A Believer

The message I'm hearing is an honest assessment that we're improving, and continuing to ask for patience, as it'll take time. Equally, we've just played arguably the best 2 teams in the league, with demonstrably more cash than we do, so why not remind folks like you of that fact. That honesty, passion and optimism is not everyone's cup of tea, I happen to applaud it. And how can you say the players are not competing; I hope you mean in terms of player quality in some areas; but not in effort. I see fantastic effort all over the pitch and, with the manager galvanizing belief in the dressing room, returning players and perhaps one or two new faces, I believe we'll move up a place or two in the weeks to come.

Anyone risking entering Cowden should be used to that.

Healthy doses of honest realism at Berwick, unlike at the Scottish behemoth in Cowdenbeath. Johnny'll have the last laugh.

Works for me. Now, let's get an SFA Policy in place....[emoji106]

I'm not entirely getting your point, however I'm asking for suggestions of what you /anyone on this thread think would be better, to improve the lack of players progressing from u20's to 1st team: other than allegedly OF inspired division 3.

I know this thread starts with 'Old Firm', but could we take off the Anti-OF Seethe goggles. What about thinking about what would be good for OUR young players, rather than fixating on countering what the OF may or may not be up to.

The conversion rate of youth players to effective senior squad players is a single percent figure. The main reason cited is inability to compete physically or in terms of 'course football' awareness with experienced pro's. Even ones that show promise after they are too old for 20's, get practically no game time from the bench, and struggle. All things we all know (and agree on, I hope) Now that 20's has been canned, and young players play in a reserve league, I don't see the point of a league 5, as the healthy mixing of youth and experience is taking place, and outcomes of that (in terms of youth development to 1st team) should be analysed before a plan B is considered. It's a load of bollox IMHO, the kids with talent and the right attitude is probably a single percent figure, and with cosseted children and the draw of x-box and 'better things to do' than focus on their skills and personal physical development, reserve league or a league 5 won't change anything. It won't be as attractive as the couch or the pub when the going gets tough. Now, let's talk about the SFA youth coach development system, and creating a youth football proposition that will build a desire, beyond x-box, to be a fitba player.....

I think it's the share dividends that are reinvested in the CIC, rather than relinquishing the actual shares. I'm not sure to many holidays are planned based on BRFC dividend return.

Without knowing the full rationale, anything strengthening bonds with local families and encouraging more people to support, and even develop to play for the club, sounds like a good thing.

I feel refreshing optimism for the club with recent results, and particularly with the messages of glasnost across the various boards. Fantastic; truly. Let's also please keep positive perspective next week, when no trialists will be available; all will certainly not be lost if we don't prevail. But hey, who knows, we're on a roll!!

Oh give over man. Aye we could, but at least half fill your glass...

For the record, I hope your next shite is a hedgehog...[emoji106][emoji847]

A little harsh; if I may, heavy defeats don't always equate to poor defensive players. In this case, as the match report bore-out (and my personal experience watching), this was a reserve team from a club 3 layers above us, with first team players and very high quality full-time youngsters befitting their league status. Understandible in many ways, but might I suggest a little more context and pragmatism in comments relating to our youngsters please.

Folks said that last season too, keep the faith [emoji106]

A first look at the reserves tomorrow night in competitive SPFL action. I hope a few people turn out to support the youngsters. I think a few will be surprised at the skill, pace and passion we have in this group. 8pm kick-off at Shielfield v Albion Rovers.

I know that now my dear pidge, but am just too far outside the hinterland to have heard then. I honestly truly hope this is a bright new beginning.

I hope that's rhetorical...[emoji51] I'd love to know who the new chairman will be. One must believe that this is part of a strategic plan to install a new driving force for the betterment of our club. He says. Optimistically....

My thoughts precisely re judging the team. Feel for Robbie, you can see the pain of losing and determination to improve. Still hopeful.

Thanks Redcar, I only commented on the team, as I felt it unfair to judge them after 1 competitive match; however as you rightly point out, the club structure clearly enables the team to perform, so the link is unavoidable. I haven't commented on the board, as I don't know the BRFC corporate operating model, company constitution, or articles, that the Directors operate under. However. A common thread here is suggesting Directors are choosing not to inject more cash, as that's incumbent on them as Directors. This might be unfair, as perhaps the BRFC shareholders, who approve Director appointments, follow different constitutional criteria to ensure Directors add value to the club. Another, more cancerous, allegation is that Directors openly discuss and even denigrate each other outside board. That can't happen. I say that, not to uphold a 'veil of secrecy' (another regular concern) but any company without a clear mission statement, objectives and operating model, which all Directors completely stand behind (even if one or two don't agree) really is disfunctional. But people need to have facts to substantiate such an allegation, as it's misconduct and should likely to lead to dismissal. If change is to happen, the constitution (or articles of association) will explain the best way to drive that from within, or by outside agency. All shareholders have access to these documents. Less talking, more doing.

Aye, we've lost our first competitive game of the season and were already relegated. Early call, even for the cups half empty brigade. It's not a great result, but a new team playing at a place where we rarely get anything doesn't mean man the lifeboats chaps. We're skint, and will rely on knitting what we have, and players from organic development, into a decent team. I don't think we're alone in SPFL2 in that posotion, so let's see what a few league matches bring in due course before we run up the white flag.

Whilst wrestling with phraseology like utter dugmeat being not having a dig, some might concede to your point chum. Far too early and, watching Brazil v Mexico right now, good teams are demonstrably a successful sum of all their parts. I'm am optimistic chappie.

The squad are at pre-season training again today after Thursday night's session and, looking at the extensive 1st team and reserve pre-season fixtures, the prep looks in a good place.

....a more concise version of my earlier post...[emoji23]

With the recent extreme pitch-gate stories, which are both budget-themed, might it be that our clubs cloth is limited beyond anything we've seen for many years? Might be a season where supporters need to circle the wagons and really get behind Robbie and the team. I hope I'm wrong; maybe in a few weeks we'll have seen more captures of the quality of the two Musselburgh boys. There's little doubt that a lot of hard work will be getting done to vigorously explore the best possible player options. It'll be hard enough to grow the squad and perform on the park in a positive fan environment.

Further lost gate revenue of even more postponed Saturday games being played midweek? Is this really nailed on?