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These two statements might be true, but that doesn't mean that they're linked. Any players developed at Queen's before came through when there was regular income from Hampden and there wasn't the possibility and fear of relegation out the league. Some folk still seem to think that staying amateur would have preserved the status quo. It wouldn't. That money wouldn't be coming in, the youth set up would be dismantled because of the drop in income and there would be ambitious ex-junior teams targeting our place in the league. Meanwhile, professionalism doesn't necessarily mean success. From what I can see there's been two steps to this which have become a bit entangled in how folk now perceive the club. There was the vote to turn professional, supported by 90%+ of members, which was about trying to put the club on the best footing to survive and compete at a decent level, then there was money subsequently being made available for players which has raised expectations massively. However, a mediocre start to the season doesn't mean that professionalism has failed or was the wrong thing to do. Maybe we have got the wrong manager, as supporters of other teams he's been at have been keen to tell us, maybe he's signed a bunch of journeymen (as it looked yesterday), its too early to tell yet. Maybe this is just a bedding in period and we'll have a successful season. Whatever the case the only way turning professional will have failed is if we end up in a worse position than we would have been if we had stayed amateur (in the current circumstances, not those of a past that no longer exists). The benefit for those who were against professionalism is that they can point and sneer whenever anything goes wrong without having to prove that staying amateur would have been anything less than a disaster for the club.

Belter here from Davey Jones

Really not getting the anger being directed towards St Mirren. It's unfortunate that this has happened but there's not really anything anyone can do. We've had 2 games postponed already as a result of Covid and chances are there'll be more. I think we're getting into dangerous territory with regards to people (not just footballers). There seems to be an assumption between some people that anyone who catches Covid has, somehow, been irresponsible which in most cases will be a lot of pish. Its just one of those things unfortunately. Hopefully the St Mirren players affected are all okay and by the time the game can be played we'll have Mugabi back and fired Ricki Lamie into the sun.

Ayr's highlights are going to be worth a watch all season if they stick with this multi-cam format. It's like watching Zidane: A 21st Century Portrait except it's about Michael Moffat and rather than being soundtracked by Mogwai, it's Mark Kerr screaming "DO YOUR FUCKING JOB" right in a linesman's lug.

The line being pushed by Unionists here and in real life is very dangerous to them, because Scots absolutely don't believe it and never have. Unionists used to be comfortable saying that Scotland was different and embraced their Scottish identity, while saying that it was best served inside the Union. It was Unionists who put Gaelic on the road and rail signs and built BBC Alba. It was Unionists who lionised Walter Scott and got stuck into Burns Night. It was Unionists who named the Scottish National Opera and the National Trust for Scotland. Now they try to paint that as nationalists silliness. To argue that there's no such thing as Scotland beyond geography is never, ever going to stick with the hefty majority of the Scottish public.

The manner of Rangers' victory at Parkhead yesterday was an eye-opener to many, so perhaps it's time we now start an official thread to discuss...the endgame. So, putting aside all of our usual "I don't care f**k them both" bravado, let's discuss the Ideal Outcome™ for the title race this season. It's likely that Rangers are going to win another title or two in my lifetime, so if they have to win one, why not one that objectively causes a lot of hilarity? As it comes down to the crunch of this decade of Celtic dominance, I'm leaning more towards believing that Rangers winning a shortened season would tick all the boxes: Celtic's support enraged, Timplosions are always fun No ten in a row, a minter that Scottish football could do without The opportunity for the rest of us to tell Rangers fans it didn't actually count H*ns having to u-turn on shortened league titles not counting Presumably a massive fallout and courtroom drama aplenty Neil Lennon having to live the rest of his life being known as the man who cost his beloved Celtic 'the 10' What do we think, then? Poll attached to get a flavour of P&B opinion.

I think this is an issue in itself. We all compare ourselves to others. I'd say up until the start of this year, I was in a relatively good "life position" (definitely just made that up). Had a long term partner, had savings, were going to buy a house etc etc. Then the relationship finished, had to use my savings to clear some new found debt, and now find myself in a position where I was around 10 years ago. However I am a lot happier for it. Far too easy to think life is as simple as - grow up, buy house, marry, have kids, retire, the end. Not going to be like that for everybody, everyone has there own unique set of circumstances.

itzdrk v Skyline Drifter is my dream ticket of opinions. End message

Morning all, Makes sense to have one place for the highlights of each game, no? So far, for Matchday One: Ayr United 2-1 Queen of the South Greenock Morton 1-0 Alloa Athletic Heart of Midlothian 6-2 Dundee Raith Rovers 3-0 Arbroath As best I can tell, Dunfermline haven't seen fit to grace us with their highlights yet. Incidentally, I'm not going to be one of those mad b*****ds who gets a thread pinned and then keeps on editing the original post. Who's got the time? Just the first person to notice the highlights have gone up fire them into this thread.

The answer is neither. See if you can work out why.

A few ITK type posters, including one or two who got other signings spot-on, posted about it so I think at some point there must have been something to it but for whatever reason it obviously never materialised. A shame as I think upfront is probably the only position we never really strengthened (although I don't think we got weaker there either) but hopefully the new boy from Killie will do us a turn. Will obviously be a difficult time for the club, much like every other, but ostensibly we seem to be in a position of relative strength. We cut our reserves but we still have a pretty large squad, retained almost all of our better players from last season and have, so far at least, appeared to have signed well. We're in a much better position now off the field in terms of ownership and have owners who are willing to invest in the team and structure of the club on and off the park. They obviously don't have endless pockets, especially at this level and in this current situation, but so far at least they've invested and plugged holes where they've needed to. Sponsors have stepped up - Holemasters have been very generous (and provided endless streams of 'witty' Twitter posts) for a few years now. The club set up a membership scheme/direct debit and monthly prize draw and have sold season tickets. The club have not publicly released the numbers or uptake of both of these but I would like to think both will have been at least relatively successful in this time of difficulty. So I think on the whole, while this season will be a struggle, we should hopefully come through the other side okay. You never know for sure though and with the situation being so unpredictable things could easily turn. PS pick up a bit of form and relegate Motherwell please. About time the proper Lanarkshire derby returned.

I think some of the comments on the commentary are unfair. People get slaughtered for being too boring, he at least tries to add a bit of excitement - possibly a bit too much at times but so what. Providing commentary of an entire football match isn’t exactly an easy gig but think it’s been pretty good for the most part, considering.

If we had got this result at Peterhead opening day last season we'd be in the championship just now so I'll take a scrappy 3 points any day.

Absolutely stunned to see a poster who has been called out for some questionable comments in the past agreeing with complaints about 'virtue signalling'

Someone from outside Glasgow wins the league. Ideally snatching the title on the last day from "Rangers" in hugely controversial circumstances leading to a whole summer of heads-gone statements. Thinking about it, the perfect final day would see "Rangers" visit Aberdeen needing just a draw for the title. They lead for 88 minutes before a frankly ridiculous penalty and a miles offside goal win it for the Dons. Meanwhile, Hibs travel to Parkhead needing a win to have any chance of the title. Celtic, already out of title contention, spend the whole week talking about how they will give it their all, even though doing so could hand the title to their rivals. Neil Lennon insists that they will do their utmost to win out of respect for the integrity of the competition. Celtic then play their under-13s and Hibs win 11-0. Neil Lennon marks each goal with a pitch invading windmill celebration. Clyde get promoted and win the cup. Yes, I have decided to ignore the "realistic" criterion.

Other; Aberdeen win the League Thank you

Roberts qualifications for being a manager were, he played for a few clubs and was a professional footballer for 20 years. Like a lot of managers he was a "well kent face" who got a job simply by the fact he was at a club when the previous manager left. Daziel was in a similar situation to Roberts. The difference in performance between the last game of Stainrods reign and Daziels was night and day, we started to play football. Daziel "progressed" from getting a great tune out of mediocre players to getting a mediocre tune out of great players and was hated by the majority of the support towards the end. Once players became fans favorites, Daziel seemed to fall out with them and they were gone. Reid transformed a team destined for relegation in to a top 3 team almost within a month of taking over. Reid made Ayr a yo-yo team when other managers around that time had made us a below average league one team. Roberts took Reid's legacy and gradually made us worse. Cameron's naivety and Roberts inability could have turned Ayr in to a Stirling Albion or a Clyde, Both of whom were decent, well supported, established teams 20 years ago. The reliance on signing players who were a good laugh and fitted in, the team spirit over technical ability didn't work. Robert's managerial legacy at Ayr is almost an accident. Signing dreadful midfielders meant Crawford getting a run in the team. He played Forrest out of necessity more than would have likely happened at any other time. The signing policy of Reid and Roberts was very much a case of hoping they would do a job for 6-8 months. Had we the same policy now, this summer we would have been looking at the same caliber of players that we free'd last summer. Ian McCall taking over at Ayr will be remembered in the future as as a pivotal moment in Ayr's history in the same way the MacLeod era was. I don't think it is any coincidence that Ayr became a decent side when McCall took over. Cameron was a shrewd chairman, maybe too cautious. McCall was the manager of Morton during their crisis, Airdrie, Clydebank......If anyone knew how to get a team performing with no money it was McCall. I think his guidance helped Cameron over the last few years. Kerr has a better footballing CV than Roberts and has a better educated owner now. The clubs philosophy appears to be that we look after the players in the hope that they will be loyal to the club. It looks like we have a plan beyond the end of the current season. McCardle is a different aspect than we have had before also. The signings over the last year have been in part good, like Walsh, obscure like the keeper or inspired like Chalmers. I don't remember any fan saying over the summer, I hope we sign Joe Chalmers, yet he has been absolute velvet since he signed. The jury is still out on Kerr as a manager because he hasn't won anything or bettered anything we have achieved in recent times. Not getting to the play-offs would be seen as a failure, finishing 3rd or 4th would be Meh. first or second would be a real success based on the amount of cash that was flung at the last time it happened. With a small squad it will be more challenging but after a year, I don't have the same reservations I did with Roberts.

What you have to realise, DA, is that no two peoples lives pan out exactly the same, and comparing yourself to others, or measuring yourself against their perceived success/happiness is a completely futile and pointless exercise. I know from your posts on here that you struggle from time to time, but your posting style lends me to think that you are a thoroughly decent guy with a lot to offer. I stopped giving a single f**k about anyone else's riches and boasts long ago, and believe me your life and mental state is so much better for it. Facebook and the likes are cesspits of 'look at me' arseholes and sad fucks desperate to keep up with the Jones's. Half of them are in unhappy relationships and mired in debt, all to keep up the pretence of their perceived perfect life. It's all bullshit and best avoided. I have only a few long time friends that I keep in touch with occasionally, then my football group who meet up for a few beers at home games and have a couple of away days throughout the season for a blowout (in normal seasons anyway). Other than that I'm as happy as a pig in shit at home in my wee man cave or out for an occasional meal with the wife. Find a career or hobby you really want to pursue and focus on that, and on your physical and mental health. Being an adult is just another perception or myth. Two years ago, at the age of 45 and after years of bouncing from job to job, I finally landed a responsible position that pays fairly well , but as soon as I'm off duty I'm just the same dickhead with a juvenile sense of humour that I've always been. Focus on you and no-one else, bin the 'being an adult' mindset and pointless comparisons. Things will fall into place when you least expect it, I guarantee you.

You don't need to be Columbo, that much is certain. Thank you.

You’re talking to the same person.

Religion

McPake's own self appointed mandate was that he would make the support be proud of the club again. A 6-2 defeat on the opening day of his second season in charge does not make me proud. Nor did the season that came before it. To be so embarrassingly out of United's league despite being the team with the parachute payment and having free reign to build his own side from scratch was sackable in itself. When the season ended we were in 3rd place having just recently overtaken Ayr into that position - That does not make me proud to be a Dundee fan. We, or at least a lot of us thought that McPake had turned a corner towards the end of last season with the unbeaten run we went on. That's it. A run that saw us draw at home to part-time Alloa and away to Greenock Morton and Ayr. That was the highlight of last season in a year that saw us put of the diddy cup by Elgin whilst fielding a full strength 11 (Or near to it) and draws against the likes of Peterhead & Cove. The same season that McPake suffered his 2nd 6-2 defeat to United - And did he redeem himself in the 2nd Derby? No, we put in an arguably worse performance but thankfully United limited it to just a 2 goal defeat. Twice during last season we went on 4 game winless runs. It was all pretty shambolic really. I thought he'd solved it though. The signing on Berra, the tightening of the defence, the allowance to still go and sign players that Prem clubs couldn't afford this season (Jim Goodwin admitted he couldn't get anywhere near Jakubiak's wage demands). I ignored the fact that Hamilton would still be our first choice, I ignored the fact that Forster and basically our whole CH area had been neglected once again. I believed. Clearly, I should have taken my head out of the sand because the first game of the season was a humping and it was down to the very same problems that existed on day one of the season before. Right down to the 3-5-2 being exposed down the wings and having to change it after going multiple goals behind. Do I think McPake is the worst manager we've ever had? No, he's not anywhere near it. He's clearly done some things right and seems to have been at least partly responsible for the generation of promising youth talent that are chapping on the door so fair play to him for that, but that does not make him a good manager. If egos weren't a factor, him slipping back into that role whilst we appoint someone with any semblance of competence to be first team manager such as Tommy Wright would be the best decision making done at the club since Nelms came in.

I always used to think the best thing about being an adult would be being able to get a huge bag of pic n mix and not have to worry about the price. I was correct.

A few observations on today's match: The first half was rubbish to watch. Thistle seemed to be happy to sit deep and not try to do much when they had the ball. Had no interest in stopping us playing out from the back. We had obviously pinpointed a weakness in Penrice and our main tactic seemed to be to give it to Syvertsen and get him to run at the left back. That was it though, no instruction on what to do next. I also thought our midfield trio were a bit all over the place; full of energy but not much structure. Cuddihy very lucky to get away with giving the ball away (Think that was when Aissa missed Thistle's best chance). Other than a great knockdown from Cunningham, which Goodwillie volleyed straight at Sneddon, we didn't create anything either. The second half we started with a much greater purpose and got Jack more involved in the game higher up the pitch. Goodwillie should have scored but Sneddon saved well at his feet, whilst Syvertsen thumped the post. Then, a wee bit of luck as Thistle hit the post and couldn't convert the rebound, with McNiff clearing well. Moments later we scored, with a beautiful flowing move. A terrific pass from Syvertsen, another wonderfully weighted knockdown from Cunningham and although Goodwillie couldn't convert, Love did. I think the midfield trio we have are excellent in transitions. Since Lennon came in, we've generally been great at counter-attacking but at times been caught going the other way. They've been really good working to get back in when we lose the ball. Where they need a lot of work is when we're defending in a shape. There is at times, too much eagerness to go and chase and press. I think Lennon recognised that and putting Howie on to just sit centrally with Cuddihy worked. They didn't have a single clear chance after the goal and we should have scored at least one more on the counter. I'm sure Thistle will field a different team next week and will be the better for today. Lyons, Niang, Williamson, Docherty and the goalie should all be in. The rest can be binned with no complaints. Cardle, who ripped us apart in the cup tie last year, was absolutely dreadful. I can't even remember who Spittal replaced he was that anonymous. The balance of the midfield trio seemed completely off; Bannigan and Docherty wanting to play in the same areas, Murray not good enough to create on his own. This division you'll get killed if you don't have pace in the centre of the pitch; we saw that ourselves last year. There is a lot of potential in our back four. Bain knows what he's doing, McNiff/Lang are an excellent pairing, and I'll stand by my assertion from Tuesday that Shiels will be a star by the end of the season. Midfield are good to watch (Cunningham is just a wee bundle of hardworking class) and a fit Syvertsen is a game changer. You can't deny that Love is always likely to come up with a big goal in these games.

From Bozo number 2 I’d like to say thank you for recognising our hard work this afternoon!! Now Regarding Jack Hodge if you go check flash scores his name is down as Bryan Hodge. Can’t really say much about Botti Biabi, as I’ve never heard anyone say his name so I took a stab at it. Yes at times we got a bit excited, this was our first time We tried our best to have a laugh and remain as unbiased as we could, but we slipped up and let our true colours come out every so often. Andy Munro is in his 3rd season with you’s, so ‘years’ is right. The boy at Stirling might be better than us but not as good looking Bozo number 1 is 17 and has a passion for talking If anyone else would like the job, application open Monday 8am Good luck everyone

Listened to the podcast with the Rawlins just now. Night and day compared with last summers charlatan. It would be a calamitous situation if this investment is lost due to warring cliques and vested interests in the comfy seats.

I've taken the bold step of starting a new Rovers related blog to provide inconsequential, un-spell checked pish to the masses every Sunday. I've spoken a wee bit about yesterday's game from a Raith perspective here.

If I invented a machine for chopping peoples' heads off I too would be horrified if it was used to chop peoples' heads off.

I do agree that decisions - both ways - should be respected. There's no guarantee that the decisions made will prove to be the correct one but they've been made and we need to move on.

On a scale of 1-10, I was a 6 at the start of the season, now Im down to a 4. We went into the season with several key issues that looked like being an issue... No real keeper. No width, apart from McDaid. All 5 central midfielders being the same. Strikers who dont score goals. I wasn't overly worried about defence, I thought Forster might be worth a game, I was clearly wrong, Ive read decent things about Ashcroft, but he looked average at best. Hamilton is never a keeper, he seems like a decent guy in DeeTV and other media items, but sorry mate, when you cross the lines onto the park, not nearly good enough. Dorrans got a free ride last season, and lived on his name in a good few games. Byrne looks lost, Robertson is a tidy player, Adam looks incredibly unfit and unable in physical aspects of the game, Gowser runs about a lot, and tries really hard. If we play 442, Id argue a competent manager would play 1 of them, not 2. If we play 352, then only 2 should play. The entire balance is wrong, it was wrong last season, and its got worse. Mullen is a very hard working player, but his stats dont show goals. Jakubiak looks like a flair player, but without the end product. Sow, yeah well, Im glad the physios have a new buddy. Afolabi looked good, but before we signed him, Id never heard of him. Hamilton will never get a game. Its never going to happen, but McPake should go. He is the worst manager we have had, no personality, no energy, no clue about tactics. Its ground hog day, and we haven't improved in a year and a half under him.

Just a reminder of the score yesterday, have a nice day.

Nail biting stuff, it's the highlights from yesterday:

Highlights package looking really slick, liking the improved camera quality and different angles.

It's definitely very appealing to see Rangers winning the title under similar circumstances to last year, but with an even tighter margin when the season stops. Maybe 2 points clear with 4 games to go or something like that.

Yesterday my wife thought she saw a cockroach in the kitchen. She sprayed everything down and cleaned everywhere thoroughly. Today, I moved the coachroach in to the bathroom.

It’s been a long summer full of this happy clapping pish. Him and his mates talking about strolling this league, pumping teams, going unbeaten, etc. Read a Tweet the other day saying we had the best attack outside the top six in the country, ffs. A staggering lack of self-awareness shown by so many people in our fanbase. I have no issue with fans of everyone else ripping the pish out of it. These c***s deserve it.

Neither will we Enjoy your season guys.

Won the first game of the season for the first time in 13 years. About 15 shots at goal, probably should have been about 3 or 4 nil up in the first 15 minutes and folk are still not happy.

And no away fans, either...

Need to remember we’ve literally lost one league game in 11 under McKinnon, even from last season we looked a million miles better than under Roberts

f**k me you’re a tedious little twat aren’t you.

Bozo number 1 here enjoyed my first go at commentating today when I shouted don’t kick the ball out after tiffoney went down we actually thought about apologising but decided not to thanks for your other nice comments and we’ll try and not get to excited after Aitken scores his Hat trick against Brechin!