stagdhu

I have to admit, I really like Johns idea and I wouldn’t think twice about allowing any kind of refund to be invested this way. I do know a few people who would request a refund if offered mainly due to their own finances, and in no way by their own fault, and would rather be given the option of choosing to invest in the club further or not. To appease these type of supporters, I would rather the club diversify if possible into offering a discount per period of which a season ticket was had, or by how many games they have attended in previous seasons, and offer discounts or freebies depending on that. Next season will be extremely difficult for everyone, and we are lucky that we will still have a team to support. Any help to get people to games and keep a keen support, I will always be in favour of. Lets have an offer of one family match per month with kids go free, or a free match in every five??

Only mentioned the HL as an example, not necessarily a literal idea. But do believe that an alternative to the Staggies Bar would be great. As good as the staggies Bar is, it is absolutely rammed as far as an hour before kick off, and you can hardly move at times. Having a members-only place would be a good incentive to many I’m sure

I’d probably be more inclined to join the Staggies Army if just for next season, the club said that everyone who joins HES a season ticket included and entrance to the Hamilton Lounge every game, rather than a free top and “meet and greet”. Just as a gesture of goodwill after the events of this year and to add a bit of optimism again for next season. Even if we have to pay £40ish a month for that to happen, I would be happy to do so knowing that my investment is genuinely appreciated by the club. As it stands, I dont see any incentive for myself to invest. My four season tickets each year, along with tops and food/pints at every home game should more than make up a decent contribution to the club before adding on any subscription.

Thought this too but seem to have conflicting information?

Not sure not sure how it’s been discussed in the Juniors in all honesty, but knowing a few people involved in the amateur leagues in the Highlands, they would be delighted to have the chance to play in a professional set up with an incentive (however likely it may be) to rise up the ranks. I think it’s more the chance that it facilitates growth and interest in the communities, and in a few years could see established sides drop down to play amateur sides, increasing cash flow and widespread marketing. Also has been mentioned league reconstruction could help get youngster playing decent levels of football regularly, which would undoubtedly strengthen our national game. Financially though, i understand fully the burden this may have for some clubs, but for most I reckon it would be welcomed with the right amount of support and feed-in time.

Couldn’t agree with you more. Hopefully this is the catalyst required to inject a bit of interest and entertainment to our football again. Id love to see junior/amateur clubs etc given a real chance to get up the leagues and make an example of some teams who seem to have been stagnant for decades. Get a total refresh of league football and see the interest and attendances rise. No brainer.

Saw the other day that a motion was passed to introduce another step onto the pyramid, which would in theory add options for a promotion/relegation to the Highland/Lowland Leagues. I think this would be a great feeder and enough justification for a 16 team Premiership, with two leagues of 16 below, with HL and LL teams promoted to add more variety. HL and LL could be suppplented with top junior sides (ie Auchinleck and Culter) and promote 2 from each league each season, with 4 being relegated and split geographically into HL/LL

Have also heard suggestions of promoting the top four from the Championship, creating a perhaps permanent 16 team league from here on in. Sounds great in principle, should certainly add some more excitement and intrigue to the league, but what will happen with the gap that creates in the Championship? Lineage the three lower leagues into two and supplement with some HL/LL/Junior sides??

I think if it comes to it, they should stop the season as is and have Celtic and Dundee Utd as champions, with the usual divisions for the European spots. Stops the inevitable but justified cries from their supporters or indeed wider footballing community and should set a precedent should similar events occur in the future. With regards to relegation, just don’t have it. Keep all teams in the Premiership as is, and add Dundee United. Then, when virus permits, have a playoff with the teams who currently sit in the Championship playoff spaces and the winner gets promoted, making for a 14 team league next season. Balance the leagues by promoting an extra side from both the Highland and Lowland leagues into League 2 and shuffle the rest to suit

Interestingly enough, I have it on very good authority that we have a budget well within the Top 6, and has even rivalled that of the fourth placed club a few seasons back. Make of that what you will.....

We need to start closing down the opposition and managing to actually do this newfangled thing I believe they call “defending” before we can discuss set-piece routines. Fergiewell can only process one thing at a time it seems...

I just don’t believe we should be aiming for 10th and just survive by the skin of our teeth. It seems a bit defeatist in my opinion. Where is the hope and optimism we had in our first few seasons in the top flight where we gave everyone a game and went out all guns blazing, not caring if we win or lose as long as we gave it a bash? A club of our budget and talent really should be aiming for at least 8th

I’ve thought at times this season I’d like to see what Cowie would be like as a holding midfielder shielding the defence, in a Draper-esque role. That would allow the likes of Vigurs/Paton/Tillson to move forward and try to create more, and Don *shouldnt* have to be as mobile as long as we actually manage to string a few passes together and defend. Saw today he was urging others on and giving grief for poor passes etc. That, for me, is just as if not more important than losing his legs

Agree completely with your assessments of Morris and Fontaine, however can’t figure out the displeasure with Cowie? I thought he has been steady if unremarkable since his return from injury, however hasn’t done anything of note to suggest he’s in poorer form than the likes of Draper or Vigurs (who I thought was poor today by his standards). Yes he’s lost pace, but did you see him run off the bench to celebrate with Billy? We need that passion and drive ON the park, we sure don’t have any leadership otherwise

Same old rubbish, same old story. Fans are getting sick of this staleness now. Either a statement of intent is made pronto or the club risks alienating its core fan base. Tick tock Mr MacGregor

Ah feck. kettlewell and Ferguson will get another week then

There are plenty other backers in and around the club who could easily support us. Maybe I was harsh in saying he should leave altogether, but a fresh approach is needed urgently

Can’t we as fans fire Roy too? Thanks for everything, but jeeesus, get a grip mun

Get Kettlewell n Ferguson to f*!k. And Fraser. Stevie Wonder is a better defender.

Down in Leeds at the moment and hearing rumours a couple of Scottish Prem clubs are interested in Nohan Kenneh and Jordan Stevens from Leeds United. Any chance we could be in for a loan deal, what with Power off and a lack of anything much? Both very creative players with a range of positions and need game time apparently

It was quite amusing to see St Duthus congregate for a squad meal and meeting at the Royal Hotel in Tain before their match on Saturday. Far cry from my days of playing when you’d stumble out of bed after a heavy night before and blearily play against hungover psychos in the likes of Alness. The attention to nutrition, fitness, psychology etc seems to really have been embraced by amateur teams now which I’m not sure if it’s neccessary or not. Out of interest, do any other amateur teams do this?

When the players are at home, do you really think they will be tucking into spinach and apples etc all day every day? Nah, they’re human like the rest of us. As far as im concerned, as long as they keep winning, they can have all the rubbish they like!!

Just a realist my friend

Yes, but at the start of this season our management team intimated that they were looking for us to push on in our performances this season and really cement ourselves in this league. Indeed it is still early in the season, however I don’t feel we have been nearly as consistent enough nor have our tactics been always suitable for the step up in level (see Livi game). Todays result however is fantastic but Motherwell weren’t great today. It’s a positive that we took advantage of this and got the three points, however we need consistency of which this will hopefully kickstart. If we had lost today, your opinion and many others would have changed.

Are we becoming a bit too predictable with our team selection? I could have told you our lineup last week. Just don’t feel we are playing to the strengths of individual players and embracing the talent we have at our disposal. Hope I’m wrong though and we win, but fear we will be on the back foot yet again today