Rousseau

I'm not going to criticise the man: He has been a good servant over the years, no matter what anyone says. It's time for a clean break though.

I think SBS is right in stating the calibre of player in the Premiership is the equivelent of League 2/National League in England. That calibre of player is adequate to challenge for top 3 in the Premiership. Just look at Inverness: their squad is almost entirely made up of League 2 players and they've apparently been a 'revelation'. It would be logical therefore to suggest that acquiring players from the Championship would be good enough to challenge C*****. We have been or are looking at signing players from that level (Kiernan, Eusace, Foderingham, Dallas, Wabarra etc.), so I think it's entirely possible that we are "signing players that can challenge for the top title." I also think the management team is being overlooked. I believe a decent manager can get a group of average players playing exciting, winning football; especially in Scotland. Our current squad under-performed spectacularly, but I think it's fair to say that they are better than what they've shown. Again, a decent manager will get them playing more to their full potential. As for struggling to win the Championship, I can't see it. We were piss poor last year and still managed to just miss out on second. Hearts were far the best side, and with them gone I can see our current side challenging Hibs, not comfortably, but competitively. It's funny, I've taken the same 'facts' as trublusince1982 and come to a completely different conclusion. I think Warburton will get us promoted and get us playing a certain way to finish second in the Premiership. I think the signings thus far and the calibre of rumoured targets suggest this is possible. I think exciting football will come regardless of any major change -- I think it's solely based on the Manager's philosophy.

I think it goes deeper than that. The Scottish (even British) football culture overlooks players like McKay because of their diminutive stature, preferring more physical attributes. Young Jack Harper being overlooked for the Scottish U-19s (?) because he is 'too small' despite playing, and starring, for Real Madrid Youths epitomises the situation.

I think it goes deeper than that. The Scottish (even British) football culture overlooks players like McKay because of their diminutive stature, preferring more physical attributes. Young Jack Harper being overlooked for the Scottish U-19s (?) because he is 'too small' despite playing, and starring, for Real Madrid Youths epitomises the situation.

I think it's very unusual to have an entire squad replaced in time for a full pre-season. I will admit to expecting a few more. But I think we've done good business. Like I said, I'm not overwhelmed, but I'm certainly not disappointed. Plenty of time left. And, we've got a few guys close to signing and another couple training with us (IIRC?), so I suppose we do technically have a few more in for a 'full pre-season'. I think we've improved the squad. We do need more numbers though. I agree. I'm not concerned though -- I think we've done good business so far. I would expect to see a bit a money spent over the next couple of weeks. That is certainly true, but we've hardly spent anything so I don't think that matters. What does matter is that the standard of player in the lower leagues in England are better than the Scottish Premiership -- IMO. Your statement surprised me because I thought we were all looking for transfers from England, instead of Scottish transfers. I suppose you are right though.

What were you expecting? I'm not overwhelmed but I'm not disappointed either. It's a pragmatic approach which is needed at this stage. There's still a long time to go. I remember we were in a much worse situation when we were preparing for out first season in the Third Division. Moreover, it's a team game, so it really doesn't matter that we haven't signed any top-class individuals as long as the ones we have signed work and play well as a team.

Is he really that crap? According to Wikipedia he's played over 85 games despite being only 20 years of age. That's quite impressive. Granted it says little about his ability/quality. If I remember correctly he's an attacking midfielder, which Warburton likes. If he's got good raw attributes, then I'd take a punt; he's only 20.

I think Warburton prefers a pacey striker who can run in behind, so a big strong presence is not necessary. I don't mind a big strong presence as long as they can play one-twos and other more intricate things, which I also think Warburton likes -- the midfielders are always running at the defenders so one would think a link-up striker would be beneficial. It's not the most exciting but I can see Miller filling that role. Clark could also, if he could only learn to control the bloody ball instead of letting it bonce off him 10 yards! I wish someone would hit hard passes close to him and let him practice controlling it.

I knew Templeton was 'jinky' when he ran, but I never noticed how he runs almost leaning back. In the photos McKay is leaning into the run, whereas Temps is leaning away. I suppose it helps him deceive a defender into thinking he's not about to accelerate away? There's a player in there, but I think he needs to simplify his game -- Hug the touchline, stand up the defender, jink outside to cross along the six-yard line or cut it back, or jink inside for a shot. I think he over complicates things.

I'm pleased with this signing: promising young player, and crucially, he looks imposing!

Foderingham looks like a good addition; young, highly thought of. He seems to have a temper, as I read about him kicking a water bottle after Di Canio subbed him. Not a bad thing from a 'keeper I think. Bell/Kelly/Foderingham Wabara/McGregor - Kiernan/Zaliukus - Wilson/Gasparotto - Wallace Eustace - Murdoch/Crawford Walsh/Gallagher - Law/Shiels - Templeton/McKay Clark/Miller/Hardie Even with Eustace, which is still not done, our midfield and whole forward line (ST, RW, AM, LW) is still lacking. Are we being linked with any attacking/forward players? I can only think of Halliday and May...?

The Book Review alluded to in the OP was a good read; out of date in many respects, but quite balanced. Other journalists clearly see his anti-Rangers agenda, and indeed his whole life shouts anti-Rangers; it's quite unbelievable, it's like a parody: "There is little too that is ordinary about the book’s author, Phil Mac Giolla Bhain, a Glaswegian of Irish descent who has chosen to live in Donegal for the best part of the last 20 years and who, along the way, elected to use the Irish Gaelic version of his surname." His whole life has been guided by a certain point-of-view that almost makes his animosity towards Rangers inevitable. To be fair, I don't care. There are many that hold that opposite views, and they're equally contemptible and sad. Ultimately, he is a blogger. His words pass the eyes of too few people for him to be of any consequence. Let him jump on his soapbox all he wants: No one is listening. In fact, by challenging him we are giving him a bigger platform. I appreciate his words are offensive and insulting, but do they have any influence? http://www.scottishreviewofbooks.org/index.php/back-issues/volume-8-2012/volume-eight-issue-four/522-what-s-the-score-kevin-mckenna

I want this bloody Cup. It's meaningless, more of a diddy Cup than the League Cup, but I want it...

I agree Wallace has been poor, and he isn't at the level we would want, but I think he deserves to stay, if just for his dedication and application. I think he's doing his coaching badges, or something suchlike, so I think he's got a good brain; perhaps W&W can get more out of him. To be fair, I'm thinking similarly with all of the players: poor last year, but I'm confident a better coach can get more out of them; they're surely better than they've shown?

I agree, but I think they're better than what they've shown. Perhaps a new manager can transform them. Too optimistic?

Do you think he'd let us take a few of his players? I wouldn't mind taking a few of his players on loan...

I actually think he's not bad: good movement, decent touch and can pass, but my issue is that he's still quite weak. If he could bulk up he'd be a decent player.

You beat me to it! I was thinking it was time to have a little fun speculating on a potential starting XI. I think we all agree it'll be 4-2-3-1: Bell/Kelly Wabara/McGregor - Kiernan/Zaliukus - Wilson/Gasparotto - Wallace Eustace - Murdoch/Crawford Walsh/Gallagher - Law/Shiels - Templeton/McKay Clark/Miller/Hardie Our whole forward line needs strengthening. I don't expect those I've put in to be starters; decent squad players, but not starters. We also desperately need a striker, and a Number 10. Where does Holt play? Halliday would be an OK acquisition.

Was that some sort of endurance test in the video? Last one standing type thing? I would've liked to have seen who won.

Fredricks and Winks would be decent signings, but I'm not convinced loan signing are the way to go; It's hardly building for the future, is it? I'd much rather we got permanent signings.

I always like Aird's enthusiasm; in any training picture he's always there working hard -- shame he's shite. Clark trying to lift the diddy weights! The Warburton pictures fill me with hope though. Wallace relaxing in two pictures...

I never read it right through so I missed it: "But it is thought a group of Rangers fans, who were sitting among the Motherwell support, were responsible for the flare." How can they possibly come to that conclusion? Should they not collect evidence before they pass judgement?

Calm down. I think it's fair to say Leeds have a significant place in history. However, to say that they were just below the top 4 sides in Britain is stretching it IMO. How does one measure history? I checked the number of trophies won (a decent measure, I think). The top English sides are: 1 Manchester United 62 2 Liverpool 60 3 Arsenal 42 4 Chelsea 28 5 Aston Villa 24 = Everton 24 = Tottenham Hotspur 24 8 Manchester City 17 9 Newcastle United 13 = Nottingham Forest 13 = Wolverhampton Wanderers 13 12 Blackburn Rovers 12 13 Leeds United A.F.C. 9 Then the Scottish sides: 1 Rangers 115 2 Celtic 98 3 Aberdeen 19 4 Heart of Midlothian 16 5 Queen's Park 10 6 Hibernian 9 Leeds are joint-13th in the English table, and that would be joint-19th (?) in a British table. Perhaps I took your 'argument' a bit too far, but I thought it was an interesting point. How does one measure history? It's mostly subjective. And, of course, 'history' is unrelated to current form. Then, does one apply greater weighting to English sides because of their greater challenge, or greater weighting to the rank of trophies won? Tricky question. (I think I took it too far...)

Yes, 'secret' were they?

I'm in favour of giving the players another chance. Most, if not all, have not stepped up at all, but to be fair we've not really had a change in approach. The three Micks were of the same mold. A fresh approach, fresh eyes and ideas, might just spark the players into life. It's patently obvious that a managers philosophy has a huge affect on how a player performs. I say, lets wait and see.