Brubear

Tend to agree, was thinking that as UEFA appear to have increased points attainable in EL then this type of score is easier than before, but of course will result in every country improving their score.

It is a good point, I guess the players would rather have an extra couple of weeks with their families in the close season so from their point of view it makes a difference. You are right though if our first competitive game had been Maribor would we be going over there with a 2 goal lead.

I did a quick calculation and if all 3 teams still in Europe got into EL Groups and won a couple of games and a draw, even if none got to the knockout stage we would get around 33 points plus the .5 Aberdeen got divided by 4 gives us 8.375 for this year and 3.25 drops off from 13/14 we go from 18.625 to 23.75 by next year which puts us 18th, assuming everyone else stays at similar level. That doesn't make too much difference just less qualifiers, but if you do that 2 years we could be up to 13th or 14th after 2 years. It then becomes harder to keep improving but one of the advantage of the past 5 years being so crap each year a bad score drops off and we should be able to bring a better score in for the current year. I share your view on the tarriers but a great scenario would be for us both to be in the Groups as they would need to play Thurs/Sun like us but us making the knockout and them not.

I follow most of that apart from why Scotland needs and average of 7.75 per year which as a total over a rolling 5 years would be 38.75 when Greece are 15th on 28.6 points and you are assuming the target to obtain 15th doesn't change. Surely we need to get an average of 5.72 per year the same as Greece which with 4 clubs contributing is a total of 22.9 per year not 33. It is not as daunting a challenge as you were calculating which is why Scotland were 10th at one time. Based on results so far this year we have moved from 26th to 23rd, although I accept this could go up or down yet depending on how ourselves, Hibs and celtic do versus the other countries around us in the rankings from now on in.

We could have won a European trophy every year up to the point when we were placed in the bottom tier and it would have no effect on today's coefficient. The reason the coefficient is so shite is because there are 4 years of the past 5 years that only celtic have picked up any significant points. Before that both us and them used to contribute most years us the best but some years them. Last year was the only year we could have influenced the current coefficient.

I must have missed Stubb's article questioning if a deliberate elbow of an opponent off the ball is now acceptable in Scottish football.

We only had one season that effects the coefficient. Yes that was deep but anything prior to 13/14 Is now out of the calculation as I works on a 5 year rolling calculation.

The longer it remains 0-0 the more confident we become of getting the correct result and the more they need to open up giving us a greater chance of nicking an away goal. The 3rd goal last week was vital, without that 0-0 even in the 90th minute would have our nerves shattered. Stating the bleeding obvious loyal.

I thought that is what we said a they were clear they were just retaliating. It is clear if we hadn't done it they wouldn't have. Their first statement elududed to them having high ST demand as well but everything subsequent has been they think we are wrong to have done this but since we have they are doing likewise. Hence the reason they wanted to meet on the subject. I hate them as much as anyone but to suggest they can't sell tickets for our visit doesn't wash and they were always going to have extra tickets to shift as will we.

I am sure the one thing the SFA have got right over the past few years is to set up processes for fast tracking appeals so they cannot be used to delay bans in order for clubs to influence which matches players miss. Will be one worth watching assuming he is deemed guilty in the first place.

Media have to call it alleged until it is adjudicated on or they open themselves up to libel case. Same goes for any court cases it doesn't mean they are being biased.

Not sure if you are serious or if this is tongue in cheek. I watched their players at the final whistle last week and their body language suggested they knew the tie was gone not just having lost the first game. However a week of recovery and putting it behind them mentally they will come out expecting to be able to win 2 0 it is up to us to dampen that enthusiasm but keeping the game tight.

Totally agree. We need to keep it tight. The longer we go with a clean sheet the better our chances of grabbing an away goal. Lose an early goal and it could be a long night.

You want to see Courtyard Bear play. Is he any good.

Yes realised after I posted I had jump to the assumption it was McKennas barges the post was about. My mistake but my comment still stands the barges are clear as day and 1 probably could pass but 2 within such short time should have been a yellow not picked up by officials and therefore should be by the compliance officer.