ShineOnYouCrazyDiamonds

Similar to Airdrie. Good start, but squad still very light. Like yourselves we need cover (or ideally competition) at LB/CB as well as probably another midfielder and forward/wide player.

I’d be delighted if we got Allan in but I’d be slightly worried whether or not he’d be able to cope with playing at a high intensity which McCabe seems to favour. Good start to the season but we absolutely need some bodies in sooner rather than later.

You can't be surprised by the way the prosecution is conducting their business surely? It's basic stuff. Of course those instances have absolutely nothing to do with the Quitongo case but if you're trying to prove the 'defendant' is racist you obviously bring up previous examples to sway the decision. I think Andy’s point is that none of these previous examples are actually examples of Hetherington being racist or turning a blind eye to racism, which I’m sure Quitongo has accused him of. It’s not surprising it’s been brought up and if I’m honest I wouldn’t say it’s completely irrelevant since it does highlight a serious issue with far right ideology and racism from some of the bams in our support. Those previous examples won’t prove that the investigation by the club was inadequate and they won’t prove any direct wrongdoing from Hetherington but I’m assuming the prosecution is claiming guilt by negligence, in that the club’s failure to deal with past instances has led to Quitongo being put in this position. Not sure how well that would hold up in court however and I would imagine if the club has actually punished previous wrongdoers they can prove that they have taken these issues seriously. It all probably hinges on how professional the Quitongo investigation actually was.

Just seen that. Think the best thing now would be to get Johnson in on loan until January if possible.

Him and Grimshaw obviously the stand outs there but Grimshaw probably has his eyes on something a bit better than League One. There’s a few in there born in the 2000s that have came through at Premiership and Championship clubs and been released. One or two of them might actually be pretty good but hard for us to know much about them at all.

22 is it not? But yes, still not lost a league game in 2022.

Johnson - not a lot to do but made one very decent save. Cracking long throw to start the attack that led to the fourth goal. Ballantyne - skint a man by headering the ball on the deck. Enough said. Watson - colossal. Fordyce - very good game. Wasn’t troubled. Deveney - his best game so far. Worked his socks off. McCabe - I’m sure at one point I noticed him wearing his slippers and smoking a cigar. Devenny - really tidy player. Played very well again and is doing everything to hold onto that starting spot. Frizzell - potentially the best player in the league this season. Doing well to make us forget Easton. Jamieson - really impressed. Still think he needs to gel with the rest of the team and can be even more effective when he does, but clearly a very talented and skilful dribbler. Gallagher - did what he does very well. Smith - alongside Frizzell potentially the best player in the team/league. Didn’t get a goal today but clearly enjoyed himself and never seems to lose the ball (even when he does he usually wins it back). Playing with a lot of confidence. Salim and Gabby done everything you can expect from substitute strikers. Wylie looked decent but it probably is easier to come on against a team that’s getting scudded and only has 10 men.

Mochrie, who ourselves and Falkirk were supposedly in for, is Dunfermline-bound. Still think our starting 11 is pretty much as good as any other 11 in this league, but I think most neutrals would look at that Dunfermline squad and see it as the strongest in the league.

A number 10 that’s stepover daft and can pick out a pass.

21 unbeaten.

I’ve been waiting until this day to make this point but absolutely yes. Our only losses in 2022 have came against Partick Thistle (Scottish Cup), Montrose (Playoff semi first leg), Queen’s Park (playoff final extra time, didn’t actually lose in 90 minutes) and Arbroath (League Cup). FC Edinburgh we lost to on penalties but the group table shows it as a draw so definitely not counting that as a loss. Last league loss came against Montrose on the 7th of December. We’re going for 21 today and no once can tell me any different.

Some cracking finishes in there

Another left footed midfielder! Makes a change from a few seasons ago when our only left footed player was Leon McCann. Sounds like he’s an attacking midfielder so I’d guess if we stick to 433 it’ll be one of McCabe or McMaster sitting and two of Frizzell, Wylie and Devenny in front of them. Looks like Wylie’s getting the number 8 shirt so hopefully that’s a sign that he’s expected to be an improvement on what we already have.

Would have McGill back and Connor Smith in a heartbeat. Unfortunately I suspect Smith will have Championship suitors but maybe his big brother could have a wee word in his ear to talk him into joining us. McGill we’ve all seen and we know he gives us good cover across several midfield roles and even (though perhaps not in an ideal situation) at full back. McGill I’d expect probably would still be looking at a League One loan as I’m not sure he’d be quite ready for the Championship but you never know.

Great to get another player in. Can’t pretend to know much about Jamieson but if he done well at Clyde last season then it’s probably a good signing, and I do remember him scoring that cracker against us. The squad balance is a bit strange just now, with 5 forwards in such a light squad but hopefully more to be added before the Peterhead game. Don’t expect Jamieson to start on Saturday since we’ll probably go with a front 3 of Smith, Gallagher and McGill but I’m sure he’ll come on as a sub given there aren’t many to choose from. Here’s hoping he can cover the wider forward areas that Smith and McGill play because I’m not convinced Gal or Salim should ever be out there.

Well we were linked to a Celtic goalie (Oluwayemi) before Rae joined so I wonder if that’s back on. I just assumed it wouldn’t happen when Rae signed.

Are you implying it’s the same parent club for all three players? Given another poster hinted at one of the signings, should we expect three youngsters swapping hoops for diamonds?

Obviously we still need five or six players in. I wouldn't panic if we haven't brought five or six players in by Saturday's game (in fact I'd maybe even be worried we've rushed signings at the last minute if we do that) but surely we need at least one in, and preferably two or three, before the Peterhead game. Overall I'd say we need another centre back, left back, a couple of midfielders and a couple of forwards (although these could be wide players rather than centre forwards). Would be nice to get one announced today or tonight.

Was this the entire rumour you heard or were specific names mentioned?

Tend to agree, although I wouldn’t mind just one player if he was capable of playing left back and centre back (like a left sided Watson) as that would probably give us enough cover across the back 4. Ideally though both positions need additional cover.

On a serious note I’m surprised it’s only maybe a defender. Not counting McCabe we only have 4.

Completely forgot about McMaster after he was ineligible on Tuesday night. I think that is probably the most likely change then and I agree we should try to stick to 4-3-3 as much as possible.

If Ballantyne’s suspended and no signings are made I suppose Gibson playing is quite likely, with Watson playing right back and McCabe joining Fordyce at centre back in a back 4, but it could possibly be Salim coming in if he’s fit to start and a shift to 442 with Smith and McGill out wide. Ideally a centre back or midfielder can be signed to avoid changing too much, but probably not too likely to happen before Saturday. Nine days until the league games start so the pen will surely be out before then.

Watching the highlights back and hadn't realised just how involved McGill was in basically all our attacks. Everyone played great but I'd say him, Watson and Frizzell in particular were outstanding.

Assuming McMasters is ineligible to play against his parent club I wouldn’t be surprised if we see one of the academy boys starting again. With McMasters and Salim unavailable, we only have 12 and obviously two of those are goalies, so really it’s 11 senior players eligible to start the game. Rae Ballantyne Watson Fordyce Deveney Frizzell McCabe Devenny McGill Gallagher Smith That’s the 11 but keeping in mind that Gal wasn’t in the squad for the last game he might not be fit. McCabe’s also been playing himself at centre back so if he continues that then one of the academy boys would have to play in midfield.