lzreid

We signed him from Elgin. 'Twas also the begining of the 'he's from a division below so he must be shite' train of thought an alrming number of our fans adhere to.

I can't honestly see a repeat of that situation. McGlynn certainly seems to have learnt his lessons from that time and it's important to remember that it wasn't entirely McGlynn's fault either (though he certainly made mistakes). The problem was caused by that tosser leaving his foot in on Fahey and compounded by Renton's cripplinf loss of form after 2 or 3 mistakes. Ever since then we've run a pretty steady ship in the goalkeeping department and I would expect McNeil to keep his position for the forseeable. A situation I'm fairly comfortable with.

I've been focussing on transfers that are happening elsewhere and based on those - and nothing else - I'm expecting about £500,000 for the big chap.

It's a tricky one. I want promotion because winning is the entire purpose of putting a team on the pitch. My concer would be over what came next. With the greatest of respects to the fans of those clubs, I don't fancy being a St Mirren, Hamilton or Falkirk type club. Quietly queuing up waiting for our turn at relegation whilst suffering dwindling crowds, higher debts, watching our better players move sideways but still away and taking our monthly humbling off two of the most odious football clubs on earth fills me with dread.

Incidentally, The Courier reports that Wales has returned to full training.

It's a good move for all 3 players. Beveridge must have done well enough for Mussleburgh to extend, Wedderburn needs experience and hill needs fitness. I know we've got an excellent defence, they're all fit, it's a short term deal, we've not had him all season and this will actually help us but I still get twitchy at a player dropping out of the senior squad.

Broken nose immediately followed by 2 games in 4 days? Mark Campbell is hard as f**k and Willie Gibson is gonna die on Sunday!

I think that it's still too early to early to tell with McBride. He's started two competitive games for us I think. In those two games he's shown moments of quality in forcing an opponent to be sent off in one and setting up a goal in the other. Despite his overall performances being average or seemingly worse (I missed Alloa) certainly that's enough to be going on with and enough to allow the boy some breathing space. Carcary, Williamson and Templeton are perhaps unfortunate in that they were/are primarily strikers that McGlynn tried to convert. None of the 3 are ever going to track back and put tackles in outside their own box like Ferry will, and as you say, that's what McGlynn likes and, therefore, they were never going to cut it for him. Smith and Borris looked like being the sort of wingers that could thrive under McGlynn, creative wide men with a work ethic. Sadly, both spent a lot of time on the treatment table and were let go.

Exactly. There's one slot in the squad opening up over the next few weeks and it ain't Weir's. In an ideal world I'd probably move them both on, bring in Wales and some cover at midfield. It ain't happening though.

Fae The Courier; However, the game will obviously come too early for defender Dougie Hill who needs match practice after recovering from a broken ankle and should feature in a reserve fixture next week.

Well, so far things have gone our way and the team have responded magnificently to the chance of going on a run. The old cliché about things balancing out over the season will undoubtedly come true with regards to injuries / suspensions and we'll have real problems if/when these hit One midfielder picked up an injury last week and suddenly we had to stick a striker on the wing. Clearly, it worked well enough on Saturday but it does highlight we're a suspension and an injury away from having real trouble in the middle of the park. It is actually testament to the focus and professionalism of the players / management that we're taking advantage of a wee run of luck in that respect to build ourselves a significant safety net.

I'm a member of the Labour Party - apparently this is important to your argument - and I think her opinion is shite. Does that change your mind?

Well here's a few; Being a member of the Labour Pary is cool. I have mixed emotions about Tony Blair to the extent that my feeling merge and become ambivalence. Freedom from the state is not the only freedom worth talking about and it's certainly not the only freedom worth voting on. I like Alan Hansen, Lee Dixon and Gary Lineker. I find them erudite and sensible. I like immigrants. More people with that level of determination and ability would be welcome. I'm not really a fan of international football and find it something of an inconvenience (although I do watch it). I hate footballers who cry. There must be loads more.

I agree. Still a good save though. I agree. All strikers miss penalties, it's one of those things. Players finding out 4 seconds before they're hitting the thing that they're todays penalty taker can't be good for the nerves.

We really, really shouldn't make that a general rule. Repetition should help the problem, given that Baird is a certain start when fit he should be handed the ball at every opportunity. If he misses 3 or 4 on the bounce we can look at it again but this passign the ball (and the buck) shit has to stop. For situations liek last night, when Baird wasn't on the park there should be a nominated deputy. As for your second bit, Chris Smith was on the Pars website saying the programme had helped.

It's nature teaching you not to eat metal when you have bad teeth. Apparently, some people need to be taught this.

I do not, have not and never will stay in 'The Hub'. I do know people who have and if you do choose this lamentable course of action you are a fool. There are far better places near the university for far less money. Do not be a fool.

Well, we are improving on the park...

On a similar if unrelated note, I have a huge dog who shites himself at the merest sign of trouble. Simultaneously there's this wee collie mutt that wants a scrap with him. If you ever want to see a man trying desperately to boot a dog in the balls whilst getting pulled away by his dog give me a shout.

I think not. I believe that it's strictly an SFL suspension and since the Scottish Cup is an SFA competition he's fine. Similar to why Hill was available against Airdrie and Simmons - theoretically - was available against Ayr.

I just found out that I'm gonna have a large dental bill. It is mildly irritating as I don't eat many sweets, don't drink fizzy juice and brush twice a day at least. On the other hand, it's better to pay the money now than live with dental pain. The worst pain in the land.

I swapped my day off to make it to the Dunfermline reschedule, which was then cancelled. I am now at work today. The game against Ayr is today The game away to Ayr is enerally my favourite of the year. I was happy to sacrifice it for them. I am no longer happy.

And rightly so. He'd likely have been on decent wages and only played a handful of times. No ta.

About a year and a half ago. 'Mon the TV coverage.

I'm back at work. Not amused.