RicoS321

We weren't favourites, but during the game there were opportunities missed, glaring ones I'd say, to affect the result. From the 55-65th minutes they absolutely battered us and should have been two up. That was before we made any attempt to attack them. As soon as we started to wobble around 55 minutes, the changes should have begun, starting with a change in midfield to get our three away from our back five (4-1-4-1), with all attacking subs being introduced 10 minutes earlier than they were to give us the most amount of time to create opportunities. This procrastination from McInnes is evident on multiple previous occasions and rarely serves us well. Nobody is suggesting the initial setup was wrong and that we were terrible, but we had a huge amount of time being 1-0 down without creating a single opportunity, so we knew that we had to change and it took far too long to do it, which possibly cost us. We'll never know that of course, but if you don't try etc. McInnes played the second half, tactically, like it was a league game versus the tims where there's a psychological risk associated with a tanking, or an away game in Europe where we still had a home game. This was a cup semi final against a very good team. The only risk was that the game would be over after 70 minutes rather than 90. There's a fine line in these games, a really small window of opportunity and McInnes didn't recognise it or act on it. As I said earlier Panda, against Burnley (a similar fixture) we were unlucky, but last night we didn't get to the point of being unlucky. We actually played in the hope we might get lucky. Defeat is acceptable, the manner wasn't great. I'm probably classed as a "McInnes defender" on here, so certainly not one of the hysterical ones, but I don't think you've addressed what were serious mistakes in the approach given that we were 1-0 down with no fallback if we didn't score. Tup's right, we did try to win, but we made tactical mistakes that meant we significantly reduced those chances.

I just explained in fairly logical detail. Against Burnley we played with a chance of winning, which is why nobody complained after that game. Also the tims game I mentioned. I think the team played well tonight. There's no ferocious criticism, just an honest assessment. McInnes made an error, and it's one he's made on several occasions now and shouldn't be making that mistake (a player would be crucified for repeated errors). He's also done the opposite on numerous occasions such as the Burnley and tims games which I was exceptionally praising of. If you don't see the difference between Burnley and tonight's game then your missing something. Burnley we were unlucky, tonight we never gave ourselves the opportunity to be unlucky. I didn't come away from tonight's game disappointed, because at no point were my expectations raised enough to warrant that. We all know we're capable of playing better than we did tonight and that there were better ways to approach it (certainly the second half). It's a tactical approach that has a zero percent success rate for the dons under McInnes (when a goal behind), it's pretty straight forward.

Nope, it was nothing like Burnley. That game was like the cup final against the tims a few years back where we lost in the last minute. We had a game plan that involved a lot more pressing, a lot more aggression and a midfield that wasn't completely pinned to the back three (Hoban played in front of the back line, allowing Ferguson to get further forward and press). This game reminded me of watching Walter Smith's Scotland. Defend like fuck and hope to score, with zero plan B when you go behind. We deserved to lose tonight because we played not to get beaten without a hint of attacking intent. We were exceptionally fortunate not to lose a goal before we eventually made our changes, which would have put them out of sight. There was no proactive change until the 70th minute, and that's just very poor management. It's a mistake that is as bad as any that led to their goal. I'm not one to talk about belief or any of that shite, it was tactical ineptitude. Procrastination. The players performed admirably to the task they were set. Hayes, Hedges and Hoban (the three H's) especially, and of course Lewis.

Yep, don't know what hedges is fucking about at. Just shoot.

Yep, I'd say it's only partly his fault, but his slowness to react drags Considine in unnecessarily.

We've been okay, nothing more. They're a good team like, but we're going to have to step up and press them for a good 20 minutes in the second to hope to get anything. We reverted to a back five for a lot of that. Think we need to stick to a rigid 4 and perhaps have McGeouch moving left to right in front of them but getting Ferguson and McRorie further forward. Poor goal, thought we were caught out of position because of the needless losing of the ball by the midfield, but conceding that much possession means that a single mistake was always going to be the killer. Need a lot more from that midfield three second half.

Yep, I'm guessing back 4. Either a 4-5-1, or a 4-1-4-1. Hayes further forward maybe a good thing. Looking forward to it now. Taylor hattrick in a 3-3 draw. Watkins with the winning penalty, 1-0, Lewis unbeatable.

Order them some covid riddled hookers for lunch - take out the rest of their squad.

They have nine first team players out according to BBC. These cunts have a B team don't they? I'm guessing they can't just promote from that though, because they are an entirely different team, so would be subject to a transfer. Would they be allowed to loan Ryan Gauld for the game for example? Edit: no, because he doesn't play for their B team anymore it seems!

Just as not getting a striker in for the Apollon game a few years ago was a big issue, I think that letting McKenna go before this one is also going to prove fatal. I know that the club probably had little room for maneouvre this time, but timing is so important. I think we might have had a chance with that settled back 3 if we really went at them, but I don't see us being good enough with any of our options in defence. I think a back four, of Logan, Hoban, Considine and Hayes would be solid enough, but I just don't see us scoring a goal in a 4-5-1, so we'd be left with a glorious failure. Wright had his poor game at the weekend, so that'll be the trigger for McInnes to put McGeouch in. I expect us to see another glorious failure tonight*. A hard fought 1-0 loss. *unless Covid has truly fucked their squad.

Does anyone actually disclose fees these days? The fee will very much be made up of sell-ons and add-ons, with the amount up front being largely invisible. I'm guessing the idea behind not disclosing is so that people don't think we're flush and can afford to spank £750K on a Venezualan right back or some other ludicrous con,

Could they nae loan him back for the morn?

Have you not gone yet?

McKenna will pay it from his signing on fee.

I don't think it's a Celtic thing though. When the dons are playing poor, or a particular player has a few bad games, the fans have a tendency to start singling out our own players and as soon as a few folk start questioning a player it's almost like a competition to see who can critique their game the most harshly (Logan had a few months of poor form, which turned to permanent criticism as his game steadily improved again. Considine still classed as nae good enough by some despite nearly a decade of above average dons' player performances). I've heard plenty of dons fans suggest McKenna is a donkey and can't pass or whatever. It's almost like it's cool to be ultra critical. He had a couple of months where his form dipped, as every single fitba'r ever has. He's a very good defender, strong, good concentration, good awareness, aggressive, doesn't take chances and can kick it really hard. Being the best Scottish defender at the moment isn't much to boast about, but it's definitely the case.

Ah, switch in McGinn or McLennan then.

I expect McInnes to revert to type for this one. No attempt to play nice fitba. I think we'll see a 4-5-1 and hope to scrape a 1-0 or take it all the way to pens. Shame, as I'd really love us to work out the defence and continue with the 3 (I'd have Considine, Hoban and Logan) as it makes us a far more watchable fitba team. My team: -----------------Lewis------------------ -----Logan-----Hoban-----Considine--- Kennedy---McRorie--Ferguson---Hayes --------Hedges--------Wright---------- --------------Watkins------------------ McInnes' team: -----------------Lewis------------------ Logan----Hoban---Considine----Hayes ----------------McRorie---------------- Hedges--McGeouch-Ferguson--Kennedy ----------------Watkins-----------------

I'm with Tup on this one, I think Forest have got a good deal there. Although, it's also a good deal for us, but with a hint of poor timing. McKenna has been very good for us for most of his time here, and started the season very well. He also has the room to develop his game and he does raise it when required. I think he'll relish the greater physical battle he'll get down the road and if he can weather the championship well enough could get the move to a bigger club subsequently. We'll take an £8M cut on his next £40M transfer.

I was just joking. Although with Campbell and the boy fae county too, even our future slots are filled these days.

Get him signed, we're short in that area.

You're correct

Completely agree, a much better footballer than pawlett. I liked pawlett, but he never had the touch and skill that Wright does. Both have excellent movement off the ball, which often gets missed (often by managers too it seems). Just by being there he makes space for hedges and makes Watkins' life a little easier too. I do get the impression that he's not a McInnes type player and he's just waiting for the right minute to replace with a more solid McGeouch type. He's the difference between the very watchable performances we've had so far this season and the dull wins we racked up last. In fairness to McInnes, Wright did start a few games before injury last season. There's an opportunity to mould him into an even better player too, which is the really interesting part.

Think he'll stick with McRorie on the right if Kennedy not fit. Justifying it with the goal. Clearly we're a better team with him in the centre and I actually thought Ferguson and McGeouch didn't work particularly well as a pair, with McGeouch especially being out of position and not pushing out to his man. I think McInnes will want to keep McGeouch happy though, so I expect to see the same starting eleven.

No, they'll give it to SFA who'll pass it directly to rangers.

Aye, it'd be typical, but the prize fund is where the money is and getting there would stave off the corona debt for the season and allow us to hold out for proper money for £12M+ valued Ryan Hedges. I'd definitely have been across in Stavanger, and a fair chance I'd have been in Lisbon if I couldn't wangle the former. Two really good trips we've missed.