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Delay would be while the ref and linesman had a wee chat through their earpiece thingo. "Oh, shit, drifted off for a minute, what happened there?" "Dunno, all I saw was the big ginger eejit falling over" "OK, I'll send him off"

Excellent stuff, I really hope both signings work out well for St Mirren. I've been a huge fan of Gregor Buchanan's since he emerged at Airdrieonians - he's tall, athletic, a good organiser and, fundamentally, a solid defender. I hope his second turn as a full-time footballer works out better than his first with Dunfermline Athletic (and it should be noted that he was head and shoulders above every other Pars player in 2014/15). As for Ross Stewart, he turned in the best opposition performance I'd seen last season when Albion Rovers bodied Stenhousemuir 3-0 at Ochilview. He's raw as heck but there's a tonne of potential there. He's got good feet and can work well inside and outside the box. I always like to see part-time players do well when they move on to bigger clubs and I hope Buchanan and Stewart have success at St Mirren.

Right, time to put 2016/17 firmly behind us and gear up for what is sure to be a new and exciting season. Most seasons start with the same optimism that a fresh start brings to all clubs but the difference this season is that we're bouncing out of a quite incredible end to last season with a renewed enjoyment of going to watch the team after what was an utter shitfest of a season on the whole. Goals, attacking football, no shortage of pace all over the park...compared to some of the worst performances I've ever seen St. Mirren sides turn in. Jack Ross has the supporters believing again and the club looking like a place that players genuinely want to come to improve. For years we've been a team that signs good players, make them look irredeemably shite and let them move on where - of course - they look better again. This is something that's hopefully now at an end. Plenty of goings on in and around the club. Early Bird Season ticket sales announced early today are already well over the 700 mark (up from around 330 at this point last year) and there's a campaign by SMFC that if the club can shift 1,000 season tickets for the West stand, the club will not house any away supporters in the West for the coming season, regardless of how small the travelling support is. This may not seem like that big a deal but the atmosphere is always far better when we have the entire West stand to ourselves and this also allows the home fans in the stand to have double the normal facilities in terms of kiosks and toilets, which is a quite big difference maker. Ralston is also having/has had a bit of a makeover with several necessary repairs being performed on the training facilities, both out on the pitch and in the facility itself. We have, or course, ended our ridiculously poor sponsorship deal with JD Sports, a deal that was apparently financially sound for the club over the past 5 years but one that was increasingly obvious that JD were being given more and more on a seasonal basis whilst giving less and less of a flying f**k...from primary shirt sponsorship, massive advertising space in the ground, a huge ad on the dome and on top of this, no facility to sell the club kit - which was barely even released anyway - in the club shop. This partnership has been terminated and we've shifted onto Joma and back to a situation where we can distribute our own kits once again with new shirt sponsorship in the form of Skyview. In terms of players sold - the initial blow of losing Stevie Mallan has been offset with at least some funding coming in to hopefully get Jack the players he wants. Added to the money brought in in January for Kyle McAllister and the cup money from the televised tie at Celtic park and we're in a pretty nice place financially. This could be further boosted with the sell on fee that Aberdeen will owe us if Kenny McLean heads south to QPR and if anyone takes a fancy to John McGinn. As for other players out, Kyle Hutton has been future endeavoured a year early but we haven't officially released anyone from the senior squad at the end of their contracts yet - though Jack has said publicly that Webster, Jordan Stewart and Ben Gordon will go - but with the club having announced who is gone and staying from the U20s earlier today, I half expect a press release tomorrow and Clarkson, McLear and Fjelde to join that list. On the way in so far has been quite encouraging: Cammy Smith signing from Aberdeen is a bit of a coup and to get him so early in pre-season when it looked like he'd be one we'd have to scrap for is a massive boost, especially on a two year deal. He was fantastic in the second half of the season and brought some amount of effort and no little skill to the final third. He's going to be a big player for us. Jordan Kirkpatrick has joined from Alloa - 17 goals from an attacking midfield position and he'll be fighting for a starting place. JR has already come out and said he's not a direct replacement for Mallan but shares some similarities, probably that he likes a pop from distance. Jack has been rumoured to be after players to be treated as projects - a few young guys he can mould from raw talent into an established first team player. One has already signed on - 22 year old keeper, Ross Stewart from Albion Rovers. The other, funnily enough is rumoured to be also Ross Stewart from Albion Rovers, only this one is the 20 year old 6ft 4centre forward who grabbed 12 goals in 22 starts in what was a quite injury hit season. Nathan Flanagan, who was loaned out to Annan last season and impressed massively has also been offered a year as part of the senior squad which he's mulling over...he too will likely fall under that 'project' banner. One of JR's most pressing bits of business has been to keep together the majority of a squad which clearly had a fantastic rapport last season and so far, he's more or less managed to do so. Gary Irvine has activated his extra year, as has Stephen McGinn. We've tied young centre half Jack Baird and Josh Todd - impressive in his cameo roles - to another year each and the bank of Gary MacKenzie decided he was in too for another season despite apparent interest from premier league sides. 31 year old Adam Eckserley was the first to sign on for another two years, practically camping out in the main stand after the Saturday night after Hibs in the Bankhouse to wait on Jack coming in on the Tuesday....the crowning jewel so far thought has been keeping hold of Kyle Magennis until 2020, where he'll no doubt f**k off for about £3m once we start selling players for their true value So all we're waiting on in terms of a contract extension is the Cypriot maverick, super Stelios...the lad who cockteased about 3,000 St. Mirren fans the other day by posting a twitter pic at the ground giving the thumbs up before the big announcement of.....nothing. The cheeky wee shite! Which leaves the rumoured incoming players. Several names have been mentioned between here and BAWA. Rory Loy, Billy O'Brien and Harry Davis will all be mentioned for obvious reasons and the likelihood is that we'll be in for at least two, if not all three of these lads....again that whole 'keeping a good squad together' route. Aside from that, the previously mentioned Ross Stewart (forward), Andy Ryan (Airdrie), Craig Samson, Stefan Scougal, Keith Watson, Nicky Devlin, Dylan Bikey, Liam Buchanan (not really, that one is just for daft Shull's sake) and a few loanees from Celtic - as Brendan Rodgers is a bit of a fan of Jack, apparently - have been touted as incoming possibilities so far. So regardless of my War and Peace summary of WTF is going on just now one things for sure - this season is going to be a bit of a memorable one. I don't think we've had a support quite as full of anticipation and positivity for a new campaign in many a year. COYS!

Lichtie seems to be awfy upset, his mum must've burnt his Turkey Dinosaurs. Some state to get into about a team you don't even support.

95% of the dayglos are women and screetching bairns. Deserving of cones to the puss IMO.

I get you. Rory Loy does that for me, though. And I think he's more realistic. He can beat a man, score a pile driver or slip someone through. Going back to his goal against us at St Mirren away in the 2-1 when he rolled the defender and squeezed it in with his weaker foot, his poachers volley for Saints at TFS and then his belter for us in the 3-2 at Hearts, he can do it all. Also think he'd be a great partner for Austin.

Bodge.

The man is the voice of the board. He criticised the fans, he's been part of a group that made mistake after mistake and sorry recognising they've made mistakes and learning is not apologising, let's see who we get appointed next week and see if he has learned anything. For me he should have been the first to leave.

I really like Baird, he always gives his all and has been great for our club in terms of commitment and when he hits his purple patch can bang them in. I think he's well liked in the dressing room as well. I just think we need something new and someone else to partner Austin upfront to show some ambition if nothing else. If he left I think he would be wished the best of luck from the majority of our support. If he stays then I would hope it would be as back up but obviously he needs first team football.

Starts off giving it the big one, turns into a shitebag when it's suggested Accies fans might be in the wrong. Classic Rog.

Phoned a lad today who wants an apprenticeship to tell him to come in on wed morning for a chat, he asked could he come in the afternoon as he'd have to get a bus and wasn't sure he'd get up early enough to get to airdrie from Cumbernauld in time. I told him ok but I would need his email address to send him details. He told me it's 'gingybaws99@hotmail. I'm not sure gingy baws is the one for us.

For those Sons fans who don't Facebook.

Ah, a Simon Murray.

Who made me an expert on falling down? My physics teacher.

Jesus Christ he's got a wooden sword

They don't owe anyone an apology ffs. Simmer down.

Heads cone.

“However, I personally recognise that neither of last season’s managerial appointments worked out as we envisaged, and also that, for different reasons, the circumstances of certain player transactions were not clearly enough explained to supporters at that time, and I’m sorry for that.“These issues came back and bit us on the backside, of that there is no doubt. ‘‘However, it’s important that we learn from these lessons of last season, move forward now, united, and select a manager that we believe has the attributes required to lead us in the direction we want to go.” What more are you actually wanting him to say? Of course he has apologised - and accepted his part in it - remember - he will have been part of group of directors who picked the manager, and several others would have been part of the decision making process. he clearly accepts the decisions are wrong, and pledges to learn from that. We are all disappointed, brassed off, and angry about last season..... , but some folk just want to moan for the sake of it.

*** in inability to comprehend football's appeal without bigotry shocker. Football is about having fun, and McInnes has made Aberdeen fun to watch again. Of course winning trophies is the goal but at the very least he's made the football an appealing Saturday out. As rational fans, we realise that trophies are very difficult to win, especially in a league with such an imbalance in resources. We're performing above ourselves and loving (just about) every minute of it. Dry yer eyes you *** f**k and enjoy our cup final.

It's a familiar sight this. We sign a player and everyone chips in with their merry tales of caution. Hopefully he turns out like some of the other duds we've signed in the past like Buchanan, Holmes and Simmons...

You don't get launched into the air, though, do you! People fall down, not up. People naturally fall forward and put their hands down to break their fall. This is classic wait for contact and launch bullshit! Not even saying it wasn't a penalty, but that's not a natural trip.

I was there for the full thing. Despite what some United fans have said it started with a back and forth which ended in a small scuffle. About two police officers tried to calm it all down, unsuccessfully. A United fan then threw a traffic cone towards the Hamilton fans which missed everyone (not the point) and it was then thrown back a minute or so later into the crowd of United fans that had gathered. It must have been then that it struck the woman that everyone is talking about.

"Certain player transactions not clearly enough explained". No, Eric, they were explained quite clearly to us; it just so happened that they were absolutely fucking moronic. That this still hasn't been appreciated says it all.

He's never made an impact from the bench so idk what your basing that on, I honestly love Bairdy, been brilliant during his time at the club but hopefully his time is done he can move on and we can sign an actual consistent goalscorer on his wages.

St Mirren can f**k off too.

Karma isn't real, your year-long seethe about Ray McKinnon that has culminated in you slavering over your keyboard this morning exists in an entirely non-deterministic universe.

Arsehole

lol.

I wouldn't hate living in Jeremy Corbyn's Britain. I am a vehement 'yes' supporter and it's a political belief I am unwavering on but if Jeremy somehow pulls off the win then I'd be much more content with the political landscape in general. There's a part of me that would see a silver lining in the Theresa May cloud as it would push independence closer to a reality but that's kinda wrong innit? I shouldn't see a positive in that scenario but with independence being my number one goal I'd almost see a positive in regards to that disaster being elected. Don't think I've articulated that well but I guess I'm just trying to see the positive no matter what the result.

Yes. Scottish Cup Final Thread.

I thought that Dundee United had maybe outgrown their cheating tendencies, but I realise now that I was being naive. I always tend to look for the good in people. Sometimes it's a wasted effort.

If certain transfers haven't been explained clearly enough, I think the thing to do would be to explain them.

Be careful you don't drown from @1320Lichtie's tears. Hot as it is, there were so many of them the ground may not have dried out yet.

That's fucking sickening. f**k you Jack Ross, f**k you right in the fucking face.

Wid.

We act like a premiership club in every way bar on the park. The BOD need to remember why we go to the football.

Can't believe that I must've been so close to Roger last night and never even got to call him a *** c**t

What a fantastic club we have. St Johnstone football club, making dreams happen.

Cone but not forgotten.

Is it a piece of wood on a trampoline?

I don't think anybody ever claimed there are no clubs in Scotland with some scummy fans, but that doesn't change the fact that West Ham fans are absolutely dreadful human beings. Not that this bothers you, clearly.

I'm sure the vast majority of Dundee United fans are thoroughly decent, actually. It's always just a few rotten tangerines who ruin the barrel.

You mean you missed out on this one? Ooft what a treat you have in store!

It's on my Twitter Cook, good player but very very injury prone.

Imrie's a w**k, jury's still out on Donati.