HopeStreetWalker

But does he have a friend or just making an assumption ?

Football is moving away from rigid systems with players being more flexible in a variety of positions. Under pressure lets be realistic its a 5-4-1 while going forward it is often a 2-4-4, with a 4-5-1 in midfield tussles. So as the game moves up and down the park formations change. If anything its an evolution of the old W W formation of 3-2-3-2 with key players moving in and out certain positions. Good example of that is Robertson at Liverpool moving from fullback-left midfield come winger and back again.

Nobody had heard of Farid or Taylor when we signed them so there are gems out there for sure. However the division we are in and the short season format will be a negative factor. Players will be wanting certainty so getting in early maybe the smart move.

Hope for some signing soon then. One weeks season ticket sales so they have an idea of income. Five weeks till September friendlies. Just hope it not the usual last ditch signing of the left overs.

With regard to the tedious midfield which is right to an extent but its also the rest of the team is culpable for not providing the runs off the ball. runs behind the back 4 , overlapping fullbacks, box to box runners from the midfield, give and go etc. We have all seen it in the last 2 seasons, just far to many players standing waiting for a ball to be played. All to predicable and all to easy to play against.

Badly worded by me, your right ! Both players are more effective with a player with them. Stuck up front on their own does not bring the best out of them. Will be interesting to see how M&M set out the team. No faffing about this season, get stuck in and boss the game. Nothing better than the opposition defending corners and not getting out their half for the first 10 minutes.

Agree Miller is the better but both are more effective with a striking partner.

He needs a striking partner to get the best out him. Not only would he score more goals he would create them as well. Miller will know this being a similar type of player and am hopeful of an appropriate signing.

7 days season ticket sales will give M&M their final budget figure. Important we do not get ourselves into a financial mess. Signings 10-14 days I think Sadly I think some clubs will go into administration as they will get the incoming v outgoing all wrong.

Bovril ?

As Jock Stein said ' The best defense is to have the ball in to opposition half ' Nothing better than putting down a marker at kick off, get them into their own penalty box with shots, corners and desperate clearances from them in the first 10 minutes. Far too much low tempo faffing about over the last few seasons. If its a 4-4-2 with mobility would go for that as well. The squad desperately requires pace in all departments ! +

Ha Ha - that was good ! did not think of that one.

Think Gomes will be a 60 minute player or a sub it's his last season and it will be a killer getting match fit and game savvy. Miller as the holding player in front of the defense is a no brainer. It's how M&M set up the team that will dictate the signings. Hope for a 3-5-2 and set out our stall as a team that will dictate how the game is played - here's hoping we come out the traps for once when the season starts. Anybody know when we last won the first game of the season ?

Nice one Sherlock !

Don't rule out Laverty establishing himself. This is his make or break season, he will know if he can't hold down a first team game this season he has no future at the professional level.

33 year old player will be just a guy picking up a wage in the twilight of his career. Sign a 20-25 year old they will be bursting a gut to stay in the game. This is where M&M knowledge and contacts in the game will come in to play.

M&M have earned the supports goodwill and it's fair they get a fair crack of the whip. This is a make or break season for both of them for a career in football management so there will be no doubt of the effort they will put into the job. As you posted its results in the end that matter. Am hopeful and wish them both the best. But please FFC come out the traps at the start of this season and lay down a marker that the team are going to be messed about with.

If the six on short term contracts get kept on then the signings should be. Back up goalkeeper. Two fullbacks. Midfielder in the box to box style with pace. Midfielder wide. Two forwards. That gives a minimum squad of 19 which is least required for this shortened season. All should be from their late teens to mid 20's they will be motivated to make sure they stay in the game.

All depends when the contract of employment starts. Some if not most players would settle just to get a contract to play next season. Would like to think M&M will have been talking to potential signings already and the point you raise would be part of the negotiations.

You would thinks so and common sense would prevail. Having dealt with the Health and Safety Executive and Insurance companies regarding Risk Assessments at work. There would be constructive dialog and something would be sorted out. Suspect along the lines of spacing and the number of people per row. Hopefully things continue on this downward trend and we kick off with crowds as per normal or 1 metre spacing worst scenario.

There is a equation I saw a while ago regarding spacing of individuals ( somebody that paid attention better than I did in the maths class might be able to elaborate ) So the number of seats should not be an issue. It's getting the people in and out of the stands safely and complying with the regulations regarding evacuation of the stadium that are the difficult thing to resolve. Lets hope the continuing reduction in the infection rate results in the restrictions come October being relaxed.

When do people think we will make any signings ? Go in the market early and get the managers first choices or wait and see and indulge in the traditional last 3 weeks signing frenzy.

You don't need to work terribly hard nowadays for a degree ! You have come up with some nonsense in the past - but jeez you need help.

We have a core of a squad 6 with contracts for next season with a further 6 on a short term contract as maybes. It is reasonable to expect that M&M know the style the team will play. Would be happy with 3 -4 quality signings with the rest made up of part timers with a point to prove and motivated to take the chance when it comes. If its another season with last minute signings of the leftovers there will be a lot of unhappy people - and rightly so.

He requires the right type of player beside him. Somebody that's mobile and can read the game in the John Markie - Gary Smith style. The two center backs are the fulcrum that everybody else plays off. McCracken knows his stuff and am willing to trust him to get that position sorted.