glasgow sheep

yeah that will be a full cycle of 11 games and will give the best idea of where we really are (well will give JC an idea of where we really are as I think most of us fear we know already) As a comparison, and as folk have said we have more points now than at the same point last season, here is our 11 game record last year, when most folk would agree we had (another) poor start: Pos Name P W D L F A W D L F A GD PTS 6 Aberdeen 11 2 2 2 10 7 2 1 2 6 8 +1 15 So 8points would be break even with a poor start last year

didn't you read? He has to prove himself in the reserves <shrugs shoulders smilie>

Two matches before and 3 after the International break. 3 of them away from home and 2 at home. Could we be seeing protest outside the Main Stand on the 1st November. I hope we turn things around but looks like a tricky set of fixtures, especially with Hibs having got a boost from the re-signing of Riordan. Lot could depend on the game at Parkhead. Get hammered and I fear for us over the next few weeks. I certainly can't imagine we will be seeing chants of "we'll win 6-5" like we got when Ebbe was manager if we go 5 down on Saturday. Anything else and we might get a wee boost. Saturday, 27 September 2008 Celtic v Aberdeen, 15:00 Saturday, 04 October 2008 Aberdeen v Hibernian, 15:00 Saturday, 18 October 2008 Falkirk v Aberdeen, 15:00 Saturday, 25th October 2008 Hearts v Aberdeen, 15:00 Saturday, 01 November 2008 Aberdeen v Kilmarnock, 15:00

why? Is an away tie to Killie a suitable time to give your reserve keeper a run-out? Yet another example of JC getting a stupid fucking idea in his head and then, when it is clearly insane, he is too stubborn to acknowledge this and make the easy, sensible decision. [see Severin, Scott]

Going on past experience I expect JC to get a bonus tomorrow

I, thankfully, didn't go tonight. I quite frankly couldn't face it, but by all accounts Bossu put on a performance that wouldnae be accepted by my nephews under 10 team. What is JC's justification for playing him? He clearly doesn't think he is better than Langfield as he won't get near a league match. So does he feel that the league cup is some how beneath us? Does he feel that a team, lacking confidence, with a dodgy, ever changing defence would benefit from a change of keeper? He didn't drop Mackie or Miller to give Wright a run out, so why make a similar change to give Bossu a run out?

answerable to the fans

utter nonsense btw anyone want a ticket for Saturday?

Some economic stuff: http://www.baltictimes.com/news/articles/21193/ S&P downgrades Ukio Aug 27, 2008 By Mike Collier VILNIUS - Rating agency Standard & Poor's said on August 26th that it had revised its outlook on Lithuanian AB Ukio Bankas to negative from stable. At the same time, the 'BB' long-term ratings and 'B' short-term ratings on the bank were affirmed. The outlook revision on Ukio reflects what S&P believes is "the bank's heightened credit risks arising from uncertain economic prospects in Lithuania where the bank operates." "In addition to the deteriorating economic conditions, we believe that Ukio's credit risks have increased because the bank has experienced very high loan growth in the past 12 months in an untested operating environment that is exposed to macroeconomic overheating," said Standard & Poor's credit analyst Miguel Pintado. "Standard & Poor's considers that Ukio is exposed to high credit risk through its loan portfolio growth of over 100% in the last 18 months. This is well above the overall Lithuanian market lending growth rate, and most of the loans are to the riskier small and midsize enterprises and retail leasing sectors." Although asset quality indicators remain at "relatively comfortable" levels, the first six months of 2008 have already seen a deterioration, with nonperforming loans increasing, S&P noted. Standard & Poor's considers that Ukio is likely to face increased pressure on its asset quality as the economic conditions in Lithuania deteriorate. The outlook also factors in the expectation that Ukio will be able to maintain its relatively good financial performance and garnering of market shares in core business lines, while maintaining capital levels. "The outlook could revert to stable if our concerns over the operating environment abate and the bank's asset quality proves resilient while it continues to deliver sustained profitability and strengthen its commercial and financial position. Conversely, a weakening financial profile or operating environment, contributing to higher credit or market risks, could put downward pressure on the ratings," S&P said.

I don't think they pay any bills on time. Mizer what is the graph below the share price?

is bossu definitely starting? I may need to change my prediction

That's all very well but the arabs and russian oligarchs are attracted to the EPL because it is the EPL (see the SPL thread for a discussion about the hype and whether it is merited). Owning a EPL team and splashing the cash is a big ego boost for these guys given the huge amount of press and free publicity they get, not just in the UK but around the world. Buying a middle of the road SPL club just won't get you the same level of hype and publicity, hence much as we can only attract 2nd rate (at best) players we can only attract 2nd rate millionaires - Romanov, Di Stefano, Mileson etc. There maybe someone out there with the cash and the interest to buy Aberdeen (although 10yrs of looking would suggest otherwise) but I would be amazed if any faceless, or otherwise, billionaire would come anywhere near Scotland, let alone Aberdeen

your second link there has "watch in normal quality" underneath it so guess you must be correct

Is that not what Romanov was going to do? Aberdeen FC simply doesn't have the supporter base to get investment to even a fraction of the degree you are talking about. On top of that we are faced with the OF who will occupy the top2 places 9 times out of 10, regardless. In any case I wouldn't want some faceless foreign millionaire to come and use afc as his play thing for a few years until he gets bored. Although afc is a small club in european terms we are a big enough club in Scottish terms to believe that if we are run well we should be challenging for europe and cups every year. No doubt this is an unrealistic expectation on my part, but if the club really don't share these ambitions then the gradual drift of support away from Pittodrie will turn into a tidal wave.

i edited his post to include the article

ahhh eion jess

[move]BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO[/move]

I'll change it to if you could change 1 thing what would it be?

sic adverb a term used in brackets after a word or phrase in a quotation to indicate that it is quoted accurately, even if it appears to be a mistake.

I think perhaps the Sunday Mail should read this article by dandy Michael Grant in todays Herlad: http://www.sundayherald.com/sport/shfootball/display.var.2450011.0.please_get_a_life.php

At work so can't see the video, but you can by clicking the link http://www.sundaymail.co.uk/news/scottish-news/2008/09/21/spl-referee-mike-mccurry-filmed-singing-rangers-anthem-in-church-78057-20745758/ SPL referee Mike McCurry filmed singing Rangers anthem in church Sep 21 2008 By Steve Dinneen THIS is SPL referee Mike McCurry belting out Rangers anthem Simply The Best in front of his stunned congregation. This video footage shows the controversial whistler leading a chorus of the song in his church - the day after the Ibrox team beat Celtic in a crucial Old Firm game. The Tina Turner hit is a huge favourite among Rangers fans and the club play it over the public speaker system before games. The film shows the Baptist minister donning a giant foam hand. McCurry, 44, was at the centre of controversy in May after a series of blunders in a match. Dundee United manager Craig Levein accused him of bias after his team lost 3-1 to Rangers. Then his affair with 21-year-old Sunday school teacher Victoria Mathers was exposed in June. He went to ground for two months but returned to top-flight action three weeks ago and today takes charge of a match between Kilmarnock and Celtic. The video shows him handing out red and yellow giant foam hands to the congregation at Mosspark Baptist church in Glasgow. He jokes he had always wanted to send a football player off in the last match he referees while wearing an outsized glove. He introduces the "last hymn", saying: "Can you put the words up on the screen please? "We'll sing this then we'll say closing prayer. If any of you are going through a hard time, I'd be delighted to pray with you. "The bottom line is, this is a great church and we've got a great God. He's simply the best. "Most of you will know the tune - the words might be a little bit different. We're going to stand, point, sing, clap, do whatever. "And we're going to tell Jesus we think he's simply the best." The video then shows McCurry dancing and clapping his hands as he sings along. He cups his hand to his ear, mimicking the famous "I can't hear you" goal celebration used by footballers. The congregation applaud when the song finishes but many look bemused during the performance. One assembly member said: "Everyone knows it's a big Rangers song and there were a few raised eyebrows for him to be giving it laldy the day after an Old Firm game. "He did make clear it was praising God but to be asked to sing that song on that day did surprise people a little bit. "The lyrics change in church to 'He touches my heart' instead of 'I'm stuck on your heart' and I'm sure there was no malice intended." A member of McCurry's assembly said the classic anthem was played on March 30 - the morning after Rangers had beaten Celtic 1-0 at Ibrox. The match was widely seen as a title clincher for Gers but they were overtaken by Celtic in the race to the SPL title. Yesterday there were no replies to calls to McCurry's mobile phone or to the church.

anyone taught him how to play football?

QUICK FACT Aberdeen had lost just four of the past 27 games at Pittodrie – three of them this season.

Poor start to the season, again. Should we give the team more time to bed in or is it a case of the same old problems that have always been present with Calderwood now being magnified by the poor summer signings to replace the loss of our best players? And if things should change, what or who should it be? Despite the underlying problems at Pittodrie running alot deeper I am beginning to think it is time JC's position was under serious consideration. Manager Pros: Proven track record. League and cup results improved steadily since he arrived. Still early in the season with many changes from last season. Signings of Mulgrew and Aluko. Who would do better? Cons: Inept tactical decisions, poor signings, terrible quality of football, poor entertainment, inability to motivate team, constant stream of pish to the press. Who would do worse? Players Pros: Young team. Good mix of skill and endeavour. Proven records at other SPL or Championship teams. Have done well last few years. Still early in the season and need time to gel. Cons: Not enough effort. Lack of basic skills. Failed repeatedly to show required level of ability. Time for others/youngsters to get a chance Director of Football Pros: He's Willie Miller. Signing of Aluko Cons: What the fuck does he do? Merely a deflection shield for Milne. Fallen into the trap of blaming fans for all the the clubs ills Stewart Milne Pros: Gives club the financial security it needs. Club finances improving year on year. Plans for new stadium. Provided more cash to the manager than most SPL chairman (see Hibs) Cons: Created the massive debt in the first place. Lacks ambition. Presided over the least successful period in afc's history since the war. Appointed Miller so he could disappear into the background. Impending disaster in 2011 when we have no new stadium and have millions worth of interest to pay off The Fans Pros: Backed the team through thick but mainly thin for 15yrs. Pump thousands into afc. Will come out in numbers when there is something to entice them in (uefa cup, cup semis) Cons: Too quick to moan. Deserted in droves over the last 2 years despite relative success. Unrealistic exceptions (sic)

We certainly had alot of the ball in the first half but created the square root of fuck all. As Reekie said 369 corners 540 free kicks and their keeper didn't have a save of note to make. Do we practice set pieces? Even when we won the ball in the air it invariably bounced off our players head as if he was a 14yr old school girl trying to head a football for the first time. Midfield is powder puff and aluko, maguire and foster can run up and down the touch line all day but if they don't get a decent ball in then all they are doing is running, and they can do that down duthie park. We had, on paper an easy start to the season. Yet again we have had a terrible start and we are now faced with Killie (a), Celtic (a) Hibs (h) Falkirk (a) Hearts (a) Not many points out of that lot you would imagine and quite possibly out the cup too. We next play United on the 8th Nov. If the intervening 5 league games (celtic, hibs, falkirk, hearts then killie(h) ) don't throw up a couple of wins will JC still be in charge?