Smokerson

It very much depends on when Hamilton is back (unless I have missed something, I haven't seen a rough time/date when he is returning) if he was joining in full training shortly I am not sure we would need an out and out left back. We absolutely need another defender in of some sort, Stewart and Gold are ok to cover for the odd game but if two of the back are injured or have a loss of form we are up shit creek. Whether we haven't managed to attract someone or we are waiting on a loan who knows, it surely cant be the case that the manager is ignoring it altogether. We have plenty players in midfield and attack to pick from so its baffling that we still have only 3 real recognised defenders that are fit and available.

Standing side by side tonight so that’s you talking Pish again.

So if Gaston got injured or sent off early in the game, it makes sense for the club to get goalie in short term rather than someone in their 50s or play an outfield player in goals. It does seem a bit late in the day, so it looks like the Adams suspension maybe hasnt been picked up

Pretty sure the club would've announced if Rab was away, think he has maybe on holiday for a few weeks.

All I am hoping for tonight is that we show we have improved going forward and we can create more opportunities. Almost everybody has us as finishing bottom or going down so back to where we were at the start of the season before last where we are massive underdogs and I feel that's when we can become dangerous. Need to turn Gayfield back into a fortress and make United work for anything they get, too many games we just gave away last year. We will need around 10-12 wins so would be great if we could get a bonus one tonight.

Slater was definitely playing a bit deeper, Dow was infield a lot more and I thought McIntosh and Bird were more of a pair than a games previously. Not overly concerned about systems, It can sometimes be the difference of 10 yards

It looked like a 4-1-3-2 on Saturday, I would go with that again, McKenna has been way off the pace in pre season / cup games. Gaston Steele Little O'Brien Stewart Slater Hylton Balde Dow McIntosh Bird

Us and Airdrie will be overwhelming favourites with most to go down, but then again we have been the favourites to go down over the past four seasons. Always feel the first 10 games are important, need to try and get 3 or 4 wins. Our home record was dreadful last year, can see that being better.

I couldn’t give a toss who anyone else signs to be honest. We’ve seen most of them in pre season and it’s definitely a lot better than last season. We were in a sorry state.

That’s an outstanding amount of knowledge of our team / recruitment / new players. I would suggest you have a bit too much time on your hands.

We will be better than Airdrie hopefully. Queens Park will have that second season syndrome and I am not sure the route they are going down will work, could be wrong. Dunfermline don't look to have strengthened that much and although Ayr, Morton, thistle and Inverness did reasonably well last season, I'd expect a drop off in one of them, it happens most years in this league, one of the full time teams get off to a poor start and end up struggling. We look a lot better than last season, at this stage last year we were a complete shambles and it dragged on to christmas. Unlike a lot of teams though, our objective will be to get to 8th which we will end up doing again I think.

McKenna not been anywhere near it but hoping he can come alive when the real stuff starts on Friday. Think the manager has a lot of selection head aches which is a good thing. I think O’Brien will be fine. Even if we do get a left back in, it’s a big call to go straight in and start. Hopefully we can take a point at least.

Lots of new players so always going to take time for it all to come together. He has sorted the top end of the pitch out and we now we have so many options. Stowe and Turan both coming on and contributing right away. A left back has to be brought in asap for me to be completely comfortable with the squad. I thought Stewart might’ve done a job there until Hammy is back but against better opposition he will struggle.

Very good today, enjoyed the game. Clean sheet and all three strikers scored which is good

I take it O’Brien and Steele are injured? Some acting as if we’ve picked this team on purpose. that said, he needs to get a defender in ASAP, this was always going happen. Think we can win this 2nd half even with the team we have out Bird very impressive

Would say I have been more concerned about the form of Little, OBrien (to an extent) and McKenna rather than anyone else in the games so far, time for them to get the finger out. Goal 1 , guy gets in between Ricky and Steele and its allowed to come in too easily Goal 2, Poor poor defending from RIcky and Goldy, particularly Goldy, he has to be more aggressive and clear the danger Goals 3 and 4, we were a bit wide open but then again it was a cup tie and we were chasing the game, don't expect opposing midfielders to be running at our defence like that. A poor defensive day all around, often feel these game hinge on not losing an early goal which we did and then it was an uphill battle. Hopefully we can win the next two and build some positive momentum going into the United game.

Sensible line up. The team most wanted to see

Yeah, he was nowhere near as bad as that, I dont think he will play ahead of the other two but it was probably the game to have a look at him.

Its very early days so wasn't expecting as to be at our fluent best, there's now been 3 surprise results in the group so its wide open, I expect us to abandon the 2 up front on Saturday and go with a more solid look. Would like to see Slater and Balde in midfield with McKenna in behind Bird or McIntosh.

Juts don’t get the point in not starting Stowe , I can’t watch another season of our creative players sitting on the bench. Good to see Slater eventually and agree that Kenan was the best of the strikers. Certainly not the fall guy for me

A hard watch. called it at start of game, completely wrong team selection.

Get Stowe and Mcintosh on, it’s all a bit safety Sam for me. We need to be having a real go at this level of opposition

Getting a bit dejavu here. We sign an exciting young player from lower leagues yet he’s stuck on the bench behind David Gold nothing against Goldy, we know what he’s capable of but we need more flair / creativity / goals in the team

4-4-2. Gold on the right and Dow on the left. There’s no way that can be a 3.5.2

I think at home we may go 4-4-2 with Bird and McIntosh, those will give most defences problems, both quick and both physical. Against better opposition, we may be left a bit wide open with only two in midfield and it kind of rules out playing Stowe who looks to be quite exciting in terms of his attacking attributes. Balde, Gold, Allan, McKenna, Jacobs, Norey and Dow all fighting to get into the midfield which is good for competition. Think the team at St Mirren will tell us what DC is thinking, but then again who knows what it is his mind.