LA-Don

I wouldn’t say we don’t stand a chance. We defended very well for much of the night, and we had chances just like they did. I thought we were very well organized. I think a fit and experienced Gleeson and forrester will help us, hoping the latter brings the central creativity we lacked tonight. Ferguson has been excellent preseason to date but tonight showed his age. Also think Shinnie at left back will help us. While cosgrove battles we really do need a legit and experienced striker. Still, the big man gave them a torrid night and did give them a ton of grief. I can see him getting fouls, free kicks, penalties that others can feed off, why not next Thursday too.

For all the people who think Hoban had a tough night, my feelings are Considine would have been worse. 2nd leg i’d like to see Shinnie at left back. Ball was solid in the middle, with two from Gleeson Ferguson and forrester. The fact we need to score we may see the flair of forrester ahead of Ferguson, no did on Ferguson though, he’s a real find. Also ridiculous to think Westwood, wood, cork, and Hendrick cost a combined 40 million.

We were too long ball and I think Ferguson wasn't too involved. A fully fit Forrester starting next week may help with the creativity.

Both teams missed chances, both keepers had one big save. Thought the two chances/cut backs at the start of the second half were missed by the poor movement of the inexperienced and youthful Cosgrove and Ferguson. Toban did a decent job too, tough time with Lennon in the first half but tactics fixed that in the second. A week of training, hopefully Gleeson and Forrester fully fit, and game on! Burnley are the better team and will dominate possession as they did tonight. We're actually not a bad counter attacking team though, you never know next week.

I thought McKenna and Devlin were outstanding, big Vokes showed his quality and strength on the goal. Put Shinnie at left back when Gleeson and Forrester are fully fit and we've a pretty tidy keeper and back 4. Ball was solid. Thought we were a bit too long ball at times, pointless after Cosgrove went off.

Sam Vokes changed the game when he came on. Up until that point we won absolutely everything in the air. Still in the tie.

Solid first half. Problem is, the more we try to play the more space we give them so going at them leaves us vulnerable. I think tactics have been spot on so far. Lennon is their danger man and I'd stick GMS on his side so that Hoben (or Logan) always has a second player to help. We've had two or three scares but so far so good.

Just hope it’s not the most common Celtic and Rangers tactics. Have a go against a team still in preseason!

Although may well be a hoban-Devlin-McKenna back 3???

So, I’m assuming Lewis Logan-Devlin-McKenna-Hoban Ball-Shinnie GMS-Ferguson-McGinn Cosgrove Didn’t see that coming. Guess forrester and Gleeson not fully fit??

He looks great and speaks well, you’d never know!

2-1 us, forrester and McKenna. Come on ye reds!

Any info on McGinn?

I assume the trialist keeper is away now? Two signings in a day, both what we needed, and happy with both. Apparently the defender can play anywhere in the back 4 with center being his preference. Provides competition and cover for everyone there which is needed. Based on what I’ve seen we’re two short now. A wide midfielder and the main goal scoring forward. With McGinn, GMS, Wright, and Ross I’ll not be too upset if it’s just a forward we get and youth gets the chance there, but this last signing is the biggest signing of the last 3 years or so. It appears we’ve a strong keeper, have fixed central defense, Gleeson Forrester and Ferguson all look capable in center mid, now we need a goal scorer. We’ve minimal apparent threat up top and I suspect need to lay a few bob for a strong and dominating guy. That Ex-Killie boy would do nicely, moult will be too expensive with a fee, this guy is without a club for now.

I suggested an experienced back up in mold of Neil Alexander, sounds like we got it right. The defender gets good reviews from down south, but stress if fit!

Souleymane Coulibaly? Rumors on Twitter, guy who was at Killie scoring 11 in 26, and currently a free agent.

Huge squad yes, but by all accounts it appears he has a good squad with some good players. Hopefully I'm wrong.

It's a tough one. By all accounts it appears he has a good squad. Likeable guy and a background of winning. All this suggest he'll do well. HOWEVER, Souness was a hard nosed and nasty leader. Old school and mean. Fearless. Not sure how tough Gerrard is and don't know if he really knows the scrutiny he'll be under from the press and own fans. My heart says it all goes to shit and he's canned by Christmas, my head says they'll compete for a title and we'll finish third.

Interesting piece in the EE (if indeed true), McInnes still working on one more signing before the 11pm deadline. Apparently he can switch around the euro squad if he makes another signing.

I think I read it correctly, another Shankland hat trick today? According to Wikipedia he’s scores 26 goals in 30 games for Ayr. Maybe he found his level or maybe he had the ability and was just never given a chance?

Getting excited for the game, Here’s my thinking - Lewis Logan- Devlin-McKenna-Shinnie Gleeson-Ferguson McGinn-Forrester-GMS Cosgrove Wright if McGinn isn’t fit. Think Ferguson is a real find and deserves the start and DM will find it hard not to play him. Quality player and outstanding work ethic from what I’ve seen. DM gets lucky and is able to move Shinnie back.

I’ve seen Midnight Express, if you go be careful!

From what I’ve read McQueen is a speedy full back who can play on the right or left. Is the boy’s any good that would certainly help put a bit of pressure on Logan and Considine. Although having seen Gleeson Forrester and Hamilton I can see Shinnie at the back a little more often. Although someone posted DM has denied any interest?? Wish we’d take whatever Rooney money, the remaining transfer money, and whatever necessary DNA money and just go on and get Moult. The boy can play and we’ve fannied around far too much in the striking department, and its cost us. Definitely worth it, sends a positive message to the fans, and we have a forward that would actually worry opponents.

One of the English boys reminded me the English window closes August 9 before the premiership starts. Is this the case for all of England? And Scotland? Would certainly help finishing business earlier than the end of the month.

The Turks were three points behind the champs and level on points with second place. That’s a tough ask!