The New Raith Rovers Thread

[Rovers_Lad]

It wouldn't be remotely close to affordable to insure players at this level against medical expenses (they have life and career insurance through the league). They also quite simply wouldn't cover pre-existing injuries like Barr's.

Obviously unaware on the cost of insuring players at this level.When I played many moons ago and not at this level our club had medical cover for a while then it was up to the player to have a personal insurance

Career insurance not cover the medical side?

[Ding Dang Doo]

Do people actually think that having the home fans in only the south stand lessens our chances of getting a result against Rangers? That's just bizarre, absolutely nothing to back that up whatsoever.

I'm pretty sure a player walking out and seeing 3/4 of the stands in the ground housing Rangers fans will not consider it to be a typical home match.

The club are advertising the this and the Hibs matches as "MASSIVE" yet we're giving Rangers an extra stand. What I'm saying is that it sends out the wrong message that we're not really thinking we can get anything from it. We probably won't pick up anything but it just reminds me of the "it doesn't matter if we lose 6-0 to Rangers" argument of last season.

We should at least be trying to get fans to come in. There's a certain amount of contradiction in that we're giving a ticket offer for fans if they come to the Hibs and Rangers matches for the QOTS match but at the same time reducing the home capacity for one of those matches?

Edited February 12, 2016 by Ding Dang Doo

[Cannon Fodder]

I'm pretty sure a player walking out and seeing 3/4 of the stands in the ground housing Rangers fans will not consider it to be a typical home match.

The club are advertising the this and the Hibs matches as "MASSIVE" yet we're giving Rangers an extra stand. What I'm saying is that it sends out the wrong message that we're not really thinking we can get anything from it. We probably won't pick up anything but it just reminds me of the "it doesn't matter if we lose 6-0 to Rangers" argument of last season.

We should at least be trying to get fans to come in. There's a certain amount of contradiction in that we're giving a ticket offer for fans if they come to the Hibs and Rangers matches for the QOTS match but at the same time reducing the home capacity for one of those matches?

I totally agree we should be trying to get our fans in first before offering up a stand. There is still a way to go until this match and it does seem a bit premature to simply hand over a stand to them.

I really don't think it has any bearing on the eventual outcome of the game though. The two times we have beaten Rangers in my lifetime we have been heavily outnumbered.

[kirkcaldybanjo111]

Well heres one rovers fan that wont be there.

followed the rovers since the early sixties and been a season ticket holder since the early eighties but am so pissed off with this decision by the board i,m seriously thinking about not renewing next season.

[L. Brilliant]

It directly affects me as a TH stand ST holder, but more so my dad as we sit there so he has fewer stairs to deal with while still being high enough to see the game well. At first I thought, What?? for all the fair reasons given above... but at these games you're surrounded by them anyway and, right or wrong, I can't stand being near them. So I'd maybe not even have gone anyway. Get the money in - if it's really worth it. I'm prepared to trust the board on this: I think the letter is a fairly decent approach and I'm choosing to believe it's honest and forthright.

Do not spend the money on Scott Robertson (but thanks to the sponsor for helping get an international in - unlucky).

[Daz80]

Some folk really need to get a grip, this isn't an ideal situation for the fans or indeed the board, but it's a decision that is understandable. We have a hardcore support of around 1200-1400 and it really doesn't rise above that for games, even against Rangers. There was under 5500 for the game against them last week, at least 4000 must have been Rangers fans, it's going to be the same again next time round. Folk are quick to talk about Scottish football and all the negatives around it, but how can refuse punters when there is plenty empty seats around the ground. Can you imagine if we were going to win the league at a small ground like Bayview or somewhere similar but they wouldn't move some of the home support along the stand to accommodate more rovers fans, everyone would be on here saying its ridiculous.

In saying all that I really do feel for the regulars in the main stand but it's a sign of the times where our club is at in terms of our own support. I have had my seat moved a few times from where I normally sit and like it or not it's one game where you need to sit in another seat for a game of football.

[Zen Archer (Raconteur)]

Medical costs?guessing our players/ club/staff are not insured?

Two years ago at the AGM it was stated that the club had to wright off the rehab for Sparky after his car crash, apparently the claim from the insurance company was refused.

Wind forward a few years and despite having no insurance, Clum is in the papers bemoaning getting binned and having to give up the game.

The cost of insurance must be extortionate and the odds on winning any claim must rank alongside saying your winning lottery ticket, despite only being on a 30 degree wash without conditioner is in fact the one that wins the Euromillions.

[Starkiplier]

Well heres one rovers fan that wont be there.

followed the rovers since the early sixties and been a season ticket holder since the early eighties but am so pissed off with this decision by the board i,m seriously thinking about not renewing next season.

:lol: Followed Rovers for 50 years but giving them up because the board made a sensible decision, minter.

[Ro Sham Bo]

I demand a demo at the Livingston game.

[Zen Archer (Raconteur)]

I demand a demo at the Livingston game.

Good luck with that.

http://www.raithrovers.net/23431/ally-gourlay-update-on-tribute-plans.htm

[baillieinleeds]

Sorry to change the subject a little. And yes it's been talked about for a while. Who would we keep and get rid of.

Keep. Cuthbert

McKeown

Thomson

Grant Anderson

James Craigen

Aiden Connolly

Wee Vaughan

Not including the ones already signed, cracking business btw. The rest meh.

[Hank Scorpio]

Cuthbert, Thomson, Callachan, Toshney, Benedictus, Anderson, Stewart, Vaughan, Matthews, Connolly, Bates, McKeown and Craigen are all keeps for me. Connolly and Vaughan are priorities, the former looked very lively yesterday and is a real threat. Anderson I'd love to keep, but his limited first team chances lead me to thinking he'll be released.

[Rovers1992/1993]

Sorry to change the subject a little. And yes it's been talked about for a while. Who would we keep and get rid of.

Keep. Cuthbert

McKeown

Thomson

Grant Anderson

James Craigen

Aiden Connolly

Wee Vaughan

Not including the ones already signed, cracking business btw. The rest meh.

Longridge will be offered a deal in the summer as well.

Anderson will be away in the summer.

You're probably right about the rest of the team though.

[Ro Sham Bo]

At the moment we have Benedictus, Toshney and Bates signed up which is good. Stewart as well, which is less good.

We need to sign up Thomson and Vaughan as priorities. The likes of McKeown, Anderson and Cuthbert are alright if you want to finish sixth every season but we need better if we are ever going to push on. I accept they might be as good as we can attract though. Our entire midfield excluding Anderson should be jettisoned. Not seen much of Connolly and Longridge but from what I have Connolly could be worth keeping but not Longridge.

[Hank Scorpio]

At the moment we have Benedictus, Toshney and Bates signed up which is good. Stewart as well, which is less good.

We need to sign up Thomson and Vaughan as priorities. The likes of McKeown, Anderson and Cuthbert are alright if you want to finish sixth every season but we need better if we are ever going to push on. I accept they might be as good as we can attract though. Our entire midfield excluding Anderson should be jettisoned. Not seen much of Connolly and Longridge but from what I have Connolly could be worth keeping but not Longridge.

So Anderson is alright if we want to finish 6th, but we should release all of our midfield except Anderson?

[Scary Bear]

Is it not a bit early for deciding who we want for next season?

Oh, okay then.

Cuthbert - he's improved markedly on last season, but I still like McGurn better. I'm never confident when the opposition get a direct free-kick. Unless we can attract better or reinstate McGurn, then keep.

Thomson - solid enough right back. Keep.

McKeown - solid enough left back. Keep.

Toshney, Bene, Bates - solid enough central defenders. Keep.

The rest of the team is where changes are required if we want to do anything other than flirt with 4th and end up 6th or 7th.

It would be nice to get the Stewart/Vaughan partnership firing again, but just in case it doesn't click again, we need options.

Midfield is the the key area we need to get right. Connolly may be a good addition if he can be persuaded to stay in The Championship. The rest of the midfield have been poor. Changes required. We need to add some goals and creativity.

Edited February 14, 2016 by Scary Bear

[Ro Sham Bo]

So Anderson is alright if we want to finish 6th, but we should release all of our midfield except Anderson?

Cuthbert, Anderson and McKeown are guys who I would probably keep because we are unlikely to be able to afford better. The rest of the midfield should be actively moved on.

[Yoss]

Is it not a bit early for deciding who we want for next season?

yeah.

[Scottydog]

Two years ago at the AGM it was stated that the club had to wright off the rehab for Sparky after his car crash, apparently the claim from the insurance company was refused.

Wind forward a few years and despite having no insurance, Clum is in the papers bemoaning getting binned and having to give up the game.

The cost of insurance must be extortionate and the odds on winning any claim must rank alongside saying your winning lottery ticket, despite only being on a 30 degree wash without conditioner is in fact the one that wins the Euromillions.

That's true, Clum came to us with a history of (if not outright pre-existing) knee injury that he was told by specialist would end his career if there was a re-occurance of the injury. The tackle that eventually finished his career was just a matter of when not if.

Longridge will be offered a deal in the summer as well.

Anderson will be away in the summer.

You're probably right about the rest of the team though.

I fear that this will indeed be part of the deal that brought him here, and if so then I say "Boooo!"

As for Anderson I'd be sorry to see him go but if he isn't guaranteed a start then he must be replaced with a better option (and not LL IMO)

Now as for the rest I'd keep:

Cat I'd like to see kept but I think he'll be off and Falkirk are the fav's for his signature at the mo.

Thomson being re-signed is a must (again Falkirk have been sniffing).

McKeown is another I'd like to see kept, but he might be getting itchy feet too.

Connoly would be a great addition but I fear he too will opt for a bigger wage elsewhere.

Lewis Vaughan is the only one out of them all I'm really confident will stay for another 12 months at least.

New contracts where needed for; Ford, Mackie, Callachan, Court and especially Matthews who is growing into a great wee player.

Davo I'd offer a deal to for no other reason than he is a really useful guy to call on for midfield or CD. Barr will play next week and be immense against his former employers which will doubtless have some calling for him to be kept, personally I don't see how we can, yes he's been unlucky but too many times for me.

Craigen, McCord and Robertson? Keep one and look for at least one better option. My own preference is for Craigen.

I think there will be big changes next season and a good few gaps that'll need filling some of which will no doubt be filled by the young hopefuls from the cities of Leicester and Norwich along with the other English side we are hoping to link up with. Fortunately/hopefully if we can keep 3/4 of the defence and about 1/2 of the midfield together we should have the continuity of a strong side to challenge at the right end of the table.

[Michael W]

When January arrives, I always think it's time that the club should be looking to tie down the players who are vital for next season. There will always be some unknowns as we don't know where we'll be next season or who we'll be facing, but you should focus on the players you really need so you don't lose them to a rival club.

Thus far, we have Toshney, Benedictus, Bates, McGurn and Stewart under contract. I still think McGurn is the best 'keeper we have, but McKinnon sees it differently. Toshney and Bene are in the category I'd have said were vital. The next ones we need to make stringent effort to keep, are Thomson and Vaughan.

Those guys aren't the only ones I'd keep, far from it, but they are the ones I believe we should focus on.

As for it being too early for this discussion? Maybe, but only because we've suffered postponements. Two-thirds of the season to the last 10 games are about the right time, IMO.