2017/18 Ins and Outs Thread

ianlivi wrote:Anybody hear the rumour yesterday of two of our central defenders off to Motherwell?

Nope, but if it's true I hope we are getting decent money for them.

Derek Lyle has been told he can leave Queen of the South. Wonder if Hopkin will try to bring him in.

Also see that Gregor Buchanan could be out the door at St Mirren, wouldn't be surprised if Hoppy tries to bring him in for a bit more cover at the back.

Lyle has a habit of scoring against us. He could be the type of forward we need.

The more I think about it, the more I’m coming round to the idea of Lyle signing. He almost always scores against us, and reminds me of Iain Russell a bit, filling the role of panto villain well. Given he’s four months away from retirement, this could be the last hurrah for him? Helping a team like us to the top four would be a fairly monumental achievement, particularly if it’s in place of Gary Naysmith’s QoS, who’s told him he can leave in his testimonial year. If that’s not incentive to prove someone wrong, I don’t know what is.

Afro wrote:The more I think about it, the more I’m coming round to the idea of Lyle signing. He almost always scores against us, and reminds me of Iain Russell a bit, filling the role of panto villain well. Given he’s four months away from retirement, this could be the last hurrah for him? Helping a team like us to the top four would be a fairly monumental achievement, particularly if it’s in place of Gary Naysmith’s QoS, who’s told him he can leave in his testimonial year. If that’s not incentive to prove someone wrong, I don’t know what is.

Speaking of Iain Russell, chance he'll be playing in this league again soon... Dumbarton looking to bring him out of retirement.

LiviLion wrote:

Afro wrote:The more I think about it, the more I’m coming round to the idea of Lyle signing. He almost always scores against us, and reminds me of Iain Russell a bit, filling the role of panto villain well. Given he’s four months away from retirement, this could be the last hurrah for him? Helping a team like us to the top four would be a fairly monumental achievement, particularly if it’s in place of Gary Naysmith’s QoS, who’s told him he can leave in his testimonial year. If that’s not incentive to prove someone wrong, I don’t know what is.

Speaking of Iain Russell, chance he'll be playing in this league again soon... Dumbarton looking to bring him out of retirement.

That is incredible desperation. I wouldn’t be joyous if he rocked back up at the Macarena in a Livingston shirt, no siree...

If he's willing to come to us on a significantly reduced wage then I think we should take him. I wouldn't be surprised though if he gets a move to Dunfermline since he worked with Allan Johnston when they worked together at Queens or Raith because of Barry Smith when they were at Dundee.

Gregor Buchanan expected to sign for us soon.

Much needed defensive cover and has experience with at least avoiding relegation in this league with Dumbarton. If he's playing and we're not losing then I'll be happy.

Good news but I hope it doesn't signal the loss of Halkett/Gallaher (not that I'd begrudge either a move-they've done us proud) at least until end of season. Just need a goalscorer now!

ianlivi wrote:Good news but I hope it doesn't signal the loss of Halkett/Gallaher (not that I'd begrudge either a move-they've done us proud) at least until end of season. Just need a goalscorer now!

I'd be surprised if it does, means we've got 4 CBs now which we've needed by playing 3 at the back.

Not sure Lyle will actually move tbh, in his testimonial year so he'll probably just stick it out and try to fight his way back into their team. Not sure who else we could be looking at, would imagine we'll be looking at another loan player.*

*Actually, unless we're losing McMillan, I don't think we can bring anyone else in. Not 100% on the rule but sure we can only have 4 domestic loans at one time, think we're allowed to get someone from outside of Scotland though.

Dale Carrick has signed for Airdrie.

Wow another move hopefully free up some monies for another striker. Quite liked Carrick but never quite lived up to expectations with us wish him all the best at Airdrie where he should do well

First Danny now Dale and we go and bring in a defender although ive heard hes pretty decent the boy Buchannon.With all the rumours going about us losing a couple of our defenders in this transfer window it kinda worries me a wee bit when we are arguably at our strongest at the back this season barring injuries and suspensions.Yes i know that we cant hold these guys back from going on to better themselves but unfortunatly being a Livi fan we are well used to the frustration this causes us.Will put my trust in Hoppy as hes already exceeded my expectations of the man.Oh and a new striker wouldnt go a miss if possible,Cheers!!!

I get the impression Carrick was only ever a stop gap once Liam B left. He never seemed to get the nod ahead of anyone else who came in. So I can understand him wanting more game time and moving on when not being given assurances that he would get it. Particularly galling when no one is exactly setting the heather alight with their goal scoring.

Gregor Buchanan, assuming he is experienced, means we have 4 CBs to cover 3 at the back or we can jiggle them into a back 4 mixing and matching with Longridge where necessary.

Official report on Carrick's departure is that it frees up some budget to hopefully add to the squad, so hopefully we get a forward in soon

Carrick didn't really show anything that made him look like a top Championship striker. Maybe he just needed a longer run of games but I think mid-table League 1 is probably his level, at least for now anyway. Can't complain about him going tbh, when we're playing midfielders up front instead of him it's clear he wasn't rated very highly and I'm sure we'll have someone in to replace him shortly.

His work rate was vastly superior to Mackin's but the latter seems to be one of those guys that the ball seems to find in a crowded box. Most of his goals have been feeding on scraps. The 1 at Dumbarton was different in that it was put on a silver platter with a bow tied round it but usually his goals come when the ball drops to him off a rebound. Doesn't happen often enough though.

On his day, Carrick is a decent player for this level. For all the running that he can do, he seems more of a poacher if you look at his goals against St Mirren this season. I'm disappointed that he's left but he can only rarely play a full 90 minutes and for the tight budget that we're on, we need players who are fit enough and injury-free to be playing a full match every week. It is unfortunate that he seems to get injured regularly but at this level, we can't afford that.

Delighted with the signing of Buchanan, gives us a much-needed backup in defence, and competition for the 3 CB spaces with 4 quality CB's at the club. Also means we can move Toddy back up front.

Carrick - decent enough player on the ball, and worked hard, but just not good enough at this level at the moment. Least he'll get a regular game at Airdrie and the chance to build form.

Only thing is this really leaves us with only 2 out-and-out strikers (Mackin & Toddy), with the likes of Knox, Boyd & De Vita more of an attacking mid threat. I'd like to see 2 strikers in if possible, or at least bringing one of the guys on loan back to the club.

Would love to see Liam Buchanan back but aint gonna happen. We're over our domestic loans for this season though, so will have to be signing. Who else is a free agent at the mo?

Iain Russell to Dumbarton confirmed, and they're also working on getting Derek Lyle. Average age of that squad rocketing

Sure he's expected to head out on loan to a League 2 side. Although that could obviously change if he impresses Hopkin enough to give him some game time.