RicoS321

The only reason we've got a large squad is because the signings were so shite, we had to go out and buy more. You can accept the odd error, like Ojo, but guys like Main just make you lose all faith. I've said before that recruitment should be removed from McInnes and I'd still go with that (despite Hernandez). That said, with guys like McRorie, Watkins and Hayes we've filled in some of the gaps making summer a bit easier. With Devlin, Taylor, Logan, McGinn, Main and Ojo all likely moving on in the summer, that gives us a bit of breathing space. We've got about 3 or 4 windows worth of damage to repair so it'll be a slow one. No more Main, Wilson, tansey, storey types is key. An Ojo or a Forrester is to be expected in each window and that's fine.

I think that's a little disrespectful to St Mirren though. Despite their poor league position, they actually looked a fairly competent side when we played them up here earlier in the season and we were still finding our feet a little. They didn't look crap last night either. If anything we brought them down to our level. I mentioned it last night, but I'm not sure how you would have adapted tactics to suit last night? We changed to a four at half time, but with that midfield and Main up front we were always going to be in a battle. I can't think of a single formation that would have got anything out of that. In terms of our depth of squad, I think it is still fairly reasonable. But in any team you're going to have big players who you struggle to replace. Ferguson, McRorie and Wright fall into that category for me, and with an unfit Cosgrove so does Watkins. We've got a good first 16, which I think is acceptable. We can afford one of Ferguson or McRorie missing, with McGeouch stepping in, but not both. Campbell would be fine learning the game in a three too. Wright, under normal circumstances, should be coverable by McGinn or Watkins and so on. The question is, do we want to build a squad that has the depth for these unusual situations? I'd argue that we shouldn't. As we've seen, by building that squad depth, it inevitably means that players are not match sharp when required. We just don't need Ojo for example, or Hernandez, or Main, or Edmondson (his signing was fine as we started the season with two out) as they are always going to be lacking in fitness when called upon. We often talk about square pegs in round holes, but look at the second half last night, we had everyone playing in a position they should be comfortable in (Hoban at right back, but he's actually good at fitba so it's fine). I'd far rather see a tighter squad and actually playing square pegs in round holes and sometimes accepting that we just have too many injuries. For example, we could have had Hoban in midfield last night and Ojo could have been in space. If we get to the stage where we think that Main is the answer then (in normal circumstances) move Ferguson, or McLennan, or a lamppost up there instead. Obviously the youngsters have a part to play here, but I think the loan system probably allows them a better experience than sitting on our bench, so that should take priority even if it leaves us short on occasion. I sort of agree about Joe, but a captain just shouldn't make that much difference. Guys like Hayes, Hoban, Considine etc don't need a captain to inspire them or shout at them and of any of them are good enough to be a captain then they'll have assumed that role anyway through talking and shouting throughout the game. I think captain is largely ceremonial these days. A source of pride.

It's getting bad when your keeper throws one in rather than watch another 30 minutes. Pass marks, maybe, to Hayes. Being very generous though. It was ninety minutes of absolute shite. I'd probably give shittest man of the match to Ojo. I remember in one of the European games against the shitter teams seeing Ojo step forward beyond the player he was marking when the opposition had possession more than once in the game and it was such an amateur piece of football I assumed he was just totally unfit as it was effectively pre season. He did it several times after. It's such a basic thing, putting your body the right side to defend your goal, but again for their second tonight he drifts forward leaving the simple path to goal for their player. It's weird, just like he doesn't want to be there. Thing is, he looks like he can play football, I can see why he was signed, but he's just so reactive, late to every single ball and late to make the obvious pass. Thankfully we were able to take on seasoned professionals like Curtis Main. Edmondson has to go home in January, because if he's behind Main in even the dinner queue at the canteen then he's too shit to play professional football. We just looked really unfit tonight and with so many missing or just returning from injury, maybe it was the case. Kennedy, Campbell, Cosgrove, McGinn, Leigh so far off the pace of the game they could have still been at Cormack park.

What style would you recommend for these guys like? None of those players should be struggling in this formation. Unless we move to a 6-0-4 I think the problem will persist. It's been by far the worst performance of the season. How we're in level I don't know. Even the goal was shit. I'd consider just taking Ojo off. No replacement.

Pish sports more like.

Fit media is it on anyway?

I think the positions themselves have been the main issue, rather than just the number. It's fairly unusual to have your four best midfielders missing like we did against the Hun. Plus Wright who could have played there too. In fact Hayes would have also been in midfield ahead of Leigh against the Hun. There's a fine line to be drawn between squad unity and cover, and I'd rather we didn't go down the road of having a massive squad for these infrequent times. Throughout McInnes' tenure, we've had at least 3 players too many in our squads. That's usually been because of poor recruitment, and we end up saddled with players on long term bench warming contracts. I'd far rather see us struggle when we have this many out for a couple of games, than load our squad with Main, Hernandez types. I've got zero expectations for this one. Good luck to them. There was no shortage of work against Hamilton, we'll just have to hope someone flukes ability for the day.

But DM has taken us forward this season so far. We're a much, much better team to watch and the points return reflects that. I don't think it's time to throw out all the good performances this season and judge us based on the last two games with 8 players missing. Even last night, we didn't revert to game management or a cautious approach after going a goal up, we were just simply shite because our fringe of the fringe players are shite. I think even if we had Wright or Hayes playing last night alone would have made the difference between winning and drawing.

Surely that's understandable? With Main, Ojo, Leigh and Kennedy and Cosgrove looking unfit it is largely the team from last season. We became uncreative basically. Campbell and Ojo didn't take the game to Hamilton in the same way as Ferguson and McRorie (or McGeouch) would have, Main or Edmondson aren't a patch on what Wright offers in the advanced area, an unfit Kennedy isn't as good as McLennan and an unfit Cosgrove not as good as Watkins (both Kennedy and Cosgrove could have been subbed around 60 minutes if we'd had replacements), Leigh not even close to Hayes. Where you see our performances as gutless, I see a lack of ability. Kennedy unable to beat a man, Campbell still a bit away from being able to dominate the midfield and move the ball forward quickly, Ojo not being aggressive enough, or being aggressive at stupid moments because he's lost any sharpness he might have had, Main having the touch of an elephant that's really, really shite at fitba etc. All that before losing a soft goal due to poor marking (I suggested it was offside at the time, but having watched it on the BBC, I think I was wrong or certainly it's too marginal to worry about - although still never a free kick) at their first attempt at getting anywhere near our box. I've said it 100 times before, the youngsters should be filling the spots in our squad that we're down to: Ethan Ross where Leigh is, Anderson where Main is, Virtanen where Ojo is etc. However, maybe that does them a disservice by depriving them of a vital loan experience with lots of game time just to give us a fall back on the odd occasion. I don't know. Realistically though, how often are we going to have 8 players out? I don't think we should dwell too much on guys like Ojo and Main. We all know they're pish, but they're not going to feature much once we get a couple of players back.

Hernandez is pish. Equally as pish as either Main or Ojo. It's a difficult one, these guys are here until summer and as we've seen will be required at various points of the season. Games like these we should really be able to throw them in. With Campbell in centre midfield, you probably wouldn't risk another youngster alongside. Campbell was okay tonight, I think he'll be a great player, but really needs to work on moving it forward more incisively. Always takes the easy side to side option. Anyway, it is eight players out though, that's fairly disruptive and we struggled to create much. Their goal came from nothing too (never a free kick, terrible decision), and looked suspiciously offside, but terrible defending. The one goal should easily have been enough. A player like McGinn needs longer than 10-15 minutes, McInnes is very guilty of taking an age to make a sub. Edmondson isn't good enough either, anyone on the bench behind Main needs to be let go.

This, hedges moved further forward, which is ideal. Main might be alright in this type of game too.

I think it would be under normal circumstances, but that midfield isn't getting better overnight. I'd love to have seen us go full belt at them with our strongest 11, but I think a turgid single goal might be the order of the day.

Should, in theory. A midfield of Ojo and Leigh is weak though and it wouldn't surprise me if we dropped points. Ideally we wouldn't be in a league where one team can lose 9 players and still be expected to beat the opposition, whether it be Aberdeen, the scum, or anyone else.

Most important thing is that Rice keeps job, at least until Thursday.

Yep, absolutely, I agree entirely. Lack of transparency. To be honest, I've no real issue with the SFA making mistakes, they're in a far harder position than most clubs given the travel arrangements, but it is the lack of transparency that is the problem. Just a clear outline of events, what went wrong etc and how they're going to change things. When you said "who investigates them?" earlier, I had it in my head that you meant from a punitive perspective, but you're completely right and investigation of the facts that can be presented to the public is what's required. AD, I just read the transcript of the interview, you're right he doesn't quite nail it down. This is where the club have to be more incisive and more forensic (a good effort by McInnes to be fair, it's not really his job). We really need a solicitor type, not to sue, just to transcribe the series of events and lay out what went wrong. The SFA aren't going to do it, and we're really, massively, let down by the journalism in this country in that regard (especially the BBC who seem to just report rather than question). Force the SFA to come out and take ownership of what could be simple little mistakes, or things that are proven to be unavoidable.

Definitely watch the whole thing if you can, you get a much better view of it, it's fantastically bad. You can skip the first 5-6minutes if you don't care about the other pens. It is probably the best thing I've seen all season. Edit: it just shows though, Scotland are fairly lucky to have got through against Serbia, as Marshall was definitely off his line. Thank christ VAR wasn't on the go.

Nah, watch the whole thing pens

Have they investigated clubs for potential failings? I don't think they have. They've issued punishment for rule breaking, but that's an entirely different thing. I hadn't heard about the timing of testing problem, I'd be interested to hear more. The biggest problem with communication for me is the fact that people like us have to speculate about the circumstances on the internet - it's a lack of transparency, we're left guessing and accusing. Motherwell experienced a bizarre lack of communication, but obviously that had no bearing on Campbell being allowed to play or not. I don't think its incompetent to insist that players from the same team are placed beside one another whilst travelling, it's just a policy that has to occur at international level due to location. I'm guessing that's the single difference between a dons game and a Scotland game. There were 3 dons players in a squad of 25, where 11 had to isolate. Even those placed apart would have faced a strong chance of being infected. Given Aberdeen's infection rate compared to Glasgow and surrounding area, I'd have been more comfortable with dons players sitting together than next to another team's player, and if I'm an Aberdeen manager I'd be telling my players to stick together and avoid others because I'd be more comfortable with our procedures at AFC being robust compared to other teams (I'm not saying that they are more robust, just that McInnes would be more aware and trusting of them). What I suspect happened, is that the hun called Robbie McRorie back to Ibrox for a meeting at which he was deliberately infected with the vid in the knowledge that he'd likely be close to his brother with the u21 squad, and he in turn would infect Ferguson and Mclennan. Because they're sleekit huns.

Why are they incompetent though? I've seen a lot of unsubstantiated criticism, but nobody has been able to put a finger on what they did wrong (Robinson mentioned communication, but that's it). The only thing that I'd say is that we shouldn't have to isolate for 14 days because all our players gained herd immunity whilst partying in soul bar. The Huns have a strong squad. Them and the tims would cope with 8 players missing. So would we against half the teams in the league in fairness.

I disagree. He has at least one good one-on-one save in every big game, always comes for crosses and has excellent positioning. I don't think you necessarily need or want a goalkeeper screaming his arse off behind you, a defence that holds its line doesn't need that distraction. Overall I don't think goalies as Captains are really that useful, but he leads by example.

Strange one. Of all the performances to criticise, I wouldn't have picked Lewis. A few great saves. Not sure which goal he was supposed to have stopped?

Not a great half like. We're all over the shop. This isn't the team to be playing against with your midfield missing, their movement is excellent. Hedges doing well, Cosgrove doing okay on the ball too (how the fuck their guy wasn't booked for bringing him down on the half way line when Hedges broke I've nae idea). Ojo and Leigh isn't a pairing that brings much joy. I'm assuming Campbell isn't 100% fit, but I wouldn't be surprised to see him in the second half.

Where you reading/seeing that? Hopefully he's specific about the issue. We need to be really clear about what we're doing differently to the SFA and why those players would have been safe in our care and not the SFA's. The bland statement from the club is useless and completely without merit. We can't have it both ways, if it wasn't for guys like McKenna travelling with the Scotland squad, we'd never get the fee we did for him and the potential fee we might get for guys like Ferguson in the future. Be specific and open about what went wrong so that we can be sure it doesn't occur again. What would be the difference in arrangements for training for and travel to an away dons match versus a Scotland game?

Perhaps a slight overstatement. It's a fairly transmittable virus. They'll be using much the same protocol as the dons, so it'll be down to luck, or bad luck. As far as we know it's only one Don at the minute, but I'm guessing there's a strong chance that they'll have been close together in the squad. A formidable midfield of Ojo and Leigh should see us take home the win.

Sounds like it is McRorie. Probably a good thing to be honest, it would be extremely harsh to have to drop Ojo following his three goals tomorrow.