Nithsdale Wanderer

Hardly likely UK Govt. would follow EU. Scotland might though !

AND DEREK LYLE, as Skyline pointed out so well the other day.

With regard to the performance and decision making of the Board, your comments apply to every Club in the land and there have been a lot worse than us ! I understand why you would mention " the Harkness years " but - having been there throughout the darkest days - I don't quite agree. Football fans have always been hard to please but I think it is symptomatic of todays society that people are less tolerant and ultra quick to condemn and criticise. However, that is not to say that everything in the garden is rosy, far from it. I do agree though with the earlier post that the Board have backed WG by staying FT and - on his own admission - allowing him to get the players he wanted in early. There will be many out there who were happy for WG to get the job but now want him gone, fair enough. I have said on several occasions it reminds me very much of the Ian Scott situation which just didn't work out. If a change were made what/who do we get ? Do people want an experienced head e.g. the likes of Jim Duffy - who stopped the rot at Clyde and almost got a great win yesterday at Dunfermline ( I can hear the comments already) - or do we take another gamble on an unproven Manager ? Those are the choices and it's a very difficult decision to make and get right. I would be delighted to be proved wrong but I just can't see us going up under WG but then there is no guarantee that changing would get us up either. Who would be a Board member of a Football Club !

We are more in agreement than you might think. The simple solution would have been to appoint a different Manager and keep WG on a playing contract.

As usual , people getting wound up over nothing. He either plays or he doesn't. In my opinion he should have been advised at interview to either remain as a player or be Manager - not both. James Fowler soon realised he couldn't do both effectively and that turned out quite well. The problem was that due to relegation and to minimise the negativity the Board took a decision to keep Gibson in place being, both local and popular to a degree with supporters. The situation complicated though as he generally improves the team when on the pitch. At most he perhaps should have been offered Player/Asst with AN Other in charge but that didn't happen for the reasons stated. If he is to stay in charge then he needs to avoid playing unless in emergency situation. It is quite clear that people are using an unsubstantiated comment to have a go at the Chairman, just for a change ! Just remember , the Chairman and Board have taken bold decisions off the field to keep us FT. You cannot run a FT operation on the crowds that we get. They got the Arena up and running to generate additional income and were responsible for the Dykes transfer Income - despite the ridiculous doubts of some - and have brought us through the challenges of Covid and continue to navigate the financial challenges we all now currently face. We still have a League Club - with potential - to support. Let's be grateful for that.

Not saying anyone should lose their job at this point but I see parallels with the Ian Scott tenure. Very popular figure that most people were in favour of being appointed. Sadly, it just didn't work out and we couldn't win a game and he had to go. Is Stuart Lovell available ?

I wasn't blaming anyone at the Club, not sure how you came to that conclusion. It was the Police Operation that failed. For decades there has been a Police presence around that area before and after games for obvious reasons. The last few times Ayr have been in town they have been looking for trouble and have actually been monitored closely by the Police from when they arrived and thereafter. This would / should have been designated a 'High Risk' game with potential for trouble. The risk doesn't disappear when the final whistle blows. Indeed it probably increases. Not sure why the same plan was not implemented. Of course, I do agree that it was those causing the bother that are really to blame. My information is that it was instigated by Ayr group and locals had to defend themselves.

Just as they were on Tuesday night outside Somerset after the game when a number of them congregated - some with faces covered as usual. No Police or Stewards in sight either. The Market Square incident - and all the subsequent consequences - could have been avoided if just 2 Police Officers had been deployed at the bottom of Glasgow Street after the game. I have seen that many times in the past and don't understand why it didn't happen on that occasion as it was a high pressure game and it was also clear to see during the game that Ayr had a very raucous group that needed watching. Whoever planned that Operation has cost the taxpayer a lot of money. Police and Ambulance attendance, hospital treatment/admission and Court action. More importantly, innocent people were assaulted and injured which could have been easily avoided. Ironically, i recall seeing a Tweet from D and G Police on the day of the game saying there would be a Police presence to keep everyone safe !

That's the account I heard from an eyewitness too. If it's the guy I'm thinking of I have only ever seen him twice trying to diffuse situations - not cause trouble. Once when that nutter from Crusaders was allowed to run round to the Home end unchallenged and against St.Johnstone in the SC when 2 of their number - one wearing a bright yellow coat which was glaring in the Away section 1st half - again moved unchallenged to the Home end. Does seem very harsh and hard to understand. Overall, from what I have heard, it was clearly that repulsive Ayr group that were looking for trouble.

My recollection of that is that he went to collect the ball towards the Blue Stand for a goal or free kick and dropped his shorts, as you rightly say he had been getting abuse all game. I remember Drew Busby as a hard as nails centre forward for Hearts but when he was with us my immediate memory is of when we were at home to Hearts in SC - 1983 I think - the Terregles end was full of Jambos and they gave him a fantastic reception when he entered the field of play.. From the game itself I remember JR dispossessing the late Sandy Jardine just over the halfway line just after HT running in and rounding the 'keeper and netting from a wide tight angle. I was in the Old Stand close to Directors Box and remember vividly the ashen face and shocked look on Wallace Mercers' face. Hearts were struggling at that time. Sadly for us, the red faced Walter Kidd equalised from left side just outside the box with about 7 mins left. We lost the replay 3-1 I think. Great memories there and so many great names from the past of Scottish Football.

Talking of goalscorers , I see the legend that is Derek Lyle - one of our best ever - is hanging up his boots today. I will never forget his goal vs Rangers in April 2051 - superb technique - and his controlled volley at home to Falkirk a few days later both of which cemented our place in the play-offs. Have to also mention his header at Ibrox that levelled the tie in the play offs. He laid it out wide to Danny then made his run into the box to get on the end of the cross ahead of several defenders and he almost got us back into it after Rangers had scored with his exquisite curling effort to the 'postage stamp' that Vuckic just managed to keep out with his head. THOSE WERE THE DAYS ! Could have done with him this season given the woeful return from our so called strikers !

It was actually, as Naysmith hadn't got that right before. As some may be aware I wasn't Dykes' biggest fan but in those play off games - especially Raith (A) Dykes was a different player as AJ deployed him further forward which wouldn't have happened under Naysmith and we would probably still be in League 1. Again, parallels to now as Fitzpatrick looks a different player under WG. Football has been gruelling for everyone over the past 2years - Owners, Managers and Staff, Players and Supporters - and we should be grateful to all for their input for keeping things going under unprecedented circumstances.

Very disrespectful. Yes, we had to make a change for current circumstances but let's not forget what AJ did for our Club. A great trophy double and record breaking season with arguably the most attacking exciting football I have seen at Palmerston in 45 years. Saved us from the drop when Naysmith very nearly took us straight down. Very similar as tank was empty under Naysmith at that point and we would not have survived play offs had we not made change just as we probably would be straight down this season had we not changed. He is a decent guy who has always been respectful to the Club, surely not too much to ask to afford him the same. Suppose it depends what sort of human being you are and what your values are.

You have taken a gamble and got very lucky so far. I suspect Imrie was heavily involved with coaching during his time with Hamilton so has some experience.

Sadly, the Board had to make that decision and I fully support them in it. Felt like nothing was going to change if we stuck with AJ. So the whole reason/purpose for doing it should be to bring in a fresh face in the hope of igniting a spark that might save us. Anyone that thinks Willie Gibson should be appointed until the end of the season just doesn't get it. In a relegation battle you need an experienced team at the helm - and on the pitch, which we have lacked all season, so WG better off there. Jim McIntyre or Brian Rice I guess. Gibson should only get it if no-one else wants it in which case there was no point in making the change. Allan Johnston is a decent guy who has served us well and respects QOS as a Club - see his words on the OS - and he should certainly have that reciprocated.

Their contribution wasn't very important then !

There is always somebody else as I mentioned. Whether they think it would be right for them to go for it is another matter. Of course, there is no vacancy at present.

Sorry, I don''t understand the beginning of your reply. Never happy to be relegated. Merely setting out my thoughts on the challenges any new Manager would face which would indeed be ' rolling the dice' as you put it.

When things aren't going the way people want them to, they lash out - I get that. Especially, amongst the football fan group who are so less forgiving than any other sector of society ! There are parallels here to the criticism of highly qualified scientists who have advised during the Pandemic as many ordinary members of the Public seem to think they know better and reject the advice because they don't like it. There is no doubt we are in a serious situation right now and as things stand are the most likely to be relegated. There may well be a case for changing the Management team but would that have enough of a positive impact in time ? I suspect not. If a change was to be made it should have been before the Jan window opened. Firstly, to allow any new incumbent the opportunity to assess the situation and bring in who he thought might improve things. Secondly, to allow time for their way of doing things to filter through and be implemented - very rarely that happens right away although Dougie Imrie - sadly for us - seems to be the exception. Yogi has found otherwise but may be getting there now. So, any new Manager is stuck with the squad that currently exists and with very little time to turn things around and the prospect of relegation being added to their CV. Not a very appealing opportunity. I think most would agree. If we were to change, it's the same old suspects out there and no-one very appealing. Of course, I don't think we should change but if we did the only person I would consider would be Jim McIntyre. He is a very positive, upbeat person which a lot of people say AJ is not and plays good football. For some reason though, which I have never understood, some supporters seem quite critical of him and wouldn't want him back. In my opinion, we should carry on with AJ and SC and hope that we can start a positive run as we have done in the past although the next 3 games are critical - indeed they all are .

What exactly is " untold damage" as opposed to damage ?

How exactly would that help the situation ?

Same old, same old - we've been here before !

Was at that game too. A typical dark , dank January day. I remember beginning to cheer when that goal went in - and then the disappointment of Eddie Morrison scoring the winner - but my brother told me to cool it. I realise now why as we were making our way nearer to the exit and were walking through the crowd in what was then the big side terracing that all the Killie die-hards frequented.

What cash would that be ? Pandemic, what pandemic ? Loss of income, what loss of income ? Survival is the name of the game primarily as a Club and business.

It was stated that everyone was out of contract. Seems quite clear to me.