BobbyBiscuit

27 years ago today

Too many of them don't get to play against men until they are loaned out or thrown into the first team. They're playing against boys they've always played against, give or take. And those who are loaned out will generally be to lower leagues, so while it may toughen them up, there is a shortfall in quality that they're playing against and with. So it can be a learning curve on one hand, but actually detrimental on another. The clubs are also forced to make a decision on these boys as soon as they're in their last year of u20s - promote them to the first team squad, or move them on. So those who may be late developers never get that chance to do so at a "big team", and those who may be borderline are probably more likely to be cut loose than kept on, depending on team's budgets etc. We need a proper reserve league.

Agree with Rico. Burns (also) played up front against them at Pittodrie with Rooney on the bench. It didn't even come close to working. We've looked our best against Celtic when we play the likes of Pawlett running off the back of Brown because it forces Brown to sit a bit deeper and he'll also be turning towards his own goal most of the time, rather than us playing in front of him for long periods at a time. I actually think Pawlett is a good option for that role because of how he draws players in and changes direction quickly, often getting the foul. If he gets past Brown, he is either drawing a CB out or potentially has a free run at the defence. Would rather see McGinn or Hayes in that specific role than McLean too. But if Jack is fit, I can't see McInnes deviating from his tried and trusted.

Nice one Manc, cheers

Apologies for putting this in here rather than the Supporters Clubs forum, but if Supporters buses/cars etc are looking for somewhere to drink Ibrox, the Rock on Highburgh Road would love to have you in. We've already got one bus coming in ahead of the match and if you're interested please leave a message here or email us at clubfutbolaberdeen@gmail.com. Letting us know in advance means we can let the pub know in case they need to put more staff on. The Rock is a Dons friendly pub in Glasgow's West End and sponsors Red Stars, Glasgow's Aberdeen supporters team, and the more heads we get through the door means better support for Red Stars. Thanks.

Celtic's centre halves are big boys, trying to bash them about could play right into their hands. Why don't we get either Hayes or McGinn (or both) changing their runs and cutting inside at times to run at them and get them turned and running towards their own goal? No defenders want that. They'd be much more uncomfortable with that than a physical battle which they'd likely win anyway.

Not just Paisley, but Ferguslie Park (aka Fegie), the most deprived area of Paisley.

Lewis, Logan, McLean and Hayes all in the SPFL Team of the Year. I voted for Lewis for the Dons one, and I'm surprised he wasn't at least in the top three - especially as McLean certainly didn't merit being that high up considering he's only turned up since December - and think it's a bit of a shame he wasn't given more of the limelight. He's made a fantastic contribution this season, and Ward apart, the first goalkeeper worthy of the name since Peter Kjaer.

There wasn't a vote, as far as the fans go anyway. There was a vote last year for fans via the club website, I voted for Storie last year, but this year it was only Player of the Year and Goal of the Season you could vote for. Christie got it by default.

Was at the Stand Comedy club on Saturday night, one of the acts made reference to the huns needing the Samaritans, and if he was on the line to a hun feeling down, he'd be making sure they had enough rope to hang themselves rather than talking them down. Some hun in the audience attempts to heckle him, the boy breaks out of his routine and hits it with "Honestly man, you're fucking mongos. Absolute fucking mutants. This country would be so much better without them". Half the audience fell into silence the rest laughed. I near enough gave the boy a standing ovation at that point. Brave thing to do in Glasgow, but good on him.

Sky once again deciding what we should and shouldn't see. Minor pitch invasion/disruption after the first goal and Sky don't show it. Do they think it's going to encourage those watching at home to invade the pitch next time they're at a match? Sanctimonious bullshit from them deciding what's too much for our sensibilities.

The Championship would be a good move for him financially, an awful move for his style of play. Not a lot of football played in that division and he'd find the ball whizz past him in most matches. The continent would be better for his style, but money talks and all that.

Believe it was 3 years accounts, fully audited. Without that you don't have a licence to play in UEFA competition - their last accounts (or the ones previous to them) were published unaudited.

On that issue, I made the point on Saturday that the substitution Lennon made in the first half was one that DM would never make - it was a bold move, realised he really had to shake things up otherwise the game was over. McInnes's subs this season have been better than his previous seasons but he hugely got away with it on Saturday.

96 we were in the "Celtic End" as well. Michael Watt. What a fucking howler that day.

No. Just no. *edit - to Stockley that is.

For the first time in over 30 years of going to Dons matches, I missed an AFC goal... was just coming up the stairs when we heard the cheers, but great goal from Rooney, absolutely delighted for him. 76 in 123 apps now, is it? The McLean debate... McLean played well but was infuriating at times. A few times he lost the ball and was then walking back, and Hibs players were running past him to get to the ball/support play. Not sure what the thinking was with Shinnie playing further forward in the first 20 mins or so but when that was changed McLean came into it more. His shooting is chronic though and was angry before he'd even hit that free kick in the second half as i knew there was no way he was even going close with it. Hope he continues in this confident form though, his decision making can still improve but if it does, and with his technique he could become our most important player. Defence - a lot of concerns. First of all, Logan seemed reluctant to go beyond the half way line on a lot of occasions where he normally would, very unlike him and we suffered for that as the game became very narrow for us. Taylor and Reynolds - collectively shat themselves at the introduction of Holt. Seriously, two centre backs in Scottish football who are frightened of playing against a big front man? It's like a really crap premise of a horrendous ITV sitcom it's that ludicrous. Actually thought Reynolds was ok other than that mostly, but Taylor again costs us. The basics of defending - short ball made on the edge of the box, you have to follow the runner and trust your team mate is moving to the ball, but Taylor is drawn in by the ball and we're fucked. Great goal from a Hibs point of view, horror stuff from ours. DM's decision to go 3 at the back was bizarre in the sense that the 3 at the back looked utterly lost to the point of appearing to never have practiced the set up - the three of them were extremely narrow and were right on top of each other. Even more bizarrely though was that Hibs seemed to stop playing when they got their equaliser and we came back into it. Didn't think McGinn looked fit and it was probably a gamble having him there. Fantastic that we got through, that wee bit of luck for Jonny, AOC throwing himself at everything in the last 5 mins too was great and loved seeing big Joe Lewis running up the park to celebrate with his team mates at the winning goal. Words i never thought i'd say.... credit to Lennon. He made a bold decision to change his team after half an hour and it worked instantly (we contributed to that right enough). I know a lot of the above looks like a whinge, but they're more concerns than anything. I'm delighted to be in the Scottish Cup Final again, it's been far too long and there is surely no danger of us being as pea-hearted as November?

Pretty much the same as last Saturday then! Would still take it of course. If we play anywhere close to our best, we'll win. An awful lot being said about Hibs, but they are still a Championship club playing Championship teams each week. Really hope McGinn is back for this one, then gives us an option of Christie off the bench if needs be. No fucking about boys, go for the jugular. We should have too much for them.

Not sure about that but he can't be far off it. Trying to think of who we've had in between those times, I would say Eoin Jess was a better passer and possibly Scott Severin too. McLean is doing really well for us but we need to see more end product - either through goals or that killer ball through the middle that Bett produced so regularly.

There were definite nerves there amongst the defence, Taylor looked nervous and got rid of it quickly a couple of times where he'd usually attempt to play a bit. Lewis looked exasperated with them a couple of times, Taylor in particular got the thousand yard stare after giving him a ropey ball back in the first half. I think Reynolds will come in for O'Connor next week - not that I want that, but it's DM's default position really. McGinn has a slight groin strain apparently, trained on Thursday but they decided not to risk him. Think he'll be back for next week though. A point on Christie - started the game so well, scored a great goal and looked generally bright and dynamic. But, not for the first time when he's started, he has faded badly in the game, completely dropped out of it by the second half and should have been subbed sooner. Not sure if it's a fitness thing considering how little he has played across the whole season but it may be why he's not had more starts.

Think we really came down to their level in the second half, allowed the game to become scrappy and when we did get forward we chose the wrong option too many times - Shinnie a few times, McLean and Hayes all making the wrong choice in good positions. The back line was incredibly jittery. O'Connor had some good moments but also some very slack ones. Taylor was grim and Considine looked out of sorts too. Would liked to have seen Pawlett on before he did. Played some nice stuff in the first half and St J offered nothing at all in the first. Shinnie will be relieved the linesman flagged at his absolute sitter in the first - not quite Miles Storey level, but quite a miss all the same. Good 3 points though, but we need to sharpen up ahead of next week.

No offence Ten Caat but it's Ash Taylor for ffs sake, not Stuart Kennedy. He's more likely to get rotten fruit chucked at him rather than applause. He'd obviously mis-control the fruit and kick it over the main stand roof while pulling the shirt of the opposition striker.... I think you're right about the fact that DM will go with the same team, but where Shinnie prefers is largely irrelevant in this at this point in the season. Shinnie shows great hunger in midfield, he's really busy and we'd clearly miss that if he wasn't there. But, I actually think he offers more in an attacking sense from left back. His attacking from there, the support of (generally) Jonny Hayes, the overlapping runs, taking defenders with him etc we just don't get with Consi there as much as he tries.

Totally, I'm not disagreeing about how well he has played in there, but we're going to a difficult place on the back of a 3-0 doing at home where our defence was at fault for each goal. Get a bit of balance to the backline and make sure our base is solid and build from there. I know DM won't do it so it's neither here nor there I suppose but it's what I would do. Make sure we're as comfortable as possible at the back and the rest of the side will benefit.

He should be if that's what the team needs.

Hopefully last Sunday's travesty has re-focussed the team and that DM has been able to get some reaction from them. St J don't have a great home record this season and my biggest concern for this game is that we play into their hands by playing Stockley from the start and end up lumping the ball up to him at every opportunity - Anderson will relish that and snuff that out rather easily. Taylor out, Considine beside O'Connor, Shinnie at left back and bring in Pawlett.