tlg1903

I read a while back that the vast majority of attacks start from the fullback position so not unfair to say there is something to be said for having more defensively capable wide midfielders. Having a wide midfielder that can effectively man mark the full back can hugely stifle your opponents attacking intent and force them to play in a way they don't want to. The cost to this, of course, is that when you win possession your wide midfielder is awfully close to the fb and could struggle to find space. To counter this you basically have to embrace the flaw and instead make your fb your main attacking wide threat. The wide midfielder when on the ball should be looking to move inside more like an inside forward and allow the fb to overlap into the space left by the tracking fb then try to find them. I could see Jensen and Devlin doing this quite effectively come to think of it and there are some defo some gegenpress systems out there that employ strategies like this.

Not so sure of that, if memory serves he had one moment yesterday when he took the ball in whilst closely marked and showed great first touch to take his marker completely out of the game. Time will tell but theres no danger he's not given Thelin some food for thought. Of course, bringing him on against a depleted team that is going to be really feeling it in the legs has to be taken into account but, as I said in the match thread, Polvara brought a calmness to our play that was much needed. Let's see if he can bring it again though and it will be interesting to see if he's played his way into the starting 11 against Hibs.

first I've heard of it Manc but it would be a great addition.

Hard to argue with that, especially about the Jensen being undroppable comment. I like him and think he's been a good addition overall but I also think theres plenty of room for him to improve. That said I am becoming concerned about Devlins lack of game time and I'm worried we will lose him for the reasons you suggest. He was obviously injured for a while but on the face of it he should have had more game time and it's disappointing Thelin hasn't been asked about it really unless I've missed that?

Well. We were certainly not without flaws today and that's being kind. That said, credit has to go to hearts for completely killing the game the second half. If there's one thing we struggle against it's a low block with a packed defence but most teams do 2bf. Polvara saved us I thought. When he came on he took all freneticism out of our play. It was a bit like that episode of black books where Manny eats the little book of calm and turns all zen. He just got on the ball and started pulling strings. Some bounce when the winner went in, I totally lost it! It wasn't joy though, it was pure relief. I honestly couldn't have handled losing to those cunts today.

I think the most likely way for Shinnie to be moved to the centre would be for devlin to come in at RB and Jensen to left.

I dunno about anyone else but I'm still raging we bottled this game.

It would be very bold to go with a virgin cb pairing for a semi final, I can't agree with that one I'm afraid. If it was defo going to be pre penalty miss Mcgrath I would be up for bringing him straight in but at best I think he will be on the bench. Indeed, I think the only one of the three with a sniff of starting is Mitov. You are right about Hearts being an awful watch though. They have no real wide men either which should suit us considering the size of the pitch. I'm defo looking forward to seeing how Morris and Keskinen get on with all that extra space to run into.

Ah, I see. 2bh i think you're probably right, most fans do think far more about the prestige etc. They will go because they want the club to be in europe for the games and the excitement. Don't for a second think I don't as well, even more so after my circumstances changed quite significantly recently (my mum died and she had been quite dependent on me the past 5 years and I've not really been able to go anywhere) and I am now looking forward to my first ever European away trip with the dons assuming we get there. I probably tend to think about the finances a bit more mainly due to playing football management games for so long and more money is defo good!!! I don't agree it's fucked up though because, truthfully, my ultimate goal is all about the prestige. I want to see Aberdeen win the league just once before I die. Unfortunately the only way I can see it happening is by somehow getting into the champions league. Realistically that is the only way that we could develop the necessary funds to be serious contenders for the league. To get in the league phase of the CL is very unlikely but it's more likely than going toe to toe with Celtic for 38 games at the moment. This season was a perfect opportunity and it's the reason I'm most gutted about our collapse. Second was there for the taking and second gets you a shot at the CL. I mean, we probably wouldn't have got through to the money spinning league phase as it's a big ask to get through the qualifying process but sometimes the draw can be kind.

I can't speak for anyone else but, when appropriate (like now), I certainly do and you're gonna need to explain to me why it's fucked up? I want the best for my club and group stage football is defo good for the clubs coffers. A healthy bank balance usually means better players after all which in turn usually leads to better performances. Ultimately this can lead to what we are all after, the dopamine rush of a goal going in that wins us a game.

I'm not convinced going out of the cup would stop us from selling out the hibs game given there is basically 6 million quid riding on that fixture and hopefully the 4 that follow.

What needs to happen with away supports is an actual ruling from the spfl that specifies what percentage of your stadium you must allocate to away fans. If they can't sell them, fair enough then you can look at giving those seats to your own fans. Until something like this is put in place, as it is in the Scottish cup after all, the bickering and tit for tat allocations will continue. As for cutting Hibs allocation? Seems a strange one when they normally do alright by us.

Oh Knoester

Down to ten men inside 15 minutes. Mcoist almost in tears on Co comms trying to argue that whilst it was denying a goal scoring opportunity it wasn't common sense to send a player off for a red card offence. Hilarious. This massively plays into our hands for Sunday, Bilbao are going to run them ragged.

Seems a good a place as any to put this. https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/snooker/graeme-dott-suspended-world-championship-b2730217.html Graham Dott has been charged with kiddy fiddling. Not particularly surprised about this really.... Nonce hun cunt