DantheDon

With Hibs battering Dundee that’s the race for third looking a tough ask. Effectively a four point gap with them having an insurmountably better goal difference. They also don’t look like slowing down and while we have been better, I’m not convinced we will pick up a heap more points post split.

I think it was that conceding the first goal. It was such a poor goal to concede. I actually thought they had damage limitation in mind for the second half, wanting to conserve energy for their European game midweek. So to concede two goals against a team that barely posed any attacking threat is especially poor.

Had a feeling that would happen ever since we conceded. Poor result considering where we were at half time.

You make some good points, but I disagree with this one. What would happen is that the old firm would buy up all the decent Scottish talent and sign anyone half decent on pre-contracts. They already do to some extent (see Conner Barron, Lyall Cameron etc). The only thing this would do is force teams like ourselves to blood young players whether they are ready or not actually weakening us. Add to this the real problem that most Scottish teams are having retaining there best youngsters due to clubs down south poaching them and I could only see this widening the gap between us and the old firm.

I know we are looking to third place. But there are some connotations regards the top six. I believe if we were to not lose and as long as hearts don’t beat Celtic at Celtic park, that guarantees us to be in the top six. Motherwell and Hearts play each other in the last game before the split so only one of them would be able to better our points tally with two games remaining. Of course a win would be great and a must I think if we are to get 3rd and that automatic European qualification.

I was hoping that with Mackenzies performances dropping off any interest in him may have cooled and there is a chance he will stay. That said if he’s looking for a decent payday there’s no doubt a championship club will be able to offer him a deal with an order of magnitude higher wages.

Straight swap would be good. Nobody talking about the draw yet. Hearts at Hamden and if we can beat them likely meeting Celtic in the final, barring a massive shock.

I’ve no doubt that there is more to come from Okkels but if the reported 1M price tag is correct I think it’s very hard to justify at this point. Not against signing him, in general just think thats too much to pay on his current showing.

I think the mistake is making a triple change all in one go when you’re so dominant. It’s fine if you’re not doing great but when you are playing as-well as we were it’s bound to disrupt the flow of the team. I think guys like Boyd getting minutes is great but if you have Nisbet in front of him it will give him a bit more to show what he can actually do.

Assuming the option to buy Okkels is for a significant six figure fee I can’t see us bringing him in. His form would really have to take off in the remaining games. He just hasn’t done enough, I would rather give one of our young guys an opportunity next season based on what I’ve seen so far. Out 3-1 Nisbet Hatrick

I think we would have to be really unlucky to not make the top six at this point. So I think we are hoping we can compete for third. As I’ve said elsewhere if Hibs keep up their current form I can’t see us managing it. Things should be a bit clearer after this weekend. If Hibs were to knock Celtic out then it won’t make all that much difference if we finish Third or fifth, just have to win the cup.

I would rather be in Europe next season and not get third, as it’s unlikely we get guaranteed European group stage football after this season, as has been said above. I do think if we want the guaranteed euro place in future it’s up to the representatives outwith the old firm to start getting through qualifiers. I know it’s hit or miss based on who you draw how realistic that is. I hope that our current defensive woes will resolve themselves as the new guys get more time together. I know some are hopeful Hibs form will drop off but their confidence will be high at the moment, so I’m not so sure.

That’s Hibs beaten Hearts which is not what we would’ve wanted ideally. Think even if we can find some form we have a real battle on for third. Think we need to get the confidence up and win as many games as possible prior to the split now.

From Thelins statement it sounds as if he had been told he wasn’t going to get game time. He reminds me of Efe Ambrose in that he was a decent player generally but just too prone to a howler.

I haven’t seen him in person yet but Wikipedia says he’s 6ft 2in? Is that wrong Rico?