RicoS321

They're pish, we'll take them. Lennon will get the lads riled up for it.

21 hours ago, Panda said:

Hopefully get Celtic in the semi-final draw, we want the weakest team

Well.

19 minutes ago, Elgindon said:

What about us,the fans? Look at it from Warnock's view.His first game,there was as hostile an atmosphere as I've ever heard at a game against our own players. Morris,we could all see he was having a mare,as did the manager,hence he came off. What was the rage against him every time he touched the ball meant to achieve? Same with Roos having the audacity to kick a stray ball out v StJs. Did he do it intentionally? Does booing him improve his kicking? I wouldn't be surprised if we were part of why he quit.

Yep, I think you're right. I tend not to boo (pretty much just at the ref), and I felt sorry for Morris. However, the Morris situation lies squarely at the door of Warnock. Watch back any videos of our previous performances, ask anyone at the club, and you'd know that Morris can't, and should never, play wing back (and McGrath, very obviously). He just didn't do any research work before and after arriving at the club (because I don't believe he's a terrible manager), that would have avoided these scenarios. The manager basically hung Morris out to dry with his atrocious team selection. He had played him the week before, against Bonnyrigg (his actual first game at Pittodrie), in a role as a winger, which is a legitmate way to play Morris that compliments any abilities that he does have. A good manager should just know this. If he'd played Morris with Devlin covering behind him against Motherwell, we'd probably have been going in level at halftime and Morris could have gone off in 60 minutes or whatever having been ineffective, but without the dog's abuse. Compare our performance with that in the Tims game prior to Warnock's arrival and it was night and day. The players were on edge in the first half, but we kept the formation and approach simple, worked hard, and a calm talking to from Leven at half time settled the players into the game and gave us a solid performance. Incidentally, the exact same setup and approach was taken for the Killie game at the weekend - the weeks of dicking about by Warnock culminated in us going back to exactly what worked before he arrived. I don't like being hostile to a manager, but Warnock brought most of it on himself (St Mirren aside).

In terms of the booing of Roos, and previously Lewis for the terrible kicking, I think it has a direct negative effect on a goalkeeper and serves only to make their kicking even worse. We have to accept that goalkeepers are going to be less confident with the ball at their feet. We also have to factor in that for large parts of the year in this country the pitch will not be a perfectly flat surface and that the wind has a big effect on the ball's movement. Combined with the fact that the vast majority of kicks a keeper makes involve taking big swings at the ball, the chance of error is far higher than that of an outfield player. Adding anxiety to a keeper's game with booing is fairly stupid, and it has noticeably effected Roos, and Lewis previously and spread to the rest of their game, notably effecting their decision to come for crosses (at their peak, both Roos and Lewis had no problems coming for balls in crowded areas, latterly both just decided to stay on their lines). I find it strange that our fans were simultaneously booing Roos for poor kick outs and jeering at Denis in the Killie goal at the weekend, without working out that maybe there are more factors at play to cause many of the goalies that come to Pittodrie every week to produce crap kickouts. 

1 hour ago, RicoS321 said:

Aye, but Germans ken aboot fitba.

I've been calling for more support for the manager for several years now, so can't really complain about a technical director coming in. In truth, I've no idea the separation of technical and football director roles and why it requires more than one individual, so I guess we just have to believe that there's enough competence and challenge at the club to validate this decision. I've also worked in plenty of organisations where the answer to a failing manager/director was to get another manager in just above them that acts as a buffer between them and the board. I've rarely seen that approach work, you simply end up with a slightly demoted employee who is either suitably demotivated that they leave, or recognises that it's really just a job and they can continue to take a decent pay packet whilst having a large amount of their responsibility removed. In fact, I can think of at least seven companies that I've worked for that have taken this approach, and none were improved because of it. However, perhaps technical and football departments are separate entities at Pittodrie, and require separate oversight. I imagine that this new technical guy will need some new employees too, which he'll bravely eschew in favour of using a consulting company, as you suggest. It'll be interesting to see the increase in the cost of the non-playing side over the coming years, Cormack strikes me as the type who could be seriously milked by a well-placed Powerpoint.

I should add, I'm slightly concerned by the timings once again, and I know that it's difficult with the current managerless position. When Cormack first came in (properly), it was clear that McInnes was on his way out and that Cormack was keen to change the structure of the club. I thought that was definitely the right move (not necessarily to get rid of McInnes*). We had almost an entire season with McInnes in which we could have got things right off the park (many of us mentioned it multiple times!). That was the time to appoint the new director of football, the recruitment team etc etc (and get any review done). We ended up appointing Glass with none of the other components in place, and eventually promoted Gunn to director of football, despite him being what appears to be an admin-focused guy. This left Glass high and dry, with zero support, and we subsequently hired two further inexperienced guys without the obviously required (or inept) support from above.

We've now been given the opportunity to undergo a review and take our time to get the off-pitch side of things right before hiring a manager. However, we're appointing the manager first and then the Technical Director? This immediately creates conflict where it doesn't need to be. The new manager comes in, sets up his working system, before a technical director comes in and holds it to account and perhaps asks for changes in line with a bigger strategy at the club. It might not be an issue, of course, but the world of football management is an ego-heavy environment. Far better, it would be, to have a technical director in place who had outlined his ideas for the club, before he/she and the other directors go and sell the role to a new manager who knows exactly what is being mapped out for him. I genuinely thought Cormack would be up on this sort of corporate shite. I was quite excited when Cormack came in, because he talked in a way that made sense, like he had a plan. It's things like this (and the other disasters) that make you doubt him completely. This is something he should have completely nailed on, this is his bag - it's his vocabulary. I realise that there are time constraints in fitba that probably don't exist elsewhere, but I don't think that's an excuse. This review could have occurred in the summer, or November, with a Technical director already in place ready for the new manager (or he might even have been able to help Robson not be so shite).

*one of the good reasons for getting rid of McInnes was the fortune he was - allegedly - getting paid. I suspect we are away to spunk a fortune on a new manager too, blowing that reason out of the water.

8 minutes ago, Slim said:

Statement went up on the website last night.

We appointed a German management consultancy company and seemingly their conclusion is that we need to appoint a Technical Director to support the Director of Football. No really.

If the outcome of every management consulting process in the history of the world is anything to go by, we can expect this Technical Director to be affiliated with this consulting company in some way. Steve Gunn better start brushing up on his German.

Aye, but Germans ken aboot fitba.

I've been calling for more support for the manager for several years now, so can't really complain about a technical director coming in. In truth, I've no idea the separation of technical and football director roles and why it requires more than one individual, so I guess we just have to believe that there's enough competence and challenge at the club to validate this decision. I've also worked in plenty of organisations where the answer to a failing manager/director was to get another manager in just above them that acts as a buffer between them and the board. I've rarely seen that approach work, you simply end up with a slightly demoted employee who is either suitably demotivated that they leave, or recognises that it's really just a job and they can continue to take a decent pay packet whilst having a large amount of their responsibility removed. In fact, I can think of at least seven companies that I've worked for that have taken this approach, and none were improved because of it. However, perhaps technical and football departments are separate entities at Pittodrie, and require separate oversight. I imagine that this new technical guy will need some new employees too, which he'll bravely eschew in favour of using a consulting company, as you suggest. It'll be interesting to see the increase in the cost of the non-playing side over the coming years, Cormack strikes me as the type who could be seriously milked by a well-placed Powerpoint.

25 minutes ago, OxfordDon said:

a controversial penalty and two red cards for the opposing team - just another normal day at the office for Sevco.

In fairness, it's not like they killed Martin Boyl...... oh

48 minutes ago, tlg1903 said:

 I don't think you can get away with being an alcholic manager these days 2bh, there's too much scrutiny on you. 

Speak for yourself 

1 hour ago, Slim said:

Re. Michael O’Neil, isn’t he a renowned prolific alcoholic?

Worked for Steve Paterson. Until it didn't. 

Maybe Tosh is going to be the new manager.

4 minutes ago, OxfordDon said:

Going on that logic, I now too expect Xabi to be announced Monday.  Dave, suggest we send him some rowies and point out Munich, Madrid and Liverpool don't do them.

I don't really know who Xabi is, without recourse to checking the internet, so I can't take credit for that rumour. I don't think Cormack is going to come on here and take note of anything @Panda says. He's not crazy.

On 07/03/2024 at 09:30, RicoS321 said:

What will actually happen, of course, is that our shitey review will be ongoing into June, when we get some foreign manager in (because Dave hasn't tried foreign yet, you see).

44 minutes ago, Panda said:

Rumours are it's foreign

1 hour ago, OxfordDon said:

Don't knock it, clearly some of your Warnock out rumours got through to him too

There's a theme here 

1 hour ago, Elgindon said:

I dont think Warnock being here was an inevitable embarassment,....people had made up their minds about him before he started.He chopped and changed to find a side that got results,so we had to allow a few dodgy results in the process.Quickly dropped the slackers/luxuries,done as good as expected with the current resources IMO.I'm almost curious to see what he could have done longer term

Nah, I don't accept that. He clearly had done nothing in the way of homework before he came, and nothing after he got here. We shouldn't have been in the position of having a temporary manager who didn't know the first thing about the team or the league. Not necessarily Warnock's fault of course, but he didn't take it seriously. Or if that was him taking it seriously then he wasn't good enough. Some of his nonsense setups could have been avoided by simply watching a couple of videos of Robson's matches. 

That's not to say we're now better off without him of course, as you say. Interesting that the players knew before their game that he was leaving and they turn in their best performance since his appointment. Miovski was strange today, he didn't challenge for several headers in a row just before he went off. Maybe he was too upset about Warnock leaving.

Actually, I'm guessing that Cormack just watched that BBC vox pop after we ditched Robson, where several munters outside pittodrie suggested Lennon. That seems to be how he does his business.

11 minutes ago, OrlandoDon said:

I’d argue any manager splits the support. If whoever comes in has a good strong start all is good. Comes down to results. Much like Robson, didn’t want him but good start so accepted him. Shit start and the manager is too young, too old, doesn’t know our league, past it, lacks experience, etc etc. McGhee was an ex player and legend and look what happened to him, Roy Aiken took over, mcinnes was a hun we heard. Does it matter, if he wins games and cups he gets accepted.

been zero info from the club since Robson left, really curious if it’s a new manager, new structure, or what?

There won't be a new structure, they're winging it, and have been for quite some time. I'm not overly fussed about a manager splitting the support, it's the fact that Lennon just shows that we haven't got a clue what we're doing. I don't think he's a terrible manager, but he's very quick to throw players under a bus, and he's been out of work for ages, and clearly didn't want the job a few weeks ago. It reeks. Just like Warnock reeked. 

35 minutes ago, Kowalski said:

Lennon will split the support

He's a dick that can't hack being a manager. He usually starts okay in fairness, but he then descends into blaming everything that moves. A fucking mess of a man. Clueless from the club if it's the plan.

Good performance. The midfield three were excellent, and won us the game. They won everything and were first to every ball. MacDonald strong at the back. Warnock finally gets it right and the players perform for him and he leaves! I'm wondering if they knew. 

7 hours ago, Panda said:

A win in this would - even if only temporarily - stop the revisionism over Derek McInnes.

And I accept the BBC are part of that with a big article on it today.

I can't be arsed with any more McInnes or Robinson or Lennon nonsense. No, no, and never.

Neil Warnock winning the cup, landing us group stage football at the expense of Hearts, and then retiring would leave me doubting everything I ever thought I knew about life, but I'll take it.

It's three years since he was punted and they're playing us on the same day, so it's fair game for a story. If Warnock wins the cup, Cormack will give him an eight year deal. Which might be enough time to get us out of the championship.

2 hours ago, Jute said:

This better be another of Rico’s rumours. 

I'd rather eat my own shite than suggest Lennon for manager.

That said, given the choice, I'd have had him over Warnock. 

If Warnock goes, just give Leven control and make it very clear that he's only there for a few weeks until we sort someone out, and that there is absolutely zero pressure or expectation on him to do anything as manager other than to turn up and take the team. Make sure that the fans are clear on this too. Realistically, a new manager should be on board by mid May at the latest (playoff dependent), so that they can begin the build for next season, as well as have a clear idea of what the current team has, or doesn't. 

What will actually happen, of course, is that our shitey review will be ongoing into June, when we get some foreign manager in (because Dave hasn't tried foreign yet, you see). The review will conclude that we need various structural and staff changes, will begin just as we leave the summer transfer window. At which point, the foreign manager will have recruited his foreign friends to play for us, resulting in the usual mixed bag of utter pish, average and one gem to make it all right. We will not publicly acknowledge the fact that the new manager hasn't had the benefit of our review changes, nor any support in his role in a new country, and we'll part ways when we're in eighth place in January, replacing with someone who knows the Scottish game.

9 hours ago, OrlandoDon said:

More and more chat from who??? Validity or simply hope??

I've been spreading rumours. Once the rumours start, he's gone. I hope.

31 minutes ago, Jute said:

That’s once we have used it to pay off the contracts for Morris, Richardson, McGarry and Gueye.

Morris might be quite useful as a sub in the championship. I think we've found our answer to poor recruitment actually. Just keep getting relegated until our recruits are at a level where they can look good.

6 hours ago, OrlandoDon said:

Yup, captain Ferguson with a nice volley for the winner. Italy couldn’t have gone any better for him. 20-30 million the talk with most rumors saying juventus want him to replace pogba. What’s our sell on, 20%?

Whatever it is, it should be enough to get us out of the championship at the second or third attempt.

7 hours ago, Panda said:

Defensively, for the most part pretty sound, but gifted up way too many chances, especially after going to a back three.

Did we? I was actually ready to come on and apologise for my suggestion that we shouldn't go to a back three after the subs, because it had got through the game without too much bother. Roos flapped at one cross, but did they get any shots on target in the second half? I'm probably forgetting one or two, but for all that we gave up possession, we kept it fairly tight up until Devlingate in my opinion. 

Obviously, you're right that we shouldn't be conceding that much possession against St Mirren, but that has to come with the caveat that we've been shiter than them all season and terrible for weeks now. There are many teams in the SPFL this season who've scored the first goal, had horrendous possession stats and still comfortably won the game, that's pretty much a description of how to win in this league. 

I'm not sticking up for Warnock though. He needs to go. I don't really care about the cup game, staying in the league is priority, and if losing the quarter final expedites the exit of the charlatan then that'd be fine.

3 minutes ago, OxfordDon said:

On the plus side, at least it's cheaper to sack an interim manager than a permanent one.

Cormack will have inserted a runaway clause into his contract, giving him three years EPL salary.

He didn't do a huge amount wrong today, given our current mess. He was unlucky. However, the overall collapse since he arrived leads to this sort of pish. It's similar to that Goodwin game where we collapsed. 

We will be in the playoffs if Warnock stays. He needs to go.

11 minutes ago, OrlandoDon said:

That’s the thing, it’s not a clear and obvious error. Haven’t seen it enough but in real time I thought devlin was fouled, then the replay they hit each other 50-50 and no foul. Stunned there was no monitor check.

In and out of the box isn't ever put down to clear and obvious though, just like offside. They always make an exact call (if they can) because it isn't subjective. That's why the ref wasn't required to go to the monitor, as it's either in or out. 

The only time clear and obvious comes into play is whether it was a foul or not. You think it might not have been, I think it was. Either way, it wasn't a clear and obvious error by the ref, and he gave the foul. There's no way they could have overturned that. Nor should they. 

11 minutes ago, OrlandoDon said:

over the full game though we were pretty shit again, horrible tactics, and only one team deserved to win.

Yes and no. I don't remember them having a shot on target in the second half, and the best chance, by some distance, fell to us. They didn't create much at all, and basically looked like we do when playing well and a stuffy team comes to pittodrie. They were actually fairly devoid of ideas. For a team lacking in confidence, we battled hard and were definitely going home with three points before Devlin intervened. I don't think they deserved to win, but we can have no complaints that they did! 

6 minutes ago, Slim said:

A clear and obvious error shouldn’t really take 3 minutes of slow motion replays to determine.

In fairness, they weren't questioning the foul, just where the contact took place. It shouldn't take three minutes, but I guess when it comes to objective calls like "in or out", you can perhaps understand them taking a bit more time to be certain. It was fairly clearly in, I'd say. The foul itself was never really in question either, Devlin throws his leg into the guy to try and buy a freekick and gets it all wrong, bringing him down. I expect Warnock to cut his balls off, it was fucking terrible play.

9 minutes ago, Slim said:

If we’re picking dubious scapegoats, Roos is 6’5” and let in a penalty at least half a foot inside the post when going the right way.

Again, in fairness, I think Roos realises he's stepped a mile off his line and just sorting of falls over. He really should be better at pens though, given the number we concede.

1 minute ago, redordead said:

Should've been dead and buried but our striker only has one foot and refuses to get a shot away.

Fair play to saints, the boy threw his body in the way and won the penalty.

You're back to discuss Bojan are you?

Devlin sold the shirts. Tried to be clever and win a freekick when he easily had the winning of that ball. Just needed to boot it. They weren't scoring otherwise.