CPBAIRN

Arbroath won this league last season using 22 players. Which was the smallest amount used by any League One Champions in the last 10 years. They had relatively few injuries and suspensions. The average number of players used by the Champions over that same 10 years is 26.

I’m not doubting the quality in the side, I’m actually delighted with pretty much all the signings. If we avoid injuries and suspensions then I think we win the league comfortably, and we’ll do it playing some good football. But it’s the start of the season and we’ve already got 4 players likely out for the Berwick game (Durnan, Laverty, McLean and Sammon). Which means only 2 outfield subs. Who comes on if a defender turns an ankle? It’s not about being very unlucky, it’s just about picking up the standard number of injuries and suspension every team gets every year. So I’ll concede that an 18 man squad could potentially still win the league - but it drastically reduces our chances in the course of a long season in a physically ‘robust’ league. 2 utility players in would be a big help.

Dixon, Buchanan, Telfer and McManus are injured. Sammon and Gomis are suspended. Now pick your team...

We are absolutely 100% not winning the league with a squad of 18. That means most weeks we’ll have 3 or 4 empty spaces on the bench. Telfer and Connolly are going to get booted from pillar to post, no way are they both going all season without injuries. Even if it’s guys on sweetie money we need a minimum of two extra bodies. Blair Malcolm couldn’t have been on much at Cowdenbeath, likewise Ciaran Summers. Even if it has to be part time contracts, 6 month deals or whatever - we need them in.

2 games for violent conduct, unless we can appeal. Totally agree about the size of the squad. We need 2 more in, we can’t go through the season with 18 players.

Positives for me were the two central defenders, Telfer and Connolly contrasting last years midfielders by not hiding but wanting to get on the ball and play good forward passes, Gomis looked very effective and strolled it considering it’s his first game and he’s been injured. McManus also showed that he’ll be a real handful for defences, showed good work rate and flashes of skill. Negatives on the night were Doyle and Tidser, both of whom had poor games I thought, though to be fair they both put in a shift. I fear for Denny Johnstone, he gave it everything and had some good touches but he runs like a man with a bad knee. I hate to say it but he reminded me of Graham Barrett. I hope for the lad I’m totally wrong. Overall a competent but not outstanding performance, which when I think about the Forfar game this time last year is a massive step forward from that pile of vomit.

I think he would do alright, but we’d need at least one other out and out striker to either partner Sammon or be back up for him. Still got at least 4 or 5 squad places to fill, I imagine they’ll be cheaper options than the guys we’ve brought in so far.

Just as Conor Washington has found his.

Yip, 9 international caps for Giovanni Trapattoni and transfer fees totalling over 2 million quid. That’s what happens when you are a failure at every club you’ve played for.

I think we are still at least 2 defenders, 2 midfielders and minimum 2 strikers short. Toshney and McKeown possible cover at the back. We are going to have a small squad (18-20 maybe) so Toshney’s injury record would be a concern. I’d like to see Dunne get a chance to fulfil his early promise. The squad will need a few utility players, which Blair Malcolm seems to be. Never seen him play though so can’t comment, but if the squad is tight we need a few jack of all trades types. I know El Bak scored a lot of goals at this level, but I don’t fancy that option. 3 or 4 years of bad form is difficult to turn around. Denny Johnstone I’d be wary of for the same reason as Toshney. 1 year pay as you play maybe. A loan player from the Premier League is likely, would love Zak obviously, but that’s going to be tough to get done. Anderson from Aberdeen would be promising. 1 loan and 1 experienced striker is a minimum I think.

Thanks Back Post Misses, I was hoping the Rotherham fans were underestimating the percentage.

Anyone have some information on what % we are due from the Will Vaulks sale? Rotherham fans seem to all be quoting 10% tonight.

Thanks

Who is the guy with the tattoo on his right leg?

Early bird was £250 last season. They’ve dropped it by 10%.