Nithsdale Wanderer

Exactly. There are many parallels,as I mentioned previously, between Cathro and Naysmith. However, if the figures I saw are correct then Naysmith's win percentage is somewhat inferior to Cathro's.

Seems not. I was hoping there might have been a Board meeting last night - emergency or scheduled - from which there would have been a bold decision made. This nonsense about seeing who else he brings in and having the 1st quarter is just that. Does anyone really think, given his recruitment record so far, that he is suddenly going to produce some real game-changers ? Anyway, it's not about that. He doesn't have the managerial ability to turn things around. We have some decent players but he is incapable of getting the best out of them. There is no positivity either in the way he plays or the way he speaks. Bringing some other players in would not change that. He is smart though and is trying - and succeeding with some - to 'pull the wool over' by referring to budgets and restraints in order to take the heat off himself and deflect it to the Board. We all know we can't compete with many of the Clubs in the Division. That has always been the case and surely he would have known that when he took the job. As you know, I would change it right now but certainly if the 1st 2 home games are not won convincingly then surely the majority - and the Board - would have to say enough is enough.

On the basis of win rate, Naysmith must be on the brink. A non-scientific calculation puts him at pretty much 25% since he came in, the same as James Fowler for the entire 15/16 season when we still had Rangers to contend with. Of course, Fowler's overall rate would be considerably higher if his entire tenure was included. I realise there are several, more detailed and pedantic, analysts around who will be able to produce figures to the nth degree to give a more accurate reflection on this.

Exactly. We can't afford to wait that long.

Indeed, but look at what we have achieved in recent years - we have stuffed Rangers twice, beaten Hibs at Easter Road and at Palmerston in the League Cup, beaten the holders of both the League and Scottish Cups and competed in the play-offs twice in succession, after a glorious double-winning season. It's not just about these group games. It's about last season too. The guy has no motivational skills and similar amount of coaching ability by the look of it. What is significant about the New Year ? We need change now or nothing will change on the park and we will, indeed , be " in real trouble ". He hasn't got the ability to turn it around. Believe me, I want every QOS Manager to succeed but sometimes you have to recognise there is a problem, call a halt and make the change. I and many others, I suspect , had a lot of time for Ian Scott but sadly it did not work out for him and he had to go. That was around October time I think and he probably should have gone before then but he had a certain amount of 'goodwill' built up. Naysmith has none whatsoever and should be replaced ASAP.

Strong parallels between Hearts (Cathro) and ourselves (Naysmith). Both sets of fans, I think, have never been totally convinced by the appointments. There has been no real improvement by either and both seem incapable of inspiring their respective teams. In contrast, Magic turns up at Tynecastle today and his side put up a typical performance - no fear, positivity and togetherness to achieve a positive result. Remember when we used to be like that ? Definitely time for change. Neither Manager will turn it around at either Club.

You've really improved the defending, Mr. Naysmith ! Other Championship teams are defeating lower League teams with goals to spare. We should be too with the quality we have upfront. This Manager does not have the ability to inspire and lead this group. It really is time for him to go. I am very supportive of the Board but they have got this one wrong.

Try reading my post properly. I acknowledged there were problems before he came in. My point was, a better Manager than Naysmith would have worked to turn things around rather than take the easy way out and discard experienced professionals. Not sure what kind of scrutiny you mean but Dowie, Higgins and Robinson in particular provide the history and, along with all the others released add up to wholesale changes in my book. Choose any post-match interview you like and that will stop you being puzzled any longer !

Totally agree with that, Hamill was far from perfect but more reliable than anything we have now. The Manager has to take responsibility for that. If it is budget related, and I am not convinced it is, then surely he would have been aware of what was at his disposal and how that would impact on what level of player he would be targeting for the new season. A wise Manager would have been been able to weigh up the potential options against existing squad members and get it right. I have said on numerous previous occasions he made up his mind early to get rid of experienced professionals and especially those with a bit of history at the Club. I think he got it totally wrong. Hamill was binned early on and he would have binned Dowie and Higgins if he had other options available at the time. Of course, we had problems last season with that dreadful run and something had to change. I think a more positive character than Naysmith could have brought that team together and re-instilled the confidence that had been eroded. He looked at it and decided it needed wholesale changes rather than working to motivate and inspire confidence. That says more about him and his attitude than it does about the quality of the players he chose to jettison. Another major failing from this failing Manager. Just to re-iterate, for me, this is not a knee-jerk reaction to EK match. It is what I have felt from soon after he took over.

What Frankie S says is what the Manager wants the fans to believe. Both he and his assistant have made sure they make reference to their budget restraints at any opportunity. As someone commented earlier that is about self preservation for future roles to say failure at QOS wasn't my fault, the Board didn't back me. Who knows, there may well be an element of prudence at work but many would say that is a sensible option and that we don't want the very existence of the Club to be jeopardised. I suspect it is not overly so but acknowledge we will be behind the likes of Falkirk , St. Mirren and probably Dunfermline. The Manager is given a budget and it will be up to him how he utilises it. So far, I don't think he has done too well and I think in terms of recruitment players don't see QOS as a positive option at present which is a real shame as in recent times we have been seen as that. That is more down to the Manager than the Board Someone mentioned this already and I agree totally that this Manager has destroyed the team spirit that we had and,with his negativity, is incapable of restoring it.

He may believe in himself but he has never given the impression that he believes in the players. I am not prepared to cut Naysmith any slack as I saw nothing from his management last season to provide any optimism for this season. We need to get rid as soon as possible. The football on offer has been dire to watch and his excessive negativity and criticism toward his players totally unacceptable. His man management and motivational skills are non-existent and his football philosophy not much better. He will reap what he sows. After the magnificent AJ season and the introduction of the plastic surface I seem to recall the Club saying that the way forward was for fast, attacking, on the ground football. This certainly continued under McIntyre and Fowler but changed slightly with Skelton and is now unrecognisable under Naysmith. It may be because most of those players have moved on but I would have thought the Board - of whom I am very supportive - would make it clear to any prospective Manager what they are looking for in terms of approach. It is then up to the Manager to recruit, coach and organise accordingly to deliver on that. That has certainly not happened since Naysmith came in. His tactics, recruitment and negative approach have seen to that. I still think Fowler was harshly treated and suspect the Board acted because of falling crowds and supporter displeasure. If they are to be consistent then Naysmith should not last much longer as crowds will surely continue their downward trend and displeasure among the faithful will continue to grow. I must say that I am usually very positive regarding all things QOS - even the relegation with Gus - and have never felt like this or as strongly as I do now. Perhaps I have fallen into the web of negativity that surrounds Naysmith.

Not at the game, just my interpretation of the facts and information provided. Poor first half by all accounts and then, interestingly, we score 3 goals after Lyle is on and Dykes is off. It is totally crazy that any decent Manager would start Dykes in front of Lyle. Is Naysmith not aware of how Dobbie and Lyle link-up so well together and how well Lyle can hold the ball up to bring others into play. We are so much more of a threat when he is on the pitch. If he hasn't recognised the 'chemistry' between them first hand then perhaps he should visit QOS TV to watch the highlights of the early season games when they tore defences apart. They are both such experienced, intelligent and instinctive strikers they know the runs each other will make and feed of each other so well. I know Naysmith is already quoted that Lyle won't start every game but Del is fit enough to play at least 60minutes and, in my opinion, full games as well. If he sticks to his plan he may well regret it.

That's some goal Annan scored. Good to see the changes the Manager has made has eradicated the mistakes of last season !

I never said that it was alien to him either ! Merely pointing out that, in my opinion, he was not being utilised in the most effective way given his natural attributes. The same applies to Carmichael as Rjc as has pointed out. Anyone that thinks he is better on the left, go and watch his display in the April 'ripping apart' of Rangers and also his sublime cross for Lyle at Ibrox in the play-off game. Perhaps Mr.Naysmith should do that too.

The number of times he cut in and shot and completely wasted the opportunity far outweighs the few goals he scored. I think you are doing Lyle a dis-service. He is not the tallest but has great awareness and timing and a pretty decent record from scoring from crosses. Ibrox play-off, superb. Double home to Airdrie last season - both from right-footed Anderson crosses and the play-off (H) to Rangers too. Again, this is not a criticism of Thomas but how he was deployed. He has pace and great feet and can go past defenders with ease and would therefore be a much greater threat and asset on the right, as would any other right-footed winger. It's how I like to see the game played anyway. How many times did anyone see the great Jimmy Robertson play on the right ?

Started well then fizzled out and became very frustrating getting into good positions only to stop and turn back. His shooting deteriorated and never seemed to want to cross it. Del was often in a good position for a cross but must have wondered why bother after a while. On the occasion he did cross it, Lyle scored against Morton but the move was never repeated, As I said, not his fault but the Managers.

This would not be Thomas' fault, but I could not stand another season watching him, or any other winger who has the pace to get beyond full-backs, constantly stopping and turning back and losing the advantage of the attacking opportunity because they are playing on their 'wrong side'. The Manager obviously favours this approach though as the players are acting under his direction.

That's quite accurate actually. I think there is/was a major problem with the Manager's motivational - amongst others - approach. I wonder how long it will be before he delivers his first negative interview of the new campaign ?

Very enjoyable game today. Burns was a stand-out and could certainly still do a job for us in midfield and probably McKenna too as he seems able to do what we lack as he is able to drive forward and then pick a pass - I guess this is Rankin's role but he seems not nearly as effective. McKenna still retains his 'steel' too and will do well in the Juniors.

Really looking forward to Del's testimonial tomorrow with some very popular 'old boys' on show. What a squad that would have been in their prime - solid as a rock at the back and lethal upfront. What chance Dowie or Higgins 'accidentally' colliding with Naysmith when he is on the pitch just to prove to him how useless they really are !?

Have to say, in my opinion, the new season training tops look a lot better than the actual team kit.

One of the games was over. He equalised at Ibrox late on to earn a 1-1 draw and the other, which I previously referenced, he helped turn the screw for the last 15/20 and we were unlucky not to take a point from it.

I wasn't comparing the two - which is a ridiculous thing to do - merely commenting that most strikers are capable of doing that. It's quite a contradiction, too, to compare Smith to Kean. Kean wasn't a finisher but he certainly could never be accused of lacking in effort which seems what you are levelling at both he and Smith. My opinions are based on what I recall but we all see things differently. Smith came on against Rangers - home Feb Miller freak goal game - and was an absolute livewire who unsettled their defenders big-time and won numerous free kicks in the last 15 mins and we were unlucky not todraw level because of. He has, of course, come on and scored against Rangers on 2 other occasions. I guess his goals/mins ratio would stand up favourably with Dykes' who has had much more game time - a more like for like comparison as back-up strikers.

You could say the same about Dobbie and the majority of strikers out there.

Magic made us double winners whilst providing the most entertaining, attacking football I have witnessed in all my years at Palmerston, McIntyre carried that on and took us to the play-offs following which Fowler reached the same heights where we lost narrowly to Rangers but took to the pitch with a belief that we could beat them alongside which I saw one of the best performances ever from a Queens team when we destroyed the Gers that memorable Thursday evening in April. That's a relatively good return for a Club of our size which I don't see changing much unless we have a massive cash injection no matter who is in charge. More importantly though, alongside those achievements it was really good football to watch, which is what people want to see. Naysmith has not produced anything like that so far perhaps with the exception of the Challenge Cup SF 2nd half where we had no option but to go for it. He is, by nature, a cautious, pessimistic type.