Sporting Director

[the_arab]

I agree with all that.

Fans want some engagement over the summer and kept in touch.

I also want to be positive however before anyone says anything about being alright in hindsight. Sorry to say I think this coming season is going to be an embarrassment and a disaster. I also think tony thinks we fans have just come down the Clyde in a banana boat. I will be as happy as Larry is I am hopelessly wrong. I think Larry is our new first team coach - no?

I don't think anyone really knows how it will go, the most experienced of managers sometimes don't fit clubs and ones you have never heard of do. My prediction is that itl be a disaster, ill be surprised if we don't go down and would make us favourites for a number of reasons however closer to the start of the league season my mind may have changed on that dependent on signings and imho we need a few of them.

I would be interested to know if season ticket sales have started picking up again, league cup results might be crucial in getting some to buy which of course affects the budget. Everyone I know that was going to renew already had pre Mellon leaving, quite a number weren't renewing (myself included) but that was already the case due to how bad last season was to watch so maybe a good league cup campaign will change minds or even just getting back in to the games.

[stokearab]

Happy Clapping is one phrase I cant stand tbh mate. I've been called one before and it frustrates me that you cant have a balanced opinion on things without being called it.

There are some things at the club I am ok with, some things I'm happy with, some things I am unhappy with, and some things I hate.

Putting across a positive spin on something that doesnt toe the line of slagging everything the club does at the minute is perfectly fine in my eyes

Putting a positive spin on things is one option open to everyone. Happy clapping, sorry if it offended you. It was more generally aimed at those happily waiting and assuming everything is dandy.

However, some facts....

Our wage to turnover ratio is 120% and we are handing out contract extensions to players who should be thanked for their services and away.

We are on on our third manager in three years and once again close season has been disrupted because of it.
The last manager left because in part he wanted to improve our shocking midfield and was given "Premiership ready" Flo Hoti
(Agree this is speculation on my part)
But make no mistake, he left.

We then went through a rigorous and wide ranging interview process of "impressive candidates" and ended up appointing the one that the uproar was about in the first place.

If Benji Fuchs Edwards and Shankland are staying the club can inform us by putting up interviews with them where they say they're looking forward to the new season. They haven't.
Not to do that is either
A. Poor communication
B. We are still in negotiations over contracts
C. We are deciding whether to accept offers

We've signed a 35 year old CB but Edwards Connolly and Reynolds are still on the books.
We need as it stands 2 players to stand still v last year, a GK and CF. We need minimum 3 to improve on last year, a GK a CF and a creative midfielder.
If any of Benji Fuchs Edwards and Shankland are away that would mean we're needing at least 3 to stand still, maybe as many as 6 to stand still. And if we don't improve I'm feeling pretty negative about our chances.

There were daily updates on season ticket sales before MM's departure was announced, since then, zip nada nothing.

So, much as I'd like to put a positive spin on things I'm unable to until I see confirmation of who's staying and who we're adding to improve our chances of success under a coach who's had one game at Premiership level. (Which we lost by the way)

[BackRowArab]

Putting a positive spin on things is one option open to everyone. Happy clapping, sorry if it offended you. It was more generally aimed at those happily waiting and assuming everything is dandy.

However, some facts....

Our wage to turnover ratio is 120% and we are handing out contract extensions to players who should be thanked for their services and away.

We are on on our third manager in three years and once again close season has been disrupted because of it.
The last manager left because in part he wanted to improve our shocking midfield and was given "Premiership ready" Flo Hoti
(Agree this is speculation on my part)
But make no mistake, he left.

We then went through a rigorous and wide ranging interview process of "impressive candidates" and ended up appointing the one that the uproar was about in the first place.

If Benji Fuchs Edwards and Shankland are staying the club can inform us by putting up interviews with them where they say they're looking forward to the new season. They haven't.
Not to do that is either
A. Poor communication
B. We are still in negotiations over contracts
C. We are deciding whether to accept offers

We've signed a 35 year old CB but Edwards Connolly and Reynolds are still on the books.
We need as it stands 2 players to stand still v last year, a GK and CF. We need minimum 3 to improve on last year, a GK a CF and a creative midfielder.
If any of Benji Fuchs Edwards and Shankland are away that would mean we're needing at least 3 to stand still, maybe as many as 6 to stand still. And if we don't improve I'm feeling pretty negative about our chances.

There were daily updates on season ticket sales before MM's departure was announced, since then, zip nada nothing.

So, much as I'd like to put a positive spin on things I'm unable to until I see confirmation of who's staying and who we're adding to improve our chances of success under a coach who's had one game at Premiership level. (Which we lost by the way)

Don't want to split hairs with you because you do make some points. But Fuchs came in after Hoti, so its not like Mellon was told "you are taking Hoti and we're not bringing in anyone else for the midfield"

[stokearab]

Don't want to split hairs with you because you do make some points. But Fuchs came in after Hoti, so its not like Mellon was told "you are taking Hoti and we're not bringing in anyone else for the midfield"

Fair point but Fuchs is really a holding player not a creative mid that will play behind the strikers and create for them. If I was Mellon I would have wanted both types of player.

I'm not saying things won't turn out fine, maybe they will. Just concerned.

[Jim_Jam]

I think this league will be a Cinch.
How many points do you see us getting at the start?

[GUNBOAT]

I think this league will be a Cinch.
How many points do you see us getting at the start?

Er bottom on zero points but nae probs cause we have The Big Man,Tam,Foxy and loads of auld timers on good wages to pass on advice.What can go wrang?.We have went for an experienced assistant cos Liam has managed Cowdenbeath to 5 wins in 30 before he resigned with them bottom of the league.

https://www.heraldscotland.com/sport...ager-liam-fox/

[AraBrian]

Seems to be plenty folk happy clapping, I'm definitely not one of them.
As things stand my prediction is bottom 3.
Or worse.

Still time to add players but based on activity so far we are going to be in for a long hard and disappointing season.

Who are these happy clappers you are going on about?Is it just you'r way of insulting all the utd fans who are not on a forum ripping the sh.. out of the team they support every day or is it just utd supporters who have a different opinion than you?I take it Happy Clapper is meant as some sort of an insult to mean they are not as aware or as clever as you.

[AraBrian]

Putting a positive spin on things is one option open to everyone. Happy clapping, sorry if it offended you. It was more generally aimed at those happily waiting and assuming everything is dandy.

However, some facts....

Our wage to turnover ratio is 120% and we are handing out contract extensions to players who should be thanked for their services and away.

We are on on our third manager in three years and once again close season has been disrupted because of it.
The last manager left because in part he wanted to improve our shocking midfield and was given "Premiership ready" Flo Hoti
(Agree this is speculation on my part)
But make no mistake, he left.

We then went through a rigorous and wide ranging interview process of "impressive candidates" and ended up appointing the one that the uproar was about in the first place.

If Benji Fuchs Edwards and Shankland are staying the club can inform us by putting up interviews with them where they say they're looking forward to the new season. They haven't.
Not to do that is either
A. Poor communication
B. We are still in negotiations over contracts
C. We are deciding whether to accept offers

We've signed a 35 year old CB but Edwards Connolly and Reynolds are still on the books.
We need as it stands 2 players to stand still v last year, a GK and CF. We need minimum 3 to improve on last year, a GK a CF and a creative midfielder.
If any of Benji Fuchs Edwards and Shankland are away that would mean we're needing at least 3 to stand still, maybe as many as 6 to stand still. And if we don't improve I'm feeling pretty negative about our chances.

There were daily updates on season ticket sales before MM's departure was announced, since then, zip nada nothing.

So, much as I'd like to put a positive spin on things I'm unable to until I see confirmation of who's staying and who we're adding to improve our chances of success under a coach who's had one game at Premiership level. (Which we lost by the way)

These happy clappers you talk of who are just sitting back doing nothing and thinking everything will be dandy while you are at least doing something to sort the mess out that the owners and directors of the club are making by insulting the supporters who dont winge every day. You are also ripping the sh.. out of the club which should help as long as we have you as balance for all the happy clappers we should be ok.

[AraBrian]

I think this league will be a Cinch.
How many points do you see us getting at the start?

Would hope to take a point at least from sheep they have not beat us for a while.Rancid will be a hard match anything from that will be a bonus.Penny daintys could go either way.Would hope to beat hearts at home.

[stokearab]

These happy clappers you talk of who are just sitting back doing nothing and thinking everything will be dandy while you are at least doing something to sort the mess out that the owners and directors of the club are making by insulting the supporters who dont winge every day. You are also ripping the sh.. out of the club which should help as long as we have you as balance for all the happy clappers we should be ok.

I'm concerned for the club I've supported for 50 odd years.
It's a message board, no need to get upset.
I gave my opinion, doesn't mean it's right.
You're entitled to yours but I can't find it anywhere.