Time is the hottest excuse in our lot right now — is it fair or just a cover? Fans expected immediate returns from a manager who knows the SPFL and a squad built for the league.

What do people mean by "time"?

To be fair, every new manager and many signings need an adjustment period. Systems settle, players learn roles and rhythm takes a while. But the word has been stretched until it’s become shorthand for tolerating poor form and puzzling selections. You can see why supporters bristle: we asked for experience and league nous, not a project that needs a season to show anything useful.

Early signs — promising or worrying?

Look at the individuals people were excited about. Shankland was billed as a title-getter; right now he’s labouring, lacking the sharpness we hoped for. Devlin came with strong numbers last season and plenty of optimism, yet so far he hasn’t shown the midfield steel many expected. The comparison being made by fans — that he’s not the livewire we were sold — is understandable.

Then there’s Dan Neil. Plenty thought he’d arrive and stamp the Championship experience on the league; instead he’s struggled for starts, which raises questions about fit or form. Godfrey was another signing many hoped would be a defensive rock, but he was out for a month after the first competitive game, which hasn’t helped stability at the back. None of this is armchair analysis — it’s what supporters see week in, week out.

So where do we go from here?

We’re not asking for miracles. We want the manager and players to show urgency, accountability and improvement. Time can be reasonable — up to a point. If things don’t sharpen quickly, patience turns into frustration. The group needs to respond and give the fans something to latch onto. If there’s any sense of a turning point, let it start on Thursday.

Written by MrPotatoHead: 15 August 2026

Tags: transfers tactics