RicoS321

Aye, that's about it. Time to see if DST are just a toothless organisation or not. Releasing a statement and then leaving it is unacceptable. They should release another, stating that they are disappointed that the club have not pursued a new inquiry and further sanctions in light of the "new" evidence. They should use the emails in their statement to highlight Aberdeen's previous position, and request that the club issue a public statement. Also, state that they'll be getting together with other clubs' supporters clubs to pressure their respective clubs into also releasing statements and pressuring the SPL board and continuing to ramp up the pressure with organised boycotts etc. I suspect DST are happy just to have released a statement - that's their work done... but perhaps I'm being harsh.

I seem to remember the Red Ultras burying some dead children on Saddleworth moor one time. That's why I never liked them.

Interesting stuff. Obviously we can take JJ with a pinch of salt, but there's no reason to assume that those emails are anything but genuine. Both Topping (surprisingly) and Fraser come out of this with something approaching decency. The LNS inquiry is similar to that of Grenfell in the way that it was/is designed/limited to avoid a useful outcome that would satisfy anything, but simply produce a report that could be waved in front of people to show that something was being done (a bit like the dons' report into the redevelopment of Pittodrie). Grenfell deliberately excludes any investigation into the political side of the disaster, rendering it useless, the LNS was simply orchestrated at a point where it would have been impossible to go against the tax case initial findings - they saw their moment before the appeal and took it. In both cases, it was glaring obvious and highlighted before the inquiries began.

Not it isn't. Nobody is making that argument.

You have no evidence for any of the above, have you?

Was flicking through the channels, when I spotted this film on BBC2 just now. Watched it for a couple of minutes, and came across this beauty of a line. I don't think I've seen this on any of the social medias and such like. I'd tweet it, but I'm nae cool enough. Somebody must've spotted it before me? Anyway, luckily youtube has the business.... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zHqbLkIZLH8#t=51m41s

I'd fucking hope so. Wasn't mobile enough for midfield last time he was here. Good footballer like, so a decent signing. Good experience and intelligent with the ball. He'll have a much better team around him from his last stint, so that'll make things easier for him too.

Just back. Not a great game in front of a big crowd, but fitness was obviously an issue in the second half. We looked good and fast paced at times in the first half, especially Christie who mas MOM by a mile. Lovely goal, great spot by Lewis and a tremendous finish. Caught out a couple of times at the back, but nothing that worrying. Biggest worry for me was Rooney starting the season as he finished the last. Looked short of ideas, slow to get in front of his man and loose in possession. I thought a good striker was our biggest priority in January and, even with players going out, I still think it was where the money should go. Rooney has been fantastic, but we can't afford a Rooney that's not firing. I'm not convinced Maynard is the answer (although he got on the end of a couple of crosses) so hopefully we get Moult. GMS looked decent, if a little jaded by the second half. Some nice skills and a good touch. Similarly Stewart when he came on. Tansey definitely has an eye for a pass and will get some assists this season. He moves the ball far quicker than Jack, but I can see him making a few mistakes too because of this. He did well enough though. Don't think we've quite got the shape right tonight. I'd probably have a forward three of Stewart, Christie and GMS, with Maynard in front next week. Either Tansey or McLean alongside Shinnie. McLean did well making the wide runs from the central role, recognising Christie was coming in every time, but I think we just shift Christie infield from the start instead. Good to see the footballing abomination getting the last five minutes. A beautiful cross out of play and an offside being his major contribution. That's a guy keeping Wright from developing as a player. It's not acceptable. We've got the ability to beat them over there, we're a better team. We just need to get fitter and sharper up front between now and then.

I didn't think I'd have to put [joke][/joke] round every comment.

I heard a similar quote the last time we signed a promising Utd youngster. "Is there a Dundee Utd player called David Goodwille......". Anyway, there was a different ending to that story.

McLean announced he'd be staying now that you'd renewed your season ticket. The motivation of proving himself to you was something he felt couldn't be ignored. Anyway, GMS is a totally different type of player, McLean will be staying put. Welcome aboard Gary, despite yer poofy double-barreled bollocks. Hopefully you'll show some of the inconsistency you had at Utd that made Delia randomly sign you.

Aye, fucked after the third really. Injured I assume, but he might not say as much as he's always quite magnanimous. Ah well, I've always hated the Hibee English loser anyway.

Aye, 6-1 in the fourth. 2-2. Don't see him winning the final set. Although wouldn't put it past him either.

2-1 Murray. Nearly threw that one away like.

Just back from Pittodrie, picking up my tickets. Guy reckoned they'll sell around 16K. Pretty decent given zero away support. First time I've seen the new away kit too. Not as shite as I first thought.

Oh aye. Fuckin hates the tims, which is a plus. Always got the impression he didn't like Jack too, which adds another point to his overall dandy count.

Where did you end up?

I'd be interested to see the comparison between injuries and suspensions to centre backs compared to other parts of the pitch. I suspect that would quickly show your concern to be false. We're just as likely, if not more, to have a forward player being hacked down or pulling a hamstring as a defender suffering concussion (when was the last time a dons' centre half was out with concussion?). Injuries occur all over the pitch, so cover is a concern in all areas. Similarly, Stockley was sent off more than our entire defence last season. I'm specifically talking about our first 11 though, not cover. Our defence has not weakened in our first 11, whereas our midfield and forward areas have. Ergo, before we worry about cover, we sort the first team. We need to have enough to beat this mob on Thursday, and our weakened first tram in midfield and attack reduce this chance (I still think we're good enough). Our first team defence is as likely as it was this time last season to get us through the first round. Nothing has changed in that regard other than the fact that we don't have a player to cover the defence in the same way Jack did.

That wasn't the point I made though. The point was that it is the one area that we haven't weakened the first eleven. Our defence of last season is much stronger than our attack of last season minus Hayes and McGinn, and also stronger than our midfield minus Jack. That is the comparison to be made, not our attack of last season v defence of last season as you have stated. We haven't replaced Hayes, who has been our most important player of the last couple of seasons. Whilst we could easily improve our defence, we need to first get our other parts of the pitch up to at least the same standard as last season, which we haven't done yet. That said, priorities shouldn't really be an issue given that we have known for some time which positions we'll need. I'd have expected several defenders, midfielders and strikers to have been scouted and options weighed up; it doesn't need to be one or the other. Although, personally, I thought our striker role was the weakest last season, with 2 of the 3 being poor and one not hitting top form. In January, our defence was good enough for the remainder of the season, but a good striker might just have given us enough to win a cup. I'm not 100% certain Maynard resolves this.

But it's not urgent though is it? We've got a decent back four (as good as last season anyway), plus we've got Considine to cover for Reynolds, Shinnie at left back etc. We need folk in that can win us games in the early rounds of Europe. Our starting eleven, defensively, hasn't been weakened, but every other area of the pitch has. Repairing that disparity is clearly more of an issue, which should be prioritised. Then we concentrate on getting a good defender in.

I thought McKenna was way out of his depth when he played for the first toward the end of the season a couple of seasons back. He looked slow to turn and lumbering in the challenge and poor with the ball at his feet. He was good in the air though and was big. I was very surprised when I read on various forums of how ace he was, I just didn't see it. I think it was from folk who were having a go at Reynolds at the time and were in some way associating Reynolds poor performances with McKenna's okay performances as if that was some benchmark. I dinna think McKenna will make it as I don't think he is good enough, and I don't believe he was ever that promising other than in the minds of a few dons fans. Also, Sibbald is a first division player. He's basically Kallum Higginbotham. Nae good enough.

Because they're all dicks.

Nope. Wingers need to be able to kick the ball in a direction they aren't facing. He's no more a winger than Magennis was a full back

Is it John Souttar's younger bro? If so, very good player.

Aye, he may or maynard make it up here.