OrlandoDon

Best part of the game so far. I suppose we have to restart at some point unfortunately.

Another honking game. Men vs boys. We haven’t completed three passes and getting pissed on. Could get hammered. 1 so far.

I’d assume tobers came back a little too early and he’s rested for this one with Saturday in mind? While he didn’t play well at ibrox, he’s one of our best and a starter when fully fit and I’m sure we’d play him if he’s fully healthy. Certainly hope there’s no damage done.

Could easily see two reserve teams tonight. Unlikely hibs get 2 points or less and we win out, plus do you have the cup final in mind? Could get mauled, could win! Starting to think maybe Ambrose does score the winner!

Nope! McMaster! Although I’ll take a last minute rougvie header too. No fucking clue what we’ll get tonight, hence he was as good as anyone!!!

I thought sokler was out. Plus I’d say you get the same odds for McMaster scoring as you would Ambrose.

Don’t know what to think about today. Part of me thinks a good performance and result today from us will motivate them for the cup final. Would like to see polvara at 10 today infront of Clarkson and palaversa. This is the type of game I’d take sokler up top but I believe he’s injured?? 1-1 McMaster

Same, meh on this. He’s known and pretty mainstream, haven’t seen anything overly creative or ahead of our time to suggest they’ll be world beaters. He was good with us with a good squad, but found wanting for the last three seasons for the most part. Will come down to summer signings, can they build a decent squad. Prob a very similar situation to us.

This is getting silly. We’re a bunch, for the most part, of strangers on an online forum. Pretty sure we aren’t all sober when posting either. I liken this to talking in the pub after a game. The original comment was straight after the rangers game too so I’m sure frustrations/anger was a factor. Plus after a few beers things do get heated and we put that in context. A point I made was simply that let’s try to keep to footie, I said that, we all may have differing beliefs and background and that’s fine. We’re certainly off topic too, I see Mcinnes went to hearts! My bad for going off topic. I try to give people the benefit of the doubt, plus don’t usually get offended easily, although I definitely get fired up on some topics. Plus, obviously, tone context meaning etc can get misunderstood. One of the reasons I left LA was because you couldn’t breathe without someone being offered and voicing their displeasure. I commented that society is that way, better/worse depending where you live. That’s shitty, common sense has to apply sometimes. So I probably overreacted to the xenophobia comment in the first place. anyway, looking forward to 11 Scot’s starting for us in August. And panda, appreciate the message, all good!! Although your numbers were off, you’re usually right about 10%, and that’s me being generous…!

Agree with all of that. Plus, it’s not like there are a lot of good (available) Scottish players these days. I know my ask is not an easy one! But it’s an important one!

If Anton Rogan plays and is still on penalties we have a chance.

I agree it’s not a big deal. At the same time, some people take things in a direction that isn’t necessary these days, be it xenophobia, race, gender, politics or whatever, for the sake of creating conflict or an argument, when it’s not necessary. Saying that, don’t recall anyone bringing up body shaming when duk was called fat! Not having a particular dig at panda, it’s just how life is these days. Nobody is perfect and there are times we should call people out if there’s clear bigotry, hatred, or whatever, but I do feel we should simply stick to footie sometimes. I’m sure I’ll get knocked for being ignorant or allowing inappropriate comments. foreign is non Scot to me, you asked. I’m Scottish and I want Scots playing for Aberdeen, even a few aberdonians. Gone are the days of having a full team of Scots, but I’d love us to emphasize Scottish. I know it’s very hard to sign Scottish players these days, I get that, but I hope we are trying and prioritizing. I think that’s important for identity, culture, and connection with fans. Obviously there are rules too. And I think having a Scottish coach on staff means something, losing leven leaves a hole if that happens. we have had foreigners who are hard core dons that I didn’t question commitment. Even snelders who went to rangers has a place in my heart. I didn’t question Paul mason, Richardson or bisconti, McGinn and Hayes more recently but not in the physical sense. Zero, stavrum, gilhaus all have a place in Aberdeen history. Foreigners can give there all, but it’s really in the last 5 years or so we’ve gone non Scot for the most part. Not a great team, but look at the squad from 5 years ago, Ramsey McKenzie Campbell came in, we had McKenna Ferguson, mcgeouch, Mikey devlin, considine, McCrorie, Bryson didn’t work out…..a bunch of Scots. By no mean stars but a Scottish core. That just means something to me and I think it’s the heart of a Scottish club. do we have to have Scottish players, no. But I think it matters and can help. You can sign foreign crap or Scottish crap, it happens. But we seem to be all in on foreign at the moment. At the same time im Intrigued by the Aussie winger, but equally eager to see what Scot’s we can add, they are needed! Plus what young boys will come through, maybe some of the loanees from this year. can’t back this all up with evidence or stats, I just want us to have a Scottish identity, not simply a Scottish address.

It wouldn’t let me edit. Look at the league cup win back in 2014, langfield pawlett Robson jack anderson considine and reynolds all started regularly. The point was Mcinnes had a strong Scottish core. We need that Scottish core again. That’s simply my point! Times are changing for sure, but we need to try harder domestically for talent.

Good grief man, reread if you feel the need. I was not championing Mcinnes for have a UK and Irish core, I listed the Scots he had in his squad compared to today because of the team of foreigners comment, but did also name three non Scot’s who pretty much played their entire careers in the SPL and with us. I then commented about man utd and how modern football is having the same issue with local players/players from their own country. For season 16-17 we had jack shinnie McLean considine and reynolds regularly in our starting 11, pretty much half the team. That would be fantastic if we could go back to that, Scottish core including local boys. Clutching at straws but that’s what I want and what I’ve already said, the ideal, Scottish internationalists and locals. not asking for us to buy Simon Murray. My point is that maybe we can do a better job scouting and buying Scot’s than looking abroad. As I said, easy to say now but we’d all take Murray before Ambrose and prob sokler. I know we tried to get Cameron, could we have got miller a year or two ago. Killie have a young boy plus wales just went south. Hard to know how hard we try to sign the best of the rest. not changing my stance or story, simply repeating myself which is probably boring.

Wasting my time, you’re all over the place. We are a team of foreigners, or are you taking me literally? 2 scots started today, so you are correct, we are a team of ‘mostly’ foreigners. For every miovski there’s also a place for a Murray. We can’t hit endless home runs. Devlin was a good signing and won’t be sold for millions. We simply need balance, and I think that’s obvious.

I assumed it wasn’t intended in a xenophobic way, just frustration of the players playing for us playing shite and bring foreign. I don’t see people as guilty until proven innocent, and didn’t immediately assume hatred was intended. everything is political, pc, and dei police jump in, I just want to talk footie and love a good debate.

You’re losing me here. You’re the one who brought up the xenophobia comment and went there which took the convo in that direction. we are a team full of foreigners, that’s a fact. Whether new this year or past, each year were getting less Scottish. I don’t give two shits about other teams in our league in one sense, I care about the make up of the dons. At the same time, I really fear for the national team and the lack of Scot’s coming through. Youve moved on from the physical comment which didn’t belong in this convo to now bringing up uk/Irish players. All foreigners if they aren’t Scottish. And of course some know Scotland, but to the fullest extent maybe not, versus a journeyman on one stop of his travels. We need a few more shinnie mentalities. And in my opinion, a few more Scot’s. Nobody is saying we can’t sign foreigners, it’s not a ban the non Scot’s argument. There’s a balance which really helps the team, and I wants Scot’s coming through. The point was that mcinnes had a strong core of Scot’s who had more spine, and I agree there. we dont have that now. I backed that up saying i had concern about the make up of a team with few Scots. That’s it. allan Campbell was just an example. I’d take Declan Gallagher or David bates even though they didn’t work out, we tried. Campbell was good at Motherwell, could he have been good here, maybe, but I’d prefer we try him over an unknown. Palaversa is an exception, his background suggests there could be a player there, but every player we are signing now is foreign. Can we gamble on a Scot versus an Ambrose? Easy to say now but could would should we have signed Simon Murray instead of Ambrose or sokler. Was happy we signed nisbet for this reason, not particularly glamorous at the time and rather underwhelming, but at least a known and Scottish, with a decent background. Can we give jack milne, devlin, fletcher boyd more minutes or will they be phased out? i replied because of your xenophobia comment. Unnecessary. It’s concerning the make up of the squad, especially when it’s work in progress and flawed, but the lack of signing Scot’s and apparent interest in Scot’s (which could easily be hidden and kept out of the media) isn’t good. Surprised if this doesn’t concern all Dons and Scotland fans to some extent.

Absolutely been pushing more athletic/physical players, been saying it for a while. Just because I didn’t watch the st mirren game means nothing too, it’s glaringly obvious we’re soft, physically and mentally. I don’t understand the relevance of that comment on this discussion? The point was made about us being a team full of foreigners which we are becoming, I think that’s a fair comment. Are we losing our identity? Listing mcginn and pawlett had nothing to do with physicality. Yes mcginn isn’t Scottish, but he played for Celtic pre us and has been in Scotland almost all of his career. To all of us I’m sure he’s a don for life. We were a Scottish filled squad under Mcinnes, that was the point. thelin is a very calm and composed guy, but that’s not Scottish football. And is he/are we bringing in too many nice calm guys, most/all are foreign too who probably know very little about Aberdeen and Scottish football? And that includes his management team. I hope he adds a passionate Scot to the back room staff, especially if leven goes. There are blood guts and passion here, and local knowledge has value. Are okkels molloy gueye dabbagh polvara ruby Vinny sokler and Ambrose improving our team? Even topi and morris are hit/miss. Are there Scottish or home grown players that could be equally good or better? We need Scottish players too, of course we’ll have foreigners but we need balance. Trust me, I know it’s not easy to sign good Scottish players but I hope we are trying. Do you see us trying, are we linked to Scot’s these days?? Could allan Campbell have done a job for us more than polvara, sivert, or palaversa does? Other than nisbet, was devlin the last Scot we signed who has played decent first team minutes? I’ve also defended Jensen but is he deservedly keeping devlin out of the team? I know that’s a situation that bothers some as, and has been said, devlin to me and many was our player of the year pre injury. We’re a Scottish team and I want us to have Scottish in it, for the sake of our identity and the national team. I don’t know if we’ve made progress, I probably think so. I know we are top 6 compared to bottom 6, but look at the way we finished last season under leven, versus how we play now. Today was poor, as was last week and we’re playing for something. These are big games. We’ve been pumped by Celtic. We have clear flaws. The start to the season was great, but we had a record breaking awful run too. I do think we’re in a better place mid overhaul, that’s not the debate, it’s the construction of the new squad that adds concern to some. i agree, it’s year one of a rebuild and by no means am I daring to join the JT negative team. We don’t see it in Donstalk thankfully. Yet. I rate mitov tobers kneuster Clarkson palaversa, but we need Scottish blood who knows how important away to the Huns is, or what it means to play Dundee utd or hearts. I think that matters. It just rubs me the wrong way when people add a topic such as race or nationality to an argument and appear offended, can we not just talk football. People love an offended argument these days. I referenced Hewitt, copper, and Simpson, and we haven’t signed foreigners that level, or over looked Scottish players that level. I just want to see Scot’s and locals in our team. I don’t think there was deep hatred to the comment made, just the fear and concern, that I share too, that we’re losing our identity and may not even have a Scot in our starting 11 next year. That’s a concern to me!

Do we need to go there? Mcinnes had langfield McLean jack mckenna Anderson Robson reynolds considine shinnie pawlett Scott wright, even Connor McLennan, a large Scottish core, plus Logan Hayes mcginn, flood, long time SPL/aberdeen players. we are a team full of foreigners now and have we gone forwards? Let’s not make an issue of the terminology but look at the facts as Aberdeen fans, we are a mix match team now and does that help us? Different but similar, Man utd going through the same issues, few home grown local born, home nation players, it’s the modern game I suppose. I’ve said it before, I’m concerned about us being a Scottish team with no Scottish identity. Would love a Scottish core, and some home grown local loons. I know it’s in the past, but I wish we had the coopers, Simpson’s, Hewitt etc. I don’t think that’s xenophobic.

Totally agree, by no means is he what we want. At the same time though, he’s suited to Scottish football, polvara is not. A Scottish midfield needs physicality and bite, of course an athlete too (sivert’s weakness.) I look at cammy devlin, hearts willo flood, athletic with bite and does a job in this league. You need piano players and piano movers, we only had finesse in midfield for much of today and it hurt us.

Phillips is a good example, maybe a poor man’s Rama. Plays on the front foot with bite, good athlete with engine. Polvara on roids.

We absolutely need someone with bite. Polvara is a good athlete. We had three guys in midfield today who dont play on the front foot and can’t win a tackle. Ferguson and ramadani were great, but both had bite and physicality. We had three fairies in there today, who can all play well with a good physical partner.

Terrible comparison but look at the approach a Fergie team took to coming to Glasgow. They were there to be beaten today.

Sivert wasn’t the solution but he’d have added a presence we severely lacked. His lack of pace and mobility would have hurt us. I also think he and Clarkson struggle to play together, get in each others way when Clarkson drops for the ball. Plus he’s almost 34!

Easy to say now but thought we got center mid totally wrong today. We needed to be up for this game and McGrath polvara and Clarkson are all nice players. No drive or bite from deep. Perfect game for palaversa or sivert (obviously injured), if polvara starts it has to be at 10 ahead of Clarkson and palaversa. Thought McGrath was a waste of a jersey today. Okkels again showed we shouldn’t be buying him, although I do think that decision has been made, gave it away endlessly before being subbed. Topi was topi, worked hard but also gave the ball away most of the time. midfield has very poor, no real cohesion or ball movement, no bite, physicality, or desire to be aggressive, hence we were second best all day. as I said earlier, we were shite and created quite a few chances. What if we’d tried to dictate and dominate from the start? We got the approach totally wrong and gave a terrible team so much respect and time, that we gave them time and confidence to grow into the game. Dont think any other team in the league does that vs rangers. Absolutely got what we deserved. big game for our player of the year. Where was he??? Absolute joke he got that award. totally willing to give JT time but our management team needs a fiery coach. Far too passive in our approach yet again and that comes from preparation and leadership. They don’t have the bite and neither does our team. JT still hasn’t learned Scottish football and needs to wise up.