Laid-back Accie

Very early days obviously, but 2 teams at opposite ends of the table. Hoping we can build on this good start further and make it 3 from 3. Unfortunately won't be able to make it, despite the negative reviews I wanted to see for myself what the redevelopment of Meadowbank is like, especially as I most likely won't be able to attend the later fixture in December either. Similar to Kelty, I know very little about Edinburgh so can't really gauge how this will go. Looks like they were beaten narrowly in their first 2 games, and gave Queens a bit of scare, so we can't be complacent. With Henderson back giving more attacking flexibility i'll be confident and predict a win, 2-1 Accies.

Great result at a tough venue. Was surprised that Kelty didn't give us more bother, as aside from some sloppy passing and play from us that allowed them some half chances, I didnt feel they troubled us. A bit of a laborious first half, but O'Hara really should have had us 1 up. Him and Winter put in the effort, but they need a few creative players around them to get the best from them i think, so I would avoid playing them together in the future, and partner them with the likes of One or Henderson instead. 2nd half we started slow, but once the subs came on it changed the game, and it was only going one way from there. One is going to be some player, we will do well to hold onto him before the window shuts and anything beyond that. The recurring critique today was that when we're defending, there seems to be a disorganisation with the midfield players, which allows the opposition to have a lot of space and time just outside the box. Kelty didn't take advantage, but feel this could be exploited if it continues in the games ahead. Overall it was a great day out, New Central Park is a tidy wee ground and would have no qualms about going back.

Very nice. Could lean into the Academical part. Only pro team in the UK to originate from a school team, so maybe something up that avenue, headteacher in classic attire swatting at wasps perhaps.

Both teams off to winning starts, and I'm sure each set of fans will be optimistic that they can add more points to the board this weekend. Kelty are a bit of a mystery for me, I predicted them to be at the lower end of the table purely on what I read on here about their financial backing, and them being in a bit of a limbo. However their results in the cup were good and they got a great win away at Montrose. Looking forward too it as its a new ground, and hoping we can build on our win against Cove. I think its going to be very difficult, and we're going to need to have a cutting edge that was a bit lacking on Saturday to get anything. I like to be optimistic especially after a win but still not convinced by Rankin, so I think it will be spoils shared, 2-2.

Already looking like such an important game for Rankin, if you want to challenge for the league, these are the opportunities you have to grab with both hands.

Bit of deja vu, but hopefully not in the case of our 2nd half performance. We really seem to be struggling to get that first win against Cove, games between us have been very frustrating on our side and we are yet to put in a full performance against them. It started well on Saturday, but after that Cove wonder goal we fell away to nothing. I think we'll see a similar team that we've been seeing in the league cup, I would prefer Owens to start but can only see it being Longridge and Kilday at centre back. Hopefully Zanatta is no where near the squad, absolute imposter and after that pathetic penalty, it shows he has no interest, so don't want to see him in an Accies jersey again. Cove seem to be largely a team of unknowns, but I thought they played well in the 2nd half on Saturday, so as I've been thinking, I believe they'll do better than most predict. Going to be optimistic for the first game, so I'll say 2-1 Accies.

Ah cheers. I can see us probably having to wait till the end of August before finding out if he'll play for us again.

Unfortunately couldn't make it down for Gala day, but seems like there's a mostly positive outlook and hopefully the start of a good relationship between the owner and the fans, which hasn't been the case for some time. Glad to hear about more players coming in. To anyone that was there, was there any mention of Ryan Fulton and the situation there?

Gutted and incredibly frustrated with yesterday, that performance stank of last season showing once again Rankin's specialty of snatching defeat from the jaws of victory. That 2nd half performance was completely unacceptable, what was the plan? As it looked like there wasn't one. Night and day to Cove, who came out reinvigorated and knew what their objective was. I said I'd give Rankin the first quarter, but tbh if things dont go well even next week against Cove, I can see my patience running out already. We shifted out a lot of dead wood from last season, both on and off the pitch, but Rankin is showing that we didn't replace the worst part of it.

Yeah some slightly worrying signs in last night's performance, the main thing being that the mentality seems to be carrying over from last season. when we get into a winning postion, rather than take confidence from that and go for more, a fear strikes through the squad causing them be more defensive and reluctant to get forward, much rather holding onto the lead. This mentality was the downfall for us last season, conceding goals very late on and being unable to see games out. We need to change that fast, I really want to see us have a go at Livi on Saturday, get players forward and crowd the box. If we lose, we lose, but I want to see us have some really good chances at the very least.

Made hard work of what should have been an easy game. Subs definitely made the difference, was impressed by all of them, particularly Murray and McGlynn, haven't seen an Accies striker actually try and attack a ball into the box in ages, and when it finally happened we score. Zanatta needs to go, waste of a wage. In the end it was an enjoyable game, we dominated pretty much from start to finish and once some quality came on we looked a real threat. Think we need another centre back, so was Interested to see McGowan at the game, hopefully maybe taking in more than just the game. Wish they would just come out and say something about if Fulton is staying or going, Smith wearing number 1 was a bit concerning.

I really hope so, because i think we are building a squad that's capable to compete for 1st, so just a fairly competent manager would do. For me I'll give Rankin the first quarter of games and if we're not and least challenging, then I'll be calling for him to go.

Were we not promised an offical announcement of the new owner and also a proper kit launch? Was expecting this done before the league cup started.

With competitive football just about to start here goes. 1. Falkirk 2. Cove 3. QotS 4. Accies 5. Montrose 6. Stirling Albion 7. Alloa 8. Kelty Hearts 9. Annan 10. Edinburgh In terms of ourselves it was just all too familiar on Saturday against the Colts. It showed that even with different players we will continue to suffer from the same issues, and thats all down to Rankin being unable to organise any sort of indepth strategy when attacking. I actually think my prediction is more on the optimistic side. I think our recruitment in itself will be enough to avoid the bottom, but I fully expect us to float around the 4th-7th places. Then every time we manage to scrape a win or a draw against a team like Montrose, Rankin will come out with the same crap along the lines of "We will use this result to kick start a run that will move us up the table" but it will not materialise, keeping us stranded mid table.

Agree with this point, however with the shambolic season we just had and other antics that went on, Rankin really needs to do everything to bring the fans onside, and this even though a friendly, will set it back.

Week 1: Spartans

Well certainly nice to get strikers through the door after we've been crying out for them for ages. I think that should wrap up the forward department, and if we get that big Irish centre back we were linked with, I would say that's the defense sorted as well. Just need to wait and see what happens with the Fulton situation, if he stays then no need to add to this area. So it would just be the midfield left, still think we need at least 3 more players in this area. More cover in the centre, a decent number 10 and more experience in the wing. Get this and I would be more than happy. Any news on Zanatta? Can't imagine he's on a cheap wage, and was pretty useless last season, so wouldn't be against him being shown the door.

This was actually crossing my mind. Last season Rankin would chop and change between 4 and 5 at the back, never settling on either way. So I wouldn't be surprised to see him in that position this season.

Not sure about Hendrie, seem to have 3 left backs now, McGinn can't be feeling too hopeful. Regarding Rankin, I think he has a lot of making up to do, both in terms of his management skills and relationship with the fans. I still believe we would have stayed up with the squad we had if they were set up properly, so hopefully he's learned from his mistakes.

Good to see J Longridge signed, hopefully meaning we've passed on Hendrie, I never rated him and was shocked when he got a move to West Ham. He was always so slow and couldn't really tackle, think the only time he looked ok was in Neil's prem team which tbh, you'd really need to be horrific to get noticed in that team. Not sure about O'Hara, seems like another striker who can't score, I was looking up the scorers for league 1 last season and his name didn't come up at all. Would much rather we got Henderson.

Great business to get Martin signed on a 2 year deal, was sure after the business at Alloa and relegation he would have moved on. Was definitely one of the few bright sparks in a dismal season.

Think this pretty much sums it up

Still deafening silence from the club, which tbf is pretty standard at this time after a season. Only thing that seems to be a cert, is that Rankin is staying... which I believe can only lead to further disappointment. Honestly if things go as I expect then, Colin will transfer the club ownership to one of his dodgy mates, more players will leave and we will replace them with kids, journeymen and unknowns, and of course the club will continue to drive a wedge between themselves and the withering support. But we can only wait and see.

Hello all. This'll be a new experience for me, I started going to Accies games in 2006 so managed to miss out on the hard times of the homeless years. Obviously scunnered with what's going on at the club and the journey we've been on to get here, but there's grounds I haven't been too, so least something to look forward too. As well as the fact that a few of the away days are actually more local to me than homes games is very convenient. Also fun to have a bit of PTSD with Annan being in the league...

Fully expect Airdrie to come out all guns blazing right from the off, they'll be full of confidence after demolishing Falkirk. This is a huge worry as our defence has been shown to leak poor goals and now added to that, having the inexperienced Smith in goals, can only lead to disaster. I honestly think the only chance we have is to come out and match their tempo right away and attack them, if we can score first it might shake them a bit. However other than the moment against alloa after we were 3-0 down on aggregate and a man advantage, I can't remember when we had a right go, so don't expect that to change now.