Ok I haven't ready any of the other stuff in this thread but some interesting points:
I think this is all very well and something that alot of folk would subscribe to but the history of "speculate to accumulate" in Scottish football is one of debts, more debts and administration. Given that realistically any club like afc would need several millions invested to make a serious dent into the OF dominance it would seem reckless beyond belief to do such a thing, especially at time our debt is rising, the economy is still struggling and we have a new stadium to finance (somehow). You could argue a moderate investment would see us coming/challenging for 3rd but I think we have seen that even this had a fairly limited effect on crowds and excitment in the recent past.
A manager with vision, drive, enthusiasm and most importantly tha ability to articulate that to the fans and public at large maybe enough to add a bit of spice back to proceedings. MM doesn't appear to be that guy but on our budget and with our fans who is?
The emergence of the likes of Pawlett and Fyvie have been as exciting as anything at Pittodrie in recent times and something we are hopefully building on, however we need to start making them out of something more resiliant than papermachae so we can get 2 or 3 good seasons out of them before cashing in proper, Hibs style, big bucks.
Absolutely. Whether that is achievable (look at the abuse the likes of the Trust and Ultras get) I'm not sure, and questions have to be asked about what Chris Gavin actually does, but in theory a must for clubs like Aberdeen to survive in any meaningful form.
I used to be dead set against summer football but can't see any good reason why not. Aswell as allowing us to play football during the best months of the year it will boost our clubs European chances given that we will all (OF included) soon be entering in June/July. At the very least youth football should be played exclusively in the summer NOW.
Also intrigued by the playoff idea. I think fans and the media would almost universally hate the idea but watching the Super League grand final at the weekend which followed a series of packed out, thrill a minute eliminators suggests to me it is something Scottish Football should seriously consider. They also changed to a summer season and get a hell of a lot more exposure on Sky and the likes because of it.
I have to say I hate the idea of the League Cup being scrapped. Just because the EPL sides don't give a fuck about their league cup doesn't mean there is any reason we should feel the same. SPL clubs still put out full sides for these games, it comes with a bigger prize purse than the Scottish Cup and is a great chance for a non old firm team to get there hands on a trophy at a packed out Hampden. They should make changes, primarily returning it to the format c1980-90s when the final was in November with early rounds on Saturdays but should they scrap it? No, never.