dunning1874

You could fairly give man of the match to any of the back four despite being a game we dominated and all of their best contributions being in possession, all of them were superb, but Wilson was so good it was genuinely funny. I said before the game that I'd move him back to midfield because we all know he's better there but it's extremely hard to move him when he was that good. It was like prime Pique, he could just waltz around someone pressing him like they weren't there. The number of times he intercepted a Dunfermline pass under pressure then managed to retain possession in scenarios where you'd usually have no qualms about a defender being safety first by conceding a throw or hoofing it back up the park was silly, his composure for someone playing out of position was wild.

We should genuinely have won that 8-0, but excellent result anyway. The confidence Murray has given some of those players is wild. When we were only 1-0 up at half-time after a half where 5-0 would have flattered Dunfermline you naturally feared the worst, but we stayed in near total control outwith one counter attack until we were 2-0 up v 10 men and the game was put to bed. It shouldn't have been such hard work to stay 2-0 up in that scenario either, but there's no harm done. Four points from the last two games is terrific work which means it would take an exceptionally terrible run of form to end up getting relegated. At the point Murray was appointed I'd have been delighted with 8th, and if we play like that every game we'll end the season far closer to 4th than 9th. A month ago I was looking at the Queen's Park & Airdrie double header thinking we'd likely need at least four points to keep our heads above water. Now four points from it would put us right in the mix for fourth.

That's a sitter of the century contender from Main, outstanding from Garrity and especially Delaney to give him the tap in as well.

I'd go with Wilson into midfield and Owens in at centre back. Wilson has been great filling in there but we all know he's at his best in midfield. Even if Gillespie is sharp enough to start you surely aren't getting another full 90 minutes out of him, and you need to have one of those two there at all times if you don't want to leave the defence badly exposed. Murray's explanation for persisting with Wilson in defence on Saturday made perfect sense with what he said about introducing two new centre backs to the defence at once, but with how well Lopata-White did on Saturday and how good Owens was coming on v Ross County I'd be comfortable with the two of them together. Would hope to see one of O'Halloran or Lyall replacing one of Main or Brophy as well as we surrended a bit much of the midfield for no discernible benefit at times on Saturday, but not too concerned which in either case. Could even put Crawford in if the former two are still absent, but don't know if he's ready for that after so long injured.

At the time I thought it was a penalty and he'd taken Gillespie out before playing the ball, but having seen it back it was a great tackle. Lopata-White was really good, for a player to look that accomplished on their professional debut is wild. If he can maintain that standard of performance then we're looking much stronger at centre back. I'd prefer to only have one of Brophy or Main in the team at a time in favour of an extra body in midfield, and particularly when we've got a midweek game you want one of them fresher and able to have an impact off the bench.

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.