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[Jagerdeen]

[Sonoftherock]

The league is really entering the home straight now (even though all our minds are on the cup game this coming weekend).

 

Can we still finish third? Stranger things have happened.

 

No doubt if we do we'll have to suffer the usual mindless taunts of "we didn't deserve it", "we only managed it cos everyone else was shit", etc.

 

I think we still have a chance. We need thr rub of the green in some upcoming games though - and we need the jambos to start fuckin things up. United are also on a bit of a stumble just now.

 

4th would actually do me - bearing in mind the old Aberdeen fan logic that the wages you pay are the only thing that should dictate final league position.

 

If we finish fourth - yes, it's been a rough season - not much entertainment all round - but find me a supporter of any other SPL club that will say they've had a good season. It's the nature of the beast.

 

In my opinion 3rd isn't out of reach, but at present we'd have to rely on; Dundee United & Hearts dropping points, while our own form would also have to pick up considerably.

 

The likelyhood of these 3 variables combining favourably for AFC is, IMHO, close to nil.

 

We'll finish 4th or 5th this season... probably 5th.

 

Major surgery is required during the summer.  Vidal will be off, I'd imagine Ricky Foster has played his last game for the club... while Severin and Smith also look set to depart.

[manc_don]

In my opinion 3rd isn't out of reach, but at present we'd have to rely on; Dundee United & Hearts dropping points, while our own form would also have to pick up considerably.

 

The likelyhood of these 3 variables combining favourably for AFC is, IMHO, close to nil.

 

We'll finish 4th or 5th this season... probably 5th.

 

Major surgery is required during the summer.  Vidal will be off, I'd imagine Ricky Foster has played his last game for the club... while Severin and Smith also look set to depart.

 

I'd agree with this. I do however, think 3rd is out of reach as of our failure to beat St. Midden. I just don't see how (as you quite rightly mentioned) the three combinations of us playing better, hearts and the arabs messing up big style is going to happen. We've missed so many opportunities, but as Jager has said, stranger things have happened.

 

The summer is actually quite worrying as I don't want Seve to leave and providing Smith stays fit, I don't want him to leave either. We still need a left and right back and another right winger to "cover" Smith if he's injured.

[Ajja]

In recent years results have gone in our favour in the latter part of the league so its not unreasonable to expect it. I think it is entirely down to us turnign our own form around. What this season has shown is that all teams are leaking points. If you can be the team that aren't then you make ground quickly.

 

eg.

 

UTD went from bottom to 3rd by winning games, we did the same.

Hearts recent run of games has seen a big gap open up.

Motherwell are suddenly in the mix after a wee run.

Hamilton.

 

I'd stop worrying about Hearts and UTD and just focu son us. If we can put a run together in the next 4 SPL games, we will get 3rd

 

 

[BobbyBiscuit]

I'd agree with this. I do however, think 3rd is out of reach as of our failure to beat St. Midden. I just don't see how (as you quite rightly mentioned) the three combinations of us playing better, hearts and the arabs messing up big style is going to happen. We've missed so many opportunities, but as Jager has said, stranger things have happened.

The summer is actually quite worrying as I don't want Seve to leave and providing Smith stays fit, I don't want him to leave either. We still need a left and right back and another right winger to "cover" Smith if he's injured.

 

I still think we need to sign players we were crying out for last summer: a right back, a back up keeper worthy of the name and a solid, experienced centre half. 

 

However, the calibre of those players or any other players JC decides we require is likely to be dictated by where and how we finish the season.  If we qualify for Europe, we may well sign an extra player or two or spend more on wages.  As far as actually finishing the season, I think third is gone.  As SOTR says, if it was just one of United or Hearts I'd say we could make it but hoping for both to chuck it away and for us to go on a run is very unlikely at the best of times, but at this moment in time it's even more unlikely considering how our results are going and how wasteful we are in front of goal and how spasticated we are at the back. 

 

We've got to keep on keeping on, obviously, but I think the best we can hope for is fourth. 

 

[glasgowdon]

Remember, depending on results elsewhere, 4th and even 5th will be a Europa League Place.

 

Wouldn't be overly shocking if this was JC's plan and get right into the Cup.

 

[BobbyBiscuit]

Remember, depending on results elsewhere, 4th and even 5th will be a Europa League Place.

 

Wouldn't be overly shocking if this was JC's plan and get right into the Cup.

 

 

But then (and I'm not complaining) the players will only have 2 weeks holiday or something cos of when the qualifiers start I believe.  That wouldn't be ideal preparation for the season.  Although in saying that, considering how much of a shambles our pre-seasons usually are and how slow starters we are, it may be better for us to have an early start!

[manc_don]

I still think we need to sign players we were crying out for last summer: a right back, a back up keeper worthy of the name and a solid, experienced centre half.  

 

However, the calibre of those players or any other players JC decides we require is likely to be dictated by where and how we finish the season.  If we qualify for Europe, we may well sign an extra player or two or spend more on wages.  As far as actually finishing the season, I think third is gone.  As SOTR says, if it was just one of United or Hearts I'd say we could make it but hoping for both to chuck it away and for us to go on a run is very unlikely at the best of times, but at this moment in time it's even more unlikely considering how our results are going and how wasteful we are in front of goal and how spasticated we are at the back. 

 

We've got to keep on keeping on, obviously, but I think the best we can hope for is fourth. 

 

 

Thats what I guess I was trying to alude to, that we still haven't replaced Mickey Hart, Anderson or to a certain degree, Esson. Ideally we'd win the cup and finish third but the latter is looking extremely unlikely but as I said, fourth isn't out of reach and we have to remember that it is a Europa League spot and I certainly wouldn't deem it a failure, should we win/reach the final of the cup.

 

As you quite rightly mention, the lower we finish in the top 5, the less of a break the players get  and the more likely they will pick up injuries. Though it is typical Aberdeen to not have their destiny in their own hands. Roll on the business end of the season 

[Ajja]

But then (and I'm not complaining) the players will only have 2 weeks holiday or something cos of when the qualifiers start I believe.  That wouldn't be ideal preparation for the season.  Although in saying that, considering how much of a shambles our pre-seasons usually are and how slow starters we are, it may be better for us to have an early start!

 

I doubt we could make a bigger shambles of our recent pre-seasons if they had 2 days break. Cup win puts us one step from the Europa League does it not ? I'm shoving all my chips on them apples, roll on Saturday. Boom or bust.

[Reekie_Red]

while Severin and Smith also look set to depart.

 

What makes you think this? He's happy at Aberdeen. His family are settled. He's on the injury table more often than not, yet he is still guaranteed a place in the senior team when he returns to any sort of fitness. He's basically got a contract on the table waiting for him. What other high-paying club would want Smith with his injury track-record?

 

we still haven't replaced ... Esson.

 

Thank fuck we haven't replaced him. I'm glad the likes of him, Darren Young, Kevin Rutkiepish, and co are out of the club. They were a cancer on us with the rumoured clique that existed, splitting the dressing room in two ... the group who like to piss about and have a laugh at the expense of others, and then the group who actually tried to take their job seriously. The jovial half used to swan around Aberdeen on a Saturday night like they owned the city. I stumbled across them numerous times on nights out in Aberdeen, and was embarrased by what I saw just about every time.

 

The only remaining members of this shower of shite are Mackie and Derek Young. Fortunately, both seem to have settled down now and got on with trying to make the most of their remaining footballing careers, now that they realise the Hollywood part is behind them.

 

I'd never have Esson back, not in a million years. I might have Preece back, only as a backup though. But not Esson.

[boboisared]

What makes you think this? He's happy at Aberdeen. His family are settled. He's on the injury table more often than not, yet he is still guaranteed a place in the senior team when he returns to any sort of fitness. He's basically got a contract on the table waiting for him. What other high-paying club would want Smith with his injury track-record?

 

Thank fuck we haven't replaced him. I'm glad the likes of him, Darren Young, Kevin Rutkiepish, and co are out of the club. They were a cancer on us with the rumoured clique that existed, splitting the dressing room in two ... the group who like to piss about and have a laugh at the expense of others, and then the group who actually tried to take their job seriously. The jovial half used to swan around Aberdeen on a Saturday night like they owned the city. I stumbled across them numerous times on nights out in Aberdeen, and was embarrased by what I saw just about every time.

 

The only remaining members of this shower of shite are Mackie and Derek Young. Fortunately, both seem to have settled down now and got on with trying to make the most of their remaining footballing careers, now that they realise the Hollywood part is behind them.

 

I'd never have Esson back, not in a million years. I might have Preece back, only as a backup though. But not Esson.

I agree with what your saying Reekie, I just think he meant we haven't had a reserve with the same ability as Esson, not his undoubted cuntishness off the park.

[Sonoftherock]

What makes you think this? He's happy at Aberdeen. His family are settled. He's on the injury table more often than not, yet he is still guaranteed a place in the senior team when he returns to any sort of fitness. He's basically got a contract on the table waiting for him. What other high-paying club would want Smith with his injury track-record?

 

My assumption was based on the idea that we're surely not in a financial position to offer a player, who rarely plays for us, a new contract.

 

Jamie Smith is brilliant for us.  IMHO he's our most talented player... but Aberdeen can't afford our own Ledley King.... or can we... surely not?

[OneZero]

My assumption was based on the idea that we're surely not in a financial position to offer a player, who rarely plays for us, a new contract.

 

Jamie Smith is brilliant for us.  IMHO he's our most talented player... but Aberdeen can't afford our own Ledley King.... or can we... surely not?

 

Couldn't agree more.

 

Smith is undoubtedly the most skillful player we have at the moment but his constant battle with injury means he is becoming a luxury we simply can't afford to have. If theres a way to get to the bottom of his injuries and be fairly sure of his fitness for long parts of a season, sign him to the end of his career tomorrow however.

[Aberdeen_Ladette]

Couldn't agree more.

 

Smith is undoubtedly the most skillful player we have at the moment but his constant battle with injury means he is becoming a luxury we simply can't afford to have. If theres a way to get to the bottom of his injuries and be fairly sure of his fitness for long parts of a season, sign him to the end of his career tomorrow however.

 

Smith, even though obviously not back to 100% match fitness, showed his quality today. We have missed him.

 

New contract??, very difficult decision to make due to his injuries. If he would agree to a lower wage, with bonuses/ appearance money then I'd definitely take the gamble.

[OneZero]

Smith, even though obviously not back to 100% match fitness, showed his quality today. We have missed him.

 

New contract??, very difficult decision to make due to his injuries. If he would agree to a lower wage, with bonuses/ appearance money then I'd definitely take the gamble.

 

Lower wage with bonus/appearance money possibly the way forward with him. He is a quality player and I would love to see him stay.

[Reekie_Red]

Couldn't agree more.

 

Smith is undoubtedly the most skillful player we have at the moment but his constant battle with injury means he is becoming a luxury we simply can't afford to have. If theres a way to get to the bottom of his injuries and be fairly sure of his fitness for long parts of a season, sign him to the end of his career tomorrow however.

 

There's got to be something lacking in the Aberdeen training and physios somewhere. To me, Smith's injuries are mirroring those of Scott Booth.

 

Scott was a fantastic player for us (I'm not going to talk about the 2nd time he played for us, as I'm more concerned about his exploits first time around). When he played, he was a real breath of fresh air and a genuine footballing brain that knew the route to goal. But he just couldn't stay away from the injury table. It seemed whenever someone sneezed in Montrose, the effects rippled their way up to Pittodrie and Scott would become injured.

 

When he moved away from Aberdeen, the Dortmund specialists quickly realised that he had one leg longer than the other, and designed special boots for him. Hey presto, he went on to play like a normal footballer should do for clubs like Dortmund, Twente, Uttrecht, etc. As soon as he came back to Aberdeen, though, he started making regular appearances on the injury table again.

 

It seems to me to be the same with Smith. I don't know his injury history pre-Aberdeen. But how can one man have such bad luck with injuries? Surely there's something wrong with the physios / training at Aberdeen. Surely!

[dave_min]

It seems to me to be the same with Smith. I don't know his injury history pre-Aberdeen. But how can one man have such bad luck with injuries? Surely there's something wrong with the physios / training at Aberdeen. Surely!

 

Nah, it's not the same, he wsa injury prone at Celtic, left for Holland, and was injury prone there too, hence them letting him come on a free to US!

[boboisared]

There's got to be something lacking in the Aberdeen training and physios somewhere. To me, Smith's injuries are mirroring those of Scott Booth.

 

Scott was a fantastic player for us (I'm not going to talk about the 2nd time he played for us, as I'm more concerned about his exploits first time around). When he played, he was a real breath of fresh air and a genuine footballing brain that knew the route to goal. But he just couldn't stay away from the injury table. It seemed whenever someone sneezed in Montrose, the effects rippled their way up to Pittodrie and Scott would become injured.

 

When he moved away from Aberdeen, the Dortmund specialists quickly realised that he had one leg longer than the other, and designed special boots for him. Hey presto, he went on to play like a normal footballer should do for clubs like Dortmund, Twente, Uttrecht, etc. As soon as he came back to Aberdeen, though, he started making regular appearances on the injury table again.

 

It seems to me to be the same with Smith. I don't know his injury history pre-Aberdeen. But how can one man have such bad luck with injuries? Surely there's something wrong with the physios / training at Aberdeen. Surely!

Thats German efficiency for you.

[OneZero]

There's got to be something lacking in the Aberdeen training and physios somewhere. To me, Smith's injuries are mirroring those of Scott Booth.

 

Scott was a fantastic player for us (I'm not going to talk about the 2nd time he played for us, as I'm more concerned about his exploits first time around). When he played, he was a real breath of fresh air and a genuine footballing brain that knew the route to goal. But he just couldn't stay away from the injury table. It seemed whenever someone sneezed in Montrose, the effects rippled their way up to Pittodrie and Scott would become injured.

 

When he moved away from Aberdeen, the Dortmund specialists quickly realised that he had one leg longer than the other, and designed special boots for him. Hey presto, he went on to play like a normal footballer should do for clubs like Dortmund, Twente, Uttrecht, etc. As soon as he came back to Aberdeen, though, he started making regular appearances on the injury table again.

 

It seems to me to be the same with Smith. I don't know his injury history pre-Aberdeen. But how can one man have such bad luck with injuries? Surely there's something wrong with the physios / training at Aberdeen. Surely!

 

Why didn't he just keep wearing his special boots?

 

I wasn't at the game Saturday, but from highlights (what little you saw) I thought Jamie was right back in there with his close control etc. Unfortunately it seemed to let him down occasionally but I don't suppose that's too surprising given his time on the sidelines.

 

Smith is, in my opinion, simply the best signing Jimmy has made - when he is fit! I stick by what I said. If we could get to the bottom of his injuries make him a Don till the end of his career. If he continues long periods on the sidelines I feel he is quickly becoming a luxury we can't afford...........

 

..........then again, would you bet against us selling him to another SPL team, only for him to come back and haunt us!!!

[Reekie_Red]

would you bet against us selling him to another SPL team, only for him to come back and haunt us!!!

 

... and that SPL team will figure out what's wrong with him, sort it out, and have him start every single fixture.

[glasgow sheep]

Games to go:

Hearts:

Rangers (a)

Killie (h)

Celtic (h)

Falkirk (a)

 

 

Aberdeen:

Hibs (a)

Well (a)

ICT (h)

Celtic (a)

 

United:

Celtic (h)

Hibs (h)

Accies (a)

Killie (h)

 

Hibs:

Aberdeen (h)

United (a)

St Mirren (a)

Rangers (h)

 

Motherwell:

Killie (a)

Aberdeen (h)

Rangers (a)

St Mirren (h)

[TENEMENTFUNSTER]

 

United have the best run in.

[boboisared]

United have the best run in.

I think we do. Apart from the last Celtic match, we always seem to play better against themaway from home.

[dave_min]

I think we do. Apart from the last Celtic match, we always seem to play better against themaway from home.

 

How much better than a 4-2 win do you want?!

[Andrew]

How much better than a 4-2 win do you want?!

 

whoooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooosh