Panda

Sokler's chance to really kick on and stake a place in the team was after his wonder goal at Easter Road, but he spent most of the second half of last season injured. He was unlucky in that respect, but between the Hibs game & his injury, he started four out of five games and didn't score in any of them, and the Hibs goal was his only one since October, so he wasn't exactly a striker in form. It didn't look good that we sent him out on loan though, but kept Ambrose and signed Yengi. And from memory he looked okay in both legs v FCSB. Really, we should have given him a chance, but if we're looking at Hearts and Hibs as our benchmark, is he as good as Shankland, Braga or Boyle? I'd argue Nisbet better than him too.

Klauß actually means "victory of the people", which is the type of thing you want in your manager. Thelin means "protector of the people". Nice, but perhaps too defensive and cautious, and slow to react when we need to go on the offensive. Pfannenstiel means "panhandle"...

Shame, there was a player in there, and I actually would have liked to see him given another crack at it in the second half of this season. However, with Leven suggesting we could sign as many as four players this window, maybe a new striker is incoming?

Interestingly, he wouldn't deny if interviews/contact had already taken place. Also clarified his earlier "Scottish knowledge" comment. "It would be a good benefit if there is knowledge of Scottish football - that is not everything but definitely a positive". "Will he be Scottish? Will he be German? Will he be from Mars or from any other planet? I can't tell you that right now," Pfannenstiel said. "We just want to have the right guy who makes Aberdeen better."

Went down a Robert Klauß rabbit hole. Firstly, loads of videos of his training sessions on YouTube for anyone who has a fetish for that sort of thing. An Austrian podcast was saying it was a surprise he was sacked by Rapid. Appeared he was doing a solid enough job there, had put together a good squad after taking over a poor side, and they were in the last eight of the Conference League. However, they then lost 10 out of 16 games in a horror run, and also got knocked out of the Austrian Cup by a lower league side, and that finished him. However, before that run, the feeling was he was doing such a good job that he was going to be poached away that summer. Appears to like a 4-4-2 that turns into a 4-2-2-2, with his wingers tucking and his full backs overlapping. Pros: Very highly respected coach. Has worked with Ragnick & Nagelsmann. The type of guy you would love as your assistant manager. Cons: Is he too big a risk as a manager? Didn't get Nürnberg promoted in two attempts, and despite a positive start at Rapid he then hit terrible form and, like Thelin, couldn't turn it around. But there has been interest in him from Spain and Cyprus and he turned down both roles, so clearly still highly thought of.

Yeah, if Celtic get cover, which basically sounds like O'Neill saying he'll never be good enough for Celtic as he's only going to give him a chance if absolutely necessary. He's 26 in a matter of days, needs a permanent club, pretty sure we can outbid Motherwell if we are interested. But, Celtic play Auchinleck in the cup. It's a game you would make a lot of changes for. I fear Welsh will play, and we'll need to wait until summer for him.

Back to Stephen Robinson, slaughtered his players tonight. Maybe we're just waiting for him to be sacked so we don't need to pay any compensation.

I'm currently watching the St Mirren game, and they have been awful. Bear in mind they've played against 10 men since the 14th minute and have had one shot on target. I fear Cormack is looking at McInnes's impact at Hearts and thinks Robinson will do the same here; forgetting that McInnes has been helped massively by the recruitment at Hearts. He wouldn't have us at the top of the league, and neither would Robinson. The two Germans mentioned are Markus Gisdol and Robert Klaus. Klaus (or Klauß) is an interesting one. Plays a 4-4-2 / 4-2-2-2, had Rapid Vienna in the Conference League quarters, but hasn't really had any long term success. But you could say, neither has Askou who has impressed at Motherwell. Maybe just lacks a bit of experience and his next club will get the benefit - he's been linked with some English Championship clubs. Certainly the most intriguing of the three.

Interesting to note Stephen Welsh isn't in the Celtic squad tonight despite being recalled...

https://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/fp/sport/football/aberdeen-fc/6933646/aberdeen-transfer-nicolas-milanovic-confidence/ The gist of this being that two clubs interested in Milanovic, but Aberdeen only likely to let him leave on loan if they do let him leave. Palaversa, Nilsen, Besuijen, Yengi and Ambrose all getting to fuck.

Probably something to do with Lutz being in charge of the search, and no-one in the Scottish media knowing him well enough to get an exclusive Also, the whole "we're taking our time" thing, they appear pretty serious about that. Could be into February before we get a new boss.

I definitely disagree with his last line where he says Miovski is in a good place right now. He looks miserable, isn't playing, and has had to delete his social media due to abuse from his own fans. I think if he's being honest he regrets ever making that move.

BBC Sport columnist Guillem Balague saidthat there was 'a clash between a coach with a clear methodology and players who want to rely on instinct.' Poor bloke doesn't need to be subjected to our lot.

Nah, I know the name but don't know him.

The TV cameras showed him at one point sitting on the bench, aye.

So you genuinely think I don't want us to win the Scottish Cup, because I'd like us to have some free Saturdays? There's nothing much else to say to that.

I'm sure his posts about me are as thrilling as ever Thankfully, this forum has an ignore function, which I've had him on since summer.

It's clearly tongue firmly planted in the cheek. Surely you're better than that!?

I hate to say it, but we could do worse than take a leaf out of Derek McInnes' playbook this season. He's playing 4-4-2. Two deep central midfielders (Devlin and Baningime), two wingers, and then Braga partners Shankland. Sometimes Braga drops deep to make it a 4-2-3-1. And their midfield get the ball forward quickly and their front four are right on top of opponents. We don't have a Braga, a Devlin or... well we're about 11 players short. But we just make nice little five yard passes in our own half then punt it forward when the opposition are all back in place and in their shape. Today was the same as every other game; desperately hoping someone produces a bit of magic because we can't open anyone up.

One point from these five, plus today. Best thing that can happen to us would be Raith Rovers winning the cup tie, because it'd give us some free weekends where we're not subjected to watching this pish.

They have targeted Devlin & Milne in this half.

Mitov didn't "get away with one", it's a foul every day of the week. The main problem here is the defence. Going forward, Devlin getting into great positions, but he's not a finisher. Lazetic again a waste of time. Really expected more from him.

That's two corners where Polvara has ran into his own player. Knocked over Devlin at one corner (although Devlin also to blame), and on his arse there to allow Aasgaard an easy finish.

Be interesting to see where Milanovic playing. Is he wide on the right (meaning Karlsson left). That means either 4-2-3-1 with Clarkson or Polvara advanced, or basically just the Jimmy Thelin tactics of 5-2-3 and we'll knock it around our own half until we give the ball away. Or, or is it the same as midweek, with Karlsson and Lazetic as a front two with Milanovic in a No.10 role? That would be more interesting. Either way, 1-0 the Dons.

I remember a game in the 90s down at Ibrox, where the game was called off 10 minutes before kick-off. Been a long time waiting to repay the favour, but..