CrossgatesCynic

Would have fancied a trip up to Dingwall next season for The Mallard, if nothing else. The division would have been considerably harder had Ross County come down though, so definitely a positive in footballing terms. With any luck, Partick & Ayr just fall to shit next season.

I’m not sure my views on what qualifies as ‘patter’ coincide with some others on here.

Dear Lord, some folk really can’t cope in the close season, can they?

Wouldn’t like to see Murray leave but he’s not going to turn down a shot at the Premiership (albeit with a complete bin fire of a fitba club). Then again, there’s every chance he’s never so much as offered the job & this is all a moot discussion. If he does go, things won’t just go belly up immediately as a result. I have confidence the new board will already be having conversations/making decisions to mitigate against a Murray departure.

Every chance I’ve missed it but has there been any update on the modern apprentices being kept on? I was under the impression the club were set to make an announcement on them specifically by the end of the week there.

A lot of people desperate to be ‘in the know’ on this takeover/investment. I don’t think it’s unusual at all, given the stage of the season & the fact the club have literally nothing to play for, that we’re having to wait a wee while for things to be officially announced. Even all the talk about ‘of but other clubs will already be discussing contracts with targets’. There’s nothing to say Ian Murray isn’t already at that point, having been given a rough indication of budgets by the existing board, based on the imminent investment coming in (whether they’re putting money towards the first team squad or not). Calm doon, min.

Having Lang & Nolan signed up to new deals would suit me just fine. As I’ve said, I just wouldn’t be in a rush to throw significantly more money at them (Lang being the one in question). On the assumption that the playing budget is being restricted for next season, I definitely still feel getting a proper centre forward in is a priority, with a preference for getting in a bit more grit into the defensive side of midfield too.

Lang being open to signing a new deal is a positive but I’d hope the club aren’t rushing to offer him improved terms to any significant degree. A massive bit of this is going to hinge upon whether Murray feels he can realistically bring in other bodies at centre half to replace him. There are players out there but whether the club can afford them or not is another question entirely.

Think Cairns does a great job. There’s been a lot of Courier coverage of Dunfermline this season but it’s fairly obvious why. He’s then spread that wee bit further with some Kelty coverage now & again. Over the piece, he gives the Rovers a fair crack of the whip.

Aye, we get it.

Genuine question, what positive impact would dropping to P/T actually have? You’re still in a mightily competitive market for players, either way. Throw into the mix that you’re then likely giving up some revenue in any case as you’ll need the pitch a couple of weeknights for training? It’s fine saying it’ll save on wages but it’s going to (likely) lead to a far less competitive team on the park, which is counterproductive to your point about getting bums on seats. Bottom line is, I’d like to see the maths for it but it doesn’t strike me as the obvious choice that others seem to see it as.

All the chat over the defence is fine but, for me, the priority issue remains bringing in a competent out & out number nine. Improving the defence will be grand, sure. But to what effort, if we’re still looking at far too much pressure on midfielders/wide forwards to be grabbing goals because there’s nobody else to do it?

Christ, there really is a reactionary mentality with Rovers fans, eh? The ‘failed’ investment the other night & now some folk feeling the need to question whether or not they’d be happy with Murray being in charge at the start of next season. I’ll be happy enough to judge Murray when he’s had a full summer to assemble (to the best of the club’s ability) a squad he’s happy with. Certainly, one he’s happy to label as his own. There’s very little doubt his efforts will likely be hampered by a restricted budget etc. but teams throughout the division will largely all be doing likewise I reckon. When the Murray Plan A works, it really works. I’d like to see him have a Plan B he can turn to when needed though. Instead of just rinsing & repeating the life out of Plan A when it clearly isn’t working. He’s got good ideas about how to play the game, he talks a good game & let’s face it, there’s hardly a wealth of talented (realistic) managerial targets out there in any case. Folk just need to calm down. See these last couple of games for what they are & reset for the League Cup campaign.

You’re not telling me some folk are bemoaning letting Benedictus go because the club finished 7th this season? RATM mentioned it earlier but not keeping him on & him subsequently playing well in the division below are not intrinsically linked. It was almost certainly the best move for all parties letting him move on & I disagree that the level of League 1 (for the most part) isn’t too different from the Championship. I’ve nothing against Benedictus at all but I think the Pars could be struggling next season if they don’t look to make improvements in all areas of their squad. He’ll doubtless be a useful player for them but I’m not sure you’re wanting to bank on him being a starting centre half in this division.

Had to do a double take there. I’m 6’2” & near enough 17.5 stone… I managed alright at Cappielow earlier this season. Well, until that wig wearing bastart Gillespie tucked away a penalty Morton should never have had…

So, wait. This vague rumour has started off the back of what, exactly..?

Brown, POTY. By some distance.

Comfortable home win. Next.

He’s generally always been talked up for his coaching abilities. Just maybe not cut out to be the main man himself. Someone else mentioned but I don’t see why he couldn’t take on a role both coaching & also having input in the recruitment process as a DoF type too. If it can be justified & works to the benefit of the club, nothing should be off the table.

There’s also the distinct possibility that it’s just, you know, ‘paper talk?

Jamie Barjonas has been a very accomplished player for Kelty over the past few seasons. There’s the obvious caveat with this that it’s been at a lower level than the Championship, obviously. A bigger issue is that the club doesn’t need a number 10 type player at the minute.

A real case of 'be careful what you wish for' situation with getting rid of McGlynn. If you're talking purely footballing reasons, you can't justify it - you're never bringing in someone of equal ability or pedigree. If you're looking for him to leave because of the whole Goodwillie situation, that's different but the same point as previously applies; it's possible it just doesn't mean anything to you if you're principled to the point of wanting him out, regardless. Hank's point about mixing the results up is pretty spot on. Yeah, 5th (assuming that's where Rovers finish) is generally disappointing, given what the season could have held. Given the injuries though, it's hard not to say that's a positive outcome - plus throwing the Challenge Cup final into the mix.

So the assumptions over next season's shirt sponsor, is there anything in that? Or is it just a, "Aye, well, f**k Val McDermid - we never needed her anyway" pile of horseshit?

The conversation over whether it would be worth binning McGlynn is the same now as it was a few weeks ago. Is any other (realistic) managerial option going to come in and secure a guaranteed playoff place, given the injuries etc. besetting the squad currently? When McGlynn's system works, it works pretty fucking well. Injuries and individual loss of form have played a significant role. I don't think there's anyone arguing McGlynn has every answer and should be under no pressure whatsoever, but whether you're still all in for McGlynn or think the time is right for a change, the summer is surely the time to do that?

The same folk banging the same drum over and over it seems. I'm not sure how I feel about Goodwillie going out on loan, as opposed to having his contract terminated, just yet. My kneejerk reaction is that it isn't ideal but then I quickly acknowledge the likelihood that it's almost certainly the most straightforward option for the club, whilst also mitigating against negative financial impact. I realise money isn't everything etc. and there will be Rovers supporters who see this loan move as not good enough. For me personally, Goodwillie physically isn't at the club and that's better than him simply being told to hold off coming to training. I'm not a season ticket holder. I wasn't brought up supporting the club. This is a move in the right direction of me wanting to be part of things going forward though, for sure.