wee toon red

I completely agree that our approach to youth development is hopeless, at least when the youngsters reach the fringes of the first team at any rate. There is a slightly less cynical view that the club aren't just paying lip service to committing to youth but they're actually just hopeless at it. If a kid isn't going to be in the team or match day squad by a certain age, but you want to hang on to them, then it's got to be a loan at that point. But that requires clubs to take a proper long-term view and I'm not sure we've been that kind of club for a long, long time.

If a player makes our team better while he's here then he's worth having. The only question with this Montgomery boy is whether he does that or not and you've got to say that's questionable at this stage. Ryan Christie didn't score against us in a cup final because we had him on loan: if he hadn't been loaned here he'd have been loaned elsewhere anyway so it's completely false complaint. We were a better team when we had him than when we didn't so of course it was worthwhile. Could be worse, we could be spunking tens of thousands a week on a 31yo crock.

Wonder whether he's been allowed to go now that we've signed the Dutch boy, or if we'll be after another. I would imagine we all want another but we'll see whether the club think so. All in all Hedges has definitely been one of our better "who is he?" signings.

According to the Daily Diana anyway: https://www.scottishdailyexpress.co.uk/sport/football/ryan-hedges-join-blackburn-rovers-26077476

25yo lower league journeyman. Not exactly inspiring.

That would require a braver man than me.

Fortune favours the brave thread starters in these difficult times. We can only hope this boy works out well as the mls is still pretty unknown. Should we be worried he’s ended up here rather than in the mls or is this a sign he sees his career in Europe? He looks the part physically at least. Hopefully more Ramirez than gallagher/gurr.

A not unreasonable point in all fairness. Seems pretty legit mind you.

US college “star” Dante Polvara allegedly about to sign for the Dons. 6’4” box to box midfielder. https://www.scotsman.com/sport/football/international/dante-polvara-aberdeen-set-to-announce-signing-of-highly-rated-us-midfielder-3519889

Possibly a coincidence but we looked good going forward in the European games, then had a spell of being inconsistent at best once the league started. We’ve now beat teams we should be beating in the last two games. Who started the season playing behind Ramirez but has been left out for a long spell before coming back into the team this week I wonder?!

Hi! Haven’t seen you in the fortnight we were getting good result

According to the Daily Record - via the BBC Gossip column as no way am I reading or clicking on that rag - we've had a youth team graduate in every line-up since 1947. Am I the only one who was totally ignorant of that? "Line-up" could suggest that subs would be included but the excerpt on the page suggested that Campbell starting last week against the Huns kept the run going. https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/59160812

Obligatory soft home penalty. Cunts.

The only major mistake he’s made so far is appointing Glass. If he rectifies that sooner rather than later then he can stay.

Glass out.

Well, that was shite

They won 17-11 in 2016, which is miles in the context of the Ryder Cup and I'll be very pleasantly surprised if it isn't similar this time. Europe might manage to make a game of it over the first two days but I can't see any way the Yanks don't romp the singles.

Yanks to win by miles. I know folk say that almost every time but I think this year is a step too far for Poulter, Westwood and Garcia. The only thing that gives a bit of hope is that it's clear that a few big name members of the US team clearly don't care about the Ryder Cup.

So the strategic review of the SPFL that Cormack has alluded to in interviews recently has been formally announced, led by the Dons, the Edinburgh and the Dundee clubs. https://www.afc.co.uk/2021/09/14/spfl-member-clubs-invest-in-independent-advice-on-strategic-review/ Be interesting to see where this goes - the American influence on it is undeniable and if anyone knows how to sell a sport then it's the yanks. How the outcome, expected in six months, is received by Doncaster, the SPFL and the filth will be telling. Doncaster has apparently given his backing to the review but the cheeks' silence and lack of involvement is perhaps notable.

Clarke said he'd tried to get a couple of players into the squad before McGinn but that it hadn't been possible, so you have to wonder if Ramsay was one of them.

Odd goings on with Livi today. Over and above Anderson's illness, two more were spewing at half time and one wasn't allowed to play before the game due to concern over a blood test. Anderson taken to hospital but hopefully bounces back quickly.

Longstaff is confirmed and is surely Ferguson's replacement for the season?

Rumour is the other striker we're looking at is also a loan, Kieron Bowie from Fulham. Scored loads for Raith and Fulham's youth team...

The US transfer window is shut so the Atlanta idea, which would brilliantly get it right up all of Scottish football, probably isn't a goer.

Fuck drawing a big name just to get knocked out. Give me shotts bon accord in the qualifiers, Lapland in the groups and San Marino in the final please. You enter competitions to win them, not to play against “fancy” teams.