OrlandoDon

Perhaps clarkson gets used like Maddison? If memory serves me correctly, he didn’t play every minute of every game. We also have to factor in injury, Barron is now, and we only have 4 center mids, one who will slide back to central defense. Challenge to keep them all happy when fit, but how often will all be fit? I can also see one of our league hammerthrowers smash clarkson this weekend to make a point, and in future weeks. I don’t see this as a year to develop youth, we need top 4 and Europe, the pressure is on. Saying that, hope Hancock and ideally Duncan get developed on loan and push for the first team squad next year, plus Barron and Mackenzie get to improve. That’s four loons that should be developed this year…….and what if clarkson has a signing option? based on JGs comments, I expect Ramirez, McLennan, maybe even bates and Watkins away this week. You are kinda right, the challenge will be minutes for some. I’d say Hayes will get rested sometimes and miovski is our 9 backed up by Duk, prob Vinny our 10, but Kennedy Hayden, and Roberts competing for time is healthy competition and will get time.

I guess at 3 up against 10 5 or 6 would have been nice, but zero complaints from me. Some tidy football and a good game to further the chemistry. 4-0 would have been more appropriate, never a penalty, hayes touches him but not enough for a penalty in my eyes. Clarkson looks a good addition, and Vinny being given the 10/free role seems a good one. He’s brimming with confidence and heavily involved. Hope the injuries aren’t an issue, another positive week making progress. As much as Europe would have been fun, having another full week of practice is essential given all the squad change.

A bit more??! That’s being kind. we have one legit central midfielder, and he’s new and unproven and hasn’t played in Scotland before. Mccrorie is showing he should be a central midfielder but will get moved around. Barron just came through 6 months ago and is now a very young and inexperienced player with plenty of expectation and demands being placed on his young shoulders. Totally feel polvara should be going out on loan. crazy that we had a log jam at center mid last year, now we don’t have enough (yet??) enough!

I’d never heard of the guy. Maybe they’ll pay 60 mill for McKenna next summer…

Speculating, but punt Bates and get in a defender, the latter defendant on the former? Vinny and Miovski can play #10?? I still see Barron as a deeper lying center mid, no? Definitely want Ronan and a decision with wolves keeping him or not is any day now I read.. Where does Morris play? Winger or forward? Don't think we signed 3 out and out forwards in Morris, Miovski, and Duk. Thinking all can either play wide too or #10...

Miovski is Ramirez’ replacement. Then Duk, then maybe Watkins. This guy would prob be 4th choice at best. Disappointed we don’t have a youth player to fill this role if true, but if this funds Ronan or the likes that’s fine with me.

Yeah, I can see us using Vinny centrally but we still need a Ronan or the likes. I think we also factor in that Hayes is 35 and can't play every minute every week, Mclennan is piss, Duncan needs a loan deal, Watkins isn't a winger, and Kennedy has been piss until recently against weaker opposition. A strong winger certainly helps....

I don't see that at all, he's a work your balls of kind of guy, pretty pacy, but not really the skill, tricky, beat a man, threat that pass type of guy. From what I have seen, and I know he's clearly unfit, Duk brings the pace and workrate but has more skill...

I’d say if it’s 2-3 more players it’s surely a #10, holding mid, and possibly a left central defender. Duk, Ramirez, miovski, Roberts, hayes, kennedy, Vinny, even mclennan and Watkins, we are surely set for forwards and width. It’s clearly central we need.

Given the Richardson concern and the lack of center mids, as much as it doesn’t help mccrorie, get another mid in to play next to ramadani then mccrorie can slide to right back. Add that player, Ronan or McGrath, plus dunne after we punt bates, then I’d be happy with that squad. recall someone saying coulson was a right footed left back, does he play right back??

Keen for more detail. How was Stewart? Roos? Coulson?

That’s the way I feel. 2-0 loss to Celtic at parkhead is no disaster. saw little of the game. Positives?

Think you’re being unfair there. JG has said 2-3 more and we’re missing key players in key positions. Those players, if they are any good, don’t come cheap and will have options. It’s impossible for a club like us to be finished with transfers and ready for games week 1.

Saw about 5 mins and in that time Celtic should have scored, then a minute later hayes with the miss. Could be much better so I suppose 1 down at the break isn’t too bad…

More detail please! Lost a goal from a set piece corner??? One Bates clears with a header We getting over run or actually in the game? DM sit back tactics?

Can’t get in to red tv international???

I’ll take my previous comment back. I’ve already said todays score isn’t the be all, if polvara is to be one for the future only one way to find out. Bates isn’t so shouldn’t play….!?!

Amazing to think that with all the signings to date, missing scales and Barron and we’re scrambling. Just shows we still need 2-3 strong signings. Really big games from the ‘experienced’ Stewart and ramadani needed. it’s a lot to ask of polvara. Even with the week he’s had, and the preseason in general (as last years form), I’d have gone with bates and mccrorie in the middle.

Kinda my thinking. Aren’t we their first competitive game of the season, whereas it’s game 5 for us (despite the lower level opponent.) maybe we’re a little more match sharp?? we haven’t ultimately been challenged either so I really don’t know how good we are. I’m never totally happy when we don’t win, but as long as we look like a team progressing the score isn’t everything today. We’re also probably two bigger signings missing, a 10 and another defender/midfielder who may start, plus scales. As has been said, nothing really to lose so why not have a go? I just don’t want to see DMs overly negative tactics. Hopefully JC has brought a bigger balls mentality and we get stuck in. He’s said it, let’s see it.

Let’s be real. Who honestly thought we’d get 150-500k for bates? As we all know, when things seem too good to be true…

Strange on the timing maybe. If bates goes too surely this means dunne is coming in? Or is it simply a lock that coulson is left back on sunday and mccrorie in the middle? Still leaves us thin on defensible cover and in center mid if we don’t bring in someone.

He may be shite, but it's left footed shite which is better than Bates shite....perhaps? Even if Dunne is mediocre, trading Bates for Dunne in a sense really helps us as Stewart and Scales are our referred central pairing anyway, and we have the back up leftie. But if Dunne is any good it certainly allows Scales to play left back, gives competition at the back which is healthy, and keeps McCrorie in the middle of the park. Really gives us options while Bates does not. Would also clearly allow MacKenzie or Hancock to go out on loan, most likely the latter as they both don't need to play very limited mins. Yes, I am stating the obvious, but hope this occurs.

RE leftie defender, I’d rather we tried to develop Mackenzie Hancock and or Milne than sign a one position guy who’ll sit on the bench in case of injuries. I’m assuming coulson was signed since he can play left back or left mid so unless Ramirez leaves I think we have decent depth in all positions except center mid, both holding and #10. I’ll say it’s 1 more at 10, and maybe another holding. we only have Ramadani Barron and polvara, all inexperienced/young/unproven at this level long term. Honestly, and not happening, shinnie would really help here in many ways in position, experience, attitude, and leadership. Seems like a goodwin type of guy too.

There’s an obsession with the left central defender having to be left footed. From what I understand we have Stewart scales bates Milne mccrorie and Hancock can all play central defense. Even McKenzie. You really think we’ll sign another??

Goodwin said 2-3 more a week ago too, thats’s why I’m saying one more now. Being realistic, but certainly a #10 is definitely needed….although I guess we’re not that deep in center mid in general…