cleveland steamer

I stay in De Vere hotels on occasion, and you can get very competitive rates if you know where to look!

Troll, troll, troll, troll...

A few took in the Newcastle game last season (2-1 victory), and a gang are going down in a few weeks for this years fixture.

Because if we did it, it would be a guaranteed retake - any excuse to keep us down!

One of the unsung things that Erskine added to his game last year was a real desire to put a defensive shift in. I think we've missed that aspect of his game this season - he really gets up and down the pitch. He saved a certain goal early in the second half, and although got caught out a minute or two later, really shouldn't have been the man at the back post anyway!

Hate to mention it, but what would the score have been with a competent, unbiased referee?

Anyone want to talk about transfer targets / gossip? If not, please rename the topic!

He is if granted dispensation by UEFA / FIFA

For people mentioning Gary Kenneth, Billy Dodds was on the radio a couple of weeks ago saying that he not only seriously needs to get fit, but also needs to majorly get his head together. Sounds as though he's lost it big style, and wouldn't be worth the effort in the short-term.

You think 10 mins to the location from an underground station? Which station, and how fast can you run? 10 mins from Firhill - REALLY?!?!? How do you know what people think about a city centre location? It seems that more people would like this than dislike. You mentioned that the OP MAY have arrived during a delivery, then proceeded to talk as though this was a fact - how do you know this is the case? You, sir, are TTL, and I claim my £10!

Or you could just go?

Whys it not an option? We can't keep a clean sheet with a back 4, so it must be an option? Sorry just actually read your full post! Valid points, but I do think we need to look at a change in strategy. Perhaps turn it to a 3-4-3 then to ensure extra support?

With the exception if Bannigan, that's the way I'd see it - think he's interchangeable with Craigan or Lawless if that formation. Would allow us to dominate poorer teams going forward, but shore up against the 'big guns' or to protect a lead.

Said it before, but could we not play with a back three and play them all?

From what I understand, are you not supposed to report to a location during a game, to ensure you CANT be at it?

Also, whenever I've seen Doohlan play as one of two, he's looked lost half the time. Don't think two up suits him.

Playing 1 up front with 2 wide (almost like old fashioned inside forwards) with width coming from the fullbacks is regarded as more attacking than a simple 2 up front. What SHOULD concern us is that we're not getting enough goals from the 2 wide - Craigen and Higginbotham. Hopefully, this will come.

I feel that, done correctly, it could allow the fullbacks to press further up with the knowledge that there's an extra player covering the space behind, but that may be TOO attack minded... I definitely think we could try it against the better teams in the league, as it would become a 5-man defence if necessary - as I think I your point. Would also depend I how the opposition was set up - no point having 3 centre halves playing against a lone striker. Still... I'd like to see it tried - might allow us a clean sheet or two!

OT slightly, but I've been wondering lately if we should be playing with 3 at the back? It might give us some extra defensive protection, without disrupting our play going forward. A 3-4-3 formation might make the most if what we have.

The unacceptable face of faces

Aye, but which one?

It's amazing what making a couple of saves against Celtic can get you! Should be a great experience for him, and bump up his value a but for us!

Cheers Bilko - you're doing a grand job!

Listening to the way the Sportsound guys speak about him, there's no love lost. Doubt he'll be back at Pacific Quay.

I'm going to start booing every touch he has until he signed a new 5-year contract with a £1M+ buy-out clause... Seriously though, I'd never want to stand in the way of a player going on to bigger (not better) things - we've all accepted that this is our position at present, and it'll hopefully stand us in good stead with young players with potential in the future. Must admit tho that I've always had doubts about ATS making the step up - knew he had the raw physicality, but unsure about his decision making. He seems to have improved this so far this season tho - probably benefiting from our manager having done the same role.