QP's in my DNA

Not only the camera gantry's location is unaccounted for, but what about the "Police Control Box". The police presence is essential these days as they insist on being in direct contact, during games, with whichever security team is on site, the emergency services, plus the ground staff in the event of turnstile malfunction, toilets being inoperable, wee JImmy fell on the ice outside coming in to the turnstiles ( I assume more that one ) etc etc Where are the ground staff going to be housed with their tractors, trailer, grass cutting equipment, storage for fertilisers, a salt spreader and salt for approach ways and stairs and walkways. if as expected, our wonderfully designed East Stand gets a winter soaking with rain of all seats and walkways, then freezes overnight. Where is the equipment and resources being stored to cope with all rectifying all this. We have brand new hybrid pitch, which I believe is 80% grass and 20% fibre, it will still need to be cut and rolled, some clubs in summer cut it daily. Where are the piles of grass cuttings going to be stored. It has been stated that the hybrid pitch can at best be placed on only once a week, so only first team matches then with no other community/club team involvement as at present on Lesser's astro. Most clubs have tarpaulin type coverings for the whole pitch in winter to stave off overnight frost, on even astroturf pitches. These are heavy and require being laid before a match and then rolled up and lifted in due time. Where are they to be stored ? These are items we had no concern with at Hampden as they were the SFA's responsibility. As for segregation in the new East Stand for home and away fans, is there more that one lavvy ??? Or will we have to share that too, what about the ladies requirements there as well ??? What about the refreshment kiosk, if there is one, will we all be queuing together, this works well at most L2 and some L1 grounds, but with the possibility of attracting the fans of some of the clubs in the Championships with more toxic elements, how will that all pan out. It would be nice to think that all these items have been thought out carefully, but given the club's dreadful and selfish decision to construct a "Royal Box" for themselves and their pals, I somehow think most of the above listed will not even have been considered.

With all the talk on here about tying down players like Murray, Fox and Boateng (if he's available) to log term deals, and quite rightly so. I'm more worried about losing OC. The transformation he's brought, to even the existing squad, with 7 of last weekend's starters coming up from L1 : let alone the quality players he's brought in to strengthen our weakest areas. In my mind a Hibs or Dundee Utd or Aberdeen who chop and change regularly might come knocking on OC's door. My only hope is as a local boy, who's been around the block a few times now, he's happy settling back into his hometown Glasgow and with his overseas jaunts behind him and his family also settled, with his son as QP's second team coach. In his post match interviews, he certainly glows with his admiration for the club, it's history and importantly it's fans He has made a connection for sure. In a mad mad footballing world with it's revolving doors and crazy sums of money changing hands, I sincerely hope OC has enough in his bank account to allow him the luxury of choosing to work at a club and in an environment he clearly loves. For me the difference he has made to the football my club plays, and the enjoyment he has brought to the fans, well, no money can buy that. We've just been lucky so far and let's hope OC thinks the same.

You have summed up in two sentences, where our committee have failed the club. The club (ie committee) only saw as far ahead as:- 1:- Getting us away from the dreaded trapdoor of League 2. 2:- Turning professional and thereby allowing the club to benefit financially from the sale of players who have come through the club's youth system and have therefore benefitted from the club's training skills and support. That same committee have failed drastically to envisage the potential for support, on the southside of Glasgow, for a non-sectarian, family based local community involvement at grassroots level. This has been exposed, by firstly, the successful recruitment of a first rate experienced football coach, who is steeped in the club's history, despite never having played for the club (but did live for decades with Hampden No2 as his back garden). And who has propelled (no other word for it) the club to unforseen heights in the Premiership so far: and this committees subsequent failure to plan ahead for an alternative home ground to match onfield success. Secondly, they have been exposed by the successful recruitment of a team who have not only raised local awareness in the community but have managed to procure inward investment via sponsorship and matchday hospitality. Yet despite these two successes the committee are mired in a disgraceful catalogue of failure :- 1 :- To communicate on even the most basic level with the supporters of the club, and therefore the media at large, with updates on what is happening. 2:- To explain what the structure of the club now is, since becoming a full-time professional club. 3:- Do we have a full time CEO, and if so, what are the responsibilties of said position, and why does said CEO have literally no contact with the people who support the club. 4:- Why did the committee agree to the change to the original plans for a circa 4000 capacity stadium, to the latest plan to accommodate 900+ home fans in a single stand with a glorified "Royal Box" accommodating only 40 or Committee members and their friends and in so doing incur a £800,000 legal fee in deviating from said plan. I could go on......but presumably many more Club Members who participate on this forum will have many such questions to put before our esteemed committee, at the forthcoming AGM, on what will inevitably be the last chance before the exalted few take their seats in their much ridiculed "Royal Box Imagine this scenario........... if our first team coach is as successful as he was last season, and gets us into the last playoff place, then gets us promoted . Yahoo will be my first reaction !!!!!!!!!!!!!! Like me..................... given that my first game supporting Queens was over 70 years ago, how much of a laughing stock will our club then be, if w ere to appear in the Premier League with a stadium with a capacity of less than 1000. And who will then explain to Lord Haughey where his investment has been squandered? Will it be our Chairman ?????? Will it be our missing in action CEO ?????? Mibbes aye mibbes naw

Well said and explained BYOS. And as for the Charlatan and her Royal Box, the Tories will be looking for a new Prime MInister in a week or two, she has all the qualifications.

So much for my attempt to dabble with the internet, where others had failed, to find a live link for the game. Meantime back to the real world, and well done lads over in Belfast in what appeared to be a close run game, even on the Cliftonville Twitter page "Reds by the Minute" it seemed like it was end to end.

Hope this works for those of us unable to attend in person.

I think it's a hybrid !!!!!!!!! Just like the new turf at Lesser it will cover the usual bare patches with synthetic but allow the natural growth, if there's is any, to make it look "natural".

Well done BYOS for taking the time to update us plebs.

Must admit I'm really happy with Owen Coyle as our new head coach, I think he's a really good fit for our club at this present time. Especially when you consider the other alternatives from the managerial merry-go-round that were being touted. The Jack Ross's of this world would always be looking for the next step up. Having done the English,USA and Indian jaunts in his career, he's possibly looking for a hometown stint to allow his family to settle down at last. As has already been mentioned, a local lad, a decent guy, and perfect to represent our club with both kids and adults. Knows the area well having lived in Myrtyle Park for many years and I saw him often at Hampden on scouting duties, he did take Davie Weatherston to McDiarmid Park after all. Someone mentioned his kids going to local schools, so will understand the new philosophy of reaching out to the next generation of Queen's fans. Will surely raise our profile, as he'll be sought after as a TV/media pundit given his recent travels. He will be well aware of the history around our club both recent and past and will come with a handy contact list both here and abroad. Given he's not even been officially confirmed, it'll be interesting, as others have said, to see the length of contract he's given. I imagine he could well be happy to be in it long term, and be a part of what's being created here. and to see some of the new group of youngsters coming through and playing 1st team football, as per the Director of Football's philosophy. As for this season, I'll be happy if we make the play-offs, which'll let Owen assess the playing staff in time to strengthen for next season. For me as a lifelong QP supporter, I'm more than happy he comes without any Old Firm baggage, which will surely help in our intention of integrating ourselves in the local community as a family oriented club. Ironically, Owen, in his first managerial role at St Johnston, replaced our very own Billy Stark as manager and in doing so, did us a great favour in instigating a great era for our club in terms of football played and players career's created. Let's hope his latest managerial role has a similar effect.

Could be another Salim. Surprised it's only a pre-contract, a hot-shot is what we need right now. Perhaps he's got current personal/work commitments that prevent him from coming straight away or mibbe Cambuslang wanted big bucks up front ?

https://queensparkfc.co.uk/alloa-match-preview/ Must agree it makes such a difference to have somebody talking sense, instead of the usual guff about "working hard......training hard.....looking forward to the game", and also to have a mention on player availability. No Covid worries for this week apparently , but seems Murray is out for this one , and a first mention of Lyon for ages;suggesting he's still at the club. I share your concern for Baynham, asume it must be something serious following on from his head injury (I think) in his last game. It'll be interesting to see what differences , if any, manifest themselves in tactics and attitude. Keepin the faith for a much needed victory.

Definitely one to add to the list of grievances since Dempster took over as CEO. Is it possible that we're all adding what we think is the obvious 2+2 and getting 5 ? A number of people have commented on Dempster's great relationship with various HIbs personel past and present, including Jack Ross. Given the sudden sacking of Ellis after his up, and mostly down, rollercoaster journey this season; most money was on an immediate replacement being named, so far it seems to me like a stalemate in negotiations with their preferred option, be that Jack Ross or AN other. Like the recent appointment of Derek McInnes at Killie, it's fair to assume that he was hoping for a job at a larger club ie. one that would pay big bucks, even a lowly team down south could afford more than Killie. In the absence of any such offers, he's taken the only solid offer he got, in the hope that if he's successful, his reputation will remain fairly reasonable. IMHO Jack Ross is probably in a similar situation, waiting for a big money move down south. In the meantime, if his relationship is as good with Dempster as some folk on here have said, while he keeps her dangling on a string, he's happy to allow his normal working assistant to gain some "front line" experience and no doubt earn some much needed cash. Why else are we not advertising for a new coach or have already named our man. Of course, one answer is that Dempster has made an arse of this to add to the arse she's made of the non-event that is the re-developement of Lesser. Perhaps the next offficial statement will say that "Due to legal reasons" we're unable to comment at this time. Then again it could just be that Dick Campbell is playing hard to get

Well done to all those contributingin this thread, with comments and info on the new plans. They seem to be a big improvemnet on the original 2 stand deal. But reading the above post made me think that as a GIRUY to the SFA and their pathetic origgial offer, we could call the new Lesser. ................................."The One Pound Stadium"

I think that was a misprint there, it should read Donaldo. I heard it's Donaldo MacKinnon of Fort William that's open to offers.

Seems my local bookies have closed the book on it being a draw and aren't taking bets. However they are offering good odds on the number of times Queens will hit the woodwork. So I've taken 3x Hits with Connel, Longridge and Murray (if allowed to play) as the perps all at 100/1 Might even win enough for the Bumper Xmas Hospitality package. Who says being a Queen's fan ain't an adventure.

It's maybe not such a waccy idea

Well I don't think anyone saw that signing coming. Most of us were expecting someone to score goals or shore up a leaky defence. So I wonder what the "pecking order" will be with our new appointment. If as expected the new "Director of Football Operations" surely will have some input into current 1st team playing strategy as it's stated " He was responsible for developing the long-term vision at AZ, for creating a performance culture and for the development of coaching staff dedicated to excelling in the development of high potentials" Seems he'll be responsible for the development of the coaching staff well as the players. Given the performance of our current under 18's ,according to last weeks club post, he's surely half way there.. They told us the U18's won again with a 5-1 win against Morton, which when added to previous games against "higher" league team's U18's makes it:- Played 15, Won 12, drawn 1, lost 2, with 48 scored and 13 against. Yet despite all that promise, not one of those current under18's has been promoted to the !st team squad this season, despite our inability to take chances and score goals. I'm all behind promoting progress from within the ranks, which again you have to think will be the new man's responsibilty as he did at AK Alkmar. But who will be making the final choices to allow that to happen; it doesn't seem to be the current coach's philosophy. As with all things with the current management, don't expect clarification on a pecking order anytime soon, we'll just have to wait and see.

Goodness guys, what's the problem ? According to the coach in his pre-match interview this coming Friday he'll say:- "The boys were bitterly disappointed with last Saturday's result at Peterhead, but we went in on Monday and looked at what went wrong. The boys have been working hard all week and are really looking forward to the game. " Seems to me it's a skoosh case then. But in case you're doubting him, here's the coach's post- match interview to put your mind at rest. "The boys are bitterly disappointed, Falkirk are a good team with very good players. But we'll go in on Monday and look at what went wrong, we will work hard all week and get ourselves ready for the game next week." Like I said guys, what's the problem ? Does he not inspire you either ?

Maybe that's just who we're needing as a "motivational coach" for the ................well for the coach. Not known for mincing his words Eddie would'nt miss the underachievers and hit the wall. Leann are you listening ???? Of course you're not; you're not the kind to admit you got an appointment wrong, so our misfiring coach is going nowhere anytime soon. Until your boss Lord Haughey reins you in, we can but live in hope.

I rest my case.

As we all know football is all about opinions, and even among the Queen's faithful they will be many and varied, in fact even amongst those I go to games with this is true. Concerning our recent performances and results BYOS post above, just about covers all of our various failings and shortcomings. I've been coming to a similar conclusion about the disappointments in the recent games, and for me "Logic and blindingly obvious" points the finger at the culprit for our poor form. I feel that there is a lethargy surrounding our team spirit these days, and the blame for that lies with the Coach, not the players. His job is to pick a winning team from the current well paid, full time squad and sadly he is currently failing. I won't go as far as to say he's "lost the dressing room" with his team selection and tactics, but he certainly is unable to inspire them to play above their current level. In terms of tactics, every Queen's fan knew that in the last game against Clyde, where the danger would come from, yet tactically we stood off him and gave him the freedom of the park and paid for it. In everything our coach does, from his bland pre and post-match interviews to his substitutions invariably in the last 10 minutes (when a number of under performing players should be subbed at half time). To his apparent denial of who is best suited for key positions. These all suggest to me that our coach is somewhat overwhelmed with the task of being daily responsible for such a large squad of players and the associated specialist staff members he has accrued in the process, and is therefor struck by indecision during a game, when it isn't going as he thought. I don't know how much logic is involved in these opinions, but to me there are some blindingly obvious changes from the team that started against East Fife, if they are not made and we get a similar result as in our last game against Clyde, I suspect it might be time for someone in a higher position to take our coach aside and give him the kind of "inspirational" talking to that he's unable to motivate his players with. Having said all that, we're still a better outfit than we were 2 seasons ago,. Which really is to be expected, when our team's wage bill is £1 million/ season (courtesy of Davie Galt's championship winning t-shirt). Talking of Davie Galt, he's exactly the type of player we are missing,,,,,,,,,,,,, and who let him go ????? As for tomorrow's game, the result will be determined by "logic and the blindingly obvious" if it's applied.

Not according to the SPFL team of the week, the Cove strike force couldn't hold a candle to Super Bob McHugh

Feels like a victory. Which is a much better feeling than many of our draws this season, which have felt like defeats. Perhaps the team did learn something after last weeks defeat to Alloa, which is not to give up till the last kick of the ball. Despite a poor first 40 mins, well done lads for keeping the faith.

I must admit I've been impressed with the results the Young Guns have been getting recently. Your list above, BYOS, really shows up how well they are doing. 24 goals in 7 games. Surely there's someone in there who would do a decent job in partnering Murray in the first team.

Even better, wonder if Laurie Ellis could organise a one game loan deal for Davie with Darvel, and maybe even the same with StRoch's for Jamie Longworth. Both still playing.