The argument with Philips isn't whether he's good enough for us or not. I think he would do a decent job for us. The issue is this foundation you're talking about. We've no assets in the team. At the moment, Aberdeen absolutely need to not only qualify for Europe, but make the group stage, because otherwise we'll be running at a loss. We have no Ramsay, Miovski or Lewis Ferguson to cash in on, and we don't have a squad that looks capable of finishing top four or winning the Scottish Cup - all needed to achieve any hope of the group stages. Nisbet? Ronan? Smith? Good players but probably all at the age where this is their peak years, unlikely anyone is paying big money. Shankland a good example in that he was a POTY nominee but was wanted by Rangers and that was pretty much it. Who else? Lobban, Frame and Marshall - one out on loan and down a division, one the manager doesn't rate, the other probably going to go on loan. Yogane? I'd love to think he'll become a big asset but I fear the players he's replacing - Keskinen and Bilalovic - have more potential. Can go through the team, I don't see any seven-figure rated player. I see too many Lyons, Caddens, Happes, Mayos and Guinness-Walkers. Who are the stars that stand out - Olusanya? Phillips is young, sure, but we'd be paying him 500k plus 2/3 years of salary. By the time it comes to sell him we'd make a loss because he's never going to be a £3m+ plus add ons kinda player. Compare that to Motherwell and Hearts. They have a foundation, and Hearts have just banked group stage football, but they also have assets. They've not only a good squad but a business model. Hibs could make group stage this week too. We have an average team that we are hoping perform miracles. What is the long term goal here?
