SFC Chris

If we plan to play Long as a lone striker we may as well rest all the first teamers and accept defeat...

Wanyama is just as comfortable at centre back so no problem moving him there if Cork is back. Gardos did look quite assured tonight which was good. Hopefully Toby's injury isn't anythint major, however.

The only real alternative we have to Pelle is Shane Long, and in the lone strike role that isn't much of an alternative at all. We'd be daft not to welcome Rickie back with open arms if the opportunity arises. That said, I don't think we'll see him back.

I think I may have posted this after a few sherries... Pelle must be considered player of the half season for the simple reason that we look completely lost when he doesn't play. Toby looks an outstanding talent but Pelle more important to our overall play

Toby has played well and Clyne most improved but Mane has been the standout player without a doubt. Outstanding talent. Le Tiss with pace some may say

31 I believe. And far superior to Mane, Mayuka, or anyone else you want to trot out to play on the wing opposite Tadic.

Actually wondered where this guy had ended up. He came off the bench for one of his first Holland caps against Scotland and absolutely destroyed us down the left - scored within minutes of coming on I'm sure. Haven't seen him play since but he looked a right good prospect back then - lightning quick.

Kris Commons is an absolute no brainer. Skillfull, excellent delivery and always a goal threat either from wide positions or off the front. Out of favour and out of contract at the end of the season so he'd be available for next to nothing. I'd also be having a look at John Guidetti if he's available in January.

If Davis is fit then this will probably be the team you'd think, though I'd expect Davis rather than JWP to occupy the holiding role. So much is riding on Pelle for this one but sadly I can't see anything other than an Everton win to nil.

Noticed the match ratings above, here's my 2 cents. Forster - Made three or four good saves but looked suspect with cross balls - a top keeper probably does better with the goal (6/10) Clyne - Disappointing. Contributed very little going forward (5/10) Fonte - Looked ok for the most part, not sure if tackle at the end could have been a red on another day (5/10) Gardos - Loses a point for red card (4/10) Target - Looked ok, expect he was injured (6/10) Bertrand - Embarassing performance. Hopeless first half and equally as bad when moved to left back (3/10) Wanyama - Looked ok in parts but struggled to find that final pass when we needed it. (6/10) Schneiderlin - As above (6/10) Ward-Prowse - Did ok, looked to get on the ball alot but again, no end product (6/10) Mane - Would have been 1/10 but for forcing the keeper into a save - should have been sent off (3/10) Long - Ran about alot without ever troubling the defence - can't play the lone striker role, not his fault. (5/10) Isgrove - Started well then faded (5/10) Mayuka - Barely touched the ball, literally contributed nothing to the game (3/10) Alderweireld - Looked fine in cmid (6/10) Koeman - 1/10... should have realised the system wasn't working as we created absolutely nothing, never looked like scoring and that should have been addressed early enough to give us a chance

Are you seriously suggesting that Mane's performance was anywhere near acceptable? He was absolutely awful. I lost count of how many moves broke down because of him. He was our least effective player with only Bertrand anywhere near as bad. Considering how poorly the rest of them played that says a lot. We cannot play 1 up front without Pelle, that much is abundantly clear. At least one new striker is absolutely required in January.

Doer have a pub to go nearish the stadium?

Would definitely give Gardos and Targett a start. Hopefully Morgan makes it and I'm looking forward to seeing JWP back. Hoping Mane is nowhere near the team, if Tadic needs a rest I'd rather see Mayuka out there. Getting down there about 4pm so should be in the pub for 5 - looking forward to it!

Perhaps. But how can he be expected to be match sharp if he hasn't played, especially at a new team? Yoshida isn't the worst centre back I've ever seen, but I'd rather see Gardos given the chance to make the position his own if we are short at CB. Then again, I absolutely trust RK's judgement.

Every goalkeeper makes mistakes, Forster - over the years - has shown himself to be very assured and an outstanding shot stopper. Mistakes are few and far between but, like any goalkeeper, it's easy to highlight them when they occur as it almost always leads to goals. We are fortunate to have him and he will only get better as he matures as a goalkeeper.

Gardos came in with a very good reputation so it's been quite surprising that he's had so little football - though we've seen this before... Not a fan of 3 at the back as it leaves us very exposed down the wings and I'm not sure it's as easy to adapt to a back 3 from a back 4 as you'd think. I'd prefer we stick to the shape that has served us well and the players, collectively, are comfortable playing. Just a shame that all these injuries have occurred when we can least afford them.

As above, ordered on General Sale on Monday morning and received Saturday.

Managed to book a room at the Holiday Inn, a queen size bed, a double bed and a double sofa bed (room must be massive) with breakfast thrown in for £45.00 - chuffed with that. Only £95.75 for travel, match ticket and hotel coming down from the West of Scotland, hopefully we'll have a result to celebrate.

Managed to get tickets this morning on general sale. Happy days.

I just got a reply from the club - "I can confirm that we do have the option to take an additional allocation of tickets, should the demand in tickets be high enough." Positive news.

Fingers crossed this one makes it to general sale. Have already booked the time off work to come down from Glasgow for this one, probably wouldn't have done so if I knew we were only getting 2,500 tickets. Suppose there's always the home end....

Did he? Just reported up here today. Apologies if it's been discussed on here before... haven't been on much lately.

Oh dear.... http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/uk-world-news/former-celtic-goalie-artur-boruc-4286032

Strip looks ok but a bit imbalanced with the badge on the left and nothing on the right. Perhaps the players numbers will go on the right as was the case with an England kit a couple of years ago? Would improve the look IMO

Rudi Skacel set to sign for Alloa Athletic. What a signing for them! http://m.scotsman.com/sport/football/latest/rudi-skacel-set-to-seal-scottish-football-return-1-3263569