Supporters Meeting 5th Dec

[Grant]

2 hours ago, Digs said:

I gaurantee there will be some anyway. It never ceases to amaze me at these things how many people waste a great opportunity to get an answer to a real question so they can say something daft thinking it will be the funniest thing anyone has ever heard, when in reality it's the worst patter anyone has ever heard, and everyone is turning themselves inside out due to the 3rd party cringe. Or, they ask something that has been common knowledge for months in an indignant tone to bemusement from the panel and everyone else in attendance, or the question they ask is just something none of them are ever going to answer in a public setting. 

We are REALLY lucky our club do this, if other clubs did this it would end up in a riot, so we, the fans collectively need to appreciate they exist, use it wisely and ask really good questions in a way they will be receptive to answering, rather than demanding things in an entitled way. It's a great resource for fans, and I just wish that more of the keyboard warriors on social media that you see after games would attend. 

I've been to a few of these, and truthfully the last couple I've been too haven't been great. 

I don't think the setting lends itself particularly well for people asking questions, some people won't be particularly confident or comfortable for standing up and asking a question in front of 150 people. 

On the flip side other people seem all to confident to stand up and ask the most self congratulatory pish which leaves me cringing. 

I primarily go for the presentations, although they've not been great recently truth be told(I admittedly didn't attend the last one). I feel more information gets pushed out from yourself on here on the smaller meetings. 

[Piracy]

I enjoy them in the main. I especially enjpy muttering slavering hoor under ma breath 😆 

[Al k]

Anyone going along to this?

Wondered if you could ask a question, haven't saw the details anywhere else so far.

Once the training facilities are completed, what will the staffing levels be? And how we expect (project) that to affect our yearly cost.

E.G. Will there be a significant increase, gk, def, mid, attack and tatics etc.. coaching used across the multiple age ranges and squads or is worked around the existing groups on differing days?

Sorry I can't think of a better way to word it. I guessing there will be an increase and I'm hoping there are plans to plug the gaps, such as an attacking coach at least.

[Digs]

1 hour ago, Al k said:

Anyone going along to this?

Wondered if you could ask a question, haven't saw the details anywhere else so far.

Once the training facilities are completed, what will the staffing levels be? And how we expect (project) that to affect our yearly cost.

E.G. Will there be a significant increase, gk, def, mid, attack and tatics etc.. coaching used across the multiple age ranges and squads or is worked around the existing groups on differing days?

Sorry I can't think of a better way to word it. I guessing there will be an increase and I'm hoping there are plans to plug the gaps, such as an attacking coach at least.

I think you are asking if we will be hiring in more coaches for specialisms when the training facility is built? If so, I'm not sure there would be a reason to do that, as the coaches for all age groups already exist.

It's really just a base for those teams and for community use, it's not a football school in the sense I think you are meaning. This is a dedicated facility to reduce costs in the long run to avoid the payment of pitch and facility fees (which is thousands of pounds a year), as well as giving the whole playing infrastructure somewhere to call home, where they are able to breed the right mentality and really develop the mindset of a footballer as well as their individual abilities, with young players able to be around their older counterparts as well as the first team, which is invaluable, and doesn't really happen at the moment.

[Digs]

On 29/11/2023 at 14:33, Digs said:

We are REALLY lucky our club do this, if other clubs did this it would end up in a riot, so we, the fans collectively need to appreciate they exist, use it wisely and ask really good questions in a way they will be receptive to answering, rather than demanding things in an entitled way. It's a great resource for fans, and I just wish that more of the keyboard warriors on social media that you see after games would attend. 

On a related note, I read today that someone stormed out of the Rangers AGM today after asking if Rangers are going to 'comply with Net Zero', then bizarrely storming out shouting 'No Surrender!' when folk got annoyed at such a ridiculous question. Bizarre.

[parsforlife]

5 minutes ago, Digs said:

On a related note, I read today that someone stormed out of the Rangers AGM today after asking if Rangers are going to 'comply with Net Zero', then bizarrely storming out shouting 'No Surrender!' when folk got annoyed at such a ridiculous question. Bizarre.

I’m not sure it’s a ridiculous question even if the behaviour of the individual and the room in general is bizarre. Businesses get asked about their approach to climate change quite often.

[Rossmcno1]

11 minutes ago, Digs said:

On a related note, I read today that someone stormed out of the Rangers AGM today after asking if Rangers are going to 'comply with Net Zero', then bizarrely storming out shouting 'No Surrender!' when folk got annoyed at such a ridiculous question. Bizarre.

Proper belly laughed there - they are beyond parody at times.  
 

Saying all that, I remember a previous forum where a questioner was ridiculed for asking why there wasn’t a big “Dunfermline athletic” sign on the stadium, and was bold enough to further suggest that attendances would rise as people would know what the building was.  
 

Well, here we are with the stands all fully branded and attendances are up, maybe he wasn’t such a moonhowler after all. 😂😂😂

[Al k]

1 hour ago, Digs said:

I think you are asking if we will be hiring in more coaches for specialisms when the training facility is built? If so, I'm not sure there would be a reason to do that, as the coaches for all age groups already exist.

It's really just a base for those teams and for community use, it's not a football school in the sense I think you are meaning. This is a dedicated facility to reduce costs in the long run to avoid the payment of pitch and facility fees (which is thousands of pounds a year), as well as giving the whole playing infrastructure somewhere to call home, where they are able to breed the right mentality and really develop the mindset of a footballer as well as their individual abilities, with young players able to be around their older counterparts as well as the first team, which is invaluable, and doesn't really happen at the moment.

You've answered that for me then. Thanks

[Digs]

1 hour ago, parsforlife said:

I’m not sure it’s a ridiculous question even if the behaviour of the individual and the room in general is bizarre. Businesses get asked about their approach to climate change quite often.

It's bizarre, and absolutely a ridiculous question in the context in which he asked it, which was in a tinfoil helmet, 'down with this woke nonsense' sort of way. He wasn't asking to hold them to account in their commitments, which is why he was shouted down, then left shouting 'No Surrender' like an absolute maniac. 

[Fifes Elite]

What a hero🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[Piracy]

2 hours ago, Digs said:

It's bizarre, and absolutely a ridiculous question in the context in which he asked it, which was in a tinfoil helmet, 'down with this woke nonsense' sort of way. He wasn't asking to hold them to account in their commitments, which is why he was shouted down, then left shouting 'No Surrender' like an absolute maniac. 

I'd buy the bawbag a pint.

[Raymie]

Was it Kris Boyd?

[Grant]

I thought that was really good, quite a few really good questions which were in turn answered very well by David Cook and McPake. A brief summary on some of the questions that were asked.

Finances - The very first question asked about rumours circulating with regards to our finances, from what I remember he used the term "I heard we were struggling". Cook then answered this by saying that if we are struggling then it was news to him, re affirmed that the intention of the club was to be self sustainable. The original questioner then followed up by asking if we had broke even last season to which Cook answered "In league one? Absolutely not, we lost a fortune" gulp. A figure was then asked which has been kicking about in rumours but Cook replied with that the accounts getting written up right now he wasn't willing to answer on specifics.

50/50/ Programmes - A question with regards to 50/50 tickets and programmes, didn't quite catch it but from the answer it seems we're struggling to find 50/50 and programme sellers, with the amount sold not being great.

Edwards Contract - We have an option of another year on his contract, McPake seemed pretty happy and confident in saying it'll be getting used. Purely my own opinion here but I'd guess the reason this hasn't been taken up, is that we're trying to get more than just a year?

Squad Building - This was a great question, and truthfully I'm not going to be able to do it justice. The question was about how we'd got our squad together, pointing out that despite having known about Jak we didn't sign him till very late on so it seemed like a panic signing, pointing out that neither MoH or Jak have even played half the minutes available. This was mentioned with regards to MoH who hasn't played much despite KRH being injured. McPake to his credit answered this as frankly as he could, said that MoH had got injured and that might've been down to us putting to much load on him in pre-season? And that we had tried to sign Jak last January but it didn't happen. Said that after how well they played coming on against Arbroath they were both due to start against QP.

Lack of goals - McPake said that it was something that was frustrating him, mentioned that they had data on a website which indicated we had the second highest xG in the league behind Dundee United, didn't rule out that they're always looking for improvements in terms of recruitment, however we also need to work with the players we have to improve them.

Training Ground - Question was asked about the modular buildings, and how they weren't originally the plan and what was happening with the building. Cook answered that the 1st phase which they hope to have completed by March/Springtime was for the Astro turf, and grass pitches to be touched up to be ready. The long term plan was still to utilise the building however they feel it needs to be tackled in phases, and it's better to get the team in the training ground. Rising construction costs were mooted.

Re-arranged QP game - We've asked for it to be the Scottish Cup weekend, QP have agreed so we're just waiting on the SFA/SPFL to rubber stamp it.

Playing System - McPake was asked about us predominantly playing a back three, said that we were going to play with a back 3 against QP, but he's not stubborn and will play whatever system he feels is best for the day. In his opinion if we were to move away from a back 3 we would lose some of the effectiveness that we get from KRH and Edwards.

The Raith game - Asked what had gone wrong, again McPake was very open and frank, said that he didn't believe going to a back four helped. They weren't expecting Raith to play with a back three (they hadn't before, or since), he said that Raith had outworked us also. Primarily though he blamed himself.

ParsTV- Question noted it was volunteers and they were appreciated, however said there were weekly groans on dafc.net about the service, asked if the club were aware? Cook replied they they were in constant dialog with ParsTV and it could be improved, service isn't great.

Injures - KRH needs surgery, it will hopefully be this week but there wasn't a timescale on his return.

Bene is back running and wanted to be on the bench for Saturday, was never going to happen but he's keen.

Breen is pretty similar to Bene, McPake hopes that both are back before Christmas.

Tod is progressing, was an issue with the ligament on the outside of his knee.

Summers was back on the bench for the QP game, so he's avalaible.

Moffat should be Ok for this weekend hopefully, wouldn't have made QP because he was still quite tight.

Fisher still had a moon boot on today however the scans have came back showing there's no sever damage, just some aggressive swelling which is why they still have the moon boot on, they hope he'll be back before Bene and Breen, but this Saturday is too soon. Next Saturday though?...

Wotherspoon - His lack of signing was brought up, we had made him an offer that would've made him one of our highest paid players, he had a couple of weeks to sign but he pursued other options, McPake still speaks to him occasionally and it was asked if there was any chance of him signing in January but McPake seemed to indicate he want's to try MLS/Playing in Canada.

Thrown objects - Cook was asked about the potential policing costs of this, thought he came across really well in saying that while he absolutely loves the North West and the atmosphere they create, he cannot understand why anyone would thrown a coin at an opposition player/linesman. Said that a policed game costs us £6,000 per game, and that everytime something is thrown on the pitch we receive a letter asking us how it happened, and what we're doing about it. Says that it will ultimately lead to the club having to police every game, which will cost a ****e ton.

Board outside the stadium - Cook wasn't aware the fixture board outside the stadium wasn't being updated, says that it'll change.

Scouting of players/signing players from further afield - Cook and McPake jointly answered this one, admitted they need to look into the England market more, said we had two loan offers accepted from the club for players down south but both players chose to go elsewhere. It is difficult for those outside the UK because of the work permit requirements, you can go to the board (Can't remember the name of it) to essentially ask for some dispensation which is how we got Gaspuitas, however in the summer we tried to sign a Ghanaian player and they rejected that request. Not long after a further question was asked about the Kenyan defender we have on trial (Faiz?), McPake doesn't think he's quite up to this level at the moment, if the work permit requirements weren't so difficult it would be worth it to sign him for the potential, but that's not really feasible.

Cardle - Is training with us, been a good experienced player in training, especially with all our injuries.

 

 

There's undoubtedly more that I forgot, and if there's any points I've not explained very well just pull me up on it, I thought McPake and Cook done really well tbf, probably moreso McPake who was about as open and as frank as you could hope.

[buspasspar]

Thanks for that Grant .. 

[Al k]

Thanks for the update.