OrlandoDon

Good chance of that w nilsen in the middle given those two are so new.

Think we see sivert and McIntyre at the back and one of the new boys in midfield alongside Armstrong and Cameron, prob afeez but expect to see Geiger at some point. going for a shock 3-2 us! Nisbet 2 and Cameron.

Honestly, Celtic is prob the best match to get them some fitness, rather than a tough st mirren away or utd etc where we really need to win. Sadly, expectations are low and Celtic is a free hit.

Out of desperation do we fork out the funds for Luke graham??

Don’t disagree but that’s a big ask finding that player today!

Knoester out for the season with a broken collar bone? If the rumors are true, what’s Anthony Stewart up to these days? Maybe being consi back in?? At this rate I wouldn’t turn my nose up to miller and mcleish!

Of course, just when luton was mentioned and as average as shady was, he outshines milanovic based on what we’ve seen to date!

I’d do that deal, get somewhere between 500-1M, maybe bring in shady back on a short term loan till summer to seal the deal until better options are available in the summer?

I hear you, and while shinnie is certainly in decline, I still think you’re being a little harsh. He’s a die hard don, can’t fault his effort, his heart, his care, and still can play a very good game. He’s a trophy winning captain and an internationalist, played many a game in Scotland, England, and in Europe. My captain scores the first penalty in the top corner in a cup final. I’ve said it beforehand he’s Aberdeen culture, not unlike considine in a way, may not wow you as a top talent, but will teach and preach the Aberdeen way and hold standards. I wouldn’t be surprised if he clashed with the egos of aouchiche and palaversa. McGregor at Celtic is their shinnie, Maguire at man utd, even Robertson at Liverpool, maybe Declan rice, man city signing guehi, all home grown (as in from that country) that I think give the dressing room an important voice. what intrigues me is who replaces shinnie as captain moving forward. We are such a squad in transition with minimum leadership

I think a captain varies by manager. Ronaldo and bruno Fernandez are absolutely not captains to me for example, but certainly to their teams and country. some go for effort, communication, ability, position, tenure at the club, nationality, etc. Shinnie leads by example and would sweat blood for the club, and was one of our best players (may still be due to the crap we have), a captain to many but not all.

That a great post! Although you’ll probably disagree with me

We all should be the manager of Aberdeen, we are all always right. We’d be winning the league if I was manager! good post, you created good discussion!

Your middle point about players avoiding the ball is most likely pressure. The fear of making a mistake in a high pressure environment. I think the players do care. Football is all about pressure, and the ability to handle it and perform in front of thousands is screaming fans. There are plenty of very good players who don’t make it because of that exact pressure. The ultimate pressure is a penalty shootout, and i look at Polvara and palaversa, two who ultimately failed here, they stood up while under extreme pressure. That’s impressive. It’s not because of pressure that they failed with us. to me I think you maybe mean accountability. Players playing regardless of the level of performance. That’s down to a manager, it’s his job to get players motivated enough and prepared enough to perform at a high level. And fave consequences if they don’t. Fergie was the master at that. plus they feared him, and he scared them into performing, the fear of fergie’s wrath if they under achieved. Good managers are so hard to find, plus it has to be the perfect squad blend for all pieces to fall into place. A lot of that is luck. Managers like Mcinnes fell into a great situation with us, McLean Hayes Lewis Logan Rooney McGinnis jack mckenna and others, most in their prime. They all fit together and clicked under mcinnes, and then mcinnes couldn’t replicate it when the squad changed. we haven’t had the ideal squad or ‘perfect’ manager to make the most of a situation for getting close to maybe 8-9 years. Jimmy was far too nice, I do think the players have to fear letting the manager down, and jimmy killed himself with endless squad rotations too. We had a poor preseason, added players once the league started, and never really got a system in place to gel. Poor performances led to the 3-5-2 ish or at least 3 at the back, but it was still square peg round hole with a manager incapable of piecing every thing together and sufficiently teaching and motivating. very little stability right now, no manager, and no core players, no true long term Aberdeen players to build a team around. We’re also a team full of followers with very few leaders. We’re an extremely flawed team right now for various reasons, but I don’t think it’s because of pressure or players lacking drive.

Agree, random rumors for deli alli for example are pointless, not needed, I think Geiger is a good loan and more steel to a powder puff midfield, but we have to have another central defender and winger. We need two in, essential to tool us for the rest of the season. Oh, and a manager. Saw ibane bowat mentioned again yesterday, but I really think a good solid experienced pro at the back is needed. Shame tobers just hasn’t gotten the luck, no clue if he’s any good.

Really hope Bowie plays and does well for Scotland’s sake, momentum leading up to the World Cup. We desperately need a legit 9. Would also like to see josh Doug in the march internationals too. He’s listed as a left back/left wing back, we desperately need width on the left for Scotland, perhaps ahead of Robertson as a left mid? Assuming we don’t get Barnes.