OrlandoDon

Let’s be real. Who honestly thought we’d get 150-500k for bates? As we all know, when things seem too good to be true…

Strange on the timing maybe. If bates goes too surely this means dunne is coming in? Or is it simply a lock that coulson is left back on sunday and mccrorie in the middle? Still leaves us thin on defensible cover and in center mid if we don’t bring in someone.

He may be shite, but it's left footed shite which is better than Bates shite....perhaps? Even if Dunne is mediocre, trading Bates for Dunne in a sense really helps us as Stewart and Scales are our referred central pairing anyway, and we have the back up leftie. But if Dunne is any good it certainly allows Scales to play left back, gives competition at the back which is healthy, and keeps McCrorie in the middle of the park. Really gives us options while Bates does not. Would also clearly allow MacKenzie or Hancock to go out on loan, most likely the latter as they both don't need to play very limited mins. Yes, I am stating the obvious, but hope this occurs.

RE leftie defender, I’d rather we tried to develop Mackenzie Hancock and or Milne than sign a one position guy who’ll sit on the bench in case of injuries. I’m assuming coulson was signed since he can play left back or left mid so unless Ramirez leaves I think we have decent depth in all positions except center mid, both holding and #10. I’ll say it’s 1 more at 10, and maybe another holding. we only have Ramadani Barron and polvara, all inexperienced/young/unproven at this level long term. Honestly, and not happening, shinnie would really help here in many ways in position, experience, attitude, and leadership. Seems like a goodwin type of guy too.

There’s an obsession with the left central defender having to be left footed. From what I understand we have Stewart scales bates Milne mccrorie and Hancock can all play central defense. Even McKenzie. You really think we’ll sign another??

Goodwin said 2-3 more a week ago too, thats’s why I’m saying one more now. Being realistic, but certainly a #10 is definitely needed….although I guess we’re not that deep in center mid in general…

Fair to say that one more signing and we’re done with business, and it’s a #10? Holding out for Ronan or McGrath??

Center mid is such a key position that mccrorie has to play in there. We have to consider that neither ramadani or polvara has played for us much, played against Celtic, or played at parkhead before. We are going to have to gamble somewhere being short that I’d gamble with hayes at left back with bates in the middle for experience, and maybe Roberts wide midfield. That is unless we sign a stud of a number 10 and vinnie and kennedy are wide.

A little harsh maybe but I understand your point. Scales is regarded quite highly plus you can argue we signed three internationalists……so far. But I do agree with you and I hold my breath. I always get optimistic at this time of year, and I used the Gleason forrester summer as the example a few weeks ago and how that didn’t work as planned. I just hope goodwin and the players are given time as a squad overhaul was needed. I won’t judge if we lose or even get spanked by Celtic, first couple of months we’ll see if the signings are of the required level.

Interesting nickname, Cal Roberts is known as ‘the Geordie Messi!’ Curious to see him play!!

I assumed it was an autocorrect! Too many old victor meldrew’s like me here!

Willing to give Richardson a chance and don’t think he’s as poor as some say, a hard and pacy worker who does give us something. Also a young lad with plenty of time to improve…….and nowhere near as poor as gurr! we haven’t really been challenged in the four games so far. raith were the best to date and did expose us a little but I’ll judge us from Celtic onwards. We have to acknowledge we have an new back 5 including Roos, plus scales, Richardson, and Hancock are young. New team with plenty of first team inexperience, only fair to give them time. Even Stewart, captain of a new team who haven’t played together, lots of gelling, understanding of each other’s game etc., thing we owe a little patience. roos hasn’t overly impressed me to date, doesn’t look as good as a declining Lewis, but I’ll still save judgement until league games. A little surprised we haven’t seen Lewis at all so far as I think part of his poor play from last season was a result of a shitty season as a team and a loss of confidence. goodwin again saying we need 2-3 more players. Morris, Ronan, McGrath, anyone else been mentioned? Martin Boyle really at the game? Anything there??

A little odd. Is that needed? Scales Mackenzie Hancock hayes, even mccrorie can all play left back…

So when fit do you start Mackenzie or Hancock on the left?

Yup. Raith challenged us a little and league play will be an up in level. Really don’t know how strong/weak we are yet. Next week will certainly be a test, particularly with mccrorie dropping back and us thin on center mid with Barron injured. Still, you can only play what’s in front of you and we scored goals and kept clean sheets to date. Results don’t lie!

Agreed. We need a 10 to have central final third threat and that changes the entire game, and we play two from hayes vinnie and kennedy wide. Good to bring one of them off the bench, although I wonder if kennedy goes the ojo route where he starts a season well and eventually normal service resumes. on another note, Stewart is a beast in the air, does he lose headers??

Barron is young and raw, did well in a shit team last year. He’s still somewhat unproven, but we shall see.

Clearly missing the desired #10 today. With what we’ve seen from mccrorie and even Ramadani so far this season, Ferguson may not be missed. Lovely goal.

For all we know he may have wanted a number switch!! I like Ramirez but I think he’ll be away.

Pretty sure goodwin said he wants 2-3 more in, and stated that included a 10 and a winger. So I’d suggest it would be Morris and hopefully Ronan/McGrath.

Another forward???????

Was a little disappointed in Duk to be honest but sounds like the guy has done very little in two months, plus just got here. Looked overweight and I assume has zero match sharpness. He's also a young lad too trying to create a good first impression so I'm sure he was excited/nervous. Unlike Miovski and Ramadani who are full internationalists, Duk has been signed as pure potential coming from a B/reserve set up. Showed some skill and pace, curious to see how he does, and based on what we saw yesterday I wouldn't mind seeing two up top with him playing off Ramirez/Miovski. He'll definitely give us a different look/option. Thought the subbing yesterday was rather odd/poor and didn't help us in the second half. A little too much change. Too much juggling and it was nice to see consistency in the first 2 1/2 games. If the plan was Celtic prep then sub Scales, ideally keeping Hancock at LB or move Hayes back. Not quite sure what we did with Jack Milne yesterday, thought he was a defender now and I don't think did much in midfield.....if that's where he was playing. Also not quite sure where Watkins was playing?? We've been at our best in recent seasons playing players in their natural positions, think we didn't quite have that in the second half. I agree moving McCrorie back for Celtic hurts midfield and the talk of Barron coming straight back in for the Celtic game baffles me a little. He's no seasoned vet, and hasn't played in a few weeks. I'd rather McCrorie and Ramadani stayed there for the Celtic game, we have more options at the back right now than we do in center mid.

So are Duk, Mijofski, and Ramirez all typical #9 center forwards? Or anyone a 10 or wide player? Thinking Ramirez goes unless we are planning two up top maybe??

Throw in Mikey Johnston and I’ll take that!

Saw bits of the game. These are good games to get new players to develop cohesion, especially an entirely new keeper and defense, and not overly bothered we didn’t score more, sharpness should come. Glad that we actually created chances. Curious to see what happens to Ramirez when the new signing(s) arrive. Still think creativity is our weakness, hope we bring in a winger and a ten asap to get early season practice and develop chemistry. thoughts on mason Hancock? With him, scales, hayes, and mackenzie, covered for left back surely?? (Especially if we sign another winger so hayes worst case can drop back.)