Unit

Hans Gilhaus for me too - class act. Pace, skill, vision and an eye for goal. Still remember watching him at East End Park (in his debut I think) and thinking we'd signed a real superstar.

Agreed Caroline B....why not....it's not like the Scotsport cameras would miss anything. If closing parts of the stadium and forcing fans into a more populated part generates a better atmosphere and therefore results in more inspired performances, I'm all for it

26. Strachan Admits Celts Beaten by Better Side 27. <Insert any team name> undone by Broadfoot Guile 28. McCurry Admits Old Firm Bias 29. "I'll gun down Rangers" says Mackie/Young/McGuire (Oh sorry headlines you wont see.....) 30. Novo in for Torres as Spain Go on Attack 31. Hibs Sheils has one eye on Cup Glory

22. Old Firm hammered in SFA Sectarianism Probe 23. Mackie Contract not to be Renewed 24. Hearts sign Scotsman 25. Scotsport Wins Bafta for Best Factual TV Programme

It's official. Good news IMHO. All we need now is someone with the wherewithal to play alongside him.

Lets get this straight... The only time the Dons areon first is if they play one of the OF. More often than not they're on so late that its Tuesday, not Monday. Scotsport is car crash TV, totally cringeworthy to watch particularly when journalistic non-entities are asked to comment on stuff about which they know absolutely nothing e.g. last night Hugh Keevins asked whether McGuire had a future in the game...... Keevins - um....er....eh...., the answer you're looking for is "Sorry Andy no idea whether he's got a future in the game, never watch Aberdeen and couldn't find my way to any SPL football ground outside Glasgow." And therein is the point... Scotsport exists solely to entertain (and I use this word reluctantly) the lardy-arsed, stay at home OF fans who either cant be bothered going to the games or are too jaked to do so normally.

No idea what their current contractual arrangements are but how about: Andy Dorman - St Mirren Michael Higdon - Falkirk Chris Porter - Motherwell Surely they'd fancy a crack at a bigger SPL team (!!) Oh and signing Maybury

From my sister in laws house as we've only got Cooncil telly....... Probably the worst 90 minutes to watch in a long time. Not because it was any worse than any number of other games I've seen but just because for almost the entire game I was filled with the foreboding sense that a goal was coming for the tims....even at 92mins and 30secs and a corner against! But it didn't.... And we got one.... And for sheer tenacity under pressure, we thoroughly deserve it. OK we struggled to keep the ball at times and each time we cleared it, it did come straight back, but we held out and I for one applaud the team and particularly our much maligned defence. Soutar didn't have too much to do but what he did, he did well. Maybury was MoM by a country mile - get him signed up!! Diamond and Considine were magnificent under pressure and McNamara, despite lacking games, looked reasonably solid too. Severin was back to something like his best, Nicholson worked his socks off (again), Miller led the line superbly despite virtually no service and his touch for the goal was sublime. Mackie took the one and only chance that came his way and its thanks to him we're now in a Cup Semi. So we're 90 minutes away from a Cup Final and I for one will applaud a fantastic team performance Of course if we'd played the same way and lost 1-0 I'd be as critical as the next man - but hey that's football for you. Cheerio Timothy and Mon the Dons!

I've watched this game not giving two hoots about who wins. However my punching the air and shouting YAAASSSSS at DeVries goal is a reminder that I dislike rangers intensely......

It might have been said before, but I'll say it again anyway. The reason the players are choosing not to speak to the Aberdeen Sun Evening Express, is because Charlie Allan ran a story about players being shipped out at the end of the season and chose to publicly name those for the chop, based on nothing more than a pure hunch - not journalism, just speculation, the laziest form of journalism. If I read in my local rag that I was for the chop from my job I'd be mightily hacked off. If I then found that the story had no basis in fact I'd be livid. So I'm right with the players on this one As far as todays article goes, well it's an absolute joke really and not worth commenting on to be honest. Charlie Allans behaviour is such an embarrassment that hed have been better off turning up at Pittodrie kitted out in a big wig, false red nose, a painted face, large comedy shoes and a flower in his lapel that squirts water. Grow up Charlie!

With Dons Mad Viki Robertson...... We have around 7500 season ticket holders, attract upwards of 14000 fans for OF games and manage to pack out Pittodrie with 20000 or thereabouts for UEFA ties....... So is it just me or is 'Dons Mad Viki Robertson' (one word too many in this title as far as I'm concerned) the best the EE can find to be the self appointed voice of the fans? Her match reports are laughable at best and the statement in her latest one that she "was gutted to see Mackie and Lovell on from the start and both were just as bad as I anticipated" prompted me to put finger to keyboard. Granted neither player had a good game but I've said it before and I'll say it again, strikers are only as good as the service they receive....and ours get very little. Rant over!

Just to add to the general thoughts on tonight.... Overall it was a grim watch, particularly in the first half when the ball spent 90% of the time in the air. Very little football on show from either side. Motherwell pretty disappointing for a team apparently 'flying' in 3rd. As far as we were concerned, I thought Soutar had a decent game. His save from the penalty was excellent and I'd say he was blameless for the goal - good finish IMHO. Back four looked reasonably solid for a change, so no doubt JC will make a few totally unnecessary changes for Saturday. I like Maybury at RB. Granted he's not the tallest, but at least he's a proper full back playing as a full back!! Zander and Considine competed pretty well with Porter, the penalty award aside and Foster looked back to something like his best. Midfield was the frustration for me. We essentially played 2 wide players in Maguire and De Visscher but they rarely took a player on and rarely provided any decent service to Lovell and Mackie. They always seemed to want to go back or square when having a go seemed a better option. Mackie is more in need of a goal than any player I know and despite giving his all he clearly has no confidence at the moment and no doubt Lovell will get binned again because he didn't score. Truth is the service afforded to our strikers is so poor that a front two of Didier Drogba and Christiano Ronaldo would have struggled tonight. So what chance of continuity of selection for Saturday? No chance. My guess a different formation, at least three changes and different partnerships all over the pitch........and therein lies the problem.

BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

Humped by a team previously in free-fall. Not only are we a soft touch, we're quickly becoming a laughing stock. Just a shambles. Say what you like about individuals, the buck stops with the manager. More tinkering today, at least 3 formations, one save required by Combe in 90 minutes, Lovell warming the bench again despite being our best hope of a goal in my opinion.....need I go on?

What's everyone thinking about the game tomorrow? Personally, despite our recent dire form, I reckon predictions of heavy defeats are probably off the mark (nurse....more medication for Unit please). Why? Tomorrow will be a totally different game to last Sunday. Against Celtic we were pressed and pressed by them into mistakes and ultimately suffered a heavy defeat. Maybe this is just the natural optimist in me coming out, but I reckon tomorrow will be played at a more continental pace. As such I think we'll get more time on the ball, more time to pick out passes and by definition more time to play decent crosses and ultimately more opportunities. I also think that Bayern, good as they are, will come here and try to do just what's required in an away leg in order to set up the chance for them to finish things at home. One things for sure, it's going to be a tremendous atmosphere with 5000 horns and thunder sticks to be handed out so hopefully it will inspire the boys to turn in the sort of display we witnessed against Copenhagen. Let's hope so.....they don't like it up 'em. Mon the Reds!!

Apart from the classic "Hewitt's waiting in the middle......" Can't remember the exact words but one of the most memorable in recent years was David Begg's radio commentary on John Stewart's winner v Tims at Parkhead. Went something like......: Stewart skips past Varga, closes in on goal....steadies himself.....shoots....and wins the game for Aberdeen.... or something...

Heard much the same as everyone else - Lovell and Mair involved, never liked each other blah blah. JC has never liked or rated Lovell, and now his coaching staff have handled a situation sufficiently badly to give him the perfect excuse to get rid. Lovell hasn't been given a fair crack of the whip this year or a reasonable run in the team. He's got crucial goals coming off the bench, gets recalled for one game and gets slated for his performance v United. He's a striker, and as such requires service, something we're incapable of providing at present. And when I say service that's not a throat-high ball blootered at him from 70 yards, as is the norm. So sadly it looks as though he'll be off and there goes our best chance of goals in my humble opinion.... Not to worry we've still got Mackie

Mightily hacked off. Took a half day off to go to that shambles tonight. I've never been so disgusted in a performance, particularly a cup semi with a big prize at stake! No energy No pace (despite playing against probably the slowest central defensive partnership ever) No hunger No desire No creativity Virtually no shots on target United wanted it more than we did and it showed. Don't get me started on player ratings, tactics, fans behaviour and refereeing. I'm too raging to type anything remotely coherent. Maybe tomorrow.

Looking forward to the game tomorrow and like everyone else, I'm more confident with Utd less Robson and Szamutolski. However, regardless how much our opposition is weakened by personnel losses and cuptied-ness, we will have to show significant improvement on recent performances. Saturday was woeful and we could easily have been knocked out by superior 1st Division opposition. We struggled to make any forward momentum, created virtually nothing of note and rarely threatened Hamilton. Add to that a hugely frustrating unwillingness to pass the ball forward (other than shelling it 70 yards from the back) and we've been not much fun to watch recently. Lets hope they show a little ambition and take the game to United tomorrow. If we score first I reckon we'll win. If we concede, then unfortunately I'm not sure whether we've got the guile to get one back. United will probably only take one mini bus of fans, so lets back the boys and roar them to Hampden tomorrow....

The success of our domestic campaign will be decided in the next 10 days. Unfortunately I'm not optimistic: League - 5th at best CIS Cup - knocked out by DUFC next week Scottish Cup - might sneak past Falkirk tomorrow UEFA Cup - The journey ends in Munich on 21st Feb Unfortunately we've been struggling to find any form in recent games. Just look at the stats from Saturday. In 90 minutes we had 1 shot on target, 1 corner and no goals. Now it's easy to point the finger at the strikers (and esp Lovell whose face clearly doesn't fit), but we just don't create enough: Inability to defend + zero creativity + unwillingness to gamble and have a shot at goal = mediocrity Only my opinion and for the record I hope I'm proved wrong tomorrow and next Tuesday - just can't see it though.

My tuppence worth for what it's worth........ There is no justification IMHO for booing players who discover that they can double their money in a similar job elsewhere. Indeed I defy anyone on here to say that if faced with a similar decision to stay at their existing job earning say £25k pa wouldn't jump at the chance to go to a similar company to do exactly the same job for £50k pa. If you're going to boo anyone.... Boo those whose mismanagement has resulted in 8 first teamers being out of contract at the same time and whose dithering over contract discussions has led us to the distinct possibility of losing a number of these for nowt in the summer. Boo Mr Milne CBE, the £400m businessman who happens to be the big cheese down Pittodrie way and whose reluctance to speculate when in a relatively strong position (i.e. now) threatens the future of our club in the short to medium term. (Oh but his money is all tied up in property - yeah whatever!!) I wont be booing the players on Saturday. We're playing a confident and attractive Falkirk side who arguably start favourites and the players will need all the support they can get from us in the stands. Furthermore, any idiot stupid enough to boo the players can expect a volley from me.

Mizer Beers 2. Glasgow Sheep (at last) Thumbs Up 3. Chimp Wino 4. Kowalski Dance 5. Jimmy Jimmy +2 Bandwagon 8. Edinburghdon + 2 Beers 11. Tenement Funster - now subject to miraculous recovery 12. Sheep #1 13. Disco 14. Stoner 15. Linds 16. Ecosse1 17. Stewart 18. Penfold 19. Padre Thumbs Up 20. Nig + 5 26. Dave min + 2 Thumbs Up 29. Wazzamatazz + 1 AFC2 30. The Doricle Permission received to leave the missus and bairn again (unbelievably!) 31. topcorner + 1 32. stonefish100 +1 33. Slim 34. Aberdeen_Ladette + 1 35. GlezgaRed + 1 36. BigAl, SM'sW + 4 others 37. Unit + at least 3

I'm not always tempted to post a rant here but today I'll make an exception.... Firstly I know only as much as you guys - that it looks as though three of our first picks will be offski. Hart and Nicholson during the window and Clark at the end of the season. Diamond might stay and JC wont sign a new deal unless the AFC directors are prepared to 'match his ambition' - that's give him some cash to strengthen his squad. If Clark is to go then I for one will be first in the queue to wave him cheerio and wish him all the best at Plymouth. He's been a loyal servant to the Dons but his performances this season haven't been great and in my opinion wont be missed hugely (bold to prevent those of you who may wish to tell me I'm speaking p*sh). On the other hand if (as seems likely) Hart and Nicholson are off too, then they will be hugely missed. Hart, despite the odd dip in form has been Mr Consistent this season and we're a far more potent attacking threat with him at right back as, unlike others, he does seem willing to take a gamble, get forward and deliver the odd decent cross. How many others do similarly?? Not many. Nicholson too has been one of our better performers. He has especially blossomed when left to get on with it in the middle of the park minus Severin. He's also contributed his fair share of goals too when it's seemed almost impossible for our strikers to do likewise (with the exception of Lee Miller in recent weeks). He's the only player who's shown an ounce of creativity so again he'll be missed and wont be easily replaced in a transfer window when you have the grand total of diddly squat pounds to spend.... Which leads me to my main point (aye there is one honest). Right now we're faced with the prospect of losing Michael Hart, Barry Nicholson, Chris Clark and possibly Zander Diamond due to unacceptable terms on offer. In addition Steve Lovell, Lee Miller, Derek Soutar and Richie Byrne (that I know of) are out of contract in the summer and can speak to other clubs now should they wish. None have entered into contract talks and no offers appear to be forthcoming at this time. Also theres every possibility that Jimmy and Co will walk away quoting that famous managers maxim that he's taken the club as far as he can blah blah blah.... Kind of begs the question - what club or business allows itself to get into a situation where the majority of its first team assets are out of contract at the same time? Even allowing for this, what club then dithers to such an extent that there's a real possibility that most will move on to pastures new. Surely this is just crass ineptitude on the part of Messrs Milne, Fraser and dare I say it Miller too!! So best case scenario - Zander stays, JC gets cash to strengthen and some others out of contract decide to stay. Worst case - We lose 7 first team regulars between now and the end of the season, JC walks and we fade away to end of season mediocrity. The next few days wont only define our season, it could well prove to define the next few years of Aberdeen Football Club. I for one am not an optimistic ST holder.

Give him a wide berth IMHO. In the week we lose our most dangerous 40 year old striker, I can't believe we're even considering moving on Steve Lovell for this guy. Lovell hasn't really been given half a chance to show what he can do. We could have Van Nistelrooy, Rooney or Drogba up front for us but if you fail to give them any decent service, even they'd struggle. If we punt long hopeful high balls from defence to Lovell he'll struggle but if we get past the last defenders to play in dangerous crosses or if we're smart enough to play the ball in behind on the deck into his path, he'll show what an instinctive striker he can be. Lovell deserves an extended run alongside Miller. Don't get me started on Mr Mackie!

Continuing the theme.... Unit but formerly heidlikeabrothpot on old DT ages ago. Thirty something, first game a 4-0 demolition of Ayr Utd circa 1977. Played Amateur and Welfare in my younger years for poor teams on bad pitches and now coach my son's Primary 4 team. Now a season ticket holder with the wee man and desperately hoping for some improvement in what I've seen in the opening two games.