TheDonbytheDee

Match day and thankfully the wind has calmed down. I went out for my walk yesterday afternoon and was nearly blown over twice. Confident for the points this afternoon, but not overly so. I've been scarred enough over the years, never to be overly confident. The lad Watson being out for them, will hopefully help us, but with dracula not in their dugout, they might fancy it more. After yesterdays results, a win would help consolidate our top six position nicely and also would see us with 10 points, from our previous four games, which I would have snatched your hand off for before hand. COYR

I think Clarkson has a decent enough value, not so sure about Palaversa. Don't expect to get too much for either, but far less for Palaversa, as if being honest hasn't exactly been a consistent performer in his time with us. His penalty in the cup final will ensure his status with us though, so wouldn't have been all bad, whatever happens with him. The way we play, our midfield is key. A lot of graft expected from them and that's why I think it would have been good to have seen Palaversa and Clarkson more in recent weeks, just to keep that area of the park fresh, but the players currently involved have stepped up and played well. I am hopeful if seeing more roation, if not today, then surely on Thursday night, which is meaningless, bit fit aboot the money for a win or a dra? Three points today and three points at the tattiedome, next weekend, would be my own preference.

He was, but been back training a good few weeks now A few rumours of his attitude stinking the place out, but only rumours. Our midfield is relatively weak, so to not use him or Clarkson much for rotation purposes at the very least, is quite damning. Have to trust the manager on these calls.

I get the feeling I would get a start over Clarkson at the moment. That's how far out of the picture he appears. Think he and Palaversa are both on the way out of the club, for whatever reason.

22 years ago, Pele Paterson was in the hot seat. Did it scar you that much? You never get the urge to make the pilgrimage up to our Mecca of the north? (Nae bingo jokes please). I'm assuming you are still in Englandshire and not further afield. The reason I have never left Aberdeen, to live further afield, is our bloody club. I was asked once to move abroad and that was my reason for not going. A 100% genuine answer. I wouldn't even class myself as that big a dandy and much more committed supporters than me, but I couldn't live without my regular fix. Would be easier coming off crack. As long as the heart is in the right place, then that is what counts.

I think most of us thought he had got it right with the appointment of the Doc. This fitba thing isn't as easy as folk would like to think it is. McGregor knows as much about football manager appointments as the rest of us. Maybe having the Doc, Callum Davidson and John Robertson together as a management team, is a case of too many chiefs.

It does highlight how easily our council can be duped. So I'm not wanting public money involved as I see nothing but risk for an already cash strapped council. I've waffled enough about it now, and made my position clear, so this is my last post on the thread.

Just seen the County score. Really though Doc, would do a job for them. Can't see McGregor sticking by him after that. It just hasn't happened for him in Dingwall.

I saw that film when it came out and yes it was an amazing film. Very sad in places and very funny in others. The bit when he is getting his MBE and shouted out Fuck the Queen, was brilliant. I also hope that part was true. Other than that I don't watch too many films, never been much of a film buff.

Do you honestly and truly believe that the Council will make money from this deal, if it were to happen? They absolutely should be looking to make gains from this type of deal if it were to go ahead, but they won't, however much spin is put on it, if it happens. The above is based on nothing other than gut feeling and reading of many Councils being done over through this type of partnership. ACC got screwed over on the Bon Accord Centre many years ago, I can't remember the exact nature of the deal, but our tax lecturer used to tell us the story about it, but they were truly stitched up and all done legally. To my knowledge it never made the press, but it must be somewhere. There was also the more recent example of the place at Marischal Square that they lost their arse on. A smaller example of things that can go wrong, but an example nonetheless and also shows that Public money going to private organisations, though whatever means, should be carefully scrutinised to ensure the tax payer gets value for money. My argument here is that there should be enough wealth in this City to have built this damn thing years ago, without the need to take the begging bowl out looking for public money, at a time where the public finances are an absolute midden. The Council can help in numerous ways to get this project off the ground, they could make land available, they could help with roads and surrounding infrastructure, so it all dovetails in to the new stadium. I would also like the club to own the asset of a new stadium. I know it's not in vogue for companies to own large assets now and everything is done to ensure maximum shareholder return. I just believe that if you believe in something as a business, then you should put your money where you mouth is and invest in the bricks and mortar needed to build it and sustain it and for AFC that is our Stadium as much as the team. Anyway, I'm rambling now and going to STFU on the matter, but ats fit I think.

Council build it. Club takes out a 99 year lease against it.

My reply take two. For me, this Stadium is supposedly going to bring a prospective economic gold rush to the City. If it is that great a thing for the City, then why don't the great and the good come together and pay for it. I'm totally aware it won't make money, hence my concern about the Council paying for it. I get that a City or a Town needs good infrastructure to attract and retain businesses, but for me anyway, Aberdeen Football Club Ltd, need this stadium much, much more than our City does. A Hospital, a School and Roads are all good examples of where public money should be spent to bring growth to an area, but not quite sure a fitba stadium fits into to this. We have had Woody stumping up a large amount for a hospital car park. We had the Donalds put £15 million into AFC to wipe out our debt, that was nothing to do with them. I am quite sure that between all the real monied folk in this City, we can surely come up with a way of financing this Stadium, which would remain an Asset for the club for the next 100 years or so. Even get the fans involved in some way. I am sure a few would like to be part of something like this. We were told 15 years ago, by the very same great and the good of this City, that Union Terrace Gardens would have to be concreted over, to keep the City economically viable, or some other mealy mouthed pish. It didn't happen and what the Council did with it has just won an architectural award for it. It is a jewel in our City Centre and I hope that this new foodie place, where the New Market was, brings a much needed boost to Union Street, along with the other improvements being done. I want to see our City succeed, I want to see more positive changes like Union Terrace Gardens as opposed to the not so good Marischal Square, that was an opportunity lost for the City. Could have made a lovely Civic Square type of area with the old Town House complementing Marischal College. I would have knocked down the St Nicholas Centre too if given a chance. I'm certainly not averse to change. When they wheel out people like Martin Gilbert, just like they did with the UTG debacle from years back, it just stinks of the rich folk looking their noses down at the poor relations. I not the most articulated in getting my point of view across, but the whole thing just stinks and our local press seem to be agenda driven, just like they were with both UTG and Marischal Square and of course Trumps golf course in Balmedie. That was a new low amongst the many lows our esteemed Dundonian press.

Likely my phone, it's nae the best. I usually do longer posts on a laptop as easier on my eyes.

Just wrote a very long post in reply, but I got a time out error. Fuck sake, the curse of Ab Mad!

Born on this day 55 years ago, Eoin Jess. Happy Birthday loon. One of the very, very best in my opinion and was a privilege to watch him break through.

Another Saturday and nae Dons match to look forward too.

Is that the foundations of a Stewart Milne build? No wonder they went bust!

Martin Gilbert getting involved in the stadium debate now. Not that this was pre planned or anything. As I keep spouting, why are these very, very rich individuals not providing private funding themselves and help build a long term asset for the club? I mean, if the stadium is such a money spinning asset for the City, then surely these individuals would want a piece of the pie and would want to control it. I'm sure a man of Martin Gilberts background, could have put something together to facilitate this, without the need for public cash.

The Impressions - People Get Ready

Ayr Utd v St Johnstone on the BBC. A cracking game of fitba. Saints down 2-0 and fight back to win 4-2. Played decent fitba too.

I'd imagine over £100 million all in, as these things always go over budget and likely, even if passed, it would take a few years to get it started and inflation will impact the cost.

My Mother was a huge fan back in the day, as I am sure were plenty others. I remember more from the Kids TV series Mr Majieka I just discovered he was gay. Not surprised, as he played the female parts with a lot of enthusiasm, but had never realised he had come out. Married a woman, but it was a lavender marriage. Hard to believe the lengths they had to go to back then to hide their sexuality. RIP

It will happen at some point, through necessity if nothing else. I'm quite happy for the club to build a new stadium, but it has to be in Aberdeen, preferably at the beach or at least somewhere that is workable for all transport needs. I am also a little uneasy about public funds being used to build a stadium for what is a private company, owned by some VERY rich individuals. I am 99% certain if Davie boy gets his wish and gets access to public money to build it, the Council will end up being shafted over it. It's as inevitable as night following day.

Considine is a proper AFC legend. Of course he had shit games, but he was immense in plenty others and he played enough. We also had some real shite in our back four for a lot of his time. I reckon he would have done a great job at any other team in Scotland including either of the the bigot brothers. He was never a left back, but in most games he played at left back he did a sterling job and was only usually found wanting when up against serious pace, but he was fine for the most part in the league. I get we all have differing opinions, but we really never signed much better defenders than Andy Considine during his time with us.

Electronic - Get the Message