Kowalski

As Penfold said, its about Gothenburg anniversary celebrations!

If he goes to Hearts then he can fuck right off. He'll get pelters every time we play them.

My money is on at least one of JC and Zander staying. Why announce a press conference to give nothing but news about people leaving? Also, I couldn't care less about Clark leaving, but what the hell does he think he's playing at? Aberdeen is going to be as good as it gets for him.

They paid up front for Madrid tickets. The story going around that they didn't ask for more tickets because they weren't prepared to pay for them up front was denied by the club after the game.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/a/aberdeen/7174724.stm

http://www.afc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/News/clubNewsDetail/0,,10284~1208738,00.html With another mass exodus of The Red Army anticipated for next month's crunch UEFA Cup clash with Bayern Munich in Germany, Dons chiefs have negotiated the pre-purchase of more than six thousand tickets to ensure that supporters will be able to enjoy what will be a massive game in a safe and segregated environment. Pittodrie Managing Director Duncan Fraser commented, "Such has been the interest in the game, we are confident that our fans will respond accordingly to ensure yet another unforgettable European night in this club's history." The 6200 tickets, priced at £28 and £20, will be allocated by ballot to season ticket holders and shareholders with a minimum of 260 shares and those eligible are invited to post their ballot papers to arrive no later than Friday 18th January. Ballot forms will be available at the Pittodrie ticket office and online from tomorrow (Tuesday 8th January), with full instructions on how they should be completed. The match in Munich will kick-off at 5.45 pm GMT (6.45 pm local time) on Thursday 21st February. In association with travel partner TMG, the Club is providing a private charter for the game, inclusive of accommodation, all transfers and match ticket, again for season ticket holders and shareholder with a minimum of 260 shares. For full details, please contact TMG - www.tmgsport.com - on 01926 425333.

I'll be particularly pissed off if Diamond goes. He was atrocious last season, and was very much a bit-part player until a few months ago. But we stuck by him, and how he's having a good season and we've offered him a contract. It would be nice to see some loyalty from a player now and again!

If he goes (along with Diamond, Hart, Nicholson), then fair enough we might end up with a better manager, but we're going to be back at square one building a squad that'll take at least a couple of years to get back up to this season's level (i.e. challenging in multiple competitions). I fear the worst. WM needs to sort it out.

From the Scotland on Sunday's football predictions for 2008:

Aye, stick them in the reserves if they are offski. We need players who are committed to playing for the club in the starting line ups.

I'm as pissed off as anyone that we couldn't beat 10 men, but the stats make it sound closer between the two teams than some are suggesting. Falkirk Aberdeen Goals : 0 0 Possession : 50% 50% Shots On Target : 6 4 Shots Off Target : 7 10 Corners : 3 4 Fouls : 11 14 Most Fouls : Riera (3) Miller (4) Yellow Cards : 1 4

According to FM08 Miller 3000 Severin 3000 Smith 2000 Nicholson 2000 Touzani 2000 Lovell 2000

Aye but give up possible cup finals and European football to go to Burnley, I doubt it.

eh...why would JC want to manage Burnley?

Those figures are SPL games only. Good shout. I'm pretty sure that there used to be a student season ticket on the go. Specially reduced rate.

There's a lot of talk (elsewhere) about poor crowds this season. So lets get some FACTS in the way of a good argument... Average attendances at Pittodrie (the only ones I could lay my hands on): 2002-03: 11,775 2003-04: 10,389 2004-05: 13,577 2005-06: 12,727 2006-07: 12,475 2007-08 (to 2nd January): 12,408 So crowds are much the same as they have been for the last three years, not the huge drop in numbers that some moaners would have us believe. And crowds are better now than they were in the era immediately before JC arrived. In saying that, we should be aspiring to an average of 15,000. So what is the real reason for crowds being poor? For some it may be the lack of entertainment on display (but we've got great home form this season), while others it will be the rising costs of football, or other commitments. My view is that its probably a combination of the above. Football in general is seeing falling crowds, and complaints about the lack of atmosphere and entertainment across the whole of Britain (good article at http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/7168641.stm). I think that rather than blame the football on display at Pittodrie for the (alleged) falling crowds, Pittodrie is just going the same way as a lot of other grounds across the country. The rising costs are the main reason for the poor attendances IMHO. Given we're on the brink of (hopefully) having the best season for 20 years, its the stay away fans that are missing out.

If they don't sign then they shouldn't play for us again. No way should they get a crack at Bayern.

Seems to be a few folk with chips on their shoulders about the Red Ultras. minijc - care to comment?

Didn't sound pretty. Good to get up to joint 4th though! Roll on ICT...

I've read the first two and just purchased Broken Skin. I'll hopefully read it soon. I hear AFC's star striker is involved in this novel. Mackie???