D'Jaffo

I think we’re going to have to start looking at a change in shape rather than trying out different combinations at the back. Brown alluded to a back 3/5 but we don’t have anyone who can play on the left unless we go with Murphy.

One of those days where the league just tightens up again especially with Arbroath winning last night. At the end of the day I think we’ll be safe but I think it’ll go closer to the wire than most were thinking.

Why would we play McGinley who won’t be fit ahead of Musonda who had a great game on Tuesday night? The only real suspect decision was keeping Bryden in the team. He did a great job against Thistle but we didn’t need him here.

The defence is the one thing we have not improved upon at all under Brown. A massive clear out needed in that department and I’m edging closer to not having McGinty as a starter next season. Only positive is we have players on the bench who can come on and give us a lift. Would be introducing Chalmers and Willoughby straight away.

That’s harsh on Willoughby but McKenzie has been equally important to us recently.

If you had to slum it with the jobbers Arbroath have assembled, you’d be swinging for them half the time.

Just on signings, I’m surprised Jermaine Hylton is still without a club. Can play out wide and through the middle so would’ve been a handy option for us to have. Might still be another player to come as Brown used “players” in the plural.

Plus the playoffs against Morton, Raith and Aberdeen, no?

Musonda should still start here. No way will McGinley be fit to play and Musonda had a good second half against Lawless on Tuesday night.

Opinions on him? Heard when he signed for Thistle he wasn’t great but I’m presuming he’ll be a stop gap till the summer as our first choice left back is injured.

Nathan McGinley. Ex Motherwell left back/centre back. Was on loan at Thistle earlier this season but didn’t make any appearances due to injury. As a stop gap it’s fine. Worse case scenario he’s a back up for Musonda who’s been fine there.

Think it really has to be. Even with Reading back from injury we’re light there.

New left back?

I’m guessing the deadline for loans is actually today? Seen a few teams make additions.

I think the thing that’s most evident so far under Brown is that you can see some form of game plan and understand that there’s an actual idea of how to win the game. The back four sit far narrower off the ball which has its own pros and cons. We try and use the ball on the ground but weren’t afraid to go more direct on Tuesday with the wind behind us and ultimately scored two goals from a long ball. Players also look like they have specific instructions. Syla being someone who’s clearly been told to come deeper to receive the ball, Murphy sits narrower to give us an extra man etc. It never felt like that under Bullen and that was ultimately his downfall. We also play at a far higher intensity with more of a physical edge under Brown. Not in a dirty way but we’re less likely to be bullied. It could still go very wrong for Brown this season or next but the initial signs are promising. As I said a lot will come down to how we get on over the summer.

It’s been positive but far too early for a proper appraisal. Need to see how we finish the season and what he does over the summer.

Robbie Fraser is a young left back at Rangers and is also their under 20s captain. Contract expires in the summer as well so could be an option if Reading is out.

Think Yilmaz is a bit beyond our reach.

I think it’ll depend on the seriousness of Readings injury. If he’s out for any length of time then a left back needs to come in. Not really sure where else needs immediate attention that can’t wait until the summer.

I think if Willoughby can turn in performances like the one on Tuesday night then we’ll have a go at keeping him. We said it last summer but we really need some players brought in who know the league. Without sounding like a broken record I can see Brown looking at McInroy. He’ll know him well from being at Celtic and I think he’s the type of midfielder we don’t really have at the minute. McHugh looks the closest thing to him but I doubt we’ll get him permanently next season. No idea what his contract situation is like though. I think a bit of a reset is needed at that back. Stanger has potential to build on and McGinty is a proven quantity (for us) so I’m happy for them being here. McAllister isn’t good enough imo. He has one or two games where he looks better but then has a complete horror show.

We can sign loans from Scotland up until the end of the day tomorrow. That’s how we got Clarke in.

I think it could be something as simple as Brown not rating him. He’ll be away in the summer anyway. Clarke is out of contract and based on last night I’d see if he can be tempted with a permanent contract.

I don’t think there’s anyone playing in the Championship that would be a loss to Scottish football should they stop playing. I’m quite enjoying what he’s doing in the woman’s game though.

Lawless and McMillan also making an absolute tit of themselves in the same manner. Graham apparently booted the ball into the SRE at full time and then trudged off away down the tunnel.

Just whilst we’re on the subject, did Brian Graham receive any medical treatment for the absolute heads gone he had at full time and any time an Ayr player had the audacity to challenge him for a header?