Millers Tache

1 up front in a national semi final? United can get away with 4-5-1 cos they have a dynamic midfield which gets up well to support the strikers, we don't! Last night was painful to watch. Calderwood made so many bad decisions last night that it simply cant be put down to bad luck. Levein has tatcically out smarted him again and again, and Jimmy just doesnt have the tactical nous to outsmart him. 

Remember his pitch to Lovell when he was trying to dissuade him from signing for Leicester? You know how Levein's going to play, it'll be high balls to the big man and you'll be feeding off scraps (or something very similar). How can someone with experience "from my time in Holland" not be able to counter that most basic of tactics? I gave the benefit of the doubt after the Tannadice game, but evidently i was very wrong to do so. We obviously were set up to play like that, just as we were set up to play like that again last night.

Very pissed off today - doesn't help having to work in an office full of arabs  - but went home 'sick' just after lunch, otherwise I may thrown an arab into the Tay. 

Tell me about it. And i work in Aberdeen! Where the fuck did they manage to find a whole office-worth of Dundonian engineers from?!?!

He's not a goalscorer though. Never has been, never will be. He's the link between a proper striker and the midfield/defensive punt. And it's a job he was doing very well up until the past few weeks. If he had a decent intelligent partner alongside him for more than a game and a half, we might actually see something productive from our strike force.

Mackie's awful. 50 goals in 10 years is just ridiculously poor for someone who can only be a main goalscorer, as he's certainly no linking up player. Maguire is just plain not ready and is looking more and more like taking the Budgie route with every passing month. Which leaves us with Lovell and Jamie Smith. Both have the required abilities. Both have proven they can do it. Neither has ever had a run of games in the position, due to injury, "tactics" and not being liked by Jimmy, to build up any kind of form though.

Edit: However, Miller has been asking for a red in each of the last 3 games. Whether that's down to frustration (at tactics, teammates, opposition defenders, aimless high balls etc), or what i do not know.

Bloody Clangers. Knew he'd been too good for too long. Dilemma time - Souter's awful, but didn't really make any mistakes. Langfield's singlehandedly giving wins to United at the moment... Miller's been looking for that red for weeks now and Seve's just completely fucking uninterested at the moment. The one bright spot is that surely even JC can see how shite Mackie is...

The games where we've struggled I think JC has worried far too much about the opposition when he should just have the confidence in his players that he seems to question himself after they've played like a bunch of little scared boys.

 

 

Nailed it, tbh. We always seem to be set up to counter the opposition's tactics. While that's quite justifiable when playing the likes of the old firm and some away games, we were the third best team in Scotland last season. The opposition should be worrying about how to handle us more often than not. There have been games where we've started with one formation, and changed within 10 minutes to match up to the opposition. I remember seeing Lovell and Mackie shifted out to the wing in some games against Hibs to stop their full back getting forward. I saw us play with 4 down the left last season, when the hapless Dempsey was put there as our left midfield, Mackie put on the wing to stop a right back getting forward, and Clark man marking the right winger, with our left back crowded out of the game completely. Never worked.

Josh Walker was excellent, everyone else was shocking, especially Lee Miller.

Personally, i'd have had Seve, Barry, JDV, Mackie and Duff ahead of Miller in the shite stakes yesterday. However, Miller seemed to have himself hell bent on getting sent off. Some of his challenges were shocking. The one he got booked for we thought he could have seen red, he blatantly swung a punch at one defender and could have given away numerous penalties at set pieces with his downright amateurish holding of players in the box. Mackie hasn't improved since he got injured and his second touch was (as usual) a tackle - and generally a late one - more often than not. Lovell at least put in the effort when he got on, but suffered (as usual) from our desparate long ball hoofing.

Seve's too slow and ponderous. He's not the player he thinks he is and needs to concentrate on finding a player with a simple pass and keeping possession, rather than his usual two moves: a chipped/hoofed ball up to Miller, bypassing the midfield completely or taking it for a walk through midfield, losing it and blaming everyone around him for not asking for passes, when he had no intention of giving it to them anyway.

When we signed Duff, Jimmy said he was not a good defender. Debut, in midfield, he gives away a goal. Second game, into defence he goes. Why Jimmy? Why would you do that to someone who needs to build his confidence if he is to have any hope in winning over the fans...?

Barry was apparently carrying an injury and was a doubt right up to kick off, so i'll probably let him off with his performance. JDV was pish though. I really like him and think he's got everything he needs (except pace) to be a big success, but he just plain didn't fancy it yesterday, and that's not good enough.

Still, at the end of the day, we didn't slip up and got into the hat for the next round. That's the main thing.

Hmm, I'm a wee bit worried about this one... hope we get it out the way at the first attempt.

I think we'll be fine, but i've been thinking about the example of Denmark in Euro 92. Knocked out in the qualifiers, they were on the beach when Yugoslavia were booted out. Not being under any pressure whatsoever, they won the whole competition... Hamilton won't win the cup, but they've already been knocked out and have absolutely nothing to lose (moreso than would normally be the case) today.

Mackie is good to go now tho right?

 

He can go wherever and whenever he wants as far as i'm concerned...

In the past Alan has played at right and left back and has also deputised in midfield.

There's a thing, eh. Still, at least he's a full back.

I see on Sky just now that the boy Walker's signed a new deal at Middlesbrough to keep him there another couple of years. Looks like he's definitely a temporary signing then.

In the past Alan has played at right and left back and has also deputised in midfield.

There's a thing, eh. Still, at least he's a full back.

Whatever did happen to "Captain Africa", thon chappy who demanded that we sign him or he'd take his services elsewhere? You remember, the guy who seemed to play for every team we faced in our South African pre-season? The guy who couldnae afford an agent so just used himself as his own agent? The guy who whored himself to us, Dundee Utd, Livingston and Luton Town? I still think he's looking for a club ... but I cannae find his name

Scored in the African Nations the other night. Think he's at Brondby now. Don't think his train (you know, the one that stops at every single football club on the east coast) ever did stop in Aberdeen.

Ah well. Looks like we won't be hailing the Bus then.

Blaming Lovell alone is lazy. He never hoofed it against Hunt for the first. He never let Robson waltz through unchallenged for the second. He didn't bring him down for the free kick at the third. Fuck, he never even missed the penalty. His big crime this weekend appears to be not winning the ball in the air and holding it up for Smith to bother his arse to support him, Aluko to realise we were attacking again or Nicholson to catch up with play - all whilst being marked by Wilkie and Kenneth, who are fairly well known for their aerial abilities.

I dunno if the players were told to play high balls all game, as that certainly wasn't the plan when we humped them at home and surely any manager could see that doing the same again would probably work again. we lookd to have been set up the same way anyway, with 2 wide attacking players. Maybe it's just a symptom of shite defenders playing too deep and hoofing it + tired/lazy midfield = awful performance.

Bad interview by Jimmy though. Kind of puts the seal on an all round horror show.

Too many mediocre players on our books, full stop.

Sums it up perfectly IMO. Mair, Byrne, McNamara and Considine are just shite, shite, past it and not ready. That's 2/3 of our defensive unit (including Langfield, and we won't speak about yesterday's return to the bad days until it becomes regular again...).

Just checked my bank, as read over on AFC Mad that they weren't phoning to advise the winners of the ballot, but had just automatically taken the money out. Nothing had come out of my account. Than i remembered i'd put my credit card details down instead. 

Maybe he always looks shite against us because he wants us to do well...

:strawclutchingsmiley:

http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football-news/scottish-football/2008/01/17/hearts-could-give-up-tynecastle-name-86908-20288402/

There's a whole world of delusion contained below...

Hearts Could Give Up Tynecastle Name

 

Jan 17 2008 By Gary Ralston

 

HEARTS are ready to rename Tynecastle if the price is right - and it allows them to bid for Ronaldo.

 

The Jambos yesterday submitted a planning application to Edinburgh City Council for a £51million redevelopment of their Gorgie ground.

 

Plans include a new, two-tier 10,000-seater main stand to take the capacity to 23,000, as well as hotel, office, business and conference facilities and flats.

 

It will be funded by Vladimir Romanov's Ubig group and Hearts hope to begin work by the end of the year for completion by the start of season 2010-11.

 

They will decide before the end of March where to play during construction.

 

However, as many questions as answers remain about the proposal that could still be kicked around the long grass by the council then Scottish government who are likely to be asked to give the plans the final go-ahead.

 

Deputy chief executive Pedro Lopez revealed Hearts have already been approached by companies keen to sponsor the new-look stadium.

 

He said: "A stadium sponsor is an option. Tynecastle is the name we like and cherish and a lot of fans would not like to give it away.

"However, if it is a proposition that makes it really interesting for the club and the viability of the club and can allow us to buy the likes of Ronaldo we'd entertain it.

 

"If it brings economic benefits to the club then we'd consider it.

 

"It would be up to the company in question whether they would want to rename the stadium or only the new main stand. It's an open question.

 

"However, I'd be lying if I said companies had not expressed an interest and enquired about what we're planning."

 

Fans have given a guarded welcome to the re-naming plans.

 

Supporters chief Derek Watson reckons it's more important the club stays in Gorgie.

 

The chairman of the Supporters Trust said: "The majority of fans would say if it was an extremely good commercial deal the club should look at it.

 

"Everyone likes tradition but everyone would like a new stadium and this may be part of the price we have to pay.

 

"To Hearts fans it will always be Tynecastle. The club still stands on the same piece of land it always did and that's what we all hoped would happen."

 

Hearts hope redevelopment work will create 250 new full-time and 57 part-time posts but many of the details remain sketchy.

 

Parts of the application have left planning experts scratching their heads at how such a grand plan can be delivered in such a timescale, if at all.

 

Lopez was unable to confirm yesterday on how many rooms would be available in the hotel project, for example, or how many residential apartments would be for sale.

 

On property, he said: "There's flexibility to adjust to a mix we believe is viable. We're also working with several hotel operators and it's up to them to say how many rooms they need."

 

Lopez says underground parking for 150 cars will be enough to satisfy the council's traffic requirements, which planning insiders claim is wildly optimistic.

 

The club bought the local social work centre and nursery from the council and it's entirely likely, as a result, the application will be passed to the government for approval to ensure tax payers are best served by the deal.

 

Hearts would still need dispensation from UEFA to play European fixtures on their pitch as it isn't being extended - and they haven't ruled out European games at Murrayfield.

 

The height of the development is also another potential cause for concern as the new main stand is almost twice the size of the tenements on nearby Gorgie Road and dwarfs surrounding buildings.

 

Romanov invited a group of Scottish reporters to Vilnius two and a half years ago when details of a new £140m sports and business centre for the capital were given, planned with a large chunk of investment from his Ubig group.

 

That project has still to leave the drawing board but Lopez said: "There are a similarities (between the schemes) and as far as I know it's (Vilnius) going well."

 

Ubig also announced plans in October for a £175m redevelopment of the Traktor Stadium in Minsk with many of the same facilities promised at Tynecastle but planning permission has still to be granted.

 

Lopez added: "You always get sceptical people but generally, people are supportive and view this stadium as helping redevelop the whole area. I'd like to think it was wanted and the planning process will go smoothly.

 

"This is a cornerstone and a milestone. This proves our commitment and vision is long term to take this club to a higher level.

 

"This is a separate, stand-alone project and has no effect on our on-field commitments to build a better team than we have.

 

"The new facilities and increase in stadium capacity will allow us to invest in the team and reduce debts.

 

"It makes no sense to look on a scheme that will return an investment only for a year or two - this will pay us back for 50 years."

 

Lopez also confirmed the club are making progress on the appointment of a new manager and refused to confirm if Icelandic coach Gudjon Thordarson is on their list.

 

He said: "If possible we'd like to appoint a new boss tomorrow but we want to get it right so ask the fans to show patience."

So, spending £51 million on this stand will reduce their debt...

;D

Sorry BTR, but i pretty much disagree with all of that. 

 

Miller and Lovell are different types of players completely.  Miller is good with his back to goal, holding the ball up, bringing other people into play, and is more of a "target man" than Lovell.

 

Lovell is more of an out and out striker who thrives when the ball is played through the channels, so he can get in behind defences.  As much as i like him, i've not seen anywhere near the movement or sharpness that he had when he was at Dundee.

 

Miller in my opinion, is a far better player.  Lovell may be the better center forward in terms of goals to starts, but as we've seen this season Miller is beginning to add goals to his game - add that with all the rest of his attributes and he's by far and away our most dangerous asset in an attacking sense, as has been alluded to by the coaches of the teams we've faced this season in the UEFA cup.

 

 

I thought i was the only person who thought this. Agree with every single word. Get someone (Miller) to hold the ball up, and stick wee through balls in for Lovell and we'll see goals galore. Worked at Dundee, and it'll work here as well. If Lovell's the preferred starter at the weekend, we'll probably just hoof it up to him though. This will lead to cries of "he's lazy", "he doesn't fancy it", "he's shite". He's none of these things. He's just not much good in the air.

ummm playing deep, with men behind the ball is about all we do when we go 1-0 up.  I missed the gretna game but I would say it must be the exemption that proves the rule.

 

I'm thoroughly enjoying this season and will continue to do so.  I'd much rather be successful than play ineffectual but "pretty" football like Falkirk or Hibs. It's up to JC to show that he can turn this seasons potential into some tangible success (in my eyes a cup final and europe again)

I think we're doing about as much as we need to do to stay in touch in the league, and saving the performances for the cup games just now. Motherwell will either eventually fall away drained or go on a monumental run inspired by the POD effect. United are shite. That leaves us ready to pick up the pieces when our cup runs are over. I think JC's actually playing quite a nice game as far as that goes this season - give the fans something to get excited about in the cups, and we'll go about business as usual in the league.

Haha. Just_Chalky cracks me up.

 

We're in the top six and only a couple of wins off top four. We're in the semis of one cup and still in the other. Last 32 of the UEFA Cup. And this spasticated jellyfish decides he has had enough of us.

 

Is he all there? I mean, if he's as big a Dons fan as he says he is, then he must've been through the Aitken, Miller, Skovdahl and Paterson years. And he decides that NOW is the time to stop supporting the reds?? We'll kindly do without your support ya fuckin retard

I'm glad he's chosen now to give up. If he was a season ticket holder, it's one less person to compete with in the Munich ballot...

Went past the ticket office at lunchtime today, thinking "ha ha. I bet all the other season ticket holders have bought their Bayern home tickets by now. I'll waltz in and out in 5 minutes..." Looked for a parking space, saw the queue snaking through the shop and onto Merkland Road and promptly buggered off again. Got the bird to hang about on the phone for 50 minutes to buy for me instead.

Incidentally, the guy she spoke to told her there were only "limited spaces" in the RD where we could get 2 seats together. How can seating be so limited, if it's been based on a one ticket per person policy so far? However, i do believe the salesman was possibly a bit dim, from what she was telling me...

Versatile??? A nice word to say "so shite, we cannae find a position for him yet"

Clark's versatile...

Could have been worse, you could have had your mobile phone battery robbed by an over-excited plod 

I dunno, i was there with 4 of them myself. My mate invited me to "come along with some of my mates". Cue me getting into the car that was to take us down the road, 8 pack in a carrier bag, and found i was the only one drinking in a car full of polis. That was a long day.

Would have put Gayfield up there as the coldest gaff in Scottish Football. That cup tie a few years back was baltic.

I was almost back in Aberdeen before i could feel my fingers after that game. Hailstones coming sideways into the stand, howling wind, the sea right behind you. I'm shivering just thinking about it.

I too think Barry might yet stay. I think he'll decide he's staying in the same week as JC signs his own deal...

Edit: Or i could just read what BigAl said and agree.