We've definitely dropped off the early standard we set. Maybe by doing so well after the first game it raised the expectation too high.

I'm not going to go down the route of criticising individual players for the loss on Saturday but there was several who underperformed. What it made me realise is that if we're going to perform to top 6 or even top 4 level consistently we need to add better quality into the squad. What I mean is I don't think Neilson is a better coach, he's just got better players at his disposal and it showed in both games v them so far this season. We just can't deliver that consistency with the players we have.

I think the owners and TA/TC will know this and be busy identifying quality players that we can bring to the club in the 2 upcoming windows.

To do that we will need to offload some player payroll cost and probably add more in.
Eg 3,4 or even 5 players out and maybe 2 or 3 much better players in. To start the kitty I would be inclined to let Kerr Smith go, assuming he and his parents are happy for him to go south to continue his development. Looks like we may get more than £500k now and some of that added to the player budget could get those 2 or 3 players we need to bring in.

Obviously if Harry Souttar moves there might be a few quid more released back to the player budget.

We're headed in the right direction though 🧡