OrlandoDon

I think it’s only fair sokler gets his photo on the thread considering he’s our top scorer to date?? Bojan is off ski and gartenmann, that’s so last year…..

Figured I’d start the thread a week early, is that illegal? Preseason has been hard to tell given the lower level of opposition, I suppose much like the early European rounds, tough to tell our true level based on somewhat unknown opponents we play. jury still out on molloy and sivert, two of our new signing ‘starters,’ not sure if they are up to the pace and physicality of our league, plus we haven’t resolved our width issue, if anything we’re worse with not having duk or hoillet. Think we’ve upgraded the keeper though, although he’s had very little to do so far. starting 11 is predictable, although I think sivert is suspended? Immediately highlights the squad imbalance, we don’t have a legit replacement. Would like us to actually try jack Milne in holding mid but the last few games would have been the games to experiment with him in there. I’d say we’ll see mcgrath in center mid and possible Vinny on the left simply because we don’t really have anyone else? Saying that, I’d take mcgarry at left mid over Vinny but I don’t think JT sees him that way. saying all of this, my ideal is we sign another holding mid this week who starts and McGrath is on the left, plus a right mid is signed benching Morris. anyway, still optimistic, 2-1 us with sokler and McGrath getting the goals.

I don’t agree with the repeatedly beat their men, plus were are talking dumbarton, keep that in mind. Neither have the pace to beat their man on the outside, both cut in a lot. I want a wide midfielder who can go either way, that’s the unpredictability we need. Both mcgarry and morris have that pace and can go inside or out. in an ideal world we’re relying on none of these guys, but I think Morris and mcgarry offer more than Vinny or Duncan. I said before, I see Vinny as a free roaming number 10, as for Duncan, no clue what he really offers. Saying this, Duncan is only 20, morris 22, young lads.

Something else I’ll add, thought all subs worked their bollocks off today. I assume all are giving their best to stay in JTs plans.. still hoping for a new center mid and right mid by the st Johnstone game.

It’s all relative. They weren’t bad but they didn’t do anything we didn’t already know, and it was dumbarton. Of the subs I’d say Mcgarry had the biggest impact, and both he and Morris offer more than Duncan and Vinny. I value pace and Duncan and Vinny struggle to beat their man. None of them are starting 11 and we have a bloated squad, to add a players or two we have to get rid of as well. I look at Ambrose (jury still out) and think about how cosgrove started with us. Ambrose off the bench could give us something, speed strength size, and he’ll gain match sharpness. I’d say gueye is weakish but 10 is the place to play him. He’s no winger. Again, different look to clarkson or McGrath at 10, decent sub to have. where is Richardson?? Not that he’s missed, just curious, we haven’t seen him at all this season to date. If he can’t play now, no chance we see him in league games.

A 6-0 win but it’s all relative to the opponent. Could have easily been double figures but for our limited ability and wasteful play. mackenzie is a good player and good for sokler getting two more but nobody else really stood out. Although I will say sivert and shinnie give us good balance in the middle (again, relative to the opponent.) clarkson was poor and out of position. Second half was better because in part we had a central attacking mid, the missing piece in the first half. Morris did little, his end product is poor, Duncan, Vinny, unimpressive against a poor side despite assists. Big gueye has the potential to be the new duk, doesn’t know when to dribble or pass but his unpredictable style could provide a spark off the bench. No clue what to think of Ambrose but his goal will certainly help his confidence. another good preseason game but, as I’ve said before, I feel these games show what we are lacking. None of the guys who came in showed anything to suggest they are a starting 11 player.

To be fair to JT he’s subbed early to give guys a run. front 4 of Vinny gueye Ambrose and Duncan, who called that pregame??

Who needs Andy Robertson when you have jack mackenzie. sokler hat trick?

I’d say sub clarkson and morris . Put McGrath at 10, gueye wide right and mcgarry left mid……why not??

Well that was crap. No clue what clarkson is doing today. Out wide, deep, but in the 10 is where he is effective. morris is piss but he’s shown he’s more effective than Duncan or Vinny, plus Mcgarry at left wing doesn’t solve right mid…..or are you saying throw McGrath to the right? would like to see gueye given 45 mins. No clue if he’s capable of anything.

What other option do we have?? I think we all share the same feelings re morris but what’s the alternative? Sokler wide, Boyd? developing another player to play out of position? Duncan who has pretty much done nothing when given plenty of chances? I’d like to see gueye wide to see what he can do, but I have little expectation or hope that there is quality there. right mid has to be the #1 signing priority.

Gueye on the bench. Wouldn’t mind seeing him given 45 mins to see what he can do.

Not surprised. Our best 11 at present assuming miovski is off ski. Got to build chemistry, and games like this can only help morris, sokler etc with confidence….although it’s on the assumption they play well.

Elgin posted it too, I didn’t realize he was injured. This may actually benefit us, ideally we find better but nobody is picking hoillet up right now. Buys us time.

I also think younger and faster suits JT. He wants an athletic high press and that’s not hoilett’s game, and he’s arguably getting slower/less mobile. Don’t think hoilett ever lasted 90 mins in the spring?

Please elaborate! Season finished two months ago and Thelin has been here or involved long enough to give input. A preseason and these cup games would benefit him rather than come in less fit having missed the preseason, so why isn’t he here?

I assumed he was offered and he’s looking for other options. As much as it was a successful spell, he was warnock’s guy and maybe only agreed a brief stint to be with his old gaffer.

True. I’d just like to see us linked with players who aren’t central defenders. Been addicted to them in recent years!

Been thinking about our left side. I think McGrath ahead of Mackenzie works. McGrath has a tendency to cut inside and Mackenzie is an attacking full back who wants to get forward. And does pretty well at it. I still think my preference is to sign a legit left winger but I’m good if we don’t. right, on the other hand, without doubt were need to sign a right midfielder/right winger. i guess we have over a month until the window closes so should be patient.

Sokler has had very little opportunity to perform, build confidence and rhythm, and he’s finding his feet with the new manager and style of play. miovski can do now wrong right now. Great two years and being linked to all sorts of moves. Everyone got a boost from him. sokler may not be the answer but as I’ve said before, I do rate him, give the guy some time. Miovski wasn’t a stud from day one. saw my mate Mikey Johnson play for the Tim’s against man city, worth a look? He’s not getting time there once the season starts, loan with guaranteed permanent signing included in the loan deal??

Harsh on sokler. Why do you say he wasn’t up for it? He missed a great chance at the end of the first half (bojan has missed plenty of chances too) but first half the entire team wasnt great. Second half with bojan on he had a different role. Saturday 5-0 us. Sokler 2, McGrath, Ambrose and ruby.

While he didn’t have a lot to do, I like the look of mitov. One particular cross he gathered, Roos would have crumbled. Decent addition me thinks.

Thought Hancock was impressive. Although I also said that when he played a few games, only for him to be released. He’s also an athletic kid, Mackenzie Malloy ruby sivert all make us look a rather unathletic looking group.

Stop reading my emails as I type them!

While I like McGrath, I still think we are crying out for a left and right mid. Thought Morris had a couple of chances to knock it past them and run tonight but shat it. We didn't see a great deal of width/attacking runs from wide areas, maybe some from devlin but not as much from Mackenzie tonight. Perhaps credit to airdrie. We need wingers. Both shinnie and nilsen booked tonight, at one point thought we should sub nilsen. a third player in that role is clearly needed. And not clarkson or McGrath. 3 signings please. decent win and further preseason progress, but as I said before, we’re showing what we are lacking. Please fix it AFC, signings please!