RicoS321

Name's on the trophy Edit: so let's see if you heathens stick to just one thread when we get to the final.

Always takes the game to the Tims. Well known for it.

Big Marley haunting the Tims.

I've been to quite a few women's games and it's good to watch. The keepers are often the only difference - a significant one - between the teams. An even game can be turned into a rout just by virtue of one team having a terrible keeper. The Dons had a Celtic keeper on loan for a few games last season to cover for absence and she couldn't reach the crossbar or kick it as far as the halfway line. She was lobbed twice on her line in a game the Dons would otherwise have won. I suspect it's because it's a part-time sport for most, if you look back at world cup games involving developing nations there would always be a wild goalie or three that would be the biggest difference, but the professional men's game has largely ironed that out. It's rare that it's only a keeper that effects a particular game, and usually because of an outstanding performance or unusually honking one. Maybe it'll improve in the coming decade.

Yep, you're probably right. I was assuming that Hayes wouldn't need a run out, but as OD says, Duncan was struggling. Maybe Devlin can play left back.

Hayes was on the bench last night, surely he'll be available? Morris appears to have zero left foot whatsoever, if it was in front of a very good left centre half it'd be okay, but would be far too risky given our current performance levels. Personally, I'd just drop him for Devlin and have Rubezic play right of MacDonald. If Hayes isn't fit, then Duncan it is (he did well defensively against the Tims). I'd rather we remained reasonably solid first away from home, and I don't think Morris adds anything in that regard, so leave him as an impact sub if the need arises. Midfield is possibly a bigger headache. I think that away from home we should sit with two and Clarkson in front. Polvara doesn't have the legs of Ramadani to sit further forward.

We do need better than him, that's not in doubt. My point is that it's a lot harder for a good cross to come in when your starting position is much further back against a deep lying defence. You can either throw it in early (which Duncan tried all night and only got in one good cross), or take on your man. The problem with starting so deep is that when you take on your man the left centre back (or left back in a four) just comes out to narrow the angle, which blocks the lofted square ball into the box. You've either got another player to take on, a cut back if it's on, or batter the ball across. The latter almost always gets cut out for a corner, which happened to Morris several times last night. Morris stood a couple of balls up to the back post last night that nobody got near too. The point is that the mythical good cross is extremely rare in modern football (probably only two or three in any given game from both wings combined). It's one thing that fans seem to latch onto as if it's really simple and should be happening every single time a player gets out wide. The other often mentioned one is corners beating the front man, yet you turn on any level, whether it's Modric, Messi or Mackie, it very regularly doesn't beat the front man (I saw it numerous times in the last world cup final for instance). Good crosses require the player crossing getting the ball nice and early, before the defence is set, or for a player to make that space on his own, drawing players out that would otherwise block the cross. Both rely on good movement from the front man to which Miovski is good at (Duk not so much). I watched part of the Hun game the other night, and they've probably got the two best crossers of the ball in our league in Tavernier and Barisic and they probably got two between them, both from deep and very difficult to execute (think Tavernier scored from a Barisic cross). The rest were dealt with by a defence that was deep enough to header clear. Morris isn't good enough for numerous reasons, but accurate crossing is a difficult skill that is about a lot more than simply lumping it in (what Duncan was doing). Morris took responsibility last night (and to an extent against the Tims), it is very easy just to throw the ball in from deep and pretend that's you done your job. The improvements he needs to implement are his awareness, concentration and coming inside on his wrong foot (and shooting!). Crossing will generally be a numbers game for him, as it used to be for Hayes back in his day (he'd get nine shite ones before setting up a goal).

That was ropey at times. Thought Duncan was poor tonight and a bit of a worry ahead of Thursday. The defence in general looked shaky, Devlin aside. Rubezic was way off it before going off, MacDonald much better although may have been at fault for the goal (couldn't tell). Clarkson was good in the advanced role again. Really not sure what our best eleven is, nor what formation. Miovski probably motm tonight, his movement excellent throughout and he scored a goal. Morris did well again, it's easy to criticise his final ball but playing wingback makes it much harder and often deflection for a corner is the best you can hope for.

Okay first half. Fairly dominated things in possession with no real good chances. Beautiful finish from Miovski after great play by Devlin. Those two and Morris have been the stand outs. We're using Morris early and it's paying off because of his pace. I think he'd struggle to replicate that against top flight teams given his deepish starting position. Would like to see Duncan move inside and Polvara off. Polvara been okay but it's getting a little congested. I think Duncan could get further forward. No young lads on the bench unfortunately, so it'd have to be Hayes. If MacDonald gets some minutes, it'll be interesting to see who comes off. Might give us an idea of the potential defence for Thursday and onwards. Would be harsh on Devlin to make way and also harsh on Morris if Devlin moves to wingback too. Edit: Duk been poor. Maybe give Sokler a half.

I didn't say that. But (either of us) wanting Aberdeen to win has no bearing on Aberdeen winning. Evidence has shown us over the last thirty years that weakening of the scum is the single biggest factor in winning trophies. Evidence also shows that any domestic win procured on the back of European prize funds is completely lacking in merit, shallow and vacuous anti-sport. So long as we buy into the myth that the embiggening of one, two or four Scottish teams to the detriment of the sport then we are forever destined to lick the scraps of the two cheeks, or worse, become the third cheek of a radioactive, toxic triopoly. I'm not criticising you here, just responding to the "world's problems" (which I realise was not entirely serious) point. I'm a complete irrational hypocrite when it comes down to it, but I like to at least acknowledge the issues.

And by supporting that, you (not you individually, you/me have zero influence) ensure that Aberdeen's chances are limited. I guess that's the mirror of today's middle class - thus summing up the world's problems.

It doesn't actually. The problem is with the existing setup, the coefficient is just a rancid mechanism used by weirdos to try to garner support for that system. As Aberdeen fans, we've been gaslit for nearly three decades by the whole "you've got to support Scottish teams in Europe, think about the coefficient" as if it's some sort of rising tide that lifts all boats. It's absolute fucking bullshit, and just because Aberdeen are now a beneficiary doesn't make it less so. It'd be a net benefit for Scottish football to have no automatic conference qualification under the existing setup, just as it is for there to be no champions league qualification. There is zero benefit to all other teams in Scotland from Aberdeen, hearts and Hibs doing well, and they should - correctly - be hoping for our demise. There is no unified Scottish football, and it's extremely disingenuous to suggest. Aberdeen fans wanting other teams to do well is purely out of self interest, and that sums up the world's problems.

The rosenborg lot are garbage. Expect another couple fae Hertz.

Oh well, he was a great keeper for us.

Think that nearly half our home games were over 16K last season. 18 or 19K would be doable. One of the issues is that we now have a lot of season tickets in all parts of the ground, so closing off areas for matches that will have sparse crowds isn't possible, and won't likely be possible in a new ground either without building way over capacity. It'd be interesting, also, to get an idea of numbers through the turnstiles as well as official tickets sold, which will include season tickets. Also, interesting to see how many season tickets are for u12s.

Now there's a lad I'd have expected to go to Saudi. He was fairly pish last time I saw him for Scotland.

But they'll be a worse team. He's got them out of numerous holes against pish opposition with his goals.

Scales would be a great signing because he's a known quantity. I wouldn't want him on loan because there's a strong chance - based on his age and just his general development last season - that this will be the season where he establishes himself as a player, and I feel we'd just be benefitting Celtic by having him here. The point about not needing another left sided CB is simply one of priority. We've got our target in Scales, and I'd far rather we focused on the midfield first before concerning ourselves with the hunt for another centre back. In an ideal world, we can focus on both - and maybe that's the case - but if there's any sort of prioritisation then, in my opinion, we should focusing our efforts on three or four midfield choices from which to get two (one being a number ten). If that means we either don't get a LCB, or we grab a random EPL loanee, then that's probably okay. Panda insists that Williams is an amazing left sided defender, so that's good enough for me. The other point to consider is that we moved to a back four on Sunday, which would mean a defender less to concern ourselves with (although that's probably more reason to get Scales!). Basically, if we're choosing to commit to a midfielder, or a defender that isn't Scales, then go all out for the midfielder.

He didn't cost us two goals! He cost us a free kick, and missed a chance. Clarkson didn't cost us a goal by missing his opportunity, and nor Polvara for missing his header (arguably easier for a man of his height). Nor are we suggesting that Shinnie gave us a goal because of his good ball winning in the lead up to the goal. Shinnie covered every blade of grass yesterday and did everything that you'd expect from a player in that role. Nobody expects Shinnie to convert every chance he gets, that's not his role. Everybody expects Shinnie to give away fouls, because he plays on the edge, as that is his role. Devlin's fuck up was a freak one, and just a total brain fart. Like a keeper dropping one in, it happens now and again. There is nothing to suggest he'll be repeating it (indeed, he had an excellent block on the line in the second half), but we'll wait and see. It certainly wasn't anything to do with being "streetwise" for that goal, it was just bad luck for us and good luck for them, a header that he would deal with 999/1000 times - he was under zero pressure. I'd have expected nearly every striker in the league to have scored from there.

Why do you keep stating that Williams can play LCB? He's a right footed centre half, and so he'll likely be deficient on his wrong foot. The fact that you say Stewart could also play there shows that your opinion on this matter can't be trusted.

I was right next to Shinnie's challenge, the ball was there to be won and he won it. That Ralston collapsed in a heap (as he did all game), and the linesman bought it, was the issue. That, and the fact that we couldn't defend a freekick. His header was unlucky, the ball was above him and given that he's not known for headed goals, it was a difficult one to control. He was otherwise excellent, first to every ball, held onto the ball under pressure so many times and used the ball well too. He set the tone for any pressing that we did throughout the match. Devlin's challenge did get looked at by the VAR people, they look at everything, they deemed it wasn't worthy of overturning. I suspect that had the ref given a penalty they may not have overturned either. It wasn't clearcut either way. Devlin was excellent against Livi (probably motm) and did well against the Tims all whilst out of position. I'd say that his performance at right centre back was as good as any McRorie gave us in that position, and that's the type of utility we are replacing. Devlin will be a good signing. People don't want us to be streetwise at home to the Tims, they've had enough of it. I can understand that. We went toe to toe with them, lost, but not by any great degree and weren't embarrassed. Sitting in and risking a 0-1 loss would have only upset the fans. Most Dons fans are realistic about where we sit in the scheme of things, and most fans applauded the team despite their loss yesterday. The fact that Livi or St Mirren might be able to sit in against them and get a draw is neither here nor there. 99% of the time they will also lose. If, collectively, one team gets a result once, that's not evidence of success in any approach. The reality is that it's difficult, and so we went with the option of playing to our strengths, which is refreshing at least.

So now that we're a big European team we start disrespecting the league cup? The equivalent of putting out a second string team in my opinion.

There's no urgency for Scales, or any other defender, regardless. Against teams that attack us, McKenzie isn't a weak point, as he showed on Sunday. It's when he has to step out with the ball that there are issues. Scales does that far better and is just generally an upgrade. Getting MacDonald back fit is probably more of a priority for our defence in my opinion. I'd let Scales go to the wire and insist that we get him permanently. If there's not a deal to be done then leave the Tims with an extra squad player that they don't have a use for, or let some other club loan him (I don't think Hibs or hearts would be willing to spend the money on him if we aren't). Concentrate on the midfield options and let it simmer away in the background. If we have to go with the defensive options until January, that's probably okay.

I agree, he was lucky not to catch him, and could easily have got a yellow for the lunge. However, it would have been exceptionally harsh to give him a second yellow for it. I know we were playing one of the scum, but it is traditional to give a first booking initially.

Very harsh on Morris! He tracked back well, got his angles right defensively to prevent maeda from running directly at Devlin and still managed to take on players going forward. Getting crosses in is very difficult for a wing back as your starting position is almost always deep. If you take the cross from deep, there's a high percentage chance that a defender is getting to it first, and then if you skin your man usually the defence has had time to get into shape to cut it out. There were a couple of crosses that had to be cut out and at least one to the far post that needed dealt with, which is fine because there's always the chance of picking up the loose ball. Duncan had one brilliant ball across the face also, but our system generally aims for one of the front two in behind.