PedroMoutinho

6700 I think. 900 Ayr fans

Assuming Nesbitt is fit to start, I’d play Oliver upfront. Would rather we’d got someone else in, but he did ok in that role two seasons ago when he played there quite a lot. I’d also have Miller and Agyeman out wide on their natural sides. For me, Miller is a much better option than Ross and isn’t anywhere near as effective on the right.

I don’t think fans aren’t putting additional funding in to the club- we have STs and PATG well up, hospitality consistently sold out, sponsorship increasing and retail sales at record levels. For a multitude of reasons, the vast majority of fans aren’t wanting to do that via the FSS. I think we have to accept that and look at what else can be done.

Personally I’d far rather be an established premier league club (even if they requires external investment) and I don’t think there’s any reason we shouldn’t be. There’s a long list of clubs smaller than ours which have achieved that.

Player sales don’t have to come from the academy. In my view we now have a number of players who are or could become sellable assets (largely thanks to good recruitment from McGlynn), and none of them have been near our academy.

Personally I think it’s clearer than ever that some sort of external investment will be needed to become the third leg of the stool and make up that deficit. There are not going to be many better circumstances to encourage people to sign up than last season and still the vast majority of supporters have chosen not to do so. Unfortunately, I don’t see FSS membership getting near the 2500-3000 figure mentioned. Everyone will have their own reasons, but I suspect a good number will simply believe that they are already contributing enough through STs, hospitality, merchandise etc and don’t feel like contributing more for no tangible benefit to them. We have a really good number of FSS members (especially when the average donation is considered). There are things that can be done around the edges to get some more- I think some way of allowing people to purchase their own shares over time so they get something tangible should be looked at. As mentioned, in my view FSS independence from the board and Patrons is another factor. Ultimately though, I do feel external investment will be important if we are to get the club to where it can and should be across all areas. I’m sure the board are not closed to that, but compromise on the ‘ideal’ ownership model may be needed.

I don’t think it’s any coincidence that Maciver has started virtually every one of our 43 game run.

I think Maciver has played a big part in that though with his link up play and general contribution to the team.

Shanley has scored 3 competitive goals for us. He is only 23 so still has time to improve but tbh I don’t think we’ve really been the best place for him to develop in hindsight. At the stage he’s at, he needs to be starting games which was never realistically going to happen here.

Not just basing it on one game- I don’t think he has played particularly well other than up at Montrose. No manager in world football gets every signing right and it is not a criticism of McGlynn to suggest that this one hasn’t worked out. For me Oliver is the much more experienced option and has to start.

Got to be Oliver for me. He’s a very different player to Maciver but much more clinical. Nothing against Shanley but for me he has had more than enough chances and think we all know he is well off championship standard. Think it is a bit unfair on the player to expect him to come in and perform at this level, especially as he’s not getting much game time to develop.

Agreed- Nesbitt being back is a positive and for me Miller and Alfie out wide in their natural positions is out best front three in the absence of Morrison. Oliver is a very different player to Maciver bug a more clinical option than Shanley I think.

Ross is one of, if not our most popular, player. I can see why as you can’t fault his effort but I don’t think his end product is of the same quality as our other wingers much of the time.

Don’t think we’ll get someone at Maciver’s level but I do think we need someone who can play a similar role. Shanley will be on buttons but ultimately don’t think he’s good enough, even in the back up role.

First thing’s first, everyone involved in the invincible run deserves thanks. There’s a reason nothing like it has ever been done in the club’s history before and probably never will be again. Bit of a funny game to lose it but think injuries have just caught up with us. Really poor first half hour but felt we were the better side after that. Lacked a bit of quality in the final third but had two good chances to score. Goes without saying that McKenna isn’t the answer up front. Need another option in there as cover for Maciver. A few others weren’t at their best today either though- Tait and Mackie in particular were wasteful in possession. Alfie wasn’t the player we’ve seen in the last few weeks but still offered a thread. Ross is our most popular player and can’t fault his running but feel there’s no end product there a lot of the time.