Bobby83

French centre half. Has 4x profit to the EPL in 18 months written all over him.

Yeah, I saw that, be nice if he gets it. At the moment though, Walter is showing no signs of playing him other than odd bits so I guess time will tell. I really hope he starts Fleck, Wylde & Ness tomorrow. I wouldn't count on it. I suspect Smith will think he can get one more season playing only experienced lads. The fact he leaves us with untried lads in their 20s after that, is no longer his problem. I he was thinking long term he would have been giving these lads minutes here and there to prepare them for this season - not bringing on Novo when the league was wrapped up etc.

Walter wasted a couple of years of this wee guys career. All the best to him in the future.

How old is the Marenghi lad? He was the one that was on the 'Skillz Skool' with Christian Kisuka. Did we poach Kisuka or did Aberdeen release him? Anyone know how long hes been in the country? Might qualify for the NT.

Wilson knew his chances would be limited to non existant with Webster coming back, regardless of his performances and impressing in training.

Yep. I think hes realised the opportunity he has. If he wants to make it here and elsewhere, he has to graft. Even play him as part of a front two.

Its all about him getting a shot. I think he has a great career in the making if handled properly. Chuffed that hes got his act together. Hope he stays off the bevvy.

This is why their national side done nothing in the WC. Their own media tell them that their players are world class when realsitically they are just supplement to a team of talented foreigners. When they go on the international scene, they are shown for what they are.

Exactly, mate.

Im impressed with an interview he had admitted that he got "lazy in the head" and was perhaps not giving his all. Then he was in training earler than the rest of the squad and not mucking about. Id like to give him a run in his preferred position. If we cant accomodate him in "the hole" then he should be up front. I fear his new committment will not be enough for Smith though who wuold probably play just about anyone to avoid playing a youngsters. I feel hes on the bring of being wasted and might not survive another season with Smith. But if Smith is serious about giving the kids a chance then I feel he will excell with a run in the team. Could be his season?

As someone said. PLG would have sorted us right out regarding youth. No boozing after training, proper diets etc, focus on technique the continental way. But Boyd and Ferguson couldn't be arsed and turned the dressing room and fans against him - where are they now when we are in this fucking mess. Its our own fault.

These threads are really bitter sweet. Its good to know we have talent coming through but frustrating to know that they will rot. The reality of it is that these lads have already been wasted. Loy, Shinnie and MacMillan are already in their early 20s and the rest are 19. Wylde will never get a chance which is a shame. Fleck will be used very sparingly and out of position, while Wilson wont rarely play at all. These lads could have made us alot of money. Ness is 19 now also and has gone to waste. This is why I wanted Smith to bow out this season, as he is so short sighted. We have just missed out on a group of cracking young players that would have performed for the first team and gone on to make us money. Its disgraceful and truly gutting.

It will be 3 mate Yeah ive be worried about his committment if he signed for just the year. I truly expect Boyd to stay now things are looking more stable here and his options elsewhere are drying up. Shame it took that to keep him though.

Hes 19, if Smith hasnt brough im through yet he never will. Im torn over the news of Smith staying. While its a safe bet and he will ensure our stability, it also means that the youngsters will go to waste. Wilson was played out of necessity and Fleck was repeatedly dropped after good games. Ness hasnt even had a look in. If Smith choose to bring Novo etc on rather than give the young lads some minutes when the lead was already ours I dont see how people can talk about kids coming through so positively.

Good signing. Boyd will be here next season chaps, trust me

Glad to you took the time to post in the thread to tell us that.

If he was at Rangers right now, he would still not have made his debut under Smith.

Agreed. With the impact Fergie, Adam and Dorrans ( a massive RANGERS fan ) have made then clubs down south are bound to start looking north of the border for talent more often which can only be good for the Scottish game , having said that it is a disgrace that a player of Fergies ability and pedigree was sold for just over a million ,Adam for a lousy half a million and Dorrans was virtually stolen from Livingston for £50 thousand. What are those 2 players worth now ? Our clubs need to make sure they get sell on clauses when selling to English sides. Livi had a 20% sell on clause on Dorrans but that Massone just before he left went to WBA and sold it to them for another 50k. They could have been looking at 1-2m which would have kept their youth program going strong. They also sold young Andrew Halliday to Boro this summer (a lad we released a few years ago).

Thought this might provoke some discussion. Good idea for a thread. Things for the national team might not be so bleek as made out. Could actually qualify for some tournaments this decade.

As bad as we are percieved to be, there must be more Scots playing high level football than there has been for quite a while. Think of 10 years ago compared to now. In the EPL next season - playing first team football we will have: Gordon Caldwell Berra Hutton Ferguson McFadden Adam Dorrans D. Fletcher Then you have the likes of McCarthur who will probably not command a first team place but will be there. Steven Fletcher will perhaps be picked up. Lee Wallace from hearts is linked, although it may be to Boro in the championship. Wilson maybe going down although wont be expected to play much for a few seasons. Then you have the lads like Burke and McCormack doing not bad in the championship. Kevin McDonald at Burnley also if he can stop being such a piss head and worked off the ball could make a TOP centre mid and is only 21. Barry Bannan (seemingly another one that fancies himself as a lad about town) is a wee midfielder on loan at Blackpool from Villa, just signed a new deal. Is only about 5'7" and 10 stone but its very talented, great shooting and passing. Hes 20. Then think of lads under 21 at the moment that look like prospects.

Not sure, but I cant fecking wait!

Don't think its even under question. Far superior side. Good youung players to. That could change though, we have a good few prospects but we will really feel missing out on McCarthy - he would have made an average team a very good one in a couple of years. Scotland do have some talent though and we have two strong keepers who will be around for another few tournies at least which is something not that many countries (England being one) can boast and will serve us well. We could put a decent midfield together now. Think of the first team players we will have playing in the premiership next season. D.Fletcher Dorrans Adam Berra Caldwell Hutton Gordon McFadden Ferguson Fletcher, Faddy, Ferguson, Dorrans and to an extent Adam are technically efficient players capable of playing at a high level. Could put together a decent midfield. Prob a half dozen more after this summers transfer activity. Been a while since so many were playing at that level - and getting a game.

Someone pragmatic who realises that developing our own youth is the only way we will achieve sustained success.

If hes a big time charlie as suggested then he can piss away his career somewhere else. Hate idiots that throw away talent. Apologies is the accusations are false :-D

Annoying that. Cant get the booze culture away from the club. 21st century, football has changed, Scottish players cant be piss heads anymore, he realised that.