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We played 3 games in a week and lost a whole host of players for the St Johnstone game. Prior to that we had one pre season game and it was documented in the YouTube videos we came straight back to ball work which is pretty much unheard of at this level. That sharp increase in load over the 3 competitive games in 7 days is going to take its toll and increases the risk of injury. We could’ve came back and ran the legs off the players, played more pre-season games and yes still picked up some injuries but spreading it out and having windows for recovery gives the best opportunity to manage the risk. Having that running in early for the players gives them the baseline thats required to help manage the increase in the spike in their game time. We also didn’t have enough players in certain positions to manage minutes either, but “maybe” using the budget better would’ve been a good idea too. Overall, it’s a fucking mess.

Regardless of what the actual budget is, he’s made a rip roaring cunt of what he’s had. Having FOUR signed defenders on the books and it’s the second week of the season is actually mental. We now have three goal keepers, one that is completely out of his depth at this level yet he’s been training with us since last season. Murray still signed him! He’s signed Carse, which for the squad is fine as he looked decent enough on Saturday but we are crying out for defenders and also another striker. The Savoury signing (clearly a good player) but forever injured, played very little football in the last 2 years. The “precious” budget spunked on him early doors. We haven’t seen him yet, was he actually fit when we signed him? We will undoubtedly improve when Gorman, Ballantyne etc return but Murray’s record since last season has been shocking and the manner of some of the defeats have been well below what I expect from us. The only positive I seen under Murray, and it was initially after Dougie had been moved on, was the style of play. However, the squad was miles better last season obviously. Murrays interviews have been embarrassing and genuinely think after he’s done with us he’s probably finished at this level.

£24 for Ochilview is just mad. Turnstile fiasco feels like home.

Massive difference and the increased effort and energy was there for all to see. Wilson was back to his best and thought Black was brilliant, tenacious, and that cross into the box was encouraging as he clearly possesses quality there. Would be interesting to see him played in his natural position or even at right wing. Huge difference having a striker up front too with Brophy who I thought done really well especially considering he’s been out injured. Keeper also looked solid which is reassuring too. Longridge’s injury will maybe force our hand into bringing in an actual LB so fingers crossed he’s alright as gives us a further option at centre half. Sandilands has some nice touches but not sure he will be robust or brave enough at this level. Really happy to be proved wrong because if he can add that to his game we’ve got a good player on our hands. This is a huge season for Garrity, no longer a young, inexperienced player and he’s clearly wanted to move on last season and it never happened. He needs to step up, contribute and find some form of consistency this season.

Good luck Elyh! Hope we’ve found another gem like last season

He’s taking absolutely no responsibility for spunking whatever the budget was on absolute rubbish. We have FOUR signed defenders in our squad and the Clyde back up keeper as first choice and we play Partick a week today. Having nightmares for next Saturday after that nonsense today.

I know there’s been plenty of chat on budget, Dalrada not releasing funds appropriately but there has been things we should have done differently. Absolutely having a co-operation agreement in place with another club would have been beneficial for us, even from Murray moaning about a lack of numbers and not being able to do functional stuff during pre season. We were heavily considered by Rangers (I know they are absolute cunts but anyway) as they took the hump with Raith last season as their Championship team. Alloa have benefitted by having this in place and boys like Glasgow and Adamson who would’ve added value to our squad this season alongside seeing them tested at this level. Don’t know enough about the boys that went to QP. We have a squad of 18 senior players alongside (Murphy, Black and the 3 young lads from the St Johnstone game). Yes we have had injuries (Robertson, Savoury, O’Halloran) at the very start of pre season but we also started pre season without doing lots of fitness and went straight to ball work which was documented in the early social media videos. We then increase the players load by introducing one game against Stranraer then straight into the league cup games and we wonder why we end up losing 6 senior players to injuries when 2 games come along close together. We are horrendously short on defenders and evidently need a goalkeeper too. The fact nothing has happened this week when there has been some noises of at least loan deals is very frustrating and I am genuinely having nightmares for this Partick game. Even something as simple as sounding out Wolves after having a really successful loan stint for Storer last season should have been an option too. For all the budget war cry chat and Murray being interviewed like there’s a death in the family, he’s signed / re-signed some amount of pish for the budget he’s actually had too. Im not even going to get started on what’s going on behind the scenes and the MCT stuff because it’s as equally frustrating and depressing as what’s happening on the park.

Gutted to hear that Russell has stepped away too. I am slightly worried for us going forward and very interested to hear the planned fan update.

Absolutely brutal. Too many that just aren’t good enough and whatever the excuses are regarding the budget, it’s his players at the end of the day. He’s had a disaster with recruitment and the run since he came in speaks for itself. It looked promising initially when we played some nice stuff post Imrie but it’s been honking since.

The thing with Kinnear is we have had him in training with us last season while at Clyde so Murray should know what he’s getting there.

Are there any glimmers of hope in this performance?

That defence shouldn’t be starting in the Championship, only Ballantyne would be making it for me. Laiith looks miles off it, Longridge will get ripped apart at LB and Moore will maybe be passable alongside an actual experienced centre half. Cochrane was definitely missed when he went off and as said before by others the pitch majorly needing cut, was at least praying for a touch of rain to try and give it some zip. Gorman absolutely has some value to add to the squad, some nice flashes and once he’s up to speed he will be fine. Could be doing with an early goal to get him off and running, building that confidence. We are at least 4 starters away from being a reasonable team at this level.

I know Owen’s had fitness issues potentially but he looked like our best centre half when he played last season so a bit surprised we let him go and brought in an unknown. All the best to Laiith, fingers crossed he’s a gem. Really hoping we bring in another with experience that’s a regular starter.

Delaney was a massive confidence player, and as soon as his head went down after a mistake defensively, there were many, that was his head gone. Going forward he had some decent games due to his pace but ultimately he’s a poor defender who probably just about plays at this level again next season.

Gutted to see Moffat go if that’s the case, less so McPherson and absolutely fine with Delaney going. Delaney’s had some absolute stinkers defensively across the two seasons, but then looked brilliant at times going forward. Hopeful of us upgrading on him, certainly from a defensive point of view.