OrlandoDon

Good discussion. When I posted I was not criticizing Shinnie. I’m a big fan and still think he has a lot to offer. Thought he was very good early season and showed he still has it. It just appears that under JT sivert will be preferred, and I think palaversa is starting to have greater influence in games. I rate palaversa, big strong physical mobile and technical. Just think shinnie has become the odd man out, but certainly see shinnie playing regularly and rotating, especially with the age of him and sivert. however, I think a captain has to be one of our best players, and a leader. Starts every game. Certainly hesitant to make sivert captain as he’s old too and will he rotate. I like his leadership and the way he plays, but thought he disappeared for a month or so for whatever reason, that concerns me as a captain can’t do that. RE tobers and palaversa as captains, like them both a lot as players, but do they have leadership qualities? I feel shinnie is a good leader, much by passion and effort/by example, but that’s not the only way to lead.

I think I’m right in saying we drew there but also didn’t concede. Celtic are shit.

Interesting you put clarkson and polvara on the list. Neither have kicked on, for whatever reason, that I do see them as players to move on eventually. I think clarkson is here for at least another season, but polvara has been here a while and we’ve only seen glimpses. Been unfortunate/unlucky. I do expect, much like new signings, we’ll try to shift at least 3 or 4 every window. If we sign a foreigner that’s an impact player, say mitov or tobers, that’s fine with me, but I’d like to see top Scottish talent added. They’ve got to be good enough, like potentially a John mulligan or Liam smith from the other thread, but really don’t want the mcgarry or Ambrose type signings to pad out a squad. It’s not intended but played out that way, really, and for rules consideration too, hope to see some scots added. For that reason alone shinnie and Devlin won’t be going anywhere, but both still have a big part to play for us.

One of our key factors in the early season run was that we were pretty much able to churn out the same 11 every week. I’d be inclined to say same again for the third game in a row, with the exception of mitov if he’s fully fit. As much as I rate Devlin, the rest has done him a power of good, not overly fussed if he comes off the bench. Likewise, I really want to see our new 9 start but nisbet has hit a little form and is developing chemistry with our attacking 3 behind him. If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. 3-1 us, nisbet, gueye, dabbagh, although I’m pretty sure a tobers goal is coming soon.

Took me forever to find this but I refuse to start a new threat. last two games two wins and shinnie on the bench. Is this the beginning of the end for him? Think sivert was better yesterday and I’m a fan of palaversa, just don’t see Shinnie being a regular starter any more. part two of this, next season is shinnie the team captain? And given the nature of the game and finances, and current squad, are we seeing the end of a Scottish captain? If Devlin is our starting right back I’m just ok with him as captain, but makes me wonder if we’re towards the end of having a Scottish team captain.

Jamie mccart on a hatrick. Worth a look, we need a 9?

Are we factoring in what we need or just throwing out potential talent? To be realistic, do these players fill a need in our squad? I think rules for Europe require Scot’s in the squad and that’s a concern. We also have a bloated squad and need to move players on. liam smith - QOS - winger/10 - Scottish - for arguments sake, let’s say we sign okkels, we’d have okkels gueye topi, morris, and vinnie. Space for smith? I’d say yes and punt Vinny. Think we may punt Morris too. josh mulligan - defender/midfielder? Who does he replace in the squad? We have shinnie palaversa sivert polvara, even jack milne and Jensen. Ronan hale - worth a look for sure. We have no forwards. Hoping dabbagh comes good, seems like a similar personality to miovski and a very likeable guy. Hope we punt Ambrose nisbet and sokler and it’s the summer of adding talent at the center forward position. id say we need to target a couple of forwards and a winger. Probably a left back too. Other than that we have a large squad and need to be clearing out a few in the summer. We’ve done a lot the last two windows in bringing in, a few need to go. Also hope we bring in/move up some Scottish dons youth.

That may have been his only touch. I think he came on in the 88/89th min.??

I do think it’s partly what’s going on in Mackenzie’s head, he doesn’t look a settled player playing freely. also think it’s the McGrath okkels factor. McGrath wasn’t a winger and cut inside a lot, plus he wouldn’t get to the line, so Mackenzie was certainly encouraged to push on. Okkels is a wide player, and I suppose it takes time for okkels to settle, plus time for an understanding and partnership to develop. i think we got what we needed, three solid fullbacks and we can rest/rotate. Devlin was running on empty and a game and a half rest, plus one game a week for a couple of weeks, has clearly helped him. He was unfairly criticized but looked lively today. Jensen looks decent on either side that having 3 is a nice situation to be in, until summer I assume…

For me it’s nothing to do with a contract, where is the early season Mackenzie who was bombing up and down the line, getting and creating chances? He was one of our best players, and influencing games. he’s not the same player right now and I feel a fresh Delvin and Jensen are better attacking threats. Mackenzie is a solid defender, not arguing that, but early season Mackenzie got a Scotland call up, he’s not that guy currently.

It’s also the modern game at the moment. Build out the back and risk is taken. But doing that when you are Liverpool, man city, arsenal is one thing. At the same time, I don’t think we’ve been as ‘cute’ of late and have pumped it long or cleared it more frequently. But agree, other than 1v1 and in the attacking half, Morris doesn’t offer much.

Don’t think anyone has said it was enjoyable or we played well. But it’s progress and a win. And there were some positives.

Really liking our attacking midfield at present. Far from perfect but the strength mobility pace and interchangeability of topi gueye and okkels is a big plus for me. Okkels a hand in the first, topi scores the second, and gueye will create and score for us. Hoping our new 9 adds to this but I will say the mobility of this 3 allows nisbet to be a penalty box player.

Did Mackenzie cross the half way line? Don’t recall one attacking run for him. He’s a shadow of his former self at present. Both Delvin and Jensen offer more. You also saw a rested Delvin who looks like he’s getting back to himself.

Good battling win. Thought the defense played well, I do like our central defensive pairing, plus good games from Jensen and topi. Dabbagh MOTH.