Azteca1903

If the last two weeks has taught us anything, it's that nae cunt has a clue about who's doing what on what day. Maybe we should talk about something else until this all blows over.

Manages the Thailand national team, probably wouldn't fancy the step down...

Nice football by all accounts, but no progress. Just what the fans want!

He's got more going for him than people give him credit for. Even Owen Coyle couldn't get St Johnstone out of Division 1. Good cup record for a wee team, some nice football and with a simple 442 (every time I've seen them anyway). Must be persuasive too, demonstrated by getting that obnoxious twat Jody Morris to ditch the Coca-Cola for the footballing mecca of Perth.

Spot on. Unfortunately, the chances of us pulling off a signing as valuable as Severin was 5 years ago to replace him are virtually nil. Chances are someone like Considine will become a regular starter at centre-half next season.

6 points is nothing in the SPL really, it just depends on our form in the home straight which, as already mentioned, is usually good. No panic.

Two 16/18 team leagues, 3 up, 3 down with play-offs. North/south pyramid below them. Simple. As for the drop in games from 38, maybe account for them with a group stage in the league cup, and get it over and done with by December? Havn't thought that one through though...

From an objective point of view, Rangers did a professional job in packing the midfield, marking Miller and Aluko out of the game and gaining an away point. However, memories of Rangers teams coming to Pittodrie and dominating from start to finish in the last 10 years or so dictate that this batch of huns are as ordinary as they've ever been for a long time. We were OK, no better, but not as bad as some are suggesting, partly because they didn't afford us the same space as Celtic did, partly due to a nervy start which never really settled down, and partly because of a lack of creative threat in the face of such blatant draw-mongering from the scum. Defensively we're staggeringly more convincing than the start of the season, and perhaps as a result, bar a heart-in-mouth moment towards the end, the huns looked about as threatening as a Zdrilic-D'Jaffo-Hinds front three. Also, its refreshing to see a Dons team making a nuisance of themselves from set-pieces, which were so often wasted in the recent past. It's nice to have a sense of anticipation when we line up for a free-kick outside the box rather than the opposition. Overall, shite game to watch, but I'm satisfied enough with the outcome. Just don't throw the last fortnights work away at Falkirk.

Aren't most Celtic fans?

The big question is, will the SFA ever recieve this payment?

I understand your logic, but is it not somewhat concerning that we folded so gutlessly in not one but two semi-finals? Responding to pressure in that way is not a trait any of us would want to see in an Aberdeen side... Disclaimer: I, like most others, am neither a JIG or JMG

Good post, but a few points I'd take issue with. Your last two points seem a little contradictory. Yes, we end up back at square one each season, but you say this is no problem as long as we continue to improve each season...surely there we can see one particular area of frustration among many. We're not as shite as we used to be, theres little doubt about that, but this inability to provide even a slightly better team year upon year leads me, and others surely, to wonder if we could perhaps be any better... Equally, the emboldened part is certainly true, but the longer we continue to see a lack of progression makes it more and more likely that this particular step has been taken. Let's face it, the SPL is of poor standard this season, 3rd place is certainly there for the taking and such an aim can hardly be considered unrealistic. Why are we, even at this stage of the season, left with an uphill struggle to achieve this? I agree it's not all doom and gloom, there have been far worse times in the last 10 years. But, as you point out, we've drawn clear of those days, yet it is also clear are not progressing any further under Calderwood. Why shouldn't we expect improvements above and beyond this, of which I imagine this club is clearly capable of?

In the squad to play Argentina http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11095_4511177,00.html Whether he plays or not is a different matter of course...

What about last season? Fine home form, but the atmosphere was no less shite...

This variable is what concerns me. I hope you're right but I wouldn't be surprised if we were still this disorganised on the pitch in May. Also, the concept of a steady defence has been alien for a while, not just since the re-shuffle in the summer.

Makes sense to me, seems to shatter the popular myth of Calderwood being a naturally attacking and positive tactician. Actually tactician isn't the word, I feel all wrong calling him that.

Such examples being far more frequent than a referee actually calling offside in spite of the linesman not spotting it, McCurry shouldn't really be held responsible for this particular error. Agree mostly, but the reason more fuss is being made of this is that the linesman didn't make a marginal mistake, as officials commonly do and are perhaps over-criticised for. There is no ambiguity over the fact that, from the linesmans angle, Fletcher was several yards offside and yet he didn't flag, which justifiably raises more serious concerns over Scottish referee's competency.

The incident wasn't really his fault though, for once I don't hold the useless twat directly responsible.

I think concerns over Calderwood are somewhat more deep-rooted than yesterday's blindingly obvious officiating error.

Spot on. The longer Calderwood stays it seems, the more stagnated we will become. We've had the same cycle of shite for the best part of a year now, dotting between great results (Copenhagen), embarrassing results (QotS), and, for the most part, sub-standard, un-ambitous pish. The only thing that will change is that the attendances will drop and supporters will become more and more dissillusioned. Calderwoods ability to build a squad is there for all too see, and it's not worth having him around any longer for. Yes he got us out of the shit, and yes he achieved a good wee run in Europe last year. But it seems that we've reached the plateau of his managerial abilities. I can't see things getting any better while he's still in charge.

Who ever said footballers were stupid and self contradicting?

What's your greatest hope for this season? A cup win and a return to Europe - And your biggest fear? The same feeling of empty dissatisfaction remains throughout Pittodrie, with no reason drastic enough to justtify a complete overhaul - Most important player Probably Zander considering our lack of able defenders, although Lee Miller is more talented - Cult hero/terrace favourite Not really applicable. I'll say Mackie for the pantomime he causes in supporters' arguments and for his Random Goals of Significance - Keep an eye out for. (young player) Maguire needs a good season - Player you'd happily drive to his next club. Lee Mair, outsdandingly incompetent. - What one change would you make at your club? Just the one? Change the structure upstairs to one that is more forward-thinking, ambitious and innovative. I can't help thinking that, if the club was well-run and promising, last season could be seen as effective transition. But it isn't so it feels a little bit like the road to nowhere. - Have you got the right manager? I dont't think so, although I equally don't trust the club to suitbaly replace him. So yes, by default, we do - What advice would you give him? Keep it simple, don't speak too often, and try to encourage some attractive football - Which team do you most want to beat this season? Rangers, four times - Opposition player you despise It's difficult not to say Nacho Novo - Opposition player you secretly admire Kris Boyd. If we had someone who could regualarly finish we'd be in Europe now. - Where will you finish? 4th, while feeling we could've done better.

If this happens the SPL surely have to get the collective finger oot and expand to 16. Three up, three down (with a play-off), 6 Euro spots and playing teams twice rather than every other month would make it a far more enticing league for fans, players and big folk with TV money alike. Also, who wouldn't take a thourough continental embarrasment if it got us financially out of the shit in the long term?? I know I would!

Far too much white. Filthy stuff.

I would be very surprised and delighted if any of the above signed. Although paying fees and showing any level of ambition seems unlikely from us, I'll quite happily eat some words should any be paraded in a dons top by August. Interesting that folk are saying the Three Wise Men of Miller/Milne/Calderwood may be put off by Kennedy's injury problems. Havn't we got a fair track record of gambling on these types of players e.g Smith & De Vish? Although the risk is increased with Kennedy commanding a fee, he could well be worth a gamble given that displays of his previous form would certainly reduce our pathetic goals against tally.