Raith Against The Machine

It was definitely in one of the papers. Just a single line at the end of an article. Possibly one confirming the assistants had been appointed.

Wighton should be a great signing. Chuffed with that one.

I'd settle for Joe Cardle as a marquee signing at this stage. I'd rather some overweight former internationalist with substance abuse problems though.

Barr and Thomson are a year or two younger than Anderson is.

As an aside, I know that McKinnon has said that he's broadly looking at a younger squad, but we weren't exactly awash with geezers last season. Fox, Moon, Elliot and Conroy have left and taken most of the experience in the squad with them. If you discount the goalkeepers, and Laurie Ellis, the elder statesman of the team is Grant Anderson, who's 28. I'm not trying to be negative, and I'm fully aware there's plenty time left for squad building, but I'd be more comfortable with a couple of regular starters who've been around the block a few times. Also, I'd still like an outlandish marquee signing, even if he's going to be injured half the time and cost a fortune. Excite me, damnit!

S'not very exciting.

I'm not convinced that signing Alloa, Dumbarton and Cowdenbeath players is the path to success...

Eurgh, not a fan of that new shirt at all.

Are people confusing Allan Walker and Iain Davidson?

Agnew next pls

Brechin confirm that Grant Johnson and Darren Taylor have both left them to join Ray McKinnon's coaching staff at the Rovers. Easy to see why there wasn't room for Maurice Malpas and Craig Ireland on the wage bill.

McCord on his way from Alloa.

I did hear that Ray McKinnon is conducting his contract negotiations at the top of the big slide in Koko's. Some sort of psychological powerplay, apparently.

Getting pretty fed up sitting about waiting for news. Give me something! I know it's all for incredibly legitimate reasons, but I'm in desperate need of a new signing, or at the very least, confirmation of who else (if anyone) isn't being offered a new deal. Hell, I'd settle for some outlandish rumours. Has anyone seen Martin Prest down the prom?

I saw a tweet earlier that said the Championship clubs would be looking at about a hundred grand extra, each, with Rangers in the league. Not quite sure how that's going to play out, it seems very arbitrary, but Rangers will certainly bring larger away supports than Motherwell would have. Might allow for another player or two in the budget, but it'll be the same (more or less) across the board.

It doesn't necessarily mean he's burnt his bridges at Dumbarton. If he's got a good relationship with the club, and there's nothing to suggest he doesn't, then he's probably made it quite clear that he's looking to go full-time and there's no point in them making him an offer as things stand. Nothing to stop them offering him a deal if his Rovers offer falls through.

He was pretty much solely stationed on the left wing for us (occasionally switching to the right, ineffectually, during games). I'd agree with what's been said, he'd be much more effective in central midfield than at left back. Left wing-back would be a nightmare for him. His skillset couldn't be further away from what's required.

Getting a little carried away, aren't we? I haven't seen him say a single thing that I wouldn't expect from any new football manager. I'm sure if you asked Grant Murray "Would you try to sign a talented 16 year old for the academy?" he'd have said "Aye" too.

If he's not now, he will be soon.

Laurie to take over as Reserve Team manager? Would make sense if McKinnon is bringing his own assistant.

That's not quite correct.

Odd. Would've thought he'd be integral in the decision to appoint McKinnon.

"By all accounts" is far from accurate. Most of our fans hated him. Personally, I thought he was decent enough, albeit no Davie McGurn.

Yeah, don't have an issue with him waiting to hear the full range of offers before making a decision. He'd be foolish not to. It'd be better if it hadn't been made public, but then we'd all be in the dark!

Pretty sure Matt Elder has just tweeted what he'd seen/heard from Spence. Looks like he was a little out of the loop on this one (or, more likely, he knew, but hadn't been cleared to publicise it yet).