Voice of Reason, February 25

Feb 25 2011 Ayrshire Post (main ed)

A NEW signing on board.

And the VoR is hearing very good things about him.

Paul Willis comes to us from Dunfermline, and my sources in Fife like what they see. A good crosser of the ball who boasts a big future, is what I’m told.

And I would say that’s exactly what we’re needing.

True, it may come too late to arrest Livingston’s march towards the title.

But who’s to say?

And if we’re in the play-offs, we need to head in on a winning run with a fresh squad.

If Willis plays a part in that, all the better.

SO who’s all following Scotland to the Emirates?

An interesting one is this.

The commercial potential is a no-brainer.

And it will be good to test ourselves against one of the world’s best teams.

Especially at a time when we think we’re brilliant.

But it’s yet another example of the pound winning over the punter.

If we really wanted to play Brazil, we could do it at Hampden.

Instead, fans and families will be asked to trek to London.

To relive the glory days of bygone Tartan Army raids.

And they’ll go. In their thousands.

But in the week when Uefa announced horrendous ticket prices for the Champions League final, you have to wonder which way our game is going.

OH dear. What’s happening up the road then?

The Sammon leaps from the ship and everything starts to sink.

Last week’s defeat by Hibs was bad enough.

A team that couldn’t score in 180 minutes against The Honest Men.

But Saturday’s 5-0 thrashing at Aberdeen was quite something.

Poor old Mixed-up Paatelainen is a man struggling for answers.

Well the VoR can help him out.

Don’t worry big man, your season’s not over yet.

It’s still mathematically possible to get relegated.

A CHANCE for young Ayr fans to have a ball this Saturday.

For the Panda Pals will be gracing the hallowed turf after the match against Brechin.

Those behind the initiative must take some applause - getting youth involved is where it's at.

And remember kids, you must let the club know in advance if you're going to the coaching day.

So give them a ring on 01292 263435 and enjoy a day to remember.

OVER in betting corner, and we must reach for the violins.

More solid progress for the VoR and Allan Haggo.

Yet Iain Ferguson just can’t buy himself a point.

He’s either cursing the country’s best teams, or he’s selecting games that are postponed.

At last count, he was a good 15 points off the pace and you must wonder why he puts himself through this.

But he’s a battler, not a bottler, and the defending champion returns again this week with Southampton 3, Swindon 1. So get down the bookies and pile your cash on away win.

Up at the front, where myself and Haggo are locked together, and the cricket king goes for Falkirk 2, Cowdenbeath 0.

I’ll say Dundee 2, Morton 0.