway, and a larger than usual crowd expected from our opposition, we don’t take advantage and charge for parking which would have boosted the bank albeit only slightly. All of these are easy to avoid/appease but we don’t make it easy for ourselves. It’s a bit concerning that these things happen and there doesn’t seem to be a sensible/PR savvy person around to oversee such things and see what would be best for the club, rather than just rushing headlong into statements/decisions which really do the club no favours whatsoever.

Glad McKee has signed, a good bit of quality in the midfield added. I think those wanting another centre-half have their heads in the sand if they think that’s going to happen. We have Neill, McMillan and McGeever and Carswell or Crawford in an emergency. What we do need however is a striker. We desperately need a bit of presence up front. Anyone seen big Faal recently?

Not duffys fault if it’s individual errors though?

Hmmm, were there any positive to take from tonight for those who were there?

I can’t make it tonight but I’ll be content if I can come on here to read that we’ve not been shambolic or been given a hiding and that there’s positives to take into the league campaign at our level. Not expecting much from tonight or the group in general. Hopefully it gives Duffy a better idea of how the team works etc.

I heard he’s had an operation on his back?

Not that it’ll happen I’m sure, but a game can be started with 8 players (the minimum) in a team.

What’s a ‘squad’?

I’ve heard that Myles Hippolite might be on trial with Bradford City, can anyone confirm?

Falkirk like this.

Do we know he didn’t attempt to convince our better players to stay? How do we know this?

That could rival the Lewis Vaughan to us deal in the worst transfer deal in the history of Scottish football.

By the looks of things at the moment, promotion won’t even enter our thoughts this season.

McKee and McMillan would be solid additions to our currently uninspiring squad.

I think we all would. I just think one could be forgiven for being sceptical.

Some of them I’d be pretty happy with if there’s substance to it.

I could well be wrong but I think El Bak would skoosh this level, as he’s done before. Is he due to sign or just a rumour?

Denny Johnstone may well have a past with injuries, but if, and I know it’s a big if, he was remotely fit, I’d expect him to score 15-20 in this division. Although we thought that about Rory Loy as well to be fair...

There’s been a number of personal insults here interspersed with some considered compassion, but I can’t get my head around, what would the best ‘happy medium’ be that we could try to achieve? I really can’t think where the middle is in this argument, it seems one or t’other which is very sad indeed. But hey, Kyle Wilkie. At least we’ve heard of him which’d be most welcome if he were to sign.

I’ve not been around much of late, but this is a discussion that the subject of very much affects the club so here goes. It’s a crying shame that a supporter such as Wilf feels he has no option but to not renew his season tickets as a result of something happening in our stadium due to a medical condition. I wouldn’t dream of professing to be a medical person so I won’t and others shouldn’t, pass judgment on that. It’s sad though, that’s for sure. If there are others who are jumping aboard a similar boat due to annoyance and being pissed off about the drum/noise etc and don’t have medical reasons then that’s nothing short of pathetic. We want to bring in new supporters. We do and they make a bit of noise and they’re chastised. How do we win in this situation?! Football has changed over the last 50 years. It’s no longer a ‘sit and watch’ affair, atmosphere plays a huge part in it, particularly for younger fans, how often is it mentioned across the globe about the atmosphere within a stadium?! Our support is awash with elder statesmen (and women) and there’s nothing wrong with that whatsoever but it can’t be overlooked that often younger supporters are looked upon with distain and treated with contempt almost. I’m in no way suggesting a connection here but the latter is disappointing to say the least. The fact remains that we desperately need to blood in new supporters, now and for the foreseeable. However it seems a thankless task to try and do so given some of the attitudes evident on here and on match days. The phrase darned if you do, darned if you don’t, comes to mind. I’m glad it’s not my job to try and get new faces in the door.

I’m not worried about the lack of signings, yet. It would be nice to get one or two on board sooner rather than later though. It’s disappointing to lose Forbes, definitely. His goals and contributions to goals will be difficult to replace. However, he was immobile and didn’t look fit so I’m not too upset. Replacing his goals is a big task for Jim Duffy, but getting a more mobile, fitter replacement will be a huge positive going forward.

Is that based on anything whatsoever or are you just dangling something at the end of your line?

I agree entirely. With Raith/QOS, Falkirk and Peterhead, ‘challenging’ will be very difficult. Of course we should be aiming for that, but with the realistic caveat that play-offs would be the realistic aim. With what Duffy’s said (unless he states to the contrary that we don’t have a competitive budget) most fans would expect us to challenge at the very top end, which in my opinion is unrealistic and as you say, heaps pressure on him and the team from the first kick.

I’m in no way panicking but just as a comparison, East Fife have twelve players signed for next season, including yesterday’s confirmation of Danny Denholm. Very decent player if you ask me. Whereby we don’t even know what budget or manager we’ll have next season. As I said not panicking but a smidge unnerved.

Your last comment was what several of our fans said after our relegation last season and look how that’s turned out. Be careful what you wish for, that’s all.