Sonoftherock

I guess I can't really argue with that.... essentially it amounts to my own belief, that replacing those two would be a quick and effective way to improve our team. I'm disappointed Darren Mackie is staying on for those reasons... I'm trying not to complain, as I was a season ticket holder during the Miller/Skovdahl/Paterson era, so I remember very well, the days when we had a whole team of Darren Mackies, Richard Fosters & Derek Youngs.

For me, it says more about the remainder of the squad than it does for Darren. I just don't rate him as a player I'm afraid. I don't think he's good enough to play for a team with ambitions of finishing in the 3rd place. Out of interest which seasons did Darren finish top scorer? What was his final tally and who were the other strikers in our squad? When his competition is the likes of Leigh Hinds, Bryan Prunty & John Stewart, it's not surprising! Thankfully, we're a much better team than we were 4 or 5 years ago... to such an extent, I hoped we'd be able to finally bid goodbye to Darren Mackie. In my opinion, the challenge for Aberdeen is to replace players Foster, Young & Mackie (Maguire doesn't look any better, but I do still hold out some hope for him). I believe we could replace all 3 players with a player of greater ability/use, for the same money, improving our squad immeasurably... The number of times I've finished watching a Dons match, rueing Darren Mackies poor finishing/first touch, Ricky Fosters seeming inability to pick out a red shirt with a pass, or Darren Youngs.... well... anything, is incredible. I'm prepared to admit I'm wrong, but these guys continuing participation in the first team, in my opinion, is holding us back.

I personally don't believe Darren Mackie is good enough to play for Aberdeen. One or two key goals sandwiched between 10 years of ineptitude, don't for me, justify a new contract. I refuse to believe there aren't more capable strikers available in the summer, for a similar wage. I honestly believe we can do better than Darren Mackie, maybe I'm deluded? ....I don't know!?! I'm not a football manager, but I don't really think you need to be in order to recognise that guys like Darren Mackie, Richard Foster & Derek Young aren't good enough to move Aberdeen forward. They're consistently among the worst performers in the team (arguable I guess), and have the least technical ability. That's pretty much why I'm angry that Darren has received a new contract offer. For the record, I've certainly never criticised any of the above during a match, they always have and always will receive my full backing as long as they're at Aberdeen.

Completely agree.... but I'd give kerr a 7. He has been a fantastic signing for us - God knows what would happen to our midfield if he got injured.

To be honest, I'd include Severin in that list too. One of the many deficiencies within our playing staff.

In my opinion, it wont be the end of the world if he leaves. Along with Lee Miller he must be the highest paid player in the squad. If we can use his wages to sign a quality, proven, dominant center half then I don't believe we'll miss him. The biggest problem would be who will succeed him as captain? His replacement ideally... I don't believe we have anyone worthy. Giving the captaincy to Diamond might be gamble... the responsibility may be too much for him. Lee Miller is by far our most technically gifted player, perhaps he can lead by example? However, he doesn't really strike me as a leader of men.

Federer AGAIN in tomorrows semi-final. The winner of that match must be massive favourite to take the title, as Nadal has just been taken out by Monfils on the other side of the draw.

As it goes, I haven't read anything from the English media that has been overtly critical. He doesn't get the hype from the media in Englandm that Henman did, but I do believe, in general, they are quietly respectful. It did annoy me slightly, however, that Laura Robson, taking part in her first senior tour event, recieved more publicity and airtime discussion, than Murray making the final of the US Open. A couple of times the English football team comment has been brought up, however, I read a brilliant article from the times journalist who actually conducted that interview, sticking up for Murray. He mentioned that himself and the other guys interviewing him, had been goading murray earlier about Scotlands failure to qualify for the World Cup... and that Murray's reponse was actually just a tongue-in-check reponse to their teasing.

I can't speak for media, but down here in England Murray is quite unpopular. Most people I know, down here, who take an interest in sport have no time for him. I don't believe the English would ever take a talented scottish tennis player to their hearts, but his comments relating to the English football team, however much they were taken out of context, have given people - that I know anyway - an excuse. It would be hilarious if he won wimbledon, while I'd obviously be delighted to see a young Scotsman reaching the pinnacle of his chosen sport - these feelings would be tempered by uncontrollable laughter.

That's the bottom line I'm afraid. A club like Aberdeen simply can't afford to carry one of our top earners without anything in return. Smiths wages could be better spent on a centre half, right back or partner for Lee Miller.

There is an arguement which suggests quite the opposite: http://www.scienceofsocceronline.com/2008/11/training-colds-flu-and-respiratiy.html http://www.iaru.ie/documents/1_foZqejNkqCkilOByQhbB.pdf http://adam.about.com/reports/000094_3.htm While recreational or amateur athletes tend to benefit from a slight resistance, those professional athetes who train hard, all year round may actually be more susceptable.

Not sure I'd agree that he's cut out a lot of his diving, however I will concede that he is a fantastic player. A world class footballer & a world class bell-end.

Can we extend this to most hated footballer (of any nationality) in England? I absolutely despise this man: I dislike him so intensely, that I actually find myself shouting abuse at the TV when Chelsea are playing... my flatmate actually thinks I have some sort of Drogba-triggered tourettes.

I'm pretty certain he'll win a US Open in the next couple of years. I'd back him to do well in Australian Open too.

I was gutted when we resigned him, but your right, we probably need players to pad out the squad. He's probably the best we can hope for when we're paying with buttons.

Lee Miller is good player, arguable the most talented player on our books, but he doesn't score goals. I'd love it if had a Riordan or O'Connor type player to partner him upfront.

I think we're much better these days to be honest... it's several years since I've heard a racist comment at either Pittodrie or the City Ground. Maybe I've just been lucky, but times, and attitudes, have definitely changed. I remember being at Pittodrie when I was a kid, for a Rangers game, where Mark Walters was getting absolute pelters. Aberdeen supporters were throwing about actual bananas, and there were monkey chants aplenty(not just a couple of individuals, it was practically the whole stand). At the time nobody batted an eyelid, everyone in the stand thought it was tremendous banter, it was par for the course back then. As I said, attitudes and times change, and certain things become unacceptable - maybe its just because I remember how things used to be, but I don't believe we have much of a problem anymore.

I'd actually just appreciate an apology from McCurry... his silence is deafening. A measure of the man.

Looking forward to a few more Jamie Smith cameos before he picks up his next long term injury.

My prediction.....? http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=Z1TxiVhrkZA

Frankie Boyle seems to be the comedian in vogue these days, I think he's quite good on Mock the Week. I tried to get tickets for his performance in Derby next month, but alas, by the time I found out it was too late! A friend of mine saw Jerry Sadowitz during the fringe... absolutely fantastic show apparently! Sounds like he'd certainly appeal to my own dark sense of humour.

To be honest... barring any major injuries to key players. I reckon we're a centre-half, right-back and another striker away from a squad that would be a stick-on for third place. However, with our defence the way it currently stands, we could quite easily find ourselves in the bottom 6.

I consider myself to be quite a relaxed character, I rarely lose my temper, or let things get to me in general... ... however, the very thought of us surrendering to the Old Firm over this whole fiasco has raised my blood pressure a few millimetres above the norm. I will be absolutely furious if they get away this...

I dread to think what will happen should we pick up a couple of injuries! Imagine if we lost Diamond/Miller to a long term injury?

Was waiting for some sort of remark like that! Is he mean't be to be any good... I don't hear him talked about much and certainly haven't heard his name mentioned within any of the Scotland U21/19s squads?