Radford

Jamie MacDonald is a good, solid back-up goalie and, despite what the manager is saying, would mean Ross Sinclair is going to be number one. I can see why managers might not be keen on a player/coach in a goalkeeping role but it would have freed up budget if it was decided that Sinclair was going to get the nod. "Rome wasn't built in a day, but I wasn't on that particular job." - Brian Clough.

I certainly hope so.

I think we are in a quite a precarious position squad wise. I want to see a younger squad and our own players given a chance as that's largely always been the basis of what has been successful for us but there's no doubt it presents a risk with the current overall balance of the group. Eric Nicolson posted a squad of 21 players in a piece the other day but Parker and Steven aren't going to step up right now and Bair isn't in the plans so that's you back down to 18 already. Crawford shouldn't be in the plans and Booth has a lot to do to regain trust. Is Gallacher good enough? Is Kane fit? Are three games enough to judge Ballantyne off? What do you do regards the number one goalkeeper? Can Ferguson and Kucheriavyi contribute? Are Considine's legs still there? If you then ask yourselves, how many players in the squad can you really back and trust for a whole season... I'm not even sure we could field a team.

Saints did have Curtis Main in but there had been huge confusion over potential wages and he won't be back after we learnt what the true figure he was on at St Mirren was. To just match that would have made him our fourth highest earner of all time. Well known in football circles that the deal he's been offered by St Mirren eclipses anything we've ever paid. Gus MacPherson very vocal on their morals given the number of people that suffered during Covid and them still lashing government money about.

Manager not giving too much away on transfer plans, or indeed the budget, but at least we know that centre back and wide player are priorities, as well as a goalkeeper, although no indication if he considers Ross Sinclair to be number one, which personally I'd like to see. Looks like Dunfermline and East Fife only public friendlies, with bounce games against Falkirk and Partick Thistle.

I guess we'll know more when we see who we do sign. Both in terms of their position and stature within the game. Kyle Magennis a great signing for Killie, on top of Deas.

I'm unmoved either way. Reasonable player and would be fine in an advanced role but don't want to see a pathway for young players with a higher ceiling blocked.

We never really got to see Gilmour at full match fitness I guess but then that in itself was something he probably always would have struggled to attain. I always thought he looked a yard off it whenever he played. But if you liked Brad McKay and/or Wallace Duffy, then you'll probably like this guy.

Not much given away in the statement about Parish. His decision, one made by the club or a case of they couldn't agree terms? I guess what happens nexf might answer some of those. Coaching staff down to the bare bones now. Alec Cleland is what exactly? Liam Craig is first team analyst and development coach. Alex Headrick does the fitness stuff. Surely has to be appointments to be made?

Not including bounce games I assume? Cause Bair already has that in the bag. Sweepstake on when we'll announce our first new signing?

I'd have kept Davidson over C... Nah, too far.

I thought Jamie Murphy did pretty well but he never really fitted how Davidson wanted to inflict football upon us. Despite it being a bin fire of a formation post-double, Davidson spent all last summer trying to sign players to make his 5-2-3 formation work. Then ditched it a few weeks into the season and that kind of made Murphy redundant as our only width was from wing back. He usually made an impact off the bench if we were chasing games but would then get a start and disappoint, although never in a natural wide position. I'd think there is still something left to milk from him but he's a wide attacker, not a number 10 or a forward.

Definitely pleased Kane is staying but think it deserves a mention that he's knocked back the security of multi-year deals elsewhere to commit to Saints. Footballers can show loyalty and, as fans, I think that's always worth remembering.

It's tough. For me, MacLean shouldn't be going away to Romania during our pre-season when it's his first as a manager, although I suspect it'll be for a week maximum. Maybe it would be different if he was in his third or fourth season and we were ticking along but surely he'll be looking to implement his own ideas and to miss a chunk of the pre-season is very far from ideal. It's oft-repeated how it's no longer two weeks without seeing a ball or anything like that. Their fitness will be maintained and it'll be shape and ideas from the off. Yet we have a new manager who won't be here...

Talks progressing well with the Saudis I hear.

No surprise to see all the hand-wringers in the comments to the tweet. Hope they enjoy Coronation Street whilst we are playing in European finals.

Heard Tesco has already run out of tea towels.

Have you guys been to Windsor Park before? It's a fantastic stadium. The locals don't like being reminded that they let their big club die though. The Oval is very different but a fantastic vantage point from the main stand. Very old feel with the steel fences still erected etc... The H&W cranes overlook it and it's right underneath the landing path for places at airport.

This is a football club that never actually announced signing Gregory Tade or Nigel Hasselbaink, so anything is possible. Is Gus MacPherson actually involved in identifying targets or just in negotiating with players put to him by the manager? Bit about the pitch on the official site. Really well written and interesting and informative. Not sure if one the media guys have done it, or Paul Smith, but what a difference from the stuff getting churned out before by the Football Club.

In fact, I can do it now: Vinny Arkins (31), Harry Curran (33) and Mark Treanor (85). Falkirk scorers were Paul Smith (2), Joe McLaughlin (76).

Mark Treanor scored the winner, quite late on. I can certainly get scorers for you later and probably the times, if no one else does first.

Unfortunately not the case.

I'd still like to hear a bit more from MacLean about his summer plans. He's obviously waiting on answers from the out of contract players but in reality, they surely have a good idea of if they are going to sign or not, so how many signings are we looking at and in what areas? Talking about those sort of things gives off an air of confidence and authority, and I think helps with engagement and getting the support onside. Mind you... He deserves to be taken at face value at the moment though and shouldn't be tarnished by the bullshit that his predecessor used to churn out. But a raft of midfield signings will turn his words about pathways pretty hollow.

Anyone looked up the Macron catalogue from 2018/19 and identified the Erith & Belvedere strip from that season, as that will no doubt be ours.

Cammy Ballantyne will be 24 by the end of next season, Kucheriavyi will be 22. Neither of these guys can be viewed as players that need developing elsewhere by the time they reach that age. Ballantyne has played over 100 games, Kucheriavyi has had three loans and must be around 60 games. The experience they need now is at Premiership level and if they aren't ready for it then they shouldn't be at the club. Alex Ferguson at still just 19 is a bit different, despite also having three loans, because none have been above League Two level. Six months at Championship or a good League One team could be a step for him.