Ten Caat

He's the one player it couldn't be. Hibs had to cancel training on Friday because of the positive test result. Test was likely done on Thursday therefore. Murphy didn't join until yesterday. Apparently whoever it was has been re-tested by an official NHS test and he's negative (ie an initial false positive on the Hibs internal testing kit)

Doyle was the guy who also burns alongside Tommy

DABS getting an absolute horsing at Kilmarnock. 4-0 down with 5 minutes to go. Normal service is resumed. Pleasing

A very good result and an entertaining performance (after a bit of a turgid first half an hour or so). Good to see the team being allowed to continue attacking after going 2-0. I suspected than with Hibs less than 72 hours away, we might have been instructed to go into game management mode second half in order to save our legs for Easter Road. Of course the opposition were frankly woeful and any expectations have to be tempered against that. but scoring 6 goals is never to be sneezed at. I'm in a bit of a minority amongst our supporters. I don't think we will pick up suspensions in the SFA hearing today....either they all get censured as to their future conduct or...at worst...suspensions that are suspended for 12 months with a net effect of no bans provided there is no repeat transgressions.

If we are going with the usual 1 up top then I think he'll stick with Watkins. Main wasn't meant to be on the bench on Sunday, only got there through Bryson breaking down in the warm up. However if ever there was a game in which to play 2 strikers together, then this is surely it. I'll predict 4-0. But might take us till the second half to score the first, after which they'll have to open up and the rest will follow. P45 to be on Mcinnes' desk by 9am tomorrow if he somehow manages to fuck this one up.

Shankland admits himself he was overweight during his time with us and only after we released him did he realise he had to knuckle down and work harder if he was going to make a career for himself in football. So far, all he has proved is that he can excel in the Championship. He's still unproven in the Premier league and it will take till at least Xmas before we can make a proper evaluation. Wright will play well for us on occasion but with Main now fit, Watkins in on loan, both Cosgrove and Edmondson (unless we find a way of terminating the agreement) due to come back Octoberish and Anderson available if necessary...….he's going to really find a sustained patch of form that he's never shown at any time previous in his career with us to remain in contention for a spot even on the bench. And yes we should win comfortably. A loss would be a sacking offence no matter the length and value remaining on McInnes' contract

There may be something in that having seen it a few times now. But at least the intent was there...… twice in 2 games Hedges has driven directly at the oppo defence and twice a goal has resulted.

Vomited at HT apparently. Likely not related to covid.

And he is probably correct. Kennedy shiting out of challenges TWICE in the space of about 3 seconds then Taylor attempting to clear the resultant cross with his right foot rather than his left were what caused it. FWIW, I had no problems with Wright being substituted. His first half performance was nothing short of atrocious, continually losing control of the ball, once when we were in a rare threatening position. The goal was undoubtedly sublime but it was the only thing all game that came off for Wright. And it's not like DM took him off and went 5 at the back...he was replaced by a midfielder and we continued to attack. As Ive said...the Livi goal came through fuck ups by 2 of our players, nothing to do with being defensive. Watkins was surprisingly effective. Too early to make a definitive judgement of course but some positive signs. Although the more I see it, the more I am amazed that he contrived not to score from the point-blank header. Much improved second half performance, 3 points was vital especially with Hibs luckily sneaking a last minute winner. Confident we won't lose at Easter Road on Sunday.

There was some chat around the time that training restarted by supposed "ITK" supporters that most of the squad thought he was a dud. Whether this has any credence is anyone's guess. And the rumour that he was brought in with little or no consultation/input from McInnes isn't going away. He's also taken Shay's spot in the side who was/is one of the most popular players not only with the fans but in the squad too. Counteracting all this, he was meant to be our top performer in what was a distinctly underwhelming pre-season and also probably our top performer in a distinctly shite team performance against sevco in the season opener. I'm not writing him off just yet but it definitely is a concern. Of course our centre backs shelling the ball forward ignoring simpler short passes to midfielders/fullbacks is nothing new and it might just be a case of the circumstances ( rustiness having not played for the best part of 3 weeks and training limited with 8 team-mates self-isolating) taking over.

Exactly this. His knees aren't at any more risk playing 1,2 or 3 games in a week. Supposedly cadaver grafting (the standard repair job for professional sportsmen for the past 15-20 years) actually strengthens a knee joint, although Devlin is the proof that it doesn't guarantee that it won't snap again. The loon himself I'm sure wants to play as much as possible and let's be honest. He wants a long term contract with us but he would be of no use if we thought he wasn't up to playing twice in 3 or 4 days. His only problem is lack of match fitness so I fully expect him to be in the side tomorrow. As I've said before...we can get through the Runavik tie without him so that's the one, if he really requires it, to rest him in. But I actually think he will want to keep going anyway, so he doesn't risk losing his place in the side

I can see Brophy signing a pre-contract with us in January (or if Cosgrove is sold, then brought in for a realistic fee) but they'd be wanting far too much Wonga if we were to try to sign him right now. We should have went for Stewart at County . He would be Main's replacement long term and would be affordable right now. Watkins on a loan just doesn't fill me with any enthusiasm. By mid October we could be lumbered with a surfeit of strikers, 2 of which wouldn't even be ours (I'm presuming Edmondson will return once his ankle has healed). Of course conversely, knowing our luck with strikers, I wouldn't be at all surprised to see Watkins break his leg 15 minutes into his debut.

The league is our bread and butter. I'm sure Hoban will play....imo he was our best player last night (although tbf there weren't too many candidates for it). If he needs rested then the Runavik game is the one to do it in Considine is still suspended. Ojo deserves to be benched after his frankly pathetic performances in the past 2 games. However McGeouch might still be in DM's bad books so wouldn't surprise me if Ojo was given one last chance to give us a performance. I can't say I noticed Bryson doing anything special last night either, but the overall team performance certainly improved in the second half, possibly just that the balance was better. Hernandez is also a worry. He did nothing wrong....because he didn't have the chance to mainly. St J correctly identified our weakness down our left side and concentrated their attacks down that way. But Hernandez seemed to be ignored by our players when we were in possession. And it's time Lewis was relieved of the captaincy. I've never been a fan of 'keepers doing the job. If he were a big personality I could maybe understand but he's just too "nice" a guy to do it effectively. And he can't be in the ref's face at every chance a la Broonaldo. McKenna should be the go to guy but he will be off soon (with any luck). It might be seen as a bit "off" giving the job to a player technically on loan and just in the door. But McCrorie will be with us for 4 years and I think he has the attitude to do it well. Has experience captaining Scotland U21's Not sure if we are still being linked with Marley Watkins. But if he is the answer.....then ask a different question. Stick Ruth in against Livi.

It was "leaked" last week that Ferguson was to be our striker against Hamilton before it was postponed. I expect that will be the plan tonight as well. I'd go with Lewis Hernandez, Taylor, Hoban, MacKenzie McCrorie, Campbell Kennedy, McGinn, Hayes Ferguson In reality, I expect Campbell at left back rather than Mackenzie. No great problems with that other than it takes away showing MacKenzie that there is a definite pathway into the first team. And likely Ojo given a chance to redeem himself in defensive midfield.

Before January he was out injured for 3 months give or take.....

It would appear that at least some of the info on the tweet has come from Mainstandmoan off Abmad. He doesn't mention the supposed sackings, nor the cash/swap with Brentford for McKenna (at least that I can see). As supposed "ITK'ers" go, he's about as reliable as they come so will see what transpires regarding the new striker over the next 24 hours or so.

McGeouch also had Scott Allan (on loan from Celtic at that point) as well as McGinn alongside him in that Hibs midfield. I think even at my age I could look half decent with those 2 either side of me. As for my earlier £500k valuation.....yeah it probably is wildly over-estimating his worth. But I have a vague memory of him being valued at £750k at Sunderland when we first tried to get him in 2 summers back. I saw someone else elsewhere state that McInnes has said that a partial reason for bringing in McCrorie was that Ojo was out of contract next summer (wrong...its summer 2022) and unlikely to sign an extension (probably true, he'll be 30 by then and likely looking for one last big pay-day). So if we were going to release somebody if another club were willing to take over their contract, I suspect it would be Ojo, not McGeouch we'd do that for. I think there's no doubt Hibs would be interested if McGeouch were available and on no account should we be letting him go for free....again he has 2 years left on his contract but there's no doubt we could get a fee for him. Probably £150-200k would be reasonable.

He will have had 2 days of training with us by that point. More than enough time for our coaches to have ensured he's out for 3-6 months with a knee/ankle/back injury (delete as necessary)

Agree about McGeouch. Now at best 3rd choice, maybe even 4th behind Campbell for a starting spot in defensive midfield. I couldn't see why we signed him in January...yes Ojo had been out injured for 2 or 3 months but there was absolutely no indication that it was going to be an ongoing problem. The spoonburners over at Hibs.net are convinced he will now be made available. If we can get them (no laughing at the back), or anyone else, to offer £500k I think it would be a good bit of business. Would then pay for the McCrorie deal and allow us to bring in a (genuine) left back with the spare change. As for Campbell....I'd really like to see us loan him out for the season (with a recall option in January in case of dire emergency). His development would be far better served getting 90 minutes week in, week out at somewhere like St Mirren or even the DABS than getting 15 minutes here and there as a sub with us.

Fairly certain we will be covering 100% of his wages, Otherwise why would sevco turn down £250k from Hibs right now in favour of our offer of £??? next year

To do that we would have to pay up their contracts in full, otherwise they could take us to the cleaners at an employment tribunal. I'm not sure if we would have to pay them up as a lump sum though. I suspect as long as we pay them their monthly salaries on the dates they are due then we would be quite within our rights to terminate them. Both would probably welcome it anyway. They've both been horrendous in the past 12 months (Devlin even longer) and the chance to earn a contract elsewhere whilst not losing out on what we were due them must be fairly appealing. Expect to see Bryson join Killie if it's true. Who would take a chance on Devlin with his dodgy knee though? Motherwell would be the obvious destination, maybe Livi with the Dykes cash burning a hole in their pocket.

About as long as his £17k per week contract lasts I'd imagine. His performance is pretty much a secondary concern to the board as long as we don't find ourselves in serious relegation difficulties. He's just far too expensive to sack. And then have to fund a new management team on top.

Turns out the rumours I mentioned emanating from Leeds sites in the Hamilton thread were true after all. Confirmed out for 3-4 months. Unbefuckinglieveable

I think Campbell will play...at left back instead of Logan. I'd hold fire on Edmondson. There is some talk on Leeds sites that he has injured himself in training and out for up to 8 weeks. Hopefully untrue but would just be our luck that he is.

The second team (likely sevco)in the CL will have no chance of progression in it. Even Celtic will probably get beaten in the qualifiers. They'll drop down into the Europa League 4th round.....sevco get there anyway under their own steam. As others have said...….we won't be finishing second any time soon. Already we are playing catch up with Hibs....we will do well to finish 3rd this season.