LA-Don

If May were to play we’re not putting him on to score goals. DM has him there for a reason. Kick in the teeth for other to have him on the bench though.

Glad Gallagher plays ahead of Bryson, the latter just isn’t match fit. May gives us power and work rate, but a little odd to see him on the bench.

Lewis Logan-Considine-McKenna-Leigh Ojo-Bryson Hedges-Ferguson-McGinn Cosgrove Said 2-1 earlier in the week, going for 3-1 now. Cosgrove, hedges, Ferguson.

At present I'd say yes to McGinn and Hedges being first choice but McGinn had a pretty gash year last year. I'd like both these two pushed for playing time by Wright and McLennan, even Gallagher, over the course of the season. Add to that Wilson so I think we have pretty healthy competition for the wide positions.

We’ve had a week to prepare for this game. Gallagher has played right back before so a week of training with the back four should be appropriate, obviously Shay on the left and Andy in the middle. Mcginn and hedges wide and I’d have Wright ahead of Ojo and Ferguson, Cosgrove up top. Thought Bryson looked really unfit, and when we moved Gallagher to right back in the first leg we missed his energy in the middle. Wright should provide that (even Stevie May!) Wary of running Bryson and Leigh and prolonging injuries. I say 2-1 us. 2 up and cruising then lose a dodgy goal and nervous until the end.

Sell McKenna, sign shaughnessy, move Considine to left central defender, and look for a long term replacement for the aging Andy. McKenna has been average for the last year, at fault for a few goals too. I say we cash in while we can, but nothing less than the 6 mill we declined before. Then again, if Tierney is worth 25 mill why not 10 for Scott?

I think the shit players in the MLS are similar to the shit players with St. Mirren, Accies, and the likes. The top MLS players would walk into any SPL team. Gallagher is with us because he can’t get a first team game at Atlanta. Would love to see us do a preseason in the states. Plenty of teams to play, great facilities, and the weather to prepare us for European travels.

Been following MLS since the start, has improved every year. Better level than the SPL and has been for a while in my opinion. I’ll watch us on Red TV and quite often it’s dire stuff compared to what I see in MLS. Don’t get me wrong, you get shit games too but overall it’s a lot better than many brits believe.

There’s needs and wants. We have a 20 goal striker and two more signed, plus Anderson. And that doesn’t include May. While you want we don’t need, we aren’t signing another striker. Obviously the elephant in the room is that none of our strikers are natural goalscorers. Don’t see an issue with the left back, injuries and bad luck happen. Agree a creative center mid is lacking, maybe that’s Bryson, we’ve yet to see, plus when we play a 4-2-3-1 as we started on Thursday you saw mcginn and hedges in there, both who can create. I’d like another but don’t see it happening. Central defense, defense in general really, is the issue. Do we trust devlin to be healthy? Taylor? Rely on a declining Logan and Considine? The more I think about it, Joe Shug would be a worthwhile addition.

I doubt Joe Shug is a target unless devlin or Taylor are long term injuries. Once healthy DM is stuck trying to keep three defenders happy when only one plays alongside McKenna. Saying that, Joe also plays right back and competes with Shay. Still think we’d more likely end up with a young loon from the English premier or championship.

Best way to look at it, 3 fit defenders, two guys making their debuts, and 5 guys played who weren’t even with us last year. And a young team. Fully expect a win next Thursday after another week of training, fitness, and development.

I agree, I thought RoPS were better than this lot and we gave this team far too much respect. Saying that, we created a boatload against the Fins and created little today, but due to the defensive tactics. Also thought Bryson was far from match fit so the run out probably helped in that regard. We should be fitter and sharper next week, a good home crowd, and hopefully a defender or two back fit. If we go at them could see us winning by a few at Pittodrie but that puts to question DMs bravery.

Disappointed in the performance but certainly not a bad result. I felt it was a game we could have won if tactics were set up to win. Nobody stood out to me other than Ojo, thought he looked very good in the middle of the park, strong, assured, and skilled.

Why didn't Hedges shoot??

Very conservative, played like we didn't know what to expect. We should dominate and win if we play at pace and attack, not sit in. They look worse than the Finnish team.

Ojo looks quality!

My concern/hope is that Cosgrove doesn’t miss a ton of chances this round!

After hearing DM speak in interviews I think Ojo will start and Bryson off the bench. Wright/Campbell will make way and it’s Gallagher Ferguson and Ojo as our central 3. I’d expect Bryson to get a run out in the second half.

Not so sure, increased playing time for Wright and McLennan?

Agree with you regarding the forwards but we have Cosgrove, Main, Wilson, Hedges, and Gallagher, all who have played up top. Can’t see us adding anyone else. I’m still waiting for the Dom Ball type signing, someone who provides cover at the back and in midfield, especially since DM has said multiple times now we have only 4 fit defenders.

Cosgrove, Main, Wilson, Anderson, don’t see another striker coming in. If we add I’d expect/hope another central midfielder, still relying on Ferguson to play a hell of a lot.

Given we’re away I’m expecting Lewis Logan-Taylor-McKenna-Considine Bryson-Ojo Hedges-Ferguson-McGinn Cosgrove 1-1, big gash from a set piece

All quiet on this! Quite excited for Thursday, hoping some of the new boys are fit to play too. Absolutely no clue if our opposition are any good. Anyone know anything about them other than the previous round??

From what I can see Rijeka have played two legit (ish) games, lost their super cup and won their first league game. Second league game this Saturday.

I do think for us to reach the group stages we will have to beat a team that on paper we’re certainly not meant to beat. I think if we get by the next round we want a team who is in preseason, not a team who is fit and in mid season form. I’d rather avoid Rijeka who’d certainly be on a revenge mission, going Dutch or German may be cool but still a weaker team if there is one helps.