Hawk89

Is that a review of the season so far?

One upping you by having a Chinese and supporting local jobs

Anything new or just restating the last week of Ayrshire post exclusives?

Surely you mean the TV host is named after the disgraced shopping centre?

To be fair he must have had an impact at Pafos, their badge resembles him.

It is interesting that you mention Brian Reid, I was thinking about this whilst trundling up the M77 this morning in terms of perspective. Reid was the first "competent" manager for me as an Ayr fan. I started properly going to games about 03/04, with a couple before that. Under Reid I always felt even if the last game has been a hiding that we'd still have enough to get by and grind out games. I even enjoyed our Championship seasons under him as we were at least semi-competitive and you had players who would be able to produce moments of magic or be leaders. It wasn't until relegation was confirmed that I would accept that fate. It has been incredibly difficult since Hopkin came in for me to find the motivation to go to games, I can't really put my finger on what it is but I've gained a real feeling of apathy and resignation with the last few managers. I've also noticed it amongst the fanbase, with even some of the happiest of clappers on the various social outlets coming across totally scunnered. Since McCall left it feels like the squad has lost all the big personalities, guy who can produce magic and the enforcers who you love to have on your side. On the managerial front Reid didn't have the biggest personality but, you'd sure as hell know what Scott McKenzie was thinking on the touchline which always gave me a feeling that everyone was fighting tooth and nail. Watching the various regimes we've had since McCall there is little/no animation from the dugout either, which I think translates into the stands as well. I'm not expecting us to go out and sign someone with a megaphone that does a 10k down the touchline as our next manager but, their body language is a major part of what is being transmitted as well.

The rumour mill on faceache is that Albinson was dropped due to a falling out with Bullen post match against Dundee United. I may be reading too much into it. However, Bullen did say in the post match interview yesterday that sometimes things are said in the heat of the moment that aren't helpful. I wonder if that is a nod to Charlie getting the gloves against Inverness.

Toss up between B&D, A will be last.

Genuinely wonder what the approach will be next time around for appointing a manager, first timer v experienced. I can't imagine we'd be in a position to head hunt unless it was from a much smaller side, so it will probably be the usual list of merry-go-rounders. If it is a rookie then they absolutely need to bring in an experience number 2, regardless of the rookie's age. Even McCall had the foresight to go after strong assistants as part of his team, albeit he was only 50 when he arrived.

One interview away from synergy and back to belt and braces being used. He wasn't quite at Kerr levels of scunnered in the post match interview but didn't seem far off. The problem is that Kerr was an easy sacking as he was Lachlan's guy. It becomes much harder to sack your own guy as it then is a reflection of your own evaluation. I've seen a couple of lunatics on FB trying to defend Bullen over night but, it is to the point you are genuinely not sure if they are serious or fishing.

Their faces match mine with the sound quality, sounds like the mic is turned up way too high.

You didn't go to Marr in the early-mid 00s did you? If not, I'm worried there are a number of wannabe paramedic PE teachers running around Ayrshire.

All the hallmarks of 2-0 Arbroath.

Cheers for the steers above, when looking at dates for coming home it appears Emirates still do the layover option at no extra fee. Looks like Jordan would probably be the best fit then for being able to see something whilst also recharging the batteries.

Rinsing the bookies with Shankland anytime, Ayr win was the moment we jumped the shark (on the field) for me.

Wondering if anyone has been out to Dubai recently? I'm travelling over to Nepal with work for a week or two early next year (Feb/Mar) and was looking at options for a stopover on the way home. Weighing up two very different options: 3 nights in Dubai with my feet up or 3 nights in Jordan (the country) with a trip down to Petra. Will be on my own and my wife has zero interest in Petra so it feels like a good opportunity to bounce in on the way back. The main questions are: Is Dubai eye wateringly expensive or can it be done in a budget friendly way? I've had a look at hotels and they are very much on par price wise, just not sure about "living" costs whilst there.

If you are going direct to NYC then it is probably worth just grinning and bearing the utterly erratic immigration queue going direct from Edinburgh unless there is an incredible deal available elsewhere. If you are connecting to go else where in the US that is where I could absolutely see the benefit of minimising hassle by bouncing through Ireland (as typically you would be looking at a hub anyway given the dearth of direct options). One thing to look out for with KLM is sometimes they bounce you into Schiphol then you have another short haul leg over to CDG before connecting with the long haul flight. I'm not sure if that is down to airline or airport capacity these days.

Sadly not, every time I've looked the Aer Lingus prices are through the roof. Can you do it with any of the US carriers via Dublin?

Have to say I was quite impressed with the hard product on offer from Delta (both international and domestic) this time around. They are still running their ageing 767-300s into Edinburgh which are slated to be retired in 2025. Some airlines (looking at you BA) would let aircraft like this age and just carry out reactive maintenance. Delta however, have refurbed them all over the past couple of years to ensure the product is still fairly fresh and modern. You can see a marked difference between the speed of the IFE systems on the 767 and their 737MAX aircraft, but it still comes with all the same features (bar Live TV). For 6hrs between EDI-JFK the product is absolutely fine and the flights seem to leave/arrive early most days. I reckon if we are doing America again (before 2025) we'd look to book this route over what would normally be my preferred option of KLM from Glasgow as the seat config on this aircraft type is also great if travelling as a couple (2-3-2). They'll likely replace this route with an A321NEO or 787 which means you'll always be stuck in a 3 sadly. The only downside of the flight times on the way home is that it leaves JFK just after 10pm, they then run a full meal service for about 90 minutes before dimming the cabin lights, they bring the lights back up again about 90 minutes before landing to serve breakfast. On a 6hr flight you don't get alot of rest. On the domestic leg between Tampa-JFK the 737Max had the added benefit of live TV (there were about 15-20 channels) so it was great being able to watch some college football on the way South and basketball on the homeward leg. Inflight service on both legs was brilliant and the crews very attentive. Inflight Wifi is free for messaging services (text only, no images or gifs etc), and like most carriers you'll need a mortgage if you want one of their paid packages.

First time going through Edinburgh for a few years just there, was actually quite impressed with how seamless it is these days. It may have been luck of the draw, but Saturday morning around 9am there was barely a queue for security. Between Check-in and getting to airside we were 15 minutes tops, did have the pleasure of seeing someone come through the fast track with their wife who had a face like thunder when she saw no wait at all for us non-paying peasants. Things have certainly changed for the better as well airside, last time I went through the Wetherspoons was basically a cupboard with some tables rammed into it and there wasn't really much else. Coming back in, again we were maybe luck as the Delta flight gets in surrounded by domestic services at that time of the day we were through passport control in no time. One thing that was annoying however, is that American passport holders can also use the E-gates. Seems a little unfair given we have to wait in that f****** immigration queue at JFK for a minimum of 60 minutes (worst has been 3hrs) each time we go. I'd personally make it reciprocal and put the worst tempered border force staff on it they can find.

The vlogger that pished himself in front of his kid not so long ago after a few to many beers.

Who would play Bullen?

FFS Halloween isn't until tomorrow.

I'd rather keep them in the wind and rain if possible.

Could it be the case that we retain capacity given the new stand will adhere to far more stringent modern building and safety standards? I'm sure I've read a few times over the past 10-15 years about our capacity being slightly reduced when we've gone through the licencing process with the council.