SassenachTon

I'd like to see them semi-survive and spend the entire season shitting the bed, being pointed and laughed at by Ton supporters. That would be most pleasing. A long, slow, agonising death rather than a swift chop.

Maybe they've built Lesser so that it looks falsely hoaching with their last-season average attendance of around 700 people in it.

None of us picks the starting team - Dougie does, based on a hunded factors, all of which a talented and insightful manager takes into consideration when he writes out the team sheet. And last season, it changed virtually from game to game, so I don't quite understand your 'same starting 11' statement. With so many quality options already signed up and committed, all I see is real opportunity. An existing, settled squad foundation who have already gelled as a team, who already know how to play with each other, who have genuine and obvious team spirit, and who have as good a chance as anyone of mounting a serious challenge. But without the aid of a crystal ball, it's impossible to make any predictions because (as Andy Ritchie said in the recent interview) - the Championship is the most competitive, difficult, unpredictable league in Scottish fitba. We already know that anyone can beat anyone else on any given Saturday - there are no 'easy' games. Dougie will likely make other additions to what's already become a solid squad - and within a few weeks of Imrieship, he'll have those new laddies absolutely running through fucking walls for him, such is the way that he's consistently demonstrated his ability to motivate underperforming players and transform them into something better. WAY better in many cases. He also has quality in youngsters like McGrattan and King to call upon - players who have yet to receive consistent game time, but who will undoubtedly continue to improve to a level which meets Dougie’s sky-high standards of perfomance, workrate, fitness and consistency. As a result of the above, our strength in depth and consequent options off the bench can only increase going forward. If Grimshaw and Waters don't sign - then so be it. Two players don't make a team. Many of us were petrified at this time last year, with the fear that Lewis Strapp wouldn't re-sign. But he's been out since the Celtic game and we've managed OK without him. In Liam Grimshaw's case (whilst he'd be a huge loss), I think we all realise that he has the ability to play at a higher level. He was the absolute best-in-class throughout the entire Championship last season, no question. But I'm also pretty sure that Dougie either already has a Plan B in place, or that he's actively seeking one. With only a couple of exceptions, his ability to sign the right players to fill the right holes at the right time is largely flawless. I've had to go out today and buy sunglasses because the future's so bright. Mon the Ton.

Great news. I know that many of us (me included) were doubtful about his injury record and general attitude when he first appeared, but he's been another great example of an insightful Dougie signing. Really solid, and always a significant worry for defences when he runs at them. I'd love to see him continuing to up his game and improve his finishing.

The absolute state of this ^^^^^^^^^^

All points on this topic are moot, because he's moving on for whatever reason, so that's that - it's done. No-one really has a clue what's gone on behind closed doors, but as vT says, it's not for us to second-guess the manager's judgement. I'll miss Strapp's skill, workrate and commitment, and I'll miss his long throws which were often as good as a corner. He's served the club incredibly well, and as a fan, I'd like to thank him for his significant contribution, and wish him the very best in his future career.

Lack of height somehow never seemed to be a problem for 5'5" Diego Maradona. Not a defender admittedly - but a world-class shortarse. Height has fuck all to do with a player's talent, passion, commitrment, and ability to get the job done. BIG 'not part of the plan' mistake by Dougie IMHO.

FTFY

This. A player of his calibre …… what ‘plans’ does he not fit into, exactly? Jeez-o.

Had literally just come on here to post that video. A really welcome pile of news all round, Michael Harkins obviously has his finger firmly on the financial pulse - but also on all of the others as well. Great to see joined-up thinking across every aspect of the club's activity. There must be so, so many other clubs who dearly wished they could put out a statement like that. Great job everyone.

An outstandingly well-written tribute. Thanks.

I don’t think (and I hope I’m right) that we’ll be losing Dougie any time soon. I’ve said it before in other posts - he’s come here with a determined, long-term battle plan which involved keeping us up last year, and making us a Premiership side this year. Once he achieves those two goals, my feeling is that the nature of the man is such that achieving those two will trigger a whole raft of new ones, which will involve him remaining with Morton until he’s achieved those, too. He’s clearly very happy here, plus he just doesn’t come across as someone who’s ever going to bounce from club to club chasing the short-term £££ - I think he’s got way more character and depth than that. I also look upon him as very much a ‘the sky’s the limit’ thinker. Who knows? Maybe the late TaunTon’s dream of European competition will one day become a reality. I also feel that deep down, he’ll always remember that it was Morton who gave him his entry into first-team management, and rightly or wrongly - I believe that loyalty will have its part to play. Whilst I know that he has a family to feed and must put his own personal situation first, I’d also very much hope that an injection of Premiership money would also enable the club to pay him whatever it takes to keep him here. The additional benefits of the return of lapsed supporters, plus the increased gate revenue from larger travelling support also cannot be underestimated. And finally - I think that the club’s astute financial management (debt free etc.) coupled with the Dalrada support places Morton in a totally different position to many other Championship teams who would likely have no choice other than to let go of such a crucial asset, simply because they’re on their financial arse.

Brilliant - and FWIW I always believed Dougie had his initial 2-year plan in his head the day he stepped foot in Cappielow. Season 1 = stay up. Season 2 = go up. After numerous early-season squad worries and an almost-empty bench, it feels like we’re now really generating depth and quality in the squad, and that’s totally down to Dougie’s astute management plus whatever backing Dalrada have provided in support of that. I'm sure the Celtic windfall will also have been carefully assigned and not squandered. With the exception of occasional disappointments such as Jaze Kabia, his signings have invariably been right on the money. We trousered Dundee last week with three key players missing, and that’s ample testament to the squad he’s assembled, plus the unbelievably gutsy way he’s got them playing. We're so, so lucky to have a manager who's the complete package - financially astute, tactically 100% aware, but above all - someone who seems to possess the golden ticket in terms of motivating his players to deliver of their very best. The team's workrate last week was off the scale, so it's obvious that their fitness is being pummelled into them on the training ground. Lots of managers talk the talk - but Dougie's walked the walk as a player. I strongly believe that must have an influence on how his squad perceives him, and of the respect they show him. They must also realise that he won't demand anything of them that he hasn't done himself. And once again - props to the Morton board for taking a punt on a total managerial unknown with zero track record. They must have seen something fierce, passionate and determined in those eyes at the interview - and that's to their eternal credit. Let's also not forget the massive, behind-the-scenes contribution from Andy Millen, for whom Dougie obviously has the highest possible respect, and whose input has been duly credited. If Ayr lose to Raith tonight (which isn’t beyond the realms of possibility given Ayr’s current lack of form) and we beat Cove tomorrow - we’ll go 3rd. With a game still in hand over both Queens and Raith. Very pleasing. The futures's so bright, Ray-Ban need to get a pair of Morton shades into Smiths pronto.

Two many grammer nerd’s around hear. *Edited four speling*

Plucky wee McCall binned by plucky wee Partick. Pleasing.

There’s nothing wrong with football in Ireland. Channel 4 even made a film about it.

Completely agree with all of the above. Very best wishes to the lad in all his future endeavours.

Two great announcements on the bounce - and as Ross says above, decisively getting these things nailed down straightaway is a huge leap forward. Well done to all involved in making this happen - and props to the players for sticking with us.

Thanks for the heads-up @Toby - much appreciated.

Who writes this shite? I actually thought that Kabia might come through for us earlier in the season - after netting a couple, it seemed to temporarily boost his confidence. He's been a complete passenger since then though - with his greatest flaw being an apparent reluctance to get stuck into anything physical. Time to say farewell.

I've never personally experienced Morton hospitality - but I'm pushing the boat out for the game against Accies on March 25th because it's my birthday. My take on this is that the food should be at least as good as you'd expect from a bar lunch at a half-decent pub. I'll post my review in due course

Just tried to order a pair of 1922 shirts on the Smiths website for me & my brother. All good until you hit the payment page and you're faced with an 'access denied' message. £104.95 potentially down the toilet for the club. Any ideas, anyone? Any way through this?

The tear-stained sauce pissing out the end of a badly-packed kebab.

The ownership/trust/protest shitstorm on P&B is absolute gold. Long may it continue

This. https://www.glasgowtimes.co.uk/sport/23135005.ian-mccall-insists-partick-thistle-can-still-win-championship/