eliphas

I don't think the majority of sensible fans think he's downed tools to be honest otherwise we'd hear it big time on match days en masse. He's definitely not playing to the levels he was and it's kind of conincided with the Hearts announcement/leak. Which is a wee bit unfortunate but he's still very very important for us.

That'll do it. Haha.

I think that would be fine too tbh. But I wouldn't be planning for it. Hard balance of course for Kettlewell to let people go without knowing who's coming in etc. Would be delighted with Rooney if true

SOD and McGinn, if we keep them should not be first choice centre backs. They are really experience agreed but I just don't think they are first choice in any position for me.nso then it comes down to wages I guess. They have done arguably more than ok this season in there but if we are going to improve defensively it cant be one of them as a first choice. I keep harking on about it but for me it's one or the other as our utility defender basically. Carrying two seem a bit silly unless we are struggling to recruit.

Nailed it for me

Incorrect. Try again please.

100%. Kelly at the start was a big shouter/pointer and definitely better with cross balls. Seems to have either been coached out of him or has had a mega mega loss in confidence. Or both.

This is what happens when we release Liam Kelly. Tellin ye lads!

I get a free coffee every 10 coffees so I'll offer it to him

Next time I see Marshall in Costa I'll ask. He's in there as much as he just be through at Hibs training.

Yeah I was half way typing the same thing. I think what does happen is talking up gets more traction when you play with a bigger team and that happens up all the 'levels' of teams. Add in he's done it for a bit longer at Aberdeen and he's got longer on his contract and hey presto.

Marshall lives locally but id be very very surprised if he signs for us..if he does it would be a backup and coaching entry point of have to think.

Yeah I would not be in the slightest surprised he was the rumour. But, from a want Vs not want....seriously man. Bain. If it's Bain and all our defensive woes have been caused by Kelly then we are in for another long season. I'm annoyed and he's not even here yet. Haha.

People will be wishing for Kelly to come back if it's bloody Scott Bain

Aye, I think he's looked ok coming on too. I still think the Kettlewell mutualling knife will hit someone we are surprised at and I think it might be him. I'd keep him about the place too.

I'm sure we will do this to death but I think the reality of what will happen (not what I'd choose though - is) the below. Not including all the loans who will go back. Leave for better deals (be that we give them a low offer making them leave, or they can get a better deal) Kelly, Mugabi, Spittal Released Butcher, Maguire, Obika, Oxborough , Elliot Retained SOD, McGinn, Slattery, Nicholson Mutual/Kettlewell magic Tierney, Moses Shopping list could be cut in different ways but new players across the pitch.

If Rooney signs that will be a double punch in the stones for Nicho. He's just written a piece on him being a free agent

I, for one, am much looking forward to Kettlewell making the rebuild even bigger with some mad left field contracts getting ripped up/making people disappear/swimming with the fishes style mutuals.

100% agree with all this. It's just in his nature to answer questions at length which is fine really. That's just how he is. But he could probably have made his point about training/imparting info on to players differently due to VAR, nipped it in the bud and moved on. He's got my backing in as much as if every player is getting sent off for that Vale situation then we do need to tell players not to be making clearances like that anymore. Which is mental. But if if that's where we are in football then it's where we are.

I thought that as well to be honest - he stopped it being 3 or 4 and it wasn't his fault at the goal either - that on either the player losing the header, the set up with none on the post orcGinn being brushed aside and not running to the back post with Miovski. Bemused by the comment on the match thread from @Phillips455 that that was one of Kelly's worst games.

Clean sheet stats are only as good as the defence / revolving defence in front of you. Not standing up for Kelly really as he has been grim at times through the season but that doesn't really work for me as a stat to judge a goalie.

Same. Like him or not as a Well fan, I think Kelly will get a good gig on more money when he leaves us. Mentioned it before, but from what I heard, his weekly wage isn't an absolute bank buster. Top earner but it was a big sign on fee that got him to move from his QPR wage. Not his weekly take home.

I know it's been a wee break in the actual football but we really should just wait for the detail of the bid, if ends up going to that stage, being shared. Would certainly save a lot of angst

Did we get a small fee for Bazooka Joe? I seem to remember some sort of small fee being involved. But maybe that was bringing him in.

Think that's it in a nutshell for me. We need to sign a first choice central defender. No easy task. We absolutely cannot sleep walk into thinking all of the defenders have their plus points and deserve new deals/it's better to keep them around as might not get any better. Loads of nuances about keeping players on much reduced deals etc but ultimately good bye Bev, goodbye Butch - thanks for the good times - we need your wages.