RDU_64

You have either a rookie midfielder, an experienced midfielder, 2 shite centre backs, a not-so-shite centre back and a rookie left back. What do you choose?

Sack now. His position has been untenable after Saturday and 17 victories in 57 games is a awful record, worse than Ebbe and Paterson who both had a win percentage of 33%. The squad is horribly unbalanced, his media interviews are delusional, HIS team plays shite football, he has lost the respect of the fans and after a 9-0 defeat, there is really no way back for McGhee in my opinion.

Aye, Langfield would be the right choice. As TF says, being in tears implies that he actually gives a fuck about the team which is nice to hear. Judging from the highlights, there wasn't much he could have done with many of the 9 goals. 3 of them being penalties, in my opinion, a professional footballer should never really be missing from 12 yards and only the goalkeeper to beat. It's luck if the keeper guesses the right way and is able to keep it out. The defence was non-existent and an utter shambles, Langfield could have done very little about the goals. Howard was dropped for a reason. His uncertainty at high balls and his failure to command his area was directly at fault for losing us goals against Hibs, Falkirk and St Mirren. Langfield is the better keeper.

The 9-0 loss is really a reality check for anyone who were still confident of McGhee's ability as a manager to stop the rot and turn this club and results around. Not only this result but the results throughout his tenure has been nothing short of awful and his continued presence as manager of Aberdeen FC is surely coming to an end? He came in having been hailed as a messiah by a vocal part of Aberdeen FC's support that would win trophies and reguarly challenge for Europe, all whilst playing attractive, attacking football. The reality is that this couldn't have been further away from the truth. Lower league cup exits in two cups last season and a poor season in the league ended with the Dons finishing their campaign lucky to have not been dragged into a relegation battle and in a dismal 9th place. The summer was vital for McGhee and the team and in Paul Hartely, McGhee had found a proper captain. Add to that, Folly, Vujadinovic, McCardle and Vernon and the team seemed to be in a far better position than last time around. However an absolute crazy piece of business undermined all his good work. To let your only recognised full-back go out on loan to bring in a injured and injury prone striker who hadn't player for over a year was ridiculous. It seriously hampered the team and until recently we had 4 centre backs as the defence (+ one being Ifil who is without a doubt the worst footballer I have ever seen). Not only that, the constant rotating of the goalkeepers has not helped one bit. His media skills are poor, he doesn't seem able to motivate the players, he doesn't seem to have the respect of the players and the results have been nothing short of awful. I believe McGhee's time is up at Aberdeen FC. It hasn't worked out Mark, just move on.

In/Oot: No sure yet. Probably wont go. Prematcher: Probably doing uni work During game: Checking the result Postmatcher: Uni work and getting my pitch-fork sharpened Prediction: Cold night, shite football, poor turn-out, poor atmosphere and the crowd on the players backs.

Sitting in a uni computer lab now but planning a O.V.D rum and listening to the footie on the radio with a tim! Then humping Enigma FC in our student sunday league!

In the grand scheme of things, this deal must be up there with the Dodds/Winters swap.

For fuck sake McGhee, change the goalkeeper also. Howard is atrocious at long balls and corners and whilst I'm not pinning all the blame on him as his defence is equally culpable, he gets caught in no mans land more often that not. I would be far more confident with Langfield between the sticks.

Wouldn't be looking to weaken the squad but if we can get a full back or two and we can punt Ifil then I'll be more than happy.

I heard it was Saturday? Don't ken if thats right though.

Agreed. Pretty poor defensively, Loovens and that big baldie Swedish centre back are poor and can easily be ruffled up. Nor convinced by that Honduran left back either. Still hope their leaking goals when we come round to play them though.

Jeeso. Seen he was going to be in an upcoming panto in Glasgow along with Darius of Pop Idol/X Factor/Britains Got Talent/Some other shitey manufactured 'singing contest' show. Particularly liked him in Extras!

Old Firm in seperate semi-finals shocker!

First half we were really dreadful. Falkirk looked hungrier, attacked better, defended better, knocked the ball about with confidence and were always looking to play it on the deck. We couldn't get near to them and their goal was coming. Once again though, worringly, it was a corner deep into the back post. Howard needs to work on commanding his area as there were 2 or 3 times last night when he should have come out to collect the ball, only to stick to his line and cause unneceessary panic. From their goal, it looked as if there was only one winner and Falkirk would be adding to the cup humiliations. Aberdeen had no imagination, no ability to keep the ball and very few chances. Falkirk deservedly ahead. Second half, we started brightly after a much needed rocket up the arse from McGhee I'm sure. Started to take the game more to Falkirk and play a bit of football instead of humping it up to the tireless Vernon. Started to edge closer and closer to Falkirks goal. Hartley's first was a well worked header with Mackie dinking it to the on-rushing Hartely to loop it into the net. Just what we needed at that point and really got the crowd behind the team. For some strange reason, we started to sit back again, allowing Falkirk time and space to create some dangerous openings which could have easily punished us. The game looked to be heading to extra time until the penalty which I wasn't sure about. Looked a bit soft right enough and judging from Maguire's reaction when it was awarded, he was more suprised/pleased that it was given rather than not be. Hartley again. What an expert penalty kicker, straight in the corner of the net! Massive sigh of relief! Thats twice now in this cup that we have had to come from behind against dangerous lower league teams that we could and would have easily lost in seasons gone by. Howard needs to work on commanding his area as I said. Ifil is fucking atrocious, get him out of the side. Dreadful. Can't pass a ball, can't defend, no strength, no pace. Diamond and McArdle were decent enough although McArdle seemed to get pushed off the ball easily in dangerous positions. Robertson, I thought, had a average game, decent enough for a 17 year old. Had a few sore knocks which didnt seem to faze him. Mackie was just Mackie last night. Had some good surging runs and did have an assist yet at times couldn't control or pass the ball! Ryan Jack was excellent last night, never tired, put himself about and looked the part. Looked to push the team on and full of energy. Hartely got both goals and was a real captain but couldn't really stamp his authority on the game. Always speaking though and looking for the ball and passing it onwards. Aluko had a few good surging runs yet was marked out of the game and often had 3 or 4 Falkirk players round him when he had the ball. Difficult nighht for him. Vernon was tireless. What a shift he put in and got very little in return, full of running and always looking to take the ball down from a long ball yet didnt really have a chance or a sniff at goal whatsoever. Tended to come deep for the ball which is not where he is effective. Maguire was very quiet in the first half, but then again most of his team mates were also. Improved in the second half and looked to run with the ball and taking a shot. P.S - As was mentioned a few times last night, thats got to be one of the poorest right sides in an Aberdeen side ever. Delighted we got through!

In/Oot? In Pre match? Flat Match? RDU Post-match? Flat Score? 2-0

Hopefully keep it quiet tonight so I GET ON IT all day tomorrow.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/scotland/9119266.stm

Going to be buying his autobiography. One of my favourite players whilst I was growing up. Unfortunately won't be able to go to the book signing as I will be toddling off to the Broadhill at the time.

In/oot: In Prematcher: Broadhill Match: RDU Postmatcher: Flat for more drink or pub in town Prediction: 2-2

You are boring.

How do you expect him to improve enough to play as a striker if he is not being played as a striker? If he continues to be stuck out on a wing, then he will just continue to be a very very average winger.

Dumbarton actually.

Ifil is hopeless and should be dropped. At fault for the first goal against the Huns and partially at fault for the second and again lucky to escape not being at fault for another goal at ICT. No distribution, no strength, no idea, and has been a first team regular for too long now. He seems to have no clue positionally wise or tactically and is a liability. Diamond is a tough one but continuing the form that he has shown so far, then he would have no-one else to blame but himself if he was dropped. I would probably start with him against Hearts. What position does Stirling Smith play? Is he not a left back? And is Ryan Jack not meant to be a right back?

'Late on a winter’s night in 1976 at the age of 5, I lay awake in bed, absolutely petrified. Something was causing a man to shout, swear and bang in the lounge beneath my room. When I eventually went downstairs, I found my elated Dad sitting in front of the last couple of minutes of the football highlights on TV. He’d watched his team, Aberdeen, reach the Scottish League Cup Final with a dramatic 5-1 victory over Rangers. It was the first in a series of events that would forge an amazing relationship with my Dad as we followed Aberdeen at home and away, for the next ten years. It was a time when the enormous fan base of the Old Firm rampaged through the streets and football grounds of Scotland. A time when we watched Alex Ferguson’s Aberdeen rise to the top of Scottish and European football, and then fall all the way back down again...' http://www.amazon.co.uk/Fire-Fergie-Stuart-Donald/dp/075531980X Anyone read this book? Was thinking of buying it. Seems a good enough read and it seems quite interesting. Just wondering if anyone had bought it and what they thought of it.

Aye Gran Torino was pretty good like! Also bought Inglorious Basterds and Frost/Nixon on DVD. Never seen Frost/Nixon so think I may watch that tonight.