RicoS321

Tonight's game is of biblical proportion

Oh, undoubtedly, they're Huns after all. Their decision the other week was another that was absolutely fine as the ref called it. I wouldn't be surprised if their reaction to it had a subconscious effect on the decision made against Livingston. Which they know, hence the bullying statements. The problem that we have is that all our clubs are firmly embedded in the decision to implement the single worst thing to happen to football. They're still right behind VAR, despite it ruining the experience of the paying customer. The dishonesty of all our clubs, and managers, has led to the "technology" being implemented, and is seeing that it remains. If the Huns were genuinely concerned, as they said in their last statement, about the decisions made by VAR, they'd have released another statement after the Livi game. As would all our clubs. Unfortunately, they're only interested in how it doesn't work, when it doesn't, for themselves. It's why we get compliant shite with Collum explaining his staff's workings every month, but we didn't previously.

I'd leave it up to the player if possible. Depending on the type of guy he is, and the closeness of his relationship with his grandfather, then he might be even more determined to play. Obviously, don't know the first thing about his situation, but it could be that his grandfather was a big influence on his career, or whatever, and he might feel it fitting to go out and perform in his memory. It'd be a shame to take that decision from him unnecessarily.

I don't think it was that bad a call. It merely highlights the stupidity of VAR, and the arsehole of a handball rule it has created. It's fairly easy to explain what the ref did or didn't see, and fairly easy to think of a reason not to give the pen, and also fairly easy to think of a reason to give it. Had the rule still been the existing deliberate rule, I'd have no problem with playing on. The player doesn't try and block the ball. In real time, instead of shitey slow motion, you can see the player has no time at all to properly react. He realises the ball is going to hit his arm and does the involuntary movement that goes towards the ball rather than away from it. Anyone who has played football has likely experienced it, regardless of the level your playing at. It's an entirely different movement to going in with your arm raised (making yourself bigger), or making a deliberate save. If he'd had time to move his hand out of the way, he would have, but there wasn't because it was close to him, and the unexpected shiteness of the shot would have taken him by surprise. If the ref had given it in real time, that's an entirely acceptable call too. It's hit the player's hand, and he's moved his arm slightly towards it. It's a subjective game, filled with subjective decisions. There's no such thing as clear and obvious, and never can be. A decision can almost always be explained either way. I tend to look at things through an honesty lens. The player didn't try to gain an advantage by handling it, it just happened, so you play on. Sportsmanship, basically. Anyway, Livi will get a dodgy pen against the next unlucky fools who have to play them to even things up.

I don't know if the rumours are true, but it was suggested that the club was lining up a swap deal involving Ambrose plus cash for Karlsson's grandfather, which is why they encouraged him to return to Sweden and miss the weekend's game.

Sounds like a serious case of cuntism.

Mitov was fine yesterday. Just like the rest of them he made a single error. Not sure his was worse than any of the others. Generally speaking, he's decent at crosses too, but we seem to face an inordinate number of them in games. Far more than we throw in. We've given up blocking crosses, and seem to prefer to defend them in our own box these days. That results in Mitov having to gamble a lot more than you'd like. Saying that, if he'd stayed on his line for that one yesterday, I think they might have scored. He seemed to do just enough to put the guy off, despite not getting to it first.

Hun. My kids don't even make the top ten.

Shearer, Mixu, Booth and Jess had over sixty in the league between them in 92-93. Mental. Don't remember the pens stat though.

For all the tedious shite we hear about JT "being backed", and big player budgets/spending a lot of money, we only had three signings on the pitch yesterday, and one of those is a loanee. The return has been exceptionally poor this summer, as expected. The sporting director and Mowbray only now joining has set us back a huge amount, and that has to be shouldered by Cormack. A total false economy spending a load of cash when you don't have the system in place.

3-5-2, 3-3-2-2, or 3-4-1-2. We played a 3-5-2 against Motherwell, with Karlsson and Lazetic central, but we quickly shifted back to the 3-4-3 because the midfield struggled (that was the game that Armstrong looked knackered anyway). In my opinion, the 3-1-4-2, with Clarkson (or Polvara if we must) sitting in front of the defence, with two in front would work nicely. Similarly, two sitting, with Armstrong ahead would work fine too. I'd argue that none of these work particularly well with Karlsson in the side, but I find it bizarre that we haven't tried any of these options when looking for something to change a game, instead insisting that Nisbet comes on as a lone striker in abject failure, every single time.

He'd have been a slightly better match winner if he hadn't missed the original header! As he did in the first half too. In fact, if you go through their chances, there was probably only one created from a good move (the lad on the left getting deep into our box before being crowded out). Milne got caught under the long ball in either half, Knoester did similar in the second, losing a ball he seemed to have under control, and then Devlin tried a difficult pass back instead of just clearing it for a throw. The rest of their opportunities came from set pieces (albeit there were maybe a couple of good moves to win corners).

Maybe if you would write bigger, then Thelin might hear you.

A good performance, without a standout player. Everyone worked hard, and we were disciplined throughout, generally speaking. I'd probably give Armstrong the man of the match for us, as he was the one that seemed most assured. Jensen was good too, and the back three and keeper each had a dodgy moment, but survived. Midfield worked hard, and closed the spaces very well, but Polvara got caught in possession too many times, and both were weak in the tackle. They were a decent team, but with the spine of their side missing, didn't really cause us many issues. It didn't feel like we were one ahead playing against the top side in the league. There are several sides in this league that will beat them with those players, or equivalent, missing. A deserved victory for the first half certainly. The subs were an abomination again. It felt like a preseason friendly, with half the team changed in the space of five minutes. It was unfair on the players coming on, as well as being high risk. The subs should have started around the hour mark, when players (Lobban, Polvara, Lazetic) began to fail. We looked all over the shop, unsurprisingly, with Clarkson especially looking bamboozled playing on the left fucking wing (almost like he's attempting to teach him a lesson, or just generally alienate him). Anyway, a very good win, and another clean sheet.

It's one player, in a position that nobody has claimed. If he's willing to be a squad player, who waits for injury to get his chance, then get him along. The dirty English prick.

Just play a 3-5-2. Or a 3-1-4-2, or 3-3-2-2. Plenty of options to retain 3 central midfielders. We'll be playing a 3-4-3, with only two in midfield today.

Perfect opportunity to play two up front, but we stick with it. Disappointing. Guessing it's Aouchiche and Polvara playing central, with Armstrong hanging around the right hand side up front. Or switch Armstrong and Aouchiche, which wouldn't be good. He might try the 3-5-2 with Keskinen alongside Lazetic. Shinnie and Armstrong struggled last time out with that setup, as part of a 3 in midfield, but I don't see Aouchiche having an issue with it, and Armstrong will be fit again I'm guessing. I think it'll be the 3-4-3 though, with Armstrong out of position.

It's quite impressive losing a head that size.

I'd go with @Panda's suggested lineup, but I'd take Knoesters out and play Knoester, plus I'd take Karlsson out and start with the front two.

Aye, I think he's thrown in Shankland and Devlin as both doubtful, which suggests the two you mention probably are out.

Remember, McInnes loves to talk about players being doubtful, only for them to miraculously appear in the starting lineup with fuck all wrong with them.

I like the fact that Knoesters has joined the ranks of yer Tescos and yer ASDAs.

Big Yengi on the score sheet again. Knew there was a player in there.

Aye, but we still wouldn't be dirty Tims.