eez-eh

I think it’s incredibly generous to include Shankland’s previous top flight games - when he was 19 and nothing like the player he is now - in this context. Everyone knows he only made the step up this season. Mullin played Championship football with Livingston then Ross County until County won promotion. He was 25 - about to turn 26 - in his first top flight game and has been playing top flight football ever since. I really don’t know why you’re trying to make it out like he’s been dumped back at Championship level - he’s still playing in the Premiership and actually moved to a team that’s far higher up the league than County are now. Really you’ve just overdone it on the hyperbole to try push your point - there’s plenty examples of players stepping up in their mid 20s. McCowan hasn’t even played a full season of games thanks to coronavirus. I really don’t think there’s any harm in him getting a full season in before taking a step up.

I have absolutely no idea where you’re getting this patter from. Lawrence Shankland, Liam Smith and Shaun Rooney (thought you might remember him) off the top of my head are examples just from this season that are all playing regularly and not looking out of place. About half the Livingston team as well could fall into that bracket - the likes of Alan Lithgow, Keaghan Jacobs and Josh Mullin managed it alright.

Didn’t even get a 5/10 minutes at the end there despite them cruising it against 10 men. They did bring two left backs off the bench though. It really can’t be doing his confidence any good.

Chelsea are much improved since Tuchel came in but also infinitely more boring to watch.

I wonder if he’s planning on trying out McTominay in midfield again. There’s an awful lot of centre halves in the squad if not. I don’t see the harm in trying out Nisbet even if his purple patch at the start of the season has died down. We’re hardly blessed with options there. McBurnie being there ahead of both Griffiths and Shankland I’m less keen on though. In the Slovenia game the two of them looked far more dangerous in their cameo appearances after McBurnie spent the whole game shitting the bed.

Do you think all CMs do the exact same job?

I’d actually quite like to see Gilmour in the squad even though he hasn’t been playing. Think it would do him a bit of good after being (harshly IMO) taken out the picture at Chelsea.

He saw that defensive approach work and knew that we were playing against a better team. I would have liked to have seen us have more of a go but he’s only had one training session with the team. There’s no need to lose the head after one game.

I don’t recall either of them saying anything of the sort.

Without wanting to write off whoever it is before they’re even in the door I’ll be pretty underwhelmed if it’s Hopkin. Maybe a bit less so if there’s a DoF type brought in. I’d prefer McIntyre if it’s a choice between the two.

Craig Levein doing the commentary. Absolute scenes when Smith comes on the programme to unveil him.

Surely that didn’t actually happen? I mean I hope it did, but surely not.

When you look at the names he’s probably one of the better options. He was a disaster at Dundee aye but we’re unlikely to get anyone who doesn’t have a blot on their CV somewhere. It doesn’t particularly excite me but we could do worse.

Nah I’ve definitely seen a few shouts for him to be dropped entirely because of his Celtic form. Most with the intention of Turnbull replacing him. I think it’s mostly from the type of OF fan who just view everything inside their own wee OF prism.

I’ve seen several people asking for Christie to be dropped. Insane behaviour if you ask me but it’s not uncommon.

The true crime is when people refer to the Premiership as the SPFL. Heinous.

It’s not just about Hopkin’s style. There’s serious doubts IMO about whether he’d even be the man for the job. He did exceptionally well at Livi but it’s difficult to know how much of that was down to him and not Martindale. His spells at Bradford and Morton since then don’t inspire much confidence.

I think he is there. They have Smith there twice for whatever reason. Or is there another Smith in the academy?

Same shape as before by the looks of it. Thank f**k Chalmers is finally dropped though.

It’s just a general team, not specifically for the next game. Could do with Wright back soon but I’d probably give McKenzie a chance just now.

The players we have would suit a back 3/5 I think. Both Muirhead and Ndaba should be comfortable playing as “outside” centre backs given their experience playing as full backs, and Reading would probably benefit from a more advanced role. Add to that it should lessen the need for a ball winner type in midfield as the centre backs would have a bit more freedom to step up. Sinisalo Muirhead - Baird - Ndaba Houston - Murdoch - McGavin - Reading McCowan - Smith Wright I doubt it will happen but I’d like to see it.

Is Hare-Reid away yet? Might need him for the weekend.

He often isn’t even getting that far. He’s only really managed it a few times recently because of injuries. Tuchel would prefer to have three full backs on the bench. It’s piss poor from him to give Gilmour reassurances to dissuade him from going out on loan, only to never give him a chance.

Agree with this but he seems pretty happy at Clyde. Not sure he’d leave them mid-season, especially if they get the go ahead to start playing again.