RicoS321

Di Rocco was good. Kiriakov was mince. Probably wasn't even the best Bulgarian we signed that year. I'm guessing that we've never signed good foreign players because we've never had the scouting in those areas. It's likely quite expensive and finding a comparable league(s) would likely take a few years of trial and error. Unless we have scouts in country, it seems likely that we're going by stats, videos and then perhaps a follow up viewing in person. That seems a shakey foundation to build scouting on, and I can imagine it's often difficult to know what you're looking at. The teams we played in Europe give you an idea about how unknown the level in different leagues is and how they'll perform in Scotland. I went into our first couple of European ties last season thinking we were in for a real battle, when in reality they were fairly pap. Apply that to a player, and it seems a little higher risk. We actually seem to be recruiting from several new (to our scouting networks) European countries at once this season, which seems to suggest a different strategy completely (i.e. one that relies heavily on data).

Nonsense. He's pish. Never does anything for Scotland.

I don't think that those are actually the only choices available. Both Jet and Main were unsuccessful SPFL strikers when we signed them, they were just shite signings. The objective should be to reduce the gambling wherever possible. Players with good SPFL experience. That said, there's nobody in the striker department that's setting the heather alight just now (maybe former players Anderson and Hendry). Given that we've got absolutely zero backup in that position (assuming Ramirez is away), then we could be in for another season where we can't make any meaningful changes in a match, or even go two up front. I think we need some good SPFL players coming in from other sides. There has to be a balance in our recruitment. I'm sure we'll see that as the weeks go on.

Think it was €10M, so about £8.5M ish. That was after add-ons too. I expect the figures aren't that far apart, but we'll be trying to drive a hard bargain.

I've never been a fan of Hanley, but he was one of our best players in qualifying for the Euros and at those Euros. He's strong and aggressive and is good to have in a three, when you've got someone like Tierney bombing around and someone that can play football on the other side. There is still a place for a no nonsense defender. Attackers don't like it, and often the simple thing just needs to be done. Compare with McTominay fucking about with it and still making mistakes and you can see why. Hanley massively redeemed himself over the past few years and I think it would be unfair to throw him back under the bus just yet. I think playing both Hanley and McKenna isn't a good pairing, and we see a massive drop off when Tierney is out in general. I think the timing of these fixtures has really done us in. We don't look fit, and the players look ready for their holidays. Hanley is a player who was always terrible when he wasn't match sharp. You really can't afford a guy who plays like he does being half a second late to every ball. We should have used the squad better and kept Souttar. The worst thing about yesterday for me was the absolutely clueless triple sub. Screamed of not knowing what to do. Could Stewart not bring something to Adams game, coming on at half time? Gilmour is a youngster who should have been given the summer to rest and improve his game too.

I mean, the Bosman ruling was a good thing though, wasn't it? Var is the worst thing to happen to fitba since Mark Hateley.

In Italy signing for juventus. £8M.

I widnae trust fitiver thon tyranny says.

Yasss. Ramadantastic.

The other side of the coin is what actually happened with McKenna (supposedly, not sure if the club have ever confirmed), where we sold for a lot less than was offered the previous season. Does anybody really think the Dons are in the best shape to advance his potential? I don't, and I think we could see a player in exactly the same place next season. I don't think it's just game time he needs, I don't think he's physically near the first team at SPFL level yet, so whatever it is that Liverpool can offer their young players - and you would assume that it is more than what we could (not financially speaking) - then that could be the difference between him making it and not. I reckon that if we do what's best for the player in this instance, rather than what's best for our team, then it could reap rewards further down the line. Take the money, and structure the deal in such a way that it backs the player on making it (just like we did McKenna) and I think we'll be okay.

I had the sound off when it was on, and I didn't watch the aftermath, but my immediate thought was that he was offside and that the var challenge was therefore irrelevant. He looked about half a yard off on my only watching. There was enough ambiguity about the whole situation to make VAR absolutely pointless, it added absolutely nothing to the game. I don't like seeing England winning games, but they don't bother me enough these days to be partisan about this shit, so I think I can be fairly objective about it. I don't think that last night's decision made the game fairer, or more accurate. It didn't right an injustice. It was a meaningless interruption of a live sporting occasion for no additional benefit. It's a shining example of why VAR is so shite. Last night's game was made worse by its intervention.

Fuck sake, I thought it was in Armenia, just arrived this morning. Hopefully manage to get a train back.

Would be a terrible move for Barron. They've got McGregor, Turnbull and some other cunts that will all play his role to a better standard currently. Another season at the dons where he'll get plenty of game time is his best bet. He can add some goals to his game and then move on for £7M next summer.

Yep, that the Montgomery situation was an absolute shitshow shouldn't preclude us from loaning a Tim. It's simply a question of learning lessons. The Christie situation suggests that signing a Tim on loan should only be done when a price is agreed for permanent move up front. The Montgomery situation is similar to the pot luck of signing an EPL unproven youngster in that you rarely get anyone ready to make the first team. This guy could be the sweet spot between the two.

Supposed to be a very good defender. His current deal I'm guessing was agreed pre postecoglu, so perhaps he doesn't think he's going to make it with them. Means rearranging our team each time we play them unfortunately, but if the option to buy is there, that'd be good. However, I'm starting to get the feeling Jim significantly underestimates what it takes to get the fans excited. Unless he was just trolling us, or tricking me into renewing my season ticket.

Paul Hartley joins the English managers thread by signing for Hartlepool (Hartleypaul).

Harsh on Barron! I'd also have Shinnie back of course. Barron capable of playing alongside two others.

Hickey was okay in the second half. Agree about Robertson and McGinn and Gilmour were in the same boat, just way off the pace. Moving the game really cost us in the end. Fucking Russians ruining our best chances of qualifying. Ukraine were wank at the back and it wouldn't surprise me if Wales got a couple of goals against them.

Rank first half. It's a fucking awful time for a game, with the season finished, and we look way off the pace. The midfield three have been playing like a table football midfield, and they're just being walked through. Christie for Dykes. Can't be any worse. Edit: I'd have hickey off too. Right back on his wrong foot isn't better than O'Donnell has been.

Hickey starts at right back, otherwise as expected. Looking forward to it. Hope we tank the deserters.

Not in his own right, but could you imagine if we were doing a swap deal for Gallagher? That would excite me a lot.

Fine thanks.

Yes, I was just getting in first with all the "jokes": foreigner so must be good, only turning up for a month (ramadan) and McInnes would never sign an Albanian. In terms of the position not needing filled, I assume that Ferguson will leave and McRorie might play right back (or be hounded out for being a dirty hun). Polvara looked okay in the remaining games, but it was difficult to tell whether he'll be dynamic enough to cut it (might even turn into a centre half, had the touch of the Arneson about him). Suffice to say that we need a very good central midfielder to replace Ferguson, as we don't have one already (Barron aside).

There'll definitely be a question mark over whether he's quite good enough for that level, so he could well be sold to a championship team trying to win promotion if he's not getting a game around January window time. Hope not though, I think he'll raise his game again when necessary. Could be the next Grant Hanley, which is something that would have been used as a slur not that long ago.

Foreign, so automatically amazing. He'll probably only turn up for one month a year. Could you imagine McInnes ever signing an Albanian Internationalist?