Spectator 2672

[PiffPoff]

Good puzzle, though not too difficult this week.

Finished quickly with all but 38A filled in.

38A Backing independent expert in Ukrainian City (6) D?I?R?

[JJ109]

Dnipro

[PiffPoff]

Ahhh, right! Thanks

 

[FleshpotsOfDevon]

Last one for me, please....

Second-class loaf (4) M?P? 
 

Ta

[PiffPoff]

Mope: mo second + PE class = loaf

[FleshpotsOfDevon]

Boo, I knew it was mope but couldn't work out where "second-class" fitted in. Ta!

[Cluelessuseless]

Last one in for us too was nope as just couldn't see the second class explanation so thanks. Thanks also for longboat spent more time arguing about that than the actual puzzle as my husband insisted it was long beak saying to snipe was to grass etc etc. So thanks for validating that as well for me

[Boethius]

Everything completed, but could someone explain the title? Thanks.

[Neveracrossword]

I think the title is a sort of clue and leads to Stratagems, schemes, without the Strata, seams - so the answers are all...

[Boethius]

Thank you, Neveracrossword!