Cet Homme Charmant

If there are part-time players who are potentially Championship standard but are unwilling to give up their full-time job for a 1 or 2 year contract, we really should consider having a limited number on part-time contracts. It would give the squad more depth at limited extra cost.

Article explaining the reasons behind the plight of Vitesse mentioned above https://www.theguardian.com/football/article/2024/may/10/geopolitics-vitesse-arnhem-chelsea-b-roman-abramovich-associates

Given the financial uncertainly brought about by their ongoing legal proceedings, I suspect Martindale is realistic enough to see the coming season as one of consolidation and stabilisation. If so, Robbie is probably a solid enough signing. But aye, if he believes he's assembling a squad to mount a serious promotion challenge and he sees Robbie as being an integral part of that, then I agree it's a strange one.

Not devastated, but I think those celebrating Robbie's departure are optimistic if they believe we'll find a better replacement

Confirmed that Robbie Muirhead has signed for Livingston

Union St-Gilloise got partial revenge on Royal Antwerp this afternoon by beating them 1-0 in the Belgian Cup Final, the first time they've won it since 1914.

It doesn't really explain the criteria that was used to make the assessment, but the Scottish Premiership didn't make the cut in a 'top 30 leagues in the world' ranking compiled by Opta Analyst. That in itself is maybe not totally surprising, until you see that the Israeli Premier League, Cypriot 1st Division, Norwegian Eliteserien and the Danish Superliga are all on the list, with the latter in an impressively lofty 14th place. Considering none of these countries have as a strong footballing culture or history as Scotland, it leads me to believe the criteria used in the ranking is probably flawed somewhere. Or is the Scottish Premiership really that shite? Thoughts. https://www.givemesport.com/best-leagues-in-world-football-soccer-ranked/?utm_campaign=TrueAnthem-GMS&utm_medium=Social-Distribution&utm_source=Facebook&fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR3ae3ymC07tk1tLhpqPeF80lQfy3CJ0SZbA_2mywCl_4qA7qGc1gQ9zKyg_aem_AfrmmFOTj5FXQGpIJ4iFOnU5Ac7myPVCg4bQcMllVwkuOJ3YeNEKqP0fl4SPBQkp2JBnr2CrS0yf5sIxaqOqjFoN

I'd prefer to have a controlled and managed turn-over rather than a complete clean slate. When I think clean slate I think of the Alan Moore's last season when following a more-or-less complete overhaul of the squad in the summer we went from genuine promotion contenders finishing 2nd just behind Partick, to the worst team in living memory (victory at Parkheid excepted, of course).

Credit to the Tele for keeping on-message and naming them correctly

I lived in Nijmegen in the Netherlands for 5 years till 2002 and regularly went to watch local team NEC, who spent most seasons mid-table or fighting against relegation. Their local rivals were Vitesse from just up the road in Arnhem, who were bigger and generally more successful than NEC. The 'Gelderland Derby' is one of the most bitter and hate-filled in the Netherlands, and regularly sees violent clashes between fans. Vitesse were one of the 'sub-top' clubs that also included the likes of Utrecht and AZ, who while having occasional success were never quite as big as the the top three of PSV, Ajax and Feyenoord. They got through to the last 16 on the Europa Conference League as recently as 2 years ago, beating the likes of Spurs and Rapid Vienna on the way. That changed dramatically this season however, as while NEC have had for them a very good season and currently sit 7th in the Eredivisie, Vitesse have been consigned to relegation for the first time in 35 years. Even without an astonishing 18 point deduction for repeated breaches of licensing regulations and providing false information to the investigating authorities, they would still be deep in the relegation zone. Not only that, they are so deeply in financial trouble there is a real risk they will even be refused a license to play in the Eeerste Divisie next season. There's every possibility therefore they'll be liquidated and have to start again from scratch in the lower semi-professional and amateur leagues, like Rangers had to do a decade or so ago. Unlike the Rangers fans however, the Vitesse fans are at least trying to do something about it and have set up a survival fund which has already collected 1.5m euros. I've just watched them lose 1-0 at Utrecht and this is their players publicising the fund after the match. Of course their plight is causing much joy and hilarity amongst the NEC fans. As I still have a wee soft spot NEC I should be chuckling away as well, but I can't help but feel a wee bit sad for them, albeit it's entirely of their own making.

I know he's a bit of a dick, but fair play to Yogi, that's some performance from a man of his age

I don't disagree, he's obviously playing at our level for a reason, or more likely multiple reasons. Nevertheless, if we let him go, it will be difficult to get a replacement who'll contribute as many goals and assist as he's done in the last two-and-a-half seasons. I can see why some would be indifferent to him leaving as he can be incredibly frustrating at times, last night being yet another example. But he's also brought a lot of positives to the team which I think some overlook or for one reason or other just don't appreciate. I won't be devastated if he leaves, but I think some who'll be happy to see the back of him underestimate just how difficult it will be to find a replacement who'll contribute as much over a full season as he does.

I'm sure there are, but very few will produce the same amount of goals and assists

Anyway, back on topic, I totally understand that we have to live within our means, but we should really push the boat out when it comes to Oakley. I've not checked our win rates with and without him, but I'm pretty sure it will be like comparing night and day.