2007 / 2008 - In and Outs

2007/08 Ins and Outs


In -


Kieran McAnespie (Alloa - £11,750)
Darren McGeough (Celtic)
Lee Robinson (Rangers - 1 year loan)
Jay Shields (Unattached - Free)
Adam Coakley (Unattached - Free)
Iain Russell (Brechin - £40,000)
Michael Gardyne (Celtic - Free)
Ryan McGuffie (Gretna - Free)
Barry Smith (Valur - 4month loan)
Brian Wake (Hamilton - Free)
Allan Jenkins (Gretna)
Eric Paartalu (Gretna - Free)

Out -


Paul McGowan (Loan Ended)
Paul Mathers (Rejected Contract)
Ryan Russell (Rejected Contract)
Kenny McLean (Released)
Mick Fulton (Released - Largs)
Alan Gilbride (Stenhousemuir -
season loan)
Adam Coakley (Alloa - 1 month loan)
Bobby Linn (East Fife - 3 month loan)
Adam Coakley (Stranraer - 1 month loan)
Dean Keenan (Ayr - 3 month loan)
Bobby Linn (East Fife - Unknown)
Adam Coakley (Released)
David McLeod (Released)
Michael Gardyne (Ross County)
Gary Phillip (Released Greenock Juniors)
Gary Loughran (Released Greenock Juniors)
Chris Templeman (East Fife)
Craig Black (East Stirling - loan)

Limited Changes On Saturday, If Any

Morton boss Davie Irons has told the Greenock Telegraph's Roger Graham that there might not be any changes from the team that beat Dunfermline so convincingly last week. Irons said: “I don’t think anyone would expect changes after last week; there certainly won’t be many, if any."

The only change I can think of would be to put Allan Jenkins in for Chris Millar - who hasn't been on form the last few weeks. I know this is potentially Millar's last game but as someone said on the Morton messageboard there's no room for sentiment in a game of this importance.

The former Gretna manager also talks about the importance the fans can play on Saturday: “The fans’ backing is hugely important. I have said to the players ‘just think what a lift you’ll get when you see one end of the ground all blue and white’. It makes a big difference.”

To read the full preview click here: http://www.greenocktelegraph.co.uk/articles/2/23263

Sportsound

I've just listened to an abbreviated Podcast of Davie Irons guest slot on Sportsound's regular Tuesday feature 'Beyond The SPL'. Here's a short run down of what was said:

Rather than be introduced as 'Davie Irons: Morton manager' the podcast narrator (if that's the right word) called him 'ex-Gretna boss Davie Irons' - quite annoying considering the programme is called 'Beyond The SPL'.

Irons was only given a small segment and in his conversation with Des McKeown and Bill Leckie he said that the product (Scottish Football) needs to be changed, referring to the fixture chaos and specifically the number of times each team plays each other in a season.

The talk then turns to the play-offs and Irons seems quite incredulous about the fact we may have to play a two legged play-off before the play-offs. He seemed particularly annoyed that either ourselves or Clyde may have to play another six matches to avoid relegation.

Bill Leckie then highlighted a quote from Irons that appeared in that day's papers. Irons was quoted as saying he believes that should Gretna go out of business that "Everybody should be bumped up one place". This would mean that Stiring Albion would compete in the play-offs in place of us or Clyde. Des McKeown disagrees stating that he thinks Stirling Albion's poor season means they deserve to go down and bumping everyone up one would simply reward teams who had poor seasons. Irons counters by suggesting that if the team are not bumped up three teams from the 2nd division could benefit (because the play-off semi-finals would become, in effect, finals with both winners being promoted / staying in the 1st division). The podcast then cut out asking for listeners views.

Listen here (Episode: ScotFoot: 23 Apr 08 SPL fixture row): http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio/podcasts/scotfoot/

Clyde's Perspective

Clyde manager John Brown has identified the fact that our fixture is away from home as a positive in his team's fight to avoid the play-offs. The former Rangers player is quoted on Clyde's official website as saying: "The fight going to the last day is a situation I always suspected might happen. We've got to win the game and the boys will be up for it. Morton have a difficult game away from home and we have to look on that as a positive."

The Bully Wee have, on paper, the easiest fixture possible - a home match against already relegated Stirling Albion. Brown knows his team must better our result and has indicated that he will set-up with an attacking formation: "We managed to score three against Livingston in our last home match and we'll be setting up to have a go. We're going to create chances but we must also make sure that we don't give away too many opportunities at the back." Morton fans must take heart from Stirling's 3-1 win at home to St. Johnstone. Let's hope last night's result is an indicator that they haven't downed tools for the season just yet.

On the injury front we have suffered a bit of a blow in that Jorg Albertz (pictured) will be fit to play after recovering from a hamstring strain. Michael McGowan also returns from suspension. On the bright side highly rated defender - and captain - Neil McGregor is suspended following his red card against Hamilton Accies last week.

Personally, I think Clyde will win their game. Hopefully we will do the same - but more convincingly.

http://www.clydefc.co.uk/news/2008/04/21/2697/

http://www.eveningtimes.co.uk/sport/display.var.2221936.0.0.php

Draw Made For Play-Offs Play-Off

The SFL have made a final decision on what will happen should we finish level on points, goal difference and goals scored with Clyde - a two legged play-off on the dates originally set aside for the semi-finals of the play-offs proper.

On Tuesday the SFL held a draw to determine the schedule for the proposed matches and the results were as follows:

Wednesday 30th April - Clyde v Morton at Broadwood
Saturday 3rd May - Morton v Clyde at Cappielow

At least we're at home in the second leg.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/scot_div_1/7363835.stm

Walker Prefers Defensive Role

In today's Greenock Telegraph Steven McArthur talks to Alex Walker about the injury he sustained the last time we visited Firhill and his return to the starting line-up against Dunfermline last Saturday.

What I found interesting was that in the article McArthur states that Walker's preferred position is on the left side of a three man central defence: "Versatile Walker was outstanding last week as he bolstered the left side of the defence — his preferred position — also setting up Ryan Harding’s decisive second goal with a well-placed free kick."

A lot of supporters would like to see Walker starting in the midfield - where he performed impressively at the start of his Morton career (he has also played left-back, right-back and centre-half) - but this news seems to suggest a return to the midfield is unlikely.

Whatever his position it's good to see him back in the first eleven as I think his ability merits a starting place. I know of at least one current squad member who rates Walker as one of the best players at the club.

http://www.greenocktelegraph.co.uk/articles/2/23030

Play-Off For The Play-Offs

Both the Evening Times and the Greenock Telegraph have confirmed that we will have to play a play-off with Clyde should we finish on the same goal difference, goal scored and goals conceded after next week's matches.

However, the SFL have not decided if this play-off should be a two legged home and away affair or a one off match at a neutral venue. In Bert Mitchell's Evening Times article it says: "It is understood SFL bosses have started to canvas the league management committee for a decision on whether such an encounter between the Ton and the Bully Wee should be over two legs home and away or on a one-off encounter at a neutral venue. A decision is expected within the next 24 hours. But with the play-offs scheduled to start on Wednesday , April 30, a further play-off decider will almost certainly extend the season by a week."

http://www.eveningtimes.co.uk/sport/display.var.2214527.0.0.php

http://www.greenocktelegraph.co.uk/articles/2/23001

McCall Considers His Team Selection

In today's Evening Times Partick Thistle manager Ian McCall talks about next week's encounter at Firhill.

McCall said: "Morton will come to Firhill needing a win to avoid the play-offs. With Clyde having Stirling, who are already down, the fixture with us is a massive one for the Ton. In that respect I am sure they will bring a big support and for the last game in the season I am sure this will be a fixture that has a real edge. I will think long and hard about my team for Saturday and of course, we want to go out on a high in front of our own support at Firhill."

http://www.eveningtimes.co.uk/sport/display.var.2211583.0.lacklustre_jags_tamed_by_lions.php

Paartalu: "I'd Love To Stay Here"

Erik Paartalu's contract expires at the end of this month. We know that he will be eligible to play in the play-offs should we be in them but what of next season? In Saturday's match day programme Paartalu tells Andrew Bowman that he'd love to stay at Cappielow but the start of the reply sort of hints that it would depend on what division we are in.

In the regular 'An Interview With...' article Bowman asked the Australian "Your contract runs until the end of the season. Would you be interested in staying longer?". Paartalu replied by saying: "I'll wait until the end of the season before I worry about the next one. I haven't been approached by anyone and my only focus is on keeping Morton in the first division. I presume I'll be back here for pre-season training and we'll see what happens. I'd love to stay here though as the club is obviously going places and I've been impressed by what I've seen since I've been here."

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