Hursty

I'm sure I read it a couple of times he was definitely leaving them on a free but can't actually remember if that was officially confirmed anywhere? If he has been then I'd be pleasantly surprised if he signed for Ayr as I'd expect him to have offers from bigger Championship or even bottom end Premier clubs (hopefully not yourselves of course)

Absolute guess work but might even be different deadlines as McInroy is technically a new signing as a free agent so could be more likely to keep his options open for longer.

Don't think there's really much he can say - we know we have offered deals which players haven't signed - him and Smith etc will privately know what has been offered and whether we would maybe go back to certain players with a higher offer if they reject this one, but that would be madness to publicly comment. They probably have a gut feeling about who is going to sign as well and will have targets identified for the ones that are unlikely, but again there is zero benefit to commenting on that in an interview. He did mention signing a couple of centre backs but that was kind of needless as we have lost 3 so bringing at least 2 in was absolutely obvious haha.

Listened to Mathie's interview there. I honestly can't get my head around how folk can listen to that and have a negative reaction. We've suffered for years by being light years behind other clubs in certain (most?) areas off the field, which we now seem to be fully investing in.

There's one shows up in that Neil Brown database http://www.neilbrown.newcastlefans.com/ayr/ayr.html who played for us once in 94/95 coming from St Mirren. The name in Google also throws up a St Mirren fan page listing him as one of their worst ever players so presumably the same guy! The one who appeared as sub at Livingston was Mohammed Benlaredj I think - that site has him signing from FC Mulhouse.

Aye. I'd rather he stayed as you know what you are getting from him and its one less to replace, but if he does go then definitely replacable and indeed one that could be improved on

Both starred in Scotland's famous 2-2 draw I think?

He scored a good finish away to Hamilton in the cup but his glory moment was home to Dunfermline in the league where he laid the ball off in the right back position then ran the length of the park without the ball to score a header off a cross from Reading to put us 2 up. A massive goal when you consider how the season played out.

All the money needed to sack him was spent on signing Super Joe Chalmers.

Excellent news.

Even just last season we started the League Cup opener without a keeper on the bench so had to finish it with an injured McAdams.

Can't remember if it's been mentioned but saw Mikey Miller had signed permanently for Stenhousemuir

Its small margins accross the board. Up until about a month ago the right hand side was, other than a couple of rare exceptions, the massive weak link every single week with Houston and McKenzie. All of a sudden O'connor coming in for McKenzie made us look a bit better going forward. Now imagine we got lucky like we did before and stumbled across a right back of Liam Smith's ability from somewhere. All of a sudden you've got on paper a pretty strong right hand side and only signed one player. That said, Houston being given that extension a few months ago does make me worry that a right back isn't actually on the shopping list but the point still stands Re Centre backs - I'd love to see us sign one more but as someone has stated I'm not convinced many are out there. Even this season as an example we've seen plenty teams with supposedly far superior centre backs to us seem absolutely incapable of coping with Adeloye, who plenty on here wouldn't even have down as good enough to start for a side that finished 8th...

I'm definitely in the minority but I'd be happy enough if all the ones offered deals signed. For me it's all about whether the quality of the new signings is high enough to push us forward (which does concern me quite a bit). They need to be guys that will be top end for the division and that's the same regardless of whether it's Baird / Houston / Muirhead etc backing them up or 3 new guys who lets face it probably wouldn't be that much of a change in standard. Edit - I'd of course be more concerned if Adeloye and McInroy both leave as that's then another 2 higher quality signings needed.

I saw Nick McAllister was getting rave reviews from Clyde fans after his loan spell. Could he return to a side hopefully not battling relegation and improve like Mick Rose the second? He looked miles off it but it was his first season at this level and was injured for all of pre season so you never know...

Would be surprised if he accepted them- he's obviously limited but would expect he would be looking to be a first choice at either lower end Championship or top end L1 rather than staying here as a backup.

I'd be surprised if he wasn't offered one. Doesn't mean he would sign it of course especially if he maybe wasn't going to be a first choice starter.

Looking at a positive spin, we only lost 1 of the last 6 games, so signing (for example as it's been mentioned) 5 new players who are all an improvement on who they are replacing (which is of course the challenge) seems absolutely fine to me, especially when you'd be hoping the younger ones like Smith / Bryden etc might improve with experience. I do get the impression Bullen is capable of learning from his mistakes- O'connor coming in for McKenzie for last 3 games and making us look a much more dangerous side a good example The worry of course is if we do lose better players like McInroy/Adeloye etc as you are then needing even more new signings to come in and make an impact.

I'm feeling pretty positive about next season I have to admit, absolute polar opposite to this time last season.

Same. I'm pining for Sean McGinty

Tomi with a worryingly 'goodbye-ish' tweet

Joe Chalmers OG is one of the best things I've ever seen in football haha

Airdrie would give me the fear. They are on a ridiculously good run

Bringing my cousin born in Maidens but lived in Florida the last 40 years but still a big Ayr fan to the game. Joining us is his FLA pal who has never been to a 'soccer' game in his life as far as I know, and who is currently on his flight blissfully unaware of what is to come. He's here for golf and hospitality tickets to Liverpool v Spurs next week so delighted for a wee taste of real fitba to start with. Prediction - 1-1. Ayr then only 4 draws and 2 penalty shoot out wins from safety.

Every single year we get the same haha. Its white top with some sort of pattern and a sponsor. "HORRIFIC" "EMBARASSING" It's an Ayr home top FFS. Will be fondly remembered if the team is good.