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Ha ha, not on this occasion! It was aimed at the article writers, who are essentially putting out unquestioned PR, I suspect leaked from one of the two cheeks. However, I would absolutely include the number one broadcaster in my criticism. Doncaster has appeared on radio Scotland numerous occasions and never been adequately questioned. It almost always concentrates on a single small issue rather than the bigger picture of Scottish football. To the extent that things like league construction become an abstract concept that focuses on a number. You might as well ask a group of fifty kids what their favourite number is out of 10, 12, 14 or 16 and just go with the most popular. The format of the league in and of itself is largely irrelevant. Given that this is the fortieth anniversary of two teams solely winning our league - the worst period in Scottish football, if measured by sport - maybe you could write an article discussing the problem? If you were critical enough, and direct enough, then it might start some discussion. Do you think it would, hypothetically? Or do you think it would simply be brushed off (it's just the way it is, look at countries X, Y and Z) for tedious discussion about VAR or the Huns new manager? I think the latter. The point I was originally making is that fairness doesn't even seem to be a consideration by those that are paid to regularly discuss our game on the BBC (radio. Other broadcasters are exempt from criticism as they actively pursue the inequality as their business model). They don't see it as integral, when it should be the number one consideration. They should be discussing it every single week, and planning how to reduce the staggering inequality. Yet, it isn't even acknowledged as a problem. It's like some natural phenomenon that just happens, controlled by the gods. We can't even name the problem. Numerous discussions go by about the state of the game, or the state of the national side, but inequality has not once been pinpointed as the single greatest problem that underpins the rest. Which it undeniably is. Does it not seem ridiculous to you as someone who writes about the game that league reconstruction is being mooted without recourse to fairness? I think the answer is that it doesn't seem ridiculous, because fairness is so far removed from discourse that it would actually seem weird to hear it being discussed. My preference would be a 16 team league, so that we reduce the number of scum games per season and so that can never again be used as to strong arm clubs that apparently require the blue/green pound. It would also prevent TV companies from holding us to ransom in a similar vein. Thus, it would be targeting fairness first. I think 30 games is perfect, we could ditch three shitey midweek fixtures. However, if clubs require it, then create playoffs for European and relegation places. Second to fifth play off for European spots, and eleventh to fourteenth for third relegation. Teams in sixth to tenth have a set of playoffs designed to give young players a chance, with four youth players required in each starting eleven and two on the bench. Give it a promotional name like the youth presentation cup and get a sponsor. Fairness would come from the European spots being shared, with several teams given the opportunity to play champions league qualifying if Scotland has that route, and others given the opportunity to play Europa or conference. League winners could be given the opportunity for a lucrative fixture elsewhere, or bask in their glory for a few weeks. There should be no monetary prizes for league placing, as these exacerbate inequality (and no player is playing, or trying harder, so that their club can win X amount more money). European prize money should be declared a product of the league itself - because it is - and captured by the SPFL and apportioned equally. Again, this would negate the unearned compounding effect of European qualification that ruins every league in Europe (bar the English, who have discovered that the difference between having £200M and £100M in spending has a lessening effect). The steps towards something like the above begin with those paid to represent our game actually discussing fairness. Every time Brendan Rogers is interviewed, don't say "Brendan, how was that for you today?", say "Brendan, you have eight fold the budget of your opponent today, do you think a three goal margin is enough at home?". Celtic are one goal off of a three goals per game average over an entire season. That is horrific and something to be ashamed of. It's not sport. That should be the default position of anyone paid to discuss the game in our country. If they're not interested in sport, not interested in fairness, then they shouldn't be on our national broadcaster. That shouldn't even be remotely controversial.

He was physical and aggressive and the Motherwell players did their best to get him sent off. The whole team were more aggressive in the first half in particular and it got to the point I thought his next foul would be a red. And to be fair, his scissors tackle could have been red. At the same time, what’s the alternative? Nobody stands out and nobody is consistent, plus as mentioned, he’s decent in the air which is a factor against county. He also plays the 10 and fills that space reasonably well, we don’t really have another attack minded player for that role. Gueye is much like duk, could be crap, could be a game changer. 2-1 us, gueye and nisbet.

You scissor someone with a tackle you are riding your luck these days.

Well some would have one game as opposed to four for a start, and there's TV and some sizeable gate receipt money to be had if they land a group with one of the 'big guns' - more often than not at least one of hearts, Hibs and Aberdeen are in it.

Finished 4-4 with Real Madrid progressing 5-4 on aggregate. Second semi final between Atletico Madrid and Barcelona is tomorrow night. First leg was 4-4.

In Germany Arminia Bielefeld from 3rd division beat Bayer Leverkusen 2-1 to put them out of German Cup and make final.

Do they make much less cash from taking league cup back to straight knockout?

Hey, I'm just the messenger, you're not going to blame are you? Oh, you are. DM me your questions and I'll put them to Neil Doncaster in our weekly catch up. You started off saying "the rest of us", then went on to forget about the 30 or so clubs who rely on the income from the League Cup group stages.

Going into extra time now.

Sociedad go 4-3 ahead to take tie to 4-4 aggregate.

3-3 now. Sociedad keeper flogging the Real Madrid equaliser on the night. 4-3 on aggregate now.

Real get it back to 2-3 and level the tie again. Both sides going for it.

Sociedad 3-1 up and now ahead in the tie.

Sociedad 2-1 up and level up tie 2-2 on aggregate. Good game this.

Madrid back level and a head in the tie.

This is only being done to benefit the usual two and not the rest of us. If they want to reduce fixtures for rest of top flight then ditch the league cup group games and go back to straight knockout format. Means could start league games earlier and create space later in calendar. Would not benefit either of the bigots but might others.

Real Sociedad level tie in Spanish cup semi final. On Premier Sports just now.

The main driver? What about increasing fairness, and the competition as a sport? Surely that should be the number one driver of all changes within the game? We're going through the worst period in Scottish football history, with no end in sight, yet no journalist or commentator will ever address the root problem.

In the most un Hun like way I can put this, today is confirmation of what we all knew. Justice at last financially, but for those that gave up on the opportunity of being a professional footballer, I would strongly suggest it isn't really justice

Does it need to change? I’ve seen some say online that it needs to, but I actually like the system. It works. Wouldn’t mind a 14 league setup, it’s actually what the a-league are striving towards as well, although once the top 6 breakaway, the season ends for the rest. im genuinely surprised we’re even talking about it, the cheeks need to get a grip.

The story landing on April Fool's day may have you questioning it, but league reconstruction is on the cards. The Herald are reporting the plan is a 10-team league, but it's only one option being discussed. A 14-team league or even a 16-team league are also on the table. Main driver is to reduce the number of league games due to the increase in European matches (translated: The Old Firm have more European games so want fewer league games). A 10-team league seems pretty backwards. I don't see any realistic way a 16-team league works without there being a big cut in TV revenue (and it would be too big a drop from 38 games to 30 for many as well). An 18-team league playing each other twice isn't being considered AFAIA. Greece have a 14-team league, splits after two rounds of fixtures into a top 6 and bottom 8, then has play-offs. Potentially you could have the team that finishes seventh (to keep the bottom 8 interesting for those not fighting relegation) enter a play-off style system along the lines of the current Scottish Championship one (seventh v fifth, winners of that play fourth for the final European spot). That would reduce the fixtures from 38 to 36 for those that want it, give the bottom eight clubs an extra home game to make up for losing some revenue by not play Aberdeen, add some 'new' teams to the fixture list, and the tv companies get to keep their coveted four Old Firm games.

Don't agree that he rode his luck. No fouls that he committed on Saturday were worthy of more than the single yellow card that he got. Motherwell players hitting the deck as soon as they're within spitting distance of Gueye doesn't constitute him riding his luck IMO. I thought Gueye was good at the weekend. I do note that I appear to be in the minority there right enough. I thought his play was mostly tidy and he causes defenders problems. And as you say I think we might need his physicality.

Agreed. I was actually put off when I heard it was a Netflix thing because as you say much of their stuff (recently at least) is shite but there is the odd exception. This being one of them. Also watched A Thousand Blows recently too. Another Stephen Graham one (Although I think this one is Sky Atlantic rather than Netflix? Could be wrong). It's OK. A genuinely struggled with the Jamaican accents at times though.

This one has banana skin written all over it. With Don Cowie fast becoming the new Levien in terms of how his team plays I'm not expecting a classic. I am very much expecting a difficult afternoon though as we can't defend crosses and county have loads of height in their team. That said, if we can move the ball like we did at the weekend they will struggle to live with us..... If. It will be interesting to see if JT makes any changes or sticks with the same 11. I would would consider dropping Gueye myself, I just don't rate him through the middle and he really rode his luck at the weekend re not getting sent off. That said though his stature could be handy against a team full of giants..... Fingers crossed we can get an early goal otherwise it's going to be a tense afternoon In either drinking in Dingwall or Inverness away end Back to Inverness and we will see what the management says we are doing in the evening 2-1 Dons Nisbet and Okkels

It was tongue in cheek, he's a better fullback than Shinnie. I think he'll feel he can get at least a year of higher earnings before returning to Scotland. In my opinion, if he goes abroad, he'll get a few good years. He'll get chewed up in the English lower leagues and be back in a year.