HeedTheBall

Some interesting comments in this thread. Sneckie is almost correct, we’ve had a handful of decent performances this season, that’s true. But look further back we’ve only had a handful of decent performances in each of the seasons Calderwood has been in charge. It’s not like, on the whole, we’ve played any different in other games than we did today. We’re consistently poor. Or ‘sloppy’ if I can steal a phrase. The bench was interesting today too. My immediate thought was ‘who can come on and change the game, the way we’re playing?’ I'd be keen to know the reasonings behind the bench selection but I doubt we'll ever know. Soutar, just doesn’t inspire confidence and that influences the decisions and actions of the defence. He’ll not leave his line for anything, not just crosses. The team’s much weaker with him in goals. The 500k in 4 years is a red herring. Not many clubs, well not in the SPL, actually spend hard cash. It’s Bosman’s and the like. Compare what we pay as a basic and then you may get a more accurate reflection on investment in the team. Money isn’t the be all and end all as we discovered during the years of overspending. Motherwell and Hibs have all invested less than us and are currently higher in the league than we are. And luck, forget that. I personally don’t want to rely on luck in order to win games (yeah it often required against the bigger and better teams). Certainly not against 1st division teams. We shouldn’t have had any penalties today and QOS didn’t win the game through luck. They were the better team and hats off to them for that. Let’s give them the credit they’re due. I also disagree that this was the poorest performance this season. Utd in the wee semi was worse. Our performance today was consistent with the majority under Calderwood. High balls and flick-ons. No passing. No movement. Players not wanting the ball and hiding, to me it looks like they're frightened to make a mistake - now I may just throw in some speculation here, are they concerned about getting crucified by Calderwood? Just like Cowie I spent a large part of the game just saying ‘get it down, play a pass and keep it simple’. But I very much doubt our team is sent out to play that way. In fact, I’m convinced that they’re not. Look at the evidence over the last few seasons. Let’s be brutally honest. We have some good players who are not performing and we are not a good team. Blame the players if you want but the evidence to me suggests that the underperformance of the players lies at the feet of Calderwood for the way he sets out his teams to play and the way he is so quick to blame the players when things go wrong. His post-match comments are no surprise and he's not someone I'd want to play under. How many of our players feel the same do you think? At least the Masters and a fine red are helping me cope with life as a Don just now.

Given that our Euro success was 25 years ago... Irony. Satire. Sarcasm. Take your pick.

This actually brings a slight rise to the corners of my mouth. Thank you!

Personally I think McGhee would come. Oh, I have 27p of loose change in my pocket, is that enough for Calderwood to post his CV 2nd class to Gretna?

And this is exactly the kind of thing that has placated the supports for the last few years. If we don't beat Motherwell then at least expect a win or credible draw at Snake Mountain. Note: Greyskull is the good guys place. Thick bassas.

I remember a Dunfermline supporting colleague of mine warning me when Calderwood took over that Caldwerwood has certain players that he'll play no matter what - basically he has his favourites and to be prepared to go on losing and winning runs and prepare for bafflement and inconsistency. Well, fk me...at the time I remember thinking pinch of salt and stupidfuckinbitterparsfan but now...uglyfuckinknowitallwhosupportsashiteteamthatIhopewesignnofurtherfuckinplayersfromwhilstCalderwoodisstillmanager...

Half a dozen? Not this season, I'm assuming you're counting the last 2 or 3 as well? I agree with Sneckie that there is a lot of overreaction and heat of the moment frustration (which I can appreciate) but truth be told we've been insipid for months not just this season or since Christmas and it's surprising that it's taken a run of 5 straight defeats in the league or whatever it is for people to realise this. I liken our current plight to teams managed by Alex Miller, Vogts or Matt Williams (ex Scotland rugby coach). I think all of them get far too technical and overcomplicate things. Scottish players are non-technical, roll-the-sleaves-up and get intae them types. Anything more than 442 and get crosses into the box and the players can't cope and get confused. Calderwood is so technical he's turned players that were only 18 months ago Scottish internationals (Seve) into sub-standard 1st Division players. My main gripe isn't that we're not winning games, we're not 7 points clear in 3rd place etc. but how we're playing. We are terrible. We have been for months. Zero entertainment. No enjoyment. No pattern to our play. No leadership blah blah blah. Crowds are down the season we have our highest league finish in years. Why? It's very simple, insipid, boring, negative crap. There's more to football life than simply winning or in Calderwoods case not losing games. I'd gladly accept getting beaten in the manner we were at Easter Road because at least we created chances, attacked and played 'football' (especially the 1st half). What is not acceptable is today or the Tynecastle semi (I could easily cite numerous other examples) - these displays and the way the manager approached these games are unacceptable. The worrying thing for me is that Calderwood now has a long-term contract that AFC can't afford to do anything about. We're stuck with him and given what I've seen over the last few seasons the cagey, negative, more-concerned-about the opposition-than-us approach is not going to change now or in the future. Man marking Johnston...Seve in defence...subbing JDV for Miller...Soutar for Langfield...17 or is it 18 different central defensive pairings this season... We're in a dark place and there's no light to be found in the immediate future. Suicidal...nah...for all my faults I'm a fkn optimist...

Exactly. Nail on head. This should have nothing to do with getting money for him. If he gets a new contract and nobody comes in for him we're stuck with him for another year. Then what? Another new contract after that with hope that we can sell him again? When does it end? Final warning, says it all. Bring back Kjaer? Nah, min. Bring back mint mojos.

Langfield certainly communicates and organises the defence better. Although more prone to stupid fuck-ups than Soutar. Anyway, both are pish and we should've signed another keeper during the summer. If push comes to shove then if Langfield doesn't want to play for us then he shouldn't. Simple.

I don't share your pessimism. He left Dunfermline just before they played in the UEFA so I'm not convinced that would stop him this time. Dons have improved, consistent top 6 side and qualified for Europe - time to bail before he incurs a black mark? And to a side with Premiership potential... I do agree that he'll probably not be with us this time next season.

Is not just about glory hunters though. Take a look at Hibs, yes they won a cup last season, but their crowds have been higher than ours since they started to play football which involves creating chances rather than ours which is completely dull (based on lifeless performances dating back several seasons). I'd go as far as to say we're duller than the most exciting Canadian. I conclude that playing a version of football which affords our best players to play in their correct positions and remove the negative tactical shackles so they can try things and express themselves will attract folk back and help rid us of this 'living in the past' tag which seems to appear as soon as any supporter dares complain about our dullness. 3rd but dead of boredom. Thank you, Mr Calderwood.

I've a list of things I'd like to see implemented. Top of my list is to ban all Canadians. I doubt we would miss what can only tamely be described as a strange collection of freaky hairy-backed canucks. Bloody weirdos. Go on, you know it makes sense?

That's utterly brilliant. So the club have a valid reason to fleece us. I hope we get knocked out first round now...

Any reason why we need a third top? Roll on the money-making comments...but we only wear our 2nd/away top a handful of times a season. Admittedly I do like the 3rd top but fans and fleecing spring to mind. It may be nice but it's not needed.