The.Moog

Agreed re most of that. I was a big supporter of the Thelin move too. It didn’t work out for a number of reasons as you say, but the main one was he just turned out to be a not very good manager, certainly in this league. I definitely don’t want Robinson either, not because he’s not a decent manager but because as you say his style doesn’t suit us or the squad. Not writing Horneland off at all, and he’ll get my full support, just has some recent parallels that cannot be ignored either so aye, we’ll just have to hope he’s the upgraded model…

I did like the bit about going long from the the back and only playing out on the deck some of the time. Big step forward. This was a wee concern though “The two CBs are a huge part of the way Brann play, as their ability to break the lines via both passing and carrying is just one way in which Brann get into these situations in the first place”. Knoester could be capable of that & who knows, maybe Tobers too if we ever get to see him, but otherwise no chance, and we still need to address the lack of arial ability back there too. Fingers crossed as I say…

Reach? They’re expected to win it now…

Was at Malmaison last night apparently. I’ve been told it’s come rather out of left field this week since he only came available at the weekend. They are serious about him though. If the deal is done, he’ll get my support but have to say it looks affa like Thelin mark II. Some success in Noggieland but knows fuck all about fitba here. Just got to cross the fingers and hope he’s more Askou than JT, but hmmmm…

A little birdie tells me its gonna be Andreas Hinkel. Ex Tim striker, been involved in coaching & assistant management at Stuttgart for years, Spartak Moscow & Leipzig. Never managed outright himself though as far as I can see. Defo Lutz’s man, but his track record won’t bowl anyone over as far as I can see. Just gotta hope he’s the guy this time. Should be announced next couple of days apparently, so we’ll soon see if its correct or not…

First clean sheet since 2001 so well done all. What do you mean its still got to be played…

Love of fuck - that’s a belter. Can the SFA be accused of being Ante Trans after this… ?

I’ve been told its a German. No name though, and no surprise really. Disappointed its not Askou, he might have told us to fuck off though of course…

That’s politicians everywhere tbh…

Absolutely true that the Knoester injury couldn’t be foreseen, but the fact we don’t have a single permanently signed CH who is good in the air, can win their defensive headers & dominate the penalty box is a massive indictment on the club and recruitment - & that’s not a new issue either by any stretch. Lets hope the new lad(s) bring a bit of that…

True, but excuse me if I’m not overly thrilled at the prospect of taking freebies that haven’t been able to secure a club before now like…

So we sign a bunch more midfielders, but no additional CH today, despite what almost certainly seems a season ender for Knoester at the weekend. Really AFC? So given I believe Milne is still suspended for the next game, and obvs Dorrington and Polvara are away, we really gonna go with Devlin or Nilsen plus Morrison at the back on Wednesday? And also be one injury away from having one of them at CH for the rest of the season? Fuck me…

Can’t say I’m too fussed. Clearly talented but affa lightweight physically and I’d say mentally too. Maybe wasn’t always used the way which suited him best tbf, but he’s not got a regular game in this utterly honking team, so that says a lot. All the best though min, but probs best all round this one…

Aouchiche away then. Far from the worst signing of the summer, but let’s be honest, there was absolutely zero chance we were forking out £1.5m for him. Should have kept McGrath…

I think this point about the correct standards not being set is absolutely at the root of our problems this season (and previous years, but for these purposes I’m talking about this season). Our pre season was an absolute farce. I’ve genuinely no idea what Thelin was thinking with that. We were massively undercooked going into that first game against the diets and we’ve never recovered. Our fitness levels are also poor, see point one above. I watched the diets vs the Tims the other week, and they ran and pressed all day and never stopped. Our lot just couldn’t do that, never mind show the level of mentality, intensity and desire the diets showed. We need to massively raise our standards and expectations as a club. They talk about the standards expected at AFC, but the reality is very different and that needs to change…