SPL fans' views on the season

BBC Sport Scotland has trawled the country for the sharpest football minds and supporters of each of the 12 SPL clubs.

We've courted their views on how their teams will fare this season and the brave dozen who have agreed to take part will offer their expert views on every ball kicked in anger.

Here, our chosen 12 offer their views on what they've witnessed up to and including the end of October.

ABERDEEN FAN PETER MURCHIE, 37, FROM ABERDEEN

"As the late great David Francey might have said: 'Catastrophe for Aberdeen'.

"Long-suffering Dons fans can take some slight solace from the home win over Kilmarnock, but five consecutive defeats effectively ended this season as a competitive enterprise, or any chance of European football next season.

"And let's face it, with the way Scottish football is currently configured, there's not much else to play for - if you discount the unedifying pride that teams seem to feel with a top-six finish - the equivalent of a good attendance certificate at the school prize day.

"So what ails them? I don't claim the special insights into formations and tactics so beloved of the Dons-supporting Calderwood detractors to be heard any given Saturday on air with James Traynor.

"But even I can notice the hapless Keystone-esque shambles of our so-called defence, shoulder shrugging and heid scratching after being torn apart by the mighty attacking forces of Hamilton or Kilmarnock - aye right!

"To blame the manager, as great sections of our support now do on a daily basis, is, to my mind, too easy. There is something rotten at Pittodrie and it's the attitude of the players.

"Once again, our two best performances of the season have been against the Old Firm when our overpaid, under committed 'stars' have presumably felt themselves to be in the shop window.

"When there's no royal blue or green hoops on display our boys seem to go about their business like a group gathered together for occupational therapy.

"I still rate Calderwood as a manager but even us believers are now starting to struggle to see how things can ever be any different when genuine talent and commitment seem to be in such short supply at Pittodrie."

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CELTIC FAN TOMMY COWAN, 35, FROM GLASGOW

"All in all, the season has been going pretty well. We've recovered from a shaky start and the low of suffering defeat in the Old Firm game at Celtic Park. But it's nice to be top of the league at this stage of the season.

"Gary Caldwell has been superb, despite my worst fears. Scott Brown is also coming onto a great game. But head and shoulders above everyone else has been Georgios Samaras. I was worried he was going to be a bit-part player, but he's been out of this world.

"It's a real blow to lose him to injury just now, but the squad seems strong enough to handle it this season. I've always been in support of Gordon Strachan and it helps when you're consistently winning league titles.

"You can't say too much against the man, and I certainly wouldn't.

"Andreas Hinkel didn't get off to the best of starts in his Celtic career, but he's improved in recent weeks. Our most disappointing performer has been the captain, Stephen McManus.

"Maybe being dropped for a couple of games would do him the world of good, especially with Glenn Loovens being such a competent replacement.

"Just before New Year we've got the second Old Firm game of the season, and the way it's looking, that could decide whether we're top or second. Hibs away probably looks like our only other really tough fixture.

"The highlight for me this season has been our comeback against Aberdeen, which looked impossible at one point. Although we've played far better in other games, that was the most satisfying win from a fan's point of view."

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DUNDEE UNITED FAN MIKE EVANS, 50, FROM DUNDEE

"This season has been great so far, apart from the obvious tragedy for the club with the death of chairman Eddie Thompson.

"Football-wise, it's really going well. Obviously, the start of the season was a real wake-up call.

"We lost a couple of games and dropped to the bottom of the table, but that's now four consecutive league wins. So, sitting fourth with a game in hand, it's as good as we could have done, given the start we had.

"I've been hugely impressed by Scott Robertson and Dixon, from Dundee. Last year, when Christian Kalvenes played, we didn't lose. When he was missing from the team we more often than not stumbled to defeat.

"His position became a bit of an Achilles heel for us. The same seems to be happening this year. But since the lad Dixon slotted in, we've been doing well. Our defence is looking solid.

"When Willo Flood or Morgaro Gomis have gone off the boil, Robertson has played superbly. Also, the return to fitness of Craig Conway has been a real boost.

"Some of our new players are starting to gel too. We're now playing with two up front instead of one.

"Eddie Thompson's death has galvanised the team and brought fans, directors, everyone closer together.

"We should be seeing more from Sandaza. I don't see why we shouldn't be in fourth spot come the New Year. We had 11,500 at the recent St Mirren game, and the fans created a superb atmosphere.

"If we got three quarters of that crowd every week we'd definitely be top three. After a bad start, we're starting to deliver."

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FALKIRK FAN BRIAN GUTHRIE

"Obviously, things are starting to come together after losing our first three or four games but we were carrying a 12-man injury list at the time. Gradually, those players are coming back.

"The new signings have been blooded and everything is starting to fall into place.

"We're the third highest scorers in the SPL, but it's at the other end that there's the problem. We've not suffered any real hammerings this season. Our defeats have mostly been by the odd goal. We've not really had a humping.

"Now we're beginning to take our chances and Steve Lovell has proved a wonderful addition to the squad. Since he's come in, he's almost getting a goal a game for us.

"So, he's been a revelation up front and he gives us more attacking options. Critics thought we were taking a big gamble on Jackie McNamara and Neil McCann. McNamara has played every game this season - so, so much for him being injury-prone.

"He has strolled through the games. He's been man of the match and highly-rated by most pundits. Some Falkirk fans have suggested that he's good enough to get back into the Scotland set-up. I don't see why not, as he's certainly not any worse than what we've got.

"His role at Falkirk is bringing the best out of him again. And, since he's broken into the side, McCann has been a growing influence. So, they've added an experience that has helped bring on our young players.

"Scott Arfield has deserved the praise he's getting and is beginning to look like a seriously good player.

"Lee Bullen frustrates me, because he can be absolutely brilliant one minute, then makes basic errors the next.

"I think the defence looks more balanced with Gerard Aafjes. Maybe he's found the pace of the SPL a bit too much after arriving from the English Championship.

"I'm hoping we begin to make a slow but steady climb up the table. November is going to be a crucial month for us."

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HAMILTON FAN STEPHEN SHILTON, 47

''Our season started well, but we lost Mark McLaughlin towards the end of August with a bad injury and he's not played since. That's really unsettled the team at the heart of the defence.

"We still played reasonably well, but we were giving away bad goals. We have played some players out of position, in particular Simon Mensing - he has had to play at right-back and he's not suited to that role.

"A lot of the goals have been pretty painful to watch for that reason. Mensing was moved into midfield in the 3-1 defeat by Rangers and we looked a lot better.

"Losing McLaughlin has been the biggest problem. Last season he was virtually an ever-present and we won promotion. He's our captain and has a huge influence on the players round about him.

"None of the Hamilton fans expected the side to do brilliantly this season. We just hoped to stay up. I remember when we were nowhere in the 1980s.

"Even in the league defeat by Rangers there were some positive signs for us. My slight concern is the effect a long losing run has on the squad's confidence.

"Losing away to Motherwell has put us in deep trouble.

"One of the highlights of the season so far was the way we came back against Dundee United. To fight back after losing a goal was fantastic. Another highlight was beating Motherwell in the CIS Cup.

"Seeing how the midfield can play - with James McCarthy, James McArthur and Alex Neil - I just feel that if we can turn it round, then all the lessons we've learned so far in the SPL can be put into practice.

"I'm hopeful we don't repeat what we did in the 80s and slide inexorably into oblivion. Our full-back Brian Easton has been a sensation this season and is attracting a lot of interest from other clubs."

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HEARTS FAN GRANT THORBURN, 35, FROM STIRLINGSHIRE

''The last few weeks have been disappointing points-wise, but some of the football has been great. We've got the same problem as last season. No strikers means no goals and very few points.

"Michael Stewart has been the main guy for us this season. He's controlled the midfield, despite a slight dip in form in the last couple of weeks. He's beginning to deliver on the promise he showed during his first spell at Tynecastle.

"Zaliukas is causing problems for us in every game. The strikers aren't scoring and the full-backs haven't settled. So there's quite a few areas of the team I'd like to see strengthened in the transfer window.

"If we want to win a cup then we need to add to the squad.

"My heart says we'll be able to split the Old Firm this season, but my head says we won't. I think back to 2006 when we split them, but realistically in the last couple of weeks we haven't shown we can beat the likes of Aberdeen and Hibs.

"Too many draws and a lack of firepower mean that third place is probably our realistic target.

"Hearts fans are disappointed with the 4-5-1 formation Csaba Laszlo insists on playing. He's a good character and you want to listen to what he's saying. But the one up front, even at home against Kilmarnock and Inverness, isn't on. The lack of goals compared to the possession we're enjoying is a concern.

"I'd like to see us be more adventurous and play two or three up front.

"The highlight for me as a Jambo is to see a manager who has some tactical knowledge and knows when to make substitutions."

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HIBERNIAN FAN RONNIE PONT, 43, FROM EDINBURGH

"We've made a fairly average start to the season. There's been enough signs to give us optimism for the future, but it's been mixed emotions for Hibs fans.

"Derek Riordan has been good since joining from Celtic, and his move has given fans and the rest of the players a big lift. He was a hero before he went away and I don't really know why he wasn't successful at Celtic.

"Our strike-force is looking good but other parts of the team aren't and that's the problem! I never feel confident about Hibs defending a lead when our goalkeeper Yves Ma-Kalambay is playing. If the ball goes anywhere near him then I start to panic.

"It's been going on for so long now with all our goalkeepers that it's hard to remember when we had a good one. When you watch Scotland, you actually feel pretty safe when the ball goes towards Craig Gordon.

"A lot of Hibs fans think he'll come good, but I'm not one of them. He might be average one day, but he doesn't have the concentration needed for the job. Our other keeper Andy McNeil isn't bad but he's too small.

"That's the area of the team where we need to strengthen as we've lost so many goals and games because of our goalkeeping.

"I'm hoping we'll climb up the table by the turn of the year. We're only five points off Hamilton at the bottom, so the league is really tight at the moment.

"Any team that puts a run together is going to start creating a wee gap between them and the rest.

"We've got a good enough squad, compared to the other teams in the league but we're not that much better than Dundee United or Hearts.

"The next couple of months will be crucial in determining where we're going to be. Steven Fletcher has been brilliant this season. He hasn't scored a lot of goals but he's working hard and he really looks like a talent.

"Our right-back David Van Zanten hasn't been rubbish, but he's been disappointing.

"Ian Murray has done a lot of good work for us too. The signings Mixu has made have been the right ones, and he seems to know what he still needs to do.

"But sometimes his ability to change a game and make substitutions at the right time leave a lot to be desired.

"Sometimes we're crying out for them as we're playing 4-4-3 all the time. I'd like to see him change the formation when it's not working and also change the team when our players are tiring."

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INVERNESS FAN LES KIDGER, 40, ORIGINALLY FROM NEWCASTLE

"Sitting in 10th place with 10 points - there's still everything to play for. We're going to be really in amongst it alongside four or five other teams. Overall, it's been a fairly good start and I've been happy with the side.

"We're missing injured striker Andy Barrowman at the moment. He plays in the first game of the season against Aberdeen and scores. It looked like it was going to be a fairytale for him.

"Then he got injured and hasn't managed to make the number of appearances this season that he would've hoped. Barrowman, Woods and Rooney - once these boys get the time to play together and recover from niggly knocks, then we'll really see something.

"Our veteran players are usually the ones who shine consistently over the course of a season, but this term I've been really impressed by newcomer Dougie Imrie. He seems to be playing with a passion and determination to win games and he's been our surprise package this season.

"By Christmas, I would like to see us climb to seventh or eighth in the table. Realistically, I think that's where we should be. We need to put in a lot of hard work between now and New Year - but the way the fixtures are looking, that's where we should expect to be.

"I can't fault any of our players for effort, and while I haven't been disappointed in any player, I feel disappointed for David Proctor. He can add a lot to our team, he's been out injured and has just come back into the squad.

"He'll be able to come back and shore up the defence and, hopefully, we won't concede as many goals.

"Stuffing the Dons at Pittodrie has been the highlight so far!"

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KILMARNOCK FAN BARRY RICHMOND

"I couldn't have asked for any more at this stage of the season and the league's tighter than two coats of paint.

"Manuel Pascali getting the captain's armband has been crucial. He gets the team going and his general performances give the rest of the side confidence.

"We're still not scoring enough goals for my liking. Jim Jefferies says we don't have the money to go out and buy a good few players. I don't really think Jefferies and Billy Brown could do any better than they have done.

"Jamie Hamill always works his socks off, which can't always be said for our flair players like Mehdi Taouil. I fear they sometimes believe the hype.

"Craig Bryson is our Ian Durrant. I hope we can tie him down to a long-term contract. Despite our high league position, our average home crowd is smaller than last season.

"I think part of the problem is giving the Old Firm clubs 8,000 tickets when they come to Rugby Park. It almost feels like a home game for them!

"If we keep up the good work, there's no reason why we can't finish third and that would be a great achievement."

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MOTHERWELL FAN PHILIP SPEEDIE

"It's been difficult and not as good as last season. The big problem was that the first five games really killed it for us. They were very difficult and our European exit was a disappointment.

"That came at a difficult time for us as we had Rangers and Celtic back to back. Since we've gone to what would be termed the slightly easier games, I think we've performed better and picked up more points.

"Our victory over Hamilton means we've amassed the same number of points from 11 games this season as we did last term. That's pretty decent.

"I was hoping we'd still be enjoying European jaunts, but I think just in the top six is our territory - we're not going to finish third this season.

"Killie will eventually drop down, but Dundee Utd are pretty strong. Hearts and Hibs will be there too.

"Keith Lasley has been excellent, really consistent and adds some bite to the midfield. He's got a terrier-style and covers every blade of grass. If he could get a couple of goals, then I'd expect him to go on a bit of a run.

"Davie Clarkson is maybe lacking the confidence of last season, but in saying that he's still scoring goals and doing something right.

"Bob Malcolm and Chris Porter have been disappointing so far this season. If they had been playing well, we'd be sitting further up the table.

"The Scottish Cup is a big opportunity for us, especially if we get a kind draw. Out of the league cup already, which is a big disappointment.

"Longer-term this season, we need to aim for fourth and a possible European place. Hopefully, we can hold on to Mark McGhee and he can start coming up with the goods like he did last season

"In the summer, we've got Stephen Hughes, Chris Porter out of contract. If McGhee stays, hopefully we could keep those two players. Hughes is one of the best midfielders in the SPL - when he's up for it."

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RANGERS FAN GRAHAM CRITCHER, 29, FROM BELLSHILL

"So far we've had a strong start to the season. We've had a couple of blips, obviously, but I'm really happy with what I've been seeing. Hopefully, we'll continue to improve.

"Once captain Barry Ferguson returns to the side I think Walter Smith will have to change the formation slightly. I would like to see us using a midfield diamond, with Kevin Thomson at the back, Steve Davis on one side, Pedro Mendes on the other and Ferguson slightly forward.

"But, if we do that, then we're relying on our full-backs overlapping. We seem to be struggling slightly away from home, with some of the tighter pitches. We struggled away to St Mirren and also against Hamilton Accies, and also against Partick in the CIS Cup.

"So, I think Walter Smith has to consider getting more width in the team.

"I'm not sure if Smith needs to strengthen in the January transfer window. I've always wanted proper left and right backs. But in saying that, the two guys playing there at the moment seem to be doing well.

"We've got trips to Motherwell and Kilmarnock in November. Those are two difficult grounds to get maximum points from. We've got Hearts, too, and we lost 4-2 at Tynecastle last season.

"Then, the big one will be 27 December against Celtic at Ibrox. We've got quite a good run of home SPL games to look forward to. Kilmarnock have been brilliant so far this season, and have probably surpassed everyone's expectations.

"The performances of Pedro Mendes have blown me away. The guy is absolutely top class and I've also been pleasantly surprised by Kenny Miller's work rate.

"Rangers fans are still waiting to see the best of Kyle Lafferty. He's been struggling with injuries and hasn't managed to play too many first-team games, but he'll soon have to justify his hefty transfer fee. He's being used sparingly, and I don't think he sees himself as a winger.

"If we're to see the best of him, then Walter Smith has to start playing him up front.

"For me, Kris Boyd is a stick-on every week. You have to play to his strengths. Rangers have to stop looking at his limitations and instead working to use what he's good at. So forget trying to get the guy running about the park all day. He's just not going to do it.

"We need someone to do that for him and he can then strike up a partnership with them.

"Scotland is far down the pecking order for many Rangers fans. They'll be quite happy to see him concentrate on his club career. He should have been given more of a chance at international level, but I don't agree with the way he handled it.

"Report card - since we're not top of the league it has to be a B - we've slipped up against St Mirren and Aberdeen away."

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ST MIRREN FAN NEIL RAMSAY

"The mood of the Saints' support has noticeably picked up after two wins from three games - against Hamilton and Rangers - in the month of October.

"This followed some mixed performances in the first couple of months of the season which was starting to worry Buddies fans everywhere, especially as there's no Gretna this season!

"We played lots of good football and should have picked up more points - how we didn't beat the Dons, I'll never know. Actually, I do know - we couldn't put the ball in the net, simple as that.

"The very poor performance and defeat to the Pars in the CIS Cup led to some Saints fans calling for Gus's head. Just how short-term are these folks' memories and are their brains even marginally bigger than peas?!

"The idiots that abuse Gus and Andy from behind the dugout should just disappear and give everybody peace. What Gus and Andy have achieved since arriving at the club is nothing short of phenomenal - do these 'fans' want to see us playing East Fife, Stenhousemuir and Morton again?

"They probably do, and think beating Morton is the be-all and end-all. I'd prefer to target the Old Firm personally.

"I'm so pleased Gus had a word or two with these so-called supporters after we scored against Rangers.

"He thoroughly deserves his manager of the month award for masterminding our first HOME league victory against the Gers since Peter Mackie scored after a mazy run into the box in 1986.

"We did manage a couple of particularly pleasurable wins at Ibrox in the late 80s and early 90s, although the press didn't seem to investigate their stats very well. Or maybe they just wanted to put the Kenny McDowall and Kevin McGowne goals out their minds.

"This time our glorious (and gloriously unexpected) victory came from a superb 22-yard strike from young Stephen McGinn, squad number 22, and how many years since our last home victory?"

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