Marinello

Re Aarons. Having watched him in the last match at Tynie I was very impressed with him. OK I accept it was Hearts but he was unplayable against them and but for an horrendous tackle on him which the ref somehow missed he would have been through one on one with the goalie. Suspect it's all academic however as I don't see us being able to bid for him.

Even more so the impact if the Swedish ( I think) CB for Celtic had walked for his last man 'intervention". If I remember right the boy was already on a yellow.

Listened to tonight`s BBC podcast and I am beside myself with the direction it took. First of all the MAJORITY vote which at 64% is pretty sizeable was given hardly any acknowledgement nor was the vote by definition seen for what it was namely that the bulk of clubs did not believe an inquiry was necessary. Instead what we got was an over concentration on those in the minority. Yup lets note their discontent but c`mon lets get a grip! Meanwhile aside from Mc Intyre`s bombastic and sensationalised questions which were clearly geared towards continually pointing the finger at the SPFL board we then had Tom English!!!! Clearly pissed off that that his `take` on the conflict has now run aground he came out with the clearly inferred view that the clubs behind the resolution were acting in the best interests of Scottish football. Not only is this tripe as even the most objective fan knows that Rangers and Hearts to name but 2 have had their own vested interests in the conflict [which of course are unconnected with the welfare of others] , but more importantly he again chose tonight not to address these interests in any shape or form. That these `elephant in the room interests` did not get the attention they deserved in the podcast nor indeed did the known widespread view held by many fans that the SPFL would be well within their rights to now initiate disrepute charges against Rangers for their actions and comments throughout , simply leaves me with the view that the BBC coverage is not fit for purpose. Gone is balance and an avoidance of taking on the real issues. Indeed I`m left with the feeling that the BBC has been neutered preferring instead to pussy foot on the issues that matter . Journalists of the standard of Ian Archer and Hugh Mc Ilvanney will be turning in their grave.

Apologies if said before by any other poster but surely inspection of Aberdeen's motives to side with Sevco are due. Would I be wrong to suggest that by doing so Aberdeen would improve their wish to have the current season played out thereby potentially overtaking Motherwell for 3 rd??? Just sayin' .

Me as one of the ' auld yins' who vividly remembers the 18 team top league set up before 1974 , I have to say that as a supporter of Motherwell who were almost always mid table at the time I found the arrangement to be terrible. Basically having no chance of Europe , little risk of relegation and invariably papped out of both cups early, we found ourselves as early as February with nothing to play for. Consequently our attendances plummeted sometimes getting as low as 2,000 when up against clubs in a similar position. So for all I understand why some others see the attraction of playing each other only twice and blooding more youngsters the reality is that this is considerably outweighed by the drop in attendances , loss of revenue and the mind numbing boredom when playing games that don't matter. Contrast with just now when invariably deep into the season all clubs have something to play for. Therefore I would recommend that unless we can retain the current arrangement ( which with Dundee's quid pro quo making this unlikely) I would go reluctantly with an increase to 14. But I would insist on keeping the play offs which to me have been brilliant.

Good question . Once the nod is given by the Govt . Also see the games being turned around even quicker than the play offs in previous seasons. One off semis perhaps!!

I could be wrong but fwiw I feel a compromise is in the air. Bear with me but I feel in exchange for the SPFL getting the 'bulk' of their proposal through an agreement with Dundee will take the following shape ; 1. All league leaders get their respective titles as planned. 2. All bottom teams are relegated as planned . BUT 3. The play offs in all leagues are retained. Thus ICT , Dundee and Falkirk give their support as will the support be retained of the other ' top end' play off teams on understanding that once eliminated they get their due monies immediately. Appreciate the second bottom teams won't be jumping for joy but I suspect Dundee's thinking is that for the ' greater good' as per needing a decision asap for the other teams re freeing monies , the second bottom teams will bite the bullet and run with it. Likewise Dundee I feel will believe the TV companies and sponsors will run with it as considerably more revenue will accrue from what are eye catching play offs------ moreso when the public are football starved. Bit of tweaking would be involved re Kelty, Brora and Brechin but Dundee I believe see this as resolvable. As for the player contracts the attraction presumably would be that this difficult matter would be restricted to the rump of teams involved in the play offs rather than all 42. The above thinking might have weaknesses which I haven't thought of but the pros seem to outweigh the cons more in this outline than in the other possible solutions. Just my thoughts.

Probably Mugabe was put up front to keep him out of more bother at the back--- check his defending at the Livi goal

I see DJ on joining O's is peddling same mantra as to when he joined us " Wherever I go I score goals". Technically correct Danny but not enough for either Dundee or us to want to hold on to you!!! Best that you talk with your feet.

Admittedly in straw clutching territory but for all that Seedorf was soooooo bad last night ( and at Killie) I remember him having a positive effect in Dingwall. This suggests that if he can draw on his Dingwall performance he could have a future at FP. His problem sadly is that these performances are becoming so rare that he could quickly become surplus to requirements.

Hearing we lost 1-0 today against Hibs in closed door game at Easter Road. No idea of team but seemingly Hibs had a strong team out.

FWIW I spoke to Livi mate about Jordan White. He says he did well at Livi adding that with the better service available from our midfield he would be a good signing. Just sayin' like.

I'm concerned about this fixture. Before Alessio's ' departure' I felt Killie were in a rut and that the worst outcome for the 'Well would be a draw. Now however I'd snap anyone's hand off for a draw. My reasoning is that I feel the Killie players like Dyer a lot and will be ready to dig deeper for a result.

I think you are harsh in dismissing Saunders. At the time of his injury , which he picked up when playing as Captain for the Scotland Under 21's, he was widely regarded as a very promising defender. Coming through at the same time as Hutchinson there was belief they would form a good central defence partnership for years to come. Thus can be the impact of injuries. Not unlike Craig Moore who many had high hopes for.

Being a Motherwell exile in Livingston I have seen the lions 3 times this season. No goals conceded against us, Celtic and Hearts. We ( as we all know) will face a team who will press us high and attempt to stop our threat at source. Important we score earlyish as the longer game goes Livi will become more adventurous and seek to play on our nerves-----something they are very good at. On flip side Livi are quite blunt up front especially if Dykes doesn't make it. Going for a 1-0 home win.

Well said Ropy. In short MJC your comments at the time of our League Cup exit were (as they often are) an over reaction. No fans around me were questioning Robinson nor his signings. The collective view was that given time we would improve. And lo behold!!!

Excellent post by Cpt Oats . Yup 'Well fans are heartened by our start but we know to our cost the dangers of getting too far ahead of ourselves. The County experience is the perfect example . Strangely because of the County game I feel we will be better placed to get the win against the buddies as will be fully guarded against complacency. Also feel that it's a big opportunity for O'Hara to come in as Donnelly's replacement and banish the memory of his 'give away' for County's second goal. Can see a very difficult game against a well organised team with a 1-0 win to us the outcome. Ain't putting the life savings on it though

Agree with Cpt Oats re Hartley . Don't see last Saturday materially changing his position. IMHO I feel he played because of Robinson's limited options following Tait and Carroll's illness. Real pity that he will likely move on as when he was at his peak he was the closest in style to Shaun Teale and Buff.

Apols for spelling. Meant to read Mbulu.

Re Manzinga I'm inclined to see his signing as similar to Mlumbu last year. Basically a 1 year punt. If it works it works. If he doesn't cut the mustard then no great loss . Don't think Mazinga's signing will have any bearing on signing a striker who is ready to start immediately. Macgennis would suit me fine.

I'm sure I read that Tanner was due to play in a match against a Dundee second string. Any news?

Being a left winger Seedorf's signing could put the mockers on a move for Ariyibi.

Very impressive performance which has lifted the spirits of all Scottish fans . Would think Aberdeen are well placed to overcome the Cypriot team in the next round. Wont be easy though as the standard of Cypriot football has significantly improved in recent years.

Like Captain Oats I can see some form of compromise agreement being reached which saves face and reputation all round. Technically though unless Blyth does something really stupid thereby giving MFC the opportunity to dismiss him he can see out his contract. Would take a hellava lot of resolve/balls for him to do this but it is open to him, including the year option. I suspect and hope matters will become clear soon. Have to say on a general point that due to his injuries [ physical and emotional---remember Mc Ghee`s comment!] , poor form and me not being around I have yet to see him play in over a year ! For all I know he may be a budding Lewandowski but I suspect not.