GG Riva

Todorov and McDonald have known for a while that they weren't being offered a new contract and were gutted about it. They've loved their time here but, as has been said, the manager has tough decisions to make and some players have to leave to make room for others coming in. I havent spoken to O'Hara but it's likely he was in the same boat. You'd think their agents have been busy phoning around other clubs, to try and secure them a new contract, otherwise they're not doing their job. Eta. Why do you think Mehmet might move to England? Just because he's English? Maybe if he's pining for home and his local club come in for him. I think he's from Birmingham. If he's offered a new, improved deal, he won't be going anywhere. He loves it here.

Are you privy to the salaries of individual players or are you just speculating? Not saying you're wrong, just wondering how you would be in possession of such confidential information. 🤔

Good luck to him wherever he ends up, but I doubt he or any other player could honestly say he enjoyed last season any more than we did. He was unlucky to pick up that injury but it was on the cards that he'd be away as he perhaps hasn't done enough to show he deserves a new deal at a higher level. I expect at least a couple of others to be announced as leaving us next week.

If your source is a mate or relative of Sam, I think the info could be quite reliable. 🙂 It would also be dependent on Dundee having informed him that he wouldn't be offered a new contract no matter what, a while back and he was free to find himself a new club.

The same thought occurred to me. I wonder if Dundee will now release him as a result of going up and bring in some more experienced defenders, or offer him a new deal as he is seen as a good option on the bench? I know if Dundee were to let him go and McPake wanted him, he'd sign for the Pars in a heart beat. He loved his time at EEP and said the squad consists of a great bunch of lads. I'd sign him before Euan Murray. He was a good player for us but his best days are behind him. Sam has a promising career ahead of him and would be an excellent acquisition.

Cheers. It may be that Breen missed a few games through injury and/ or I've misremembered.

Good stuff. The lad has done well and fully deserves his new contract. Am I right in thinking he wasn't a regular starter when Sam Fisher was here?

It's no secret that our promotion back to the Championship means that the management team will want to bolster the squad with a number of better players to make us competitive at the higher level. With a finite budget, this will result in some players who are out of contract moving on. It will be an anxious time for those players whose contracts are not renewed, particularly those with families to support. I've been privileged to work with a total of 22 players in the Pars Tackle Health school visits this season. The schools engagement programme has been running since 2014 and without a doubt, the players who have taken part this season have been the best yet. Every single last one has been an excellent ambassador for the club, being articulate and enthusiastic in their efforts to get local school children to make positive changes to their lifestyles to improve their health and wellbeing. I'd like to thank those players who are leaving* the Pars at the end of this week, for their contributions both on the pitch and in the local community and wish them the best of luck in finding a new club. *Thanks to those who are staying, too, of course. I look forward to working with them again next season.

It sure is - considering we've only played 35 games. 😃 You wouldn't believe I passed H Maths. I'll edit the OP now. This Auldtimer's isn't funny. ☹️

The stats for our first season under Alan Johnston and this season are very similar. Season 2015/16; P36 W24 D7 L5 GF83 GA30 PTS 79. Season 2022/23; P35 W22 D12 L1 GF61 GA21 PTS 78. With one game to go, we could match or beat our points total, but we`ve noticeably lost fewer games and drawn more. We`ve also been involved in games with fewer goals (31 before Alloa.) How do you rate these seasons in terms of quality of football, excitement and entertainment?

None of us like paying more for something but, if we want the manager to put out a competitive team in the Championship, he's going to need to strengthen the squad. Better players will want better wages. Income from other sources is still pretty meagre in the Championship. Once taxes are deducted, less than half of your £21 is profit. Factor in inflation and you'll realise that David Cook has made a very good job of squaring the circle. Failure to provide the manager with an adequate budget, would almost inevitably result in a relegation scrap next season. None of us want that. I want to see us in the promotion mix. If we can't achieve that, I want us to at least be well clear of the strugglers.

I thought I'd share this with my fellow Pars fans. Mrs Riva and I share a car as we're both retired and only use it sparingly. I retired first so I put her down as the main driver, which resulted in a significant saving on our annual premium. It's been quite steady during these last 10 years but our renewal letter for the next 12 months contained a hefty hike. (I couldn`t decide if it was the fault of the energy crisis, the war in Ukraine or Brexit.) I went on the website of the same insurance company we've used for about 30 years and completed an application form for us with me as the main driver. Well, whadda you know? It's £100 cheaper than the quote in the letter...... 🤔

I hate to be a party pooper but I think the game will be one to forget. It's effectively a dead rubber. The league is done and dusted and Clyde will be thinking about the upcoming relegation play offs, so neither side will be busting a gut. I can foresee a midfield stalemate with few or no goals. Had Bene been playing he would have certainly urged the team to greater efforts. The biggest cheer could well be reserved for the final whistle and nobody will dare to boo because Bene will be lifting the trophy. Is this the most gloomy post ever on this forum. 🤔

I can confirm that Todorov is happy at EEP. He would obviously like more game time but said he can't complain when those starting ahead of him are playing well and getting good results. He also said it's up to him to convince the manager he should be starting when he gets on. A manager needs players with that attitude rather than those who moan continuously when they're not playing.

I can vouch for that. A good character as well as a decent defender. Ironically, he might not have nailed down a starting place if Dundee hadn't recalled Sam Fisher.

To be absolutely clear, I've no problem with us getting professionals in to carry out the most important jobs at the club - as long as we can afford it and as I alluded further up, if David and Alister earn their corn, we'll not be any worse off and we could even be conceivably better off. If they can help us reach the Premiership - and consolidate our place there - job done. 🙂

I echo your sentiments, S'ally, but can't help but feel a tinge of regret at how things have turned out for the Pars. We now have two paid employees doing what Ross McArthur did for nothing. I suppose if David Cook and Alister are instrumental in driving us back to the top flight and maximise the club's income, none of us will complain too much.

Airdrie may not be able to overtake Falkirk, but they'll be wanting to ensure they finish above Alloa to avoid having to play a team from the Championship in the semi-final. It also depends on how strong a team James McPake puts out. I rather fancy he will rest some of our most regular starters and give a few fringe players a chance to shine. It's also likely that our players will suffer a reaction from their efforts v QOS and are unlikely to be as up for this fixture. I'd never bet against the Pars but if I did, this would be an ideal time to make a few quid.

Is he not only 19? Plenty of time to develop into a top player with good coaching.

Said on another thread that Sam loved his time here and admitted to me that if Dundee don't offer him a new deal he wouldn't need much convincing to sign for us.

Heard the same from various people at EEP today.

Somebody beside me said McPake motioned to him to leave the field on the far side. If that's correct then it's excellent man management. What player wouldn't want to play for a club where he's so loved by its fans, as long as the money is decent?

Is he out of contract at the end of the season?

Yes, I think he would be happy to stay. He told me he was loving it here some 3 months ago, when he wasn't getting anything like the game time he is now. Both he and Sam Fisher said the squad is a great bunch of lads who all get on really well, on and off the park.

I never had you down as the type of guy who would stoop to posting rumours, Digs. The same rumour is flying on Daftnet, mind you, so it must be true.... 😉