Fabi

Lots of interesting reading here and loads of fair points and arguments. What I'd say is it's a totally different breed of player and mentality that is coming through now and you just have to look at Talbot at the start of the season to see , good manager , fine set up, chance of winning things etc etc isn't the big sell it used to be, Tucker was getting slaughtered for his lack of tranfer activity and the quality of those he had signed, but I've no doubt a lot of that came down to Talbots strict wage budget. The wage structure of many of the new teams and the sugar daddies teams have ruined that, you add into the mix that the new generation coming through main motive is a pay day then unfortunately teams like the buffs will struggle these days. I saw it first hand when coaching with Kevin Deeneys at Medda. He had targeted good players to hopefully bolster and improve the squad but never hardly got any over the line because of the ridiculous wage demands and offers on the table elsewhere. Yes you always had one or two teams paying more down the year in spells, the buffs being one of these teams. But the volume of teams paying big sums now makes it harder for those clubs sticking to a budget to entice players in, there is just two many offers of riches out there now. So yes unfortunately it is bargain basement or picking up gems from lower leagues, which I'm sure there are plenty out there. But I know that's not what fans of any clubs want to see, we all want marque signings but despite the set up at the buffs, which has improved 10 fold since my time playing with them, I can assure you it's down the list of priorities for a lot of players.

Tongue in cheek?! where are all the tucker haters now from start of season who wanted him to go! Looking at the table they could go on and win it, some turnaround after their start to the season

4-3 buffs now Gavin Miller ... defences on top! Lol

3-2 buffs, sub Cammy McNair

2-2 buffs , Boyd pen

Buffs 1-2 St Rochs half time

Tut tut so the club are fiddling the tax man? Sounds like Rangers all over again£ In all honesty though, very naive of the players to accept a wage that isn't written into their contracts. Was always going to end in tears for them.

Stop trying to make sensible suggestions!

Tough crowd!

Still want Tucker sacked??!

I asked for that!

What age is Glasgow ?

Is it a home game for Talbot?

Been reading this thread with interest and the split views of the Talbot fans regarding Tucker just shows you what an amazing game this is as everyone sees it totally different! personally having played against Tucker as a player and also when he went into the dug out at Talbot the guy has nothing but massive respect from me. This is due to the way he holds himself at all times, the trophies he's won and despite the respect he rightly commands , the humbling and genuinely friendly nature of the guy whenever in his company before/after games. He has got to be the most successful manager at our level in modern times and for that alone he should be given the time to turn round , what is no doubt the worst start for a Talbot team in all my time. What I would say is the Talbot fans do have a right to be worried. I was part of the 2004 Buffs team that had won the Super league the season before but due to a manager change at the start of the season, Paul Wright taking over from Mark Shanks who went to Ayr, a number of our experienced players either left or were pushed out the door. Paul Wright went down the youth route , kids from Hamilton pro youth, and also signed players who had no top league experience. In their own right he signed boys who no doubt had decent attributes, especially the boys from Hamilton, but at that point they just didn't have the experience or the temperament to deal with the pressures of being the team everyone wanted to beat and ultimately we ended up relegated. Throughout the first half of that season we kept looking at the table saying we were too good to go down and thinking "right if we win they next few games....." The rest is history! I suppose what I'm trying to say is that the position Talbot find themselves in just now there is no reason why the can't go down, and having experienced players who have been there and done it can make all the difference when dragged into a relegation dog fight , which Talbot are most definitely in just now. But I have no doubt Tucker and Alan don't need me, or anyone else telling them this, they will be fully aware the players brought in this season to take over from the old guard haven't cut it yet and I've no doubt they will be working their balls off in the background to bring others in and bring those already signed up to scratch . I'm sure he will be given the time to turn it round as a change of manager doesn't guarantee a change in results. on an aside , one of those pro youths at the buffs , who a lot were shouting about weren't good enough is Ryan McGregor , who ended up having a fantastic junior career and has just signed with Pollok again!

And had the associated abuse for it! Having been away from the junior/Wosfl level since I finally retired from playing 9 years ago aged 43 it was too good an opportunity to turn down and I'll always be grateful to George Grierson and Meadow for giving me the opportunity to get back involved. No other team had asked me prior to this

Brilliant post Jim

I doubt for one second the committee are actually contemplating replacing him

Stranger things have happened!

Not a lot that's why my stint at Medda didn't last long! It was good to be back in a dressing room and also seeing games at this level again so hopefully my time away won't be as long this time, I'm definitely going to start going to more games in the different leagues! So if anyone knows of a team needing a coach .....

Delighted to see the team has got two great results in last couple of weeks. I wish Martin Ferry all the best for rest of season and hope he gets the boys up the table

Not gloating at all!

I took in the Saltcoats today , first time I've been there for a long time! Not the game I thought I take in after leaving Meadow but wanted to see my old mate Slavin and how he is doing. Despite the score line it was an enjoyable game played in the right spirit , no bad tackles or abuse of ref, despite Slavers being on the park! Really big job he has taken on , lots of young boys in the squad, but I really hope he's turns them around and makes them competitive again. Was an eye opener seeing the difference in quality going from premier games to 4th Division