dunning1874

Naturally Estrella is going to be the big focus now, but thought the Cappielow 150 stuff was interesting and reiterates that both MCT and GMFC are looking at infrastructure and long-term planning. I'm looking forward to hearing more about that and it does seem the sort of thing that could once again hook someone like Brian Bonar (without wanting to bang the Dalrada drum over again). Make a donation explicitly for infrastructure for the stadium and that's how you contribute to a legacy, certainly Paul Farren seems eager to make that emotional appeal to people to get funding in place.

Disappointing that details have leaked right off the back of what was a very positive meeting covering a range of issues, when the MCT board were clear that due diligence and negotiations are still being carried out and the identity of the interested party & details of the offer would come when that's complete. It's intriguing and on the face of it it sounds like they're ostensibly looking to do what Dalrada haven't by directing investment towards infrastructure rather than the first-team, which is the correct way to put the club in a healthier position and leave a legacy of a stronger club. However we can only sell the shares and retain majority control once so need to get it right. Interested to see the finer details once they're shared with members. Worth noting that there was a comment from the board to the effect of (I can't remember the exact quote) "it's not Dalrada level money", so the suggestion of £1M over three years that's appeared with the leak would seem to be inflated on that basis. Whatever the sum is though, using the money you have smartly is better than having more and wasting it all on a larger squad.

Or not. Robertson on loan to East Kilbride. Considering that he's not made an appearance under Murray and that's with Wilson being needed in defence, Taylor injured, Crawford not appearing in either league game and Lyall & MacPherson each missing a game too, we didn't need that many central midfielders. You wonder if Firhill was a really bad first impression with Murray in the stand, while Shaw was the main culprit Robertson didn't look clever defensively at all having came on at 2-1 up. Some game time at a lower level to learn a bit more of the defensive side of the game might be exactly what he needs, although East Kilbride doesn't seem the best environment for a young player to walk into.

O'Halloran starting all three of Murray's games so far while Garrity & Moffat have started two and Shaw has only had sub appearances suggests he is at the bottom of Murray's pecking order, and only coming on in the 91st minute on Saturday tells you how much he trusts him even as a sub. It would really depend on Imrie wanting to take him to Raith on loan as surely no other Championship club is going to want him and likely no League One club is going cover enough of his wage to allow us a replacement making it worthwhile for us to let him go, but if anyone is going to leave on loan now he's the obvious candidate.

https://gmfc.net/sam-robinson-to-step-down-as-commercial-director/ Proper clearing of the decks come the end of the season then. Also states that he's been filling in as General Manager while we haven't had one, which as far as I'm aware is the first we've heard of that? That sort of hiding from transparency is exactly what we need to move away from with a new look board. I don't have any issue with a board member stepping into a role like that, but tell us when they do rather than keeping it quiet for 7 months. It reeks of being scared of accountability.

Didn't need a big rush for it to be done tonight when it's only a loan anyway and means he can't play against Ayr, but also probably means it's cheaper for us and obviously means we're not having to commit to any more 18 month deals to find competition for Brophy.

I didn't read it as if it could be literally nothing. I took it as £288K is the maximum possible and that could decrease if some players aren't renewed, but there's still going to be some sort of minimum amount they're paying for sponsorship rather than the club getting for £0 for it, with the renewals for players aspect as a portion of it rather than the whole amount.

These are the most pertinent points. If Dalrada hadn't insisted on funding being ring-fenced towards the first team they might have left behind a long-term legacy with improved infrastructure and the club in a stronger position for the future, instead there's nothing to show for it. Hopefully a board without their influence and without John Laird can bring some competence that has sadly been lacking.

Obviously know nothing about Lopata-White, but he played with Moore several times last season. We've all seen players come out of English youth systems for the first time and not be ready to adjust to first-team football, but if he's anywhere near Moore's level then great.

Yeah, incredibly Partick have been unable to loan Eseosa Sule who they'd agreed a deal for with West Brom because FIFA have declared that playing for their under 21s in 'Premier League 2' counts as competitive football, along with the 3 games he played for Motherwell in the League Cup.

Murray explicitly said there'd been no contact about Tiffoney, someone made that up. Reminder that we can also still make domestic loans until the end of February.

Murray confirmed himself in the Tele on Friday that there's been no contact about Tiffoney. Someone's made that up.

Aye aside from it being that fantasist who's saying it, Raith already have four wingers. We know of course that Imrie has built squads with more than that and maybe they could bring one in then let Lewis Gibson go back on loan to Montrose, but when they've only got two fit centre backs and are struggling for alternatives to Hamilton up front you wouldn't think they'd make another winger a priority. In any case, it's clear that Shaw is behind O'Halloran, Moffat and Garrity in Murray's pecking order. If we were letting any winger go it'd be him and you'd think Imrie would jump at that with how highly he rates him for unknown reasons.

No I didn't. Saying it was the kind of result of some managers don't come back from - in response to people saying it wasn't that bad a result and/or it was nothing to do with Murray - wasn't saying Murray was already done because of it, and elsewhere I said no one should be calling for him to be sacked after one game because that would be stupid. I thought we had to urgently see a massive improvement in defensive organisation at set-pieces and arguing the goals conceded were all down to individuals and nothing to do with the manager was ridiculous. In the two weeks since we've already seen that improvement in organisation and those individuals looking like better players for it.

That second goal was exquisite. The type of goal that never gets into a goal of the season competition because the finish isn't that difficult, but is better than most that do. That is an absolutely terrific team goal from every player involved right from the point that Gillespie wins it, but especially Delaney. It's not an easy pass for Garrity to play it into Moffat's path while spinning himself but he puts it ahead of him, Moffat has a few options for what to do but takes the right one, Delaney times his run perfectly and delivers a great cross while O'Halloran is in exactly the right place, also a great run from him. Lovely goal.