Cove Thread

[CoveRangers1922]

17 minutes ago, Watson Nimrod said:

On the transfer front I wonder if Aberdeen will try and persuade us to take Aaron Reid now that they have recalled him from Peterhead where he wasn’t getting enough game time. Decent prospect by all accounts who was always unlikely to get a regular game once Rory went back there. No replacement for Burrell and we need experienced players but perhaps might just offer more than Mitch currently is. Anyway I wonder why any decent kids would come to us anyway as after a week they know the fraud won’t play them unless someone is stretchered off or he has no other options. Stagnant isn’t the word. 

I heard from someone who would know the sort of players Arbroath are being offered already the other day in the loan market and that was grim. I imagine at our level it will be sub grim. 

Noticed Aaron Reid was recalled by the Dons. Clearly he'll be loaned out or even released as he'll never get close to their first team squad.

Watched him a few times at Peterhead and in my opinion isn't close to L1 standard unfortunately. I'd be very unwhelmed if we are even expressing an interest. Was with our under 20's a few years back so he's known by the club.

Could he return to Elgin or go back to a stint in the Highland League, maybe at Banks o Dee if Golding moves on?

Edited January 3 by CoveRangers1922

[CoveRangers1922]

Just now, Midweek-away-to-Lossie said:

Banks o Dee once Golding returns to our starting 11 as Burrell's replacement you mean? 

I reckon we'll loan Golding out somewhere else before he's inevitably released. 

Extremely interested to see our first signing or two in this window. What kind of intent will we show, what area is Hartley targeting. He stated recently we don't have enough natural width which is glaringly obvious to all and has been since day 1 of pre-season. He's chopping and changing Gillingham and Stewart at CB so clearly trusts neither overly much.

I'd imagine wingers and CB. Yule and/or Scully then can play more centrally and we strengthen further.

Hopefully some movement soon.

 

 

[CoveRangers1922]

5 hours ago, Midweek-away-to-Lossie said:

Knowing Hartley he'll manage to weaken us in the window!

Gillingham had a decent run of games and has shown ZERO progress, Stewart has never really gotten that settled run to prove himself for me.  Be interesting to see who departs at their request - might someone like Kyle Connell be asking to leave to get game time?  For me there's easily half a dozen or more players I'd like to leave but reality is we will need to keep some for squad depth until the summer even though they are shit; Jones, Gillingham, McGowan, Darge, Vigurs, Kerr and Williamson.  Gaffney and Golding aren't exactly going to be missed either.

Give Gallagher a run of games or if not, drop Mitch deeper and play Kyle up front (hopefully) with Rumarn.  They'll lack physical presence, which is the case anyway, but their pace and running should cause most problems.

If we get an offer for Suman, take it.  He's an alright shot stopper but nothing else.  We've now got Bal sitting on the bench with his development likely suffering with not getting the game time he has been over the past couple of seasons in the HL who could step in to the starting eleven.

Hartley must be fully aware that his recruitment in the summer, in the whole, was extremely poor and he made many mistakes. Will have been constrained with budget (rightly so) but he must be aware this needs vast improvement. I met our scout, an old guy, at Links Park a few weeks back watching Mo v Falkirk. Didn't get his name but felt like saying were you responsible for the attempt at player recruitment. I suspect he just does opposition analysis though. Can we afford a scout to aid signings?

Gillingham wouldn't get close to another full time club in Scotland and I agree with your bin list and also agree that many of them will remain until the summer. One or two might be leave (Vigurs especially), be returned (Williamson) or loaned out (Darge) to make way for others coming in.

Why we gave Jones a two year deal when surely there was no danger of another full time club offering anything. Strange one when we already recruited Luke Strachan and could use the loan market.

Gallagher deserves some game time for me. He's streets ahead of Sena with the ball and versatile in that he can play DCM, CM or AM. 

With Bal waiting in the wings, losing Suman for some cash wouldn't neccesarily be a bad thing.

With the Spiders struggling, Williamson going back is a real possibility. Would mean we have 5 loan possibilities. Going by what @Watson Nimrod mentions it looks like it will be a tough market. 

We have a link to Motherwell, I'd take Robbie Mahon after impressing at Edinburgh City.

Others on my watch list are below. Most are loan options but a few could be PCA options.

 

Shane Sutherland (ST, unattached)

Cammy Smith (AM/LW, Morecambe)

Cieran Dunne (LWB/LW, unattached)

Fraser Bryden (ST, Ayr)

Charlie Reilly (ST, Dundee)

Joe Bevan (ST/RW, Albion Rovers)

Jack Milne (CB/DCM, Aberdeen)

Jordan Allan (ST, Falkirk)

Ola Lawal (CM/AM, Falkirk)

James Lyon (LW, Thistle)

Zander Mackenzie (CM, Thistle)

Hamish Ritchie (CM, Peterhead)

Dario Zanatta (RW, Accies)

Findlay Marshall (CM, Aberdeen)

Stephen Warnock (RW, Kilmarknock)

 

 

We only need one more CM unless McGowan throws in the towel and departs or Fyvie is more term injured than anticipated. We need width, both sides, and another striking option or two. Another CB is a must.

I'd love some decent loans from SPL clubs but realistically the Sanders and equivalents are going to the Championship and not L1.

 

Edited January 4 by CoveRangers1922

[NavyBlueArmy1876]

31 minutes ago, CoveRangers1922 said:

 

Jordan Allan (ST, Falkirk)

Ola Lawal (CM/AM, Falkirk)

 

 

 

I'd be pretty surprised if we have any more ins/outs this window tbh.

McGylnn said post-Stilring that he is happy with what we have assembled so can't see him chopping/ changing much. We might bring in one loan but it would just be for additional cover. 

Lawal can't get in the match-day squad with everyone fully fit and with the arrival of Shanley, Allan may find himself in the same position. Still, all it takes is two injuries/ suspensions and suddenly we'd want everyone available. The only way I can see players leaving is if they request it themselves to get more game time

[Moorie]

55 minutes ago, CoveRangers1922 said:

Hartley must be fully aware that his recruitment in the summer, in the whole, was extremely poor and he made many mistakes. Will have been constrained with budget (rightly so) but he must be aware this needs vast improvement. I met our scout, an old guy, at Links Park a few weeks back watching Mo v Falkirk. Didn't get his name but felt like saying were you responsible for the attempt at player recruitment. I suspect he just does opposition analysis though. Can we afford a scout to aid signings?

Gillingham wouldn't get close to another full time club in Scotland and I agree with your bin list and also agree that many of them will remain until the summer. One or two might be leave (Vigurs especially), be returned (Williamson) or loaned out (Darge) to make way for others coming in.

Why we gave Jones a two year deal when surely there was no danger of another full time club offering anything. Strange one when we already recruited Luke Strachan and could use the loan market.

Gallagher deserves some game time for me. He's streets ahead of Sena with the ball and versatile in that he can play DCM, CM or AM. 

With Bal waiting in the wings, losing Suman for some cash wouldn't neccesarily be a bad thing.

With the Spiders struggling, Williamson going back is a real possibility. Would mean we have 5 loan possibilities. Going by what @Watson Nimrod mentions it looks like it will be a tough market. 

We have a link to Motherwell, I'd take Robbie Mahon after impressing at Edinburgh City.

Others on my watch list are below. Most are loan options but a few could be PCA options.

 

Shane Sutherland (ST, unattached)

Cammy Smith (AM/LW, Morecambe)

Cieran Dunne (LWB/LW, unattached)

Fraser Bryden (ST, Ayr)

Charlie Reilly (ST, Dundee)

Joe Bevan (ST/RW, Albion Rovers)

Jack Milne (CB/DCM, Aberdeen)

Jordan Allan (ST, Falkirk)

Ola Lawal (CM/AM, Falkirk)

James Lyon (LW, Thistle)

Zander Mackenzie (CM, Thistle)

Hamish Ritchie (CM, Peterhead)

Dario Zanatta (RW, Accies)

Findlay Marshall (CM, Aberdeen)

Stephen Warnock (RW, Kilmarknock)

 

 

We only need one more CM unless McGowan throws in the towel and departs or Fyvie is more term injured than anticipated. We need width, both sides, and another striking option or two. Another CB is a must.

I'd love some decent loans from SPL clubs but realistically the Sanders and equivalents are going to the Championship and not L1.

 

Only I would put money on coming to you guys is Cammy Smith. Always looked a cut above in the youth set up. Don’t know if something didn’t click or lack of game time under Mciness stopped the progress.
think Mitch might move on this window? Reid going back to Aberdeen Peterhead making space for Mitch?  

[CoveRangers1922]

8 minutes ago, Moorie said:

Only I would put money on coming to you guys is Cammy Smith. Always looked a cut above in the youth set up. Don’t know if something didn’t click or lack of game time under Mciness stopped the progress.
think Mitch might move on this window? Reid going back to Aberdeen Peterhead making space for Mitch?  

I heard that Cammy, when at Thistle, just wanted to play first team football. Moved to Morecambe and is an unused sub every week. There's a loan opportunity to be had there I would think. Local lad, from Balmedie. 6 month deal would work for both parties imo.

Mitch might possibly PCA in January, surprised if he moved this month. His days of leading the line for us are gone and is adapting to playing deeper.

Reid likely going to Formartine I read. Why Aberdeen signed him when he was never going to get close to first team action. Don't really see him ever playing higher than L1 so for a top 4 SPL club to recruit him is perplexing.

We might be looking at Brody Paterson and Jake Hastie. Took the former in on loan in January and Jake was coming to us before he signed for Hartlepool by all accounts.

Edited January 4 by CoveRangers1922

[CoveRangers1922]

36 minutes ago, NavyBlueArmy1876 said:

 

I'd be pretty surprised if we have any more ins/outs this window tbh.

McGylnn said post-Stilring that he is happy with what we have assembled so can't see him chopping/ changing much. We might bring in one loan but it would just be for additional cover. 

Lawal can't get in the match-day squad with everyone fully fit and with the arrival of Shanley, Allan may find himself in the same position. Still, all it takes is two injuries/ suspensions and suddenly we'd want everyone available. The only way I can see players leaving is if they request it themselves to get more game time

No wonder, strong squad for this level and you are flying. If Callumn goes you have a ready made replacement in Ethan Ross.

Shanley is extra fire power and competition for places at worst. He could easily get hot if he gets a run of games.

January isn't really the window to do significant business in the main and if you keep your squad you'll be hard to catch even if Accies throw lots more money at it.

Given how poor our summer is we will be "forced" into wheeling and dealing I feel but ultimately it will be down to finding form in playoffs if we make them

[Double t]

12 minutes ago, Midweek-away-to-Lossie said:

Sadly we've got players in the same position because they are absolute duds and signed by Hartley.  If I was a player and Hartley was trying to sign me, I'd be somewhat offended going by his past record 

All the chat coming from the Cove fans sounds so familiar to the chat that took place on the Falkirk chat when Hartley was in charge of us. You would have thought by now they would have worked out that he is terrible and shouldn't be anywhere near any level of football team. 

[blueone]

16 hours ago, CoveRangers1922 said:

Noticed Aaron Reid was recalled by the Dons. Clearly he'll be loaned out or even released as he'll never get close to their first team squad.

Watched him a few times at Peterhead and in my opinion isn't close to L1 standard unfortunately. I'd be very unwhelmed if we are even expressing an interest. Was with our under 20's a few years back so he's known by the club.

Could he return to Elgin or go back to a stint in the Highland League, maybe at Banks o Dee if Golding moves on?

Aaron Reid really not good enough for Peterhead's squad never mind any higher level. Not playing for us because of Rory isn't true, he's simply not good enough despite having  played a few times for Aberdeen U20's.

Not sure why he was given a new full time contract with Aberdeen and would be surprised if he goes anywhere higher than HFL.

[NavyBlueArmy1876]

1 hour ago, CoveRangers1922 said:

No wonder, strong squad for this level and you are flying. If Callumn goes you have a ready made replacement in Ethan Ross.

Shanley is extra fire power and competition for places at worst. He could easily get hot if he gets a run of games.

January isn't really the window to do significant business in the main and if you keep your squad you'll be hard to catch even if Accies throw lots more money at it.

Given how poor our summer is we will be "forced" into wheeling and dealing I feel but ultimately it will be down to finding form in playoffs if we make them

I'd be amazed if Morrison is sold. Promotion is worth over half a million to us. We might get 100-150k as a transfer fee? Pretty simple maths if you're a Falkirk director. Agyeman and Ross have been good options from the bench but it's a bit of a gamble hoping they will contribute to Morrison's level. 

Re Hamilton, if there's one thing we've learned being down in this league, chucking money at it = does not always equal success 

[Watson Nimrod]

I’m trying to think back to anyone coming in for us in January that’s actually been decent and the last one I remember without checking was Mark Reynolds? 

What we need is something we are now not going to get, someone with SPL Experience who wants to drop into PT football. We have been spoiled really with the likes of Fyvie, Logan and Reynolds but our new model isn’t going to accommodate that type of player that excited the support. Pointless taking kids as Hartley won’t play them and I imagine most clubs know this. In that regard McIntyre was probably more respected and it pains me to say it. 

The rumour of Mitch going to Peterhead was prolific over the summer but I’m inclined to believe he won’t go till at least the summer. I also heard today that Brechin were interested in Vigurs (although not sure if that’s were or are!) although that would be subject to him still being a footballer I guess . You have to wonder if he is still picking up a wage or has been paid up who would know under this regime, I guess we will only find out if/when our inept social media team still wish him a happy birthday tho. The more money we can free up the better our chances of getting quality in becomes. 

With what I’ve heard of the loan offerings and our odd hybrid transition I can see this window being pretty grim for us. Would love to be wrong mind you. 

Edited January 5 by Watson Nimrod

[Watson Nimrod]

21 hours ago, CoveRangers1922 said:

Can we afford a scout to aid signings?

Tricky one, but it’s all about priorities. Hartley hasn’t proven he has the contacts or the ability in the transfer market but every club in L1/L2 over the last 10 years will have at least one disastrous transfer window no matter how good the manager. Peterhead last year was a prime example, we can slag off Hartley’s inadequacies but it’s not that easy at our level as you are dealing in scraps and the scraps are getting harder to come by as squads shrink and the SPL clubs have very prescribed ways of using the loan system that don’t benefit L1. It’s not a secret some managers won’t loan to clubs with plastic pitches as another example. The trawling of released players from the English lower lower leagues (which are scouted to oblivion anyway) was a mistake that should never be allowed to happen again mind you. Nor should the reliance on fly by night Facebook agents sending in excess of 40 players (that we know of) up in the summer. We would have been better off signing 10 established HL players. The dross we signed were released for a reason .

That said its also hard to see what the DOF contributes to recruitment other than just signing stuff off. Our marquee signings (if rumours are to be believed)were driven by other board members. We also don’t have any real solid relationships with bigger clubs. 

Recruitment costs money. To me a full time Manager and Assistant plus some part time specialist support is all that’s needed on the playing front, I’ve thought for a while we are top heavy with dead wood in that department and a serious rationalisation of the coaching requirements is where you make the saving for someone to come in for player recruitment. I know for a fact that’s how other clubs have done it. 

If this window is another disaster I don’t think the club will have an option but to seriously look at bringing someone in. 

Edited January 5 by Watson Nimrod

[Moorie]

23 hours ago, Midweek-away-to-Lossie said:

Sadly we've got players in the same position because they are absolute duds and signed by Hartley.  If I was a player and Hartley was trying to sign me, I'd be somewhat offended going by his past record 

If I was a football agent I would be pushing my jobber players towards cove. Happy to sign anyone in the summer. Money could have been made 

[CoveRangers1922]

On 04/01/2024 at 11:37, CoveRangers1922 said:

Hartley must be fully aware that his recruitment in the summer, in the whole, was extremely poor and he made many mistakes. Will have been constrained with budget (rightly so) but he must be aware this needs vast improvement. I met our scout, an old guy, at Links Park a few weeks back watching Mo v Falkirk. Didn't get his name but felt like saying were you responsible for the attempt at player recruitment. I suspect he just does opposition analysis though. Can we afford a scout to aid signings?

Gillingham wouldn't get close to another full time club in Scotland and I agree with your bin list and also agree that many of them will remain until the summer. One or two might be leave (Vigurs especially), be returned (Williamson) or loaned out (Darge) to make way for others coming in.

Why we gave Jones a two year deal when surely there was no danger of another full time club offering anything. Strange one when we already recruited Luke Strachan and could use the loan market.

Gallagher deserves some game time for me. He's streets ahead of Sena with the ball and versatile in that he can play DCM, CM or AM. 

With Bal waiting in the wings, losing Suman for some cash wouldn't neccesarily be a bad thing.

With the Spiders struggling, Williamson going back is a real possibility. Would mean we have 5 loan possibilities. Going by what @Watson Nimrod mentions it looks like it will be a tough market. 

We have a link to Motherwell, I'd take Robbie Mahon after impressing at Edinburgh City.

Others on my watch list are below. Most are loan options but a few could be PCA options.

 

Shane Sutherland (ST, unattached)

Cammy Smith (AM/LW, Morecambe)

Cieran Dunne (LWB/LW, unattached)

Fraser Bryden (ST, Ayr)

Charlie Reilly (ST, Dundee)

Joe Bevan (ST/RW, Albion Rovers)

Jack Milne (CB/DCM, Aberdeen)

Jordan Allan (ST, Falkirk)

Ola Lawal (CM/AM, Falkirk)

James Lyon (LW, Thistle)

Zander Mackenzie (CM, Thistle)

Hamish Ritchie (CM, Peterhead)

Dario Zanatta (RW, Accies)

Findlay Marshall (CM, Aberdeen)

Stephen Warnock (RW, Kilmarknock)

 

 

We only need one more CM unless McGowan throws in the towel and departs or Fyvie is more term injured than anticipated. We need width, both sides, and another striking option or two. Another CB is a must.

I'd love some decent loans from SPL clubs but realistically the Sanders and equivalents are going to the Championship and not L1.

 

Finlay Marshall signs on loan for Edinburgh City. Decent signing that for the Citizens. He's got talent undoubtedly. First forey into senior football so will be a learning curve but will hopefully excel.

[CoveRangers1922]

On 05/01/2024 at 14:27, Midweek-away-to-Lossie said:

Do we need another CM?  I think Hartley can't see past Sena and McGowan then we have about another 4/5 who can play there.

Interesting he's gone to a club on it's arse and struggling for existence, IF we were interested.  Or Robson and AFC knew Hartley will stagnate the lads career for the next 6 months and he's probably guaranteed a game every week for Edinburgh now so will get more opportunity to develop.

Finlay likely wouldn't have got regular minutes with us at this early stage in his career and he will do at Edinburgh so I'm not overly shocked we are overlooked. He's got developing to do.

We missed Ryan Duncan, Jack Milne, Connor Barron and the youngsters we have got from the Dons or the Dundee clubs for that matter were either not good enough (former club particularly) or a year too early. Timing is massive with the young loans. Agree that Hartley doesn't gamble throwing in young ones enough but also I'd caveat that by what I mentioned above.

We've had Finaly Robertson, Josh Mulligan, Kai Fotheringham and never benefitted. All have kicked on as they've gotten older. Did well with Ross Graham and to a lesser extent Connor Smith. Again all progressed.

I have the same opinion. We only truly need another CM if it's someone we can't turn down OR Fyvie is a big risk of being out longer than end of this month OR his injury might flare up again.

For me I'd love to see wingers come in and Yule and/or Scully partner Fraser centrally. That would strengthen us on the flanks and through the middle. 

Robson and Hartley have a strong link and we can't get anything from the Dons. They mostly have seasoned pros of younger lads who now are Championship standard in their first team squad. Their under 18's or Aberdeen B squad are Highland League standard as evident by BoD beating them at Balmoral a month or so back.

Edited January 11 by CoveRangers1922

[Watson Nimrod]

1 hour ago, CoveRangers1922 said:

Finlay Marshall signs on loan for Edinburgh City. Decent signing that for the Citizens. He's got talent undoubtedly. First forey into senior football so will be a learning curve but will hopefully excel.

Yes I just read that. Interesting move from AFC, I did know they were looking to get him some game time but assumed he would go to Kelty. Never for one moment thought he would come here to come off the bench a few times after 81 minutes. 

[LatapyBairn.]

On 04/01/2024 at 13:17, Midweek-away-to-Lossie said:

Sadly we've got players in the same position because they are absolute duds and signed by Hartley.  If I was a player and Hartley was trying to sign me, I'd be somewhat offended going by his past record 

This exact situation occurred when Hartley was at Falkirk, compounded by the fact he was an absolute w**k! Regardless of the scattergun recruitment and poor results some of the stories around how he treated club staff and volunteers really was disgusting. 

Edited January 5 by LatapyBairn.

[Moorie]

I believe Neil Simpson has an involved in players loans. He goes out and watches these guys as part of his job. I wonder if previous loans from us didn’t get the game time enough for the club to allow players to go back? 
Would make more sense for the young lads to stay at a club in the city than travelling down Scotland two nights a week and at the the weekend? 

[Guest]

On 04/01/2024 at 13:16, Midweek-away-to-Lossie said:

You have to wonder how many mistakes a normal manager would get to make, because Hartley is simply just allowed to keep repeating them.  Possibly worse than the board allowing him to continue doing it is the deluded fans on the club Facebook page or the clique's group who lap up what the board and Hartley say.  Gradually over time some people have started to see the situation for what it is but the deluded bams who are only interested in contesting each other to kiss Hartley's arse the most don't really help.  They'll view what is said from certain quarters as a vandetta, bullying or abuse... it's pretty much backed up by cold hard fact and this lot (including the board) are most likely Flat Earthers!

I've always felt in terms of a scouting "network" we just rely on connections from Hartley, Young and Ritchie... and the woeful agent offers that we took up during pre-season!

Gillingham shouldn't get close to a part-time club in senior Scottish football never mind just limiting it to full-time... who's worse, him or Naismith?  Naismith could actually defend, it was his chronic lack of pace that was his downfall where as Gillingham can't actually defend!

Vigurs has clearly downed tools and decided to pick up his part-time wage until the end of his contract, which to be honest you can't blame him.  He was retiring until some idiot sanctioned a 3 year deal for him so I doubt he'll continue playing.  It's easy for him to stay at home picking up the part-time wage and continue living his life as normal as he is from the area, Rio you can understand possibly wanting to negotiate a pay-off to head back down South.

Was Jones possibly signed as a midfielder?  He does look better going forward than he does defending so has he ended up being played in a weaker position to cover for Strachan being injured long-term?  The other option is playing Connor there but the view is obviously we are stronger with him further forward or centrally in the midfield.  As for the 2 year deal, is that a blind "oh someone might put a bid in for him if he has a decent season given Premiership clubs have been touted" and trying to go down the route of selling on players to balance the books?

I suspect Sena will be on decent money compared to others and he's one I'd happily see moved on.  If the club are looking to sign players with the view to selling them on, play Gallagher in place of Sena and you might manage to achieve that!

Keeper wise the big one that needs changed is Derek Soutar, no keeper has improved with us during his time... if anything, they'd gone backwards and not only Scott Fox.

If the loan options aren't there, although surely other clubs will be looking to do the same, we need to think outside the box and get creative.  Cameron Stewart, he's sponsored by the Thistle Altens... I'm guessing he's staying there whilst on loan and at a reducded rate.  Tie up with the likes of them more, try to reduce the costs of bringing in others from England as Stewart has shown at times he is a decent player but that's not going to develop if he is getting splinters in his arse all season ala Jamie Redman!  Maybe down south they will be a bit more niave to Hartley killing young players progression.  Or if we lose Rumarn, try to sell him to the likes of Dundee United or a bottom end Premiership team in exchange for a couple of 18 month loan deals on players who will strengthen the overall squad.

Shane Sutherland would've surely signed for us by now if he was going to?  Guessing there's concerns over his fitness but surely a "pay as you play" type deal would suit both parties, unless he's looking for something better?  Hamish Ritchie, what was the deal first time round with him at Cove?  Always seems to be decent enough in the lower leagues in FM... possibly that's where Hartley needs to start scouting via.

If we strengthen the wide areas, do we need another CM though even if McGowan goes?  Gallagher, Scully, Yule, Sena (Hartley won't ship him out), Mitch possibly now starting to play deeper which could see Fyvie move back a step as well if he returns from injury.  Talking of Fyvie, over heard on Saturday that he's possibly looking longer term than what has been said publicly thus far.

The only way we'll get the likes of Sanders is if the board and Terry throw their cheque books at it to build a squad for next season to get promotion.  I suspect the afore mentioned cheque books are being used to balance the books of a full-time squad with next to no income though.

Alright there Dave?

[Ian Mcleod]

On 04/01/2024 at 11:37, CoveRangers1922 said:

Hartley must be fully aware that his recruitment in the summer, in the whole, was extremely poor and he made many mistakes. Will have been constrained with budget (rightly so) but he must be aware this needs vast improvement. I met our scout, an old guy, at Links Park a few weeks back watching Mo v Falkirk. Didn't get his name but felt like saying were you responsible for the attempt at player recruitment. I suspect he just does opposition analysis though. Can we afford a scout to aid signings?

Gillingham wouldn't get close to another full time club in Scotland and I agree with your bin list and also agree that many of them will remain until the summer. One or two might be leave (Vigurs especially), be returned (Williamson) or loaned out (Darge) to make way for others coming in.

Why we gave Jones a two year deal when surely there was no danger of another full time club offering anything. Strange one when we already recruited Luke Strachan and could use the loan market.

Gallagher deserves some game time for me. He's streets ahead of Sena with the ball and versatile in that he can play DCM, CM or AM. 

With Bal waiting in the wings, losing Suman for some cash wouldn't neccesarily be a bad thing.

With the Spiders struggling, Williamson going back is a real possibility. Would mean we have 5 loan possibilities. Going by what @Watson Nimrod mentions it looks like it will be a tough market. 

We have a link to Motherwell, I'd take Robbie Mahon after impressing at Edinburgh City.

Others on my watch list are below. Most are loan options but a few could be PCA options.

 

Shane Sutherland (ST, unattached)

Cammy Smith (AM/LW, Morecambe)

Cieran Dunne (LWB/LW, unattached)

Fraser Bryden (ST, Ayr)

Charlie Reilly (ST, Dundee)

Joe Bevan (ST/RW, Albion Rovers)

Jack Milne (CB/DCM, Aberdeen)

Jordan Allan (ST, Falkirk)

Ola Lawal (CM/AM, Falkirk)

James Lyon (LW, Thistle)

Zander Mackenzie (CM, Thistle)

Hamish Ritchie (CM, Peterhead)

Dario Zanatta (RW, Accies)

Findlay Marshall (CM, Aberdeen)

Stephen Warnock (RW, Kilmarknock)

 

 

We only need one more CM unless McGowan throws in the towel and departs or Fyvie is more term injured than anticipated. We need width, both sides, and another striking option or two. Another CB is a must.

I'd love some decent loans from SPL clubs but realistically the Sanders and equivalents are going to the Championship and not L1.

 

You fancy a Burrell And Zanatta swap deal ?