RinTinTon

Well, if most of our clubs aren't to go bust, som hard truths to facein the coming months. Maybe now is finally the time to merge clubs into regional identities and move Scottish football into the 21st Century. (Of course, if we don't want to get to World Cups and Champions League, then we don't need to bother). For a start, to get gates of 12-15,00 eventually: -the Dundee pair -the Angus clubs (Forfar Brechin, Abroath, Montrose) -the South Fife clubs (Raith, Cow, EF, maybe Dumf) -the Ayrshire Two (Killie, Ayr) -maybe with some Lowland clubs -the Steel Towns (Albion, Airdrie, Motherwell, Hamilton, maybe Clyde) -the Glasgow Balance (Sizzle, QP, maybe Clyde) -the Highland Alliance (Ross County, Caley Thistle, Elgin) -Farming Country (Stirling A, Alloa, St Johnstone) -Bermuda Triangle (Falkirk, Stennie, Livvie) -the River Clyde (Morton, Dumbarton, St Midd) ouch -The Border Rievers (QOS, Stranaer, Annan) -the Teuchters (Peterhead & Cove) -Edinburgh City -maybe joins one of H or H? With Old Firm, plus H+H and Aberdeen, that would make 17 viable teams, ie 32 games a year, plus resurrect the old League Cup format 4 teams home & away, seeded) Ideally 16 teams, but could you combine the Bermudas with the Farmers -maybe not cohesive enough.

I think half the problem is folks is confused * They want the team to do well, but couldn't see Duffy's new team doing anything this year and have lost any belief in Duffy. We've played lost football for the past 6 weeks maybe, with a thin squad and players out of position. Then we go and win on Saturday, and then again last night, and it looks as though -with Gunning barking at everyone- we might get somewhere now. I could have gone last night, and didn't -me and 2,000 others. Shame on us. The reason I didn't go was we have been a shambles, and JD had no change of plan if we went behind, and only a defensively siege mentality when we went ahead. To miss the game where we go into our first serious semi-final in half a lifetime - lesson learned. If Gunning means we have a strong defence, and can push forwards with confidence, and if Oliver has found some form, then well done Jim. You can find good players -we know that. In a month we could be top 4, but we could also be sitting down there with the Pars and the Midden if this is a false dawn.. * -so some folks get distracted by Tam's petted lip. On twitter ffs -means nothing Mon 'e Ton