LA-Don

Same shit old firm defensive tactics. Hibs are not that good, far too much respect. Not playing to our strengths at all.

A 5-5-0 formation to start the game?

Of course we all want to win the league and cups every year but I guess I have some soft of realism.......in my eyes. If all was equal then this is fair, but it's not. Do we expect small companies to bring in the same profit as Apple? When two other clubs have budgets and resources way above ours is it right to expect more than them? As a fan of course I want it but, as I said earlier, and Kow too, top 3 is a success with our budget and resources, a couple final every other year, and a trophy every two to three. I don't think this makes me a loser or have a loser mentality, I think I'm being realistic given the state of Scottish football. Does every club in the EPL expect to win the league? No. Many believe a successful season is saying in the league and not getting relegated. Does this make them all losers? I think a challenging debate is to discuss the difference between success and expectation.

It’s a good question. As someone who grew up in the fergie era success to me should be trophies. I think it’s fair to say that without Rangers in the league we were paying the second highest wage, correct? And with Rangers in the league the third highest? If that’s the case then top 3 each year should be expected, Europe, and I’d say a trophy every 3 years isn’t unfair to expect. But is that success or what is expected??? A successful season to me is top 2 and a cup final. If the final is against anyone other than the old firm then that’s a cup final win. I’d still expect to beat the current Rangers but DMs tactics fuck that up. Success in Europe is a tough one given the flawed system of minimal summer break, the transfer window, and Europe being preseason. Any success or advancement in Europe is a bonus in my eyes.

McKenna marked his man tight and went with him, that’s his job. Give the forward time to control and turn he’s 1 on 1 with McKenna and has control, not a situation you put a forward in if you’re a defender. Given the position on the field, when this happened your left back has to pinch in. Considine was way out of position. Defending 101, when a central defender steps up those on either side squeeze in. O’Connor was there, just slow, considine was miles away.

While I thought OConnor had a poor game I’d be more inclined to blame Considine for the first goal. The ball is on the right and McKenna steps up. At that point Considine should be pinching in to provide cover. Instead he’s miles away hence the huge hole. OConnor is to the right of McKenna as he should be but has no pace to get back but I still think it wasn’t so much is fault. For what it’s worth, neither keeper has impressed.

Totally agree, would like to have seen chidi given a good run, plus if we’re going to persist with Maynard give him 30 mins. Rooney was gash again, why not give him more of a run? Not saying Maynard is any good but if he’s the Rooney back up he needs the mins.

Very sloppy performance after going up 2-0. Still, job done and good QF draw. Thought in the first half that we’ll miss Christie and McLean, pains me to say that about Kenny. To me he’s been a different player since signing in loan, really showing confidence and what he can do. Why didn’t we see more of this guy over the last couple of years? Rooney showed a few times how limited he is, got in situations where a more skilled and pacey player would have hurt utd. Painful to watch at times. Lastly, all I need to say is OConnor, good god. The sooner Devlin is fit the better. Still, a win is a win.

Saw a therapist when I went through a divorce 12 years ago, gave me the best advice. You may never get the answers you want, never get clarity, and always be left wondering. Deal with that, accept it, and move on. Let it/them go. She may have no clue why she did things either so have no answer for you, or she doesn't want to admit why. Regardless, it's on you to let it go and move on. Harsh but true!

I think we play our best team and stick to the tactics that give us success in every other game. This isn't complicated. 4-2-3-1 is a given. Tactically press high to give limited time and space, neither of the old firm are particularly strong at the back. Shinnie has to be in midfield but McGinn left to support Considine, although GMS has gotten better at that. Considine gets exposed when we sit back, then don't sit back. Force the opponents wide players to defend. In terms of personnel obviously we have a keeper injury and Christie doesn't play against celtic. Arnie or OConnor play with McKenna. Shinnie drives our team forward in midfield, we need him there. McLean has been good of late in there too. A fit May up top will give opponents more of a headache but fit is the key word there. I don't think it's overly complicated tactically, we showed in the cup final what we can do if the attacking mentality is taken.

I don’t agree with you Rico, plenty of teams have taken points off the oldfirm this year and I don’t think they have better players than us in key areas. It’s 100% on McInnes and his tactics and belief. Take the game last year when Maddison scored his free kick to bail us out. As soon as we went a goal up DM shut up shop holding out for a 1-0 against a very shit Rangers team. The equalizer was inevitable and we were lucky to win. That was the chance to make a statement - give them a welcome back pasting and put them in their place but DM got his tactics very wrong and that fearful mentality continues to this day. Since rangers came back up they’ve got the better of us which shouldn’t be happening. I was proud of our Scottish cup final performance. We had a go against Celtic and it’s the closest we’ve come to avoiding defeat (shit thing to say) to the tims in the last few years. That’s the way to play them but, like with Rangers, DM gets scared. DM overthinks these games and his arrogance gets in the way. Let the players play their game and utilize our strengths. DM sets us up like we’re playing away to Barcelona. He overcoaches and does more damage than good. Our best form of defense is attack. We’re a fit team too, press high as a team and have ago. I think if we were to lose, all fans would prefer the Scottish cup final approach. DMs defensive approach has never worked and I don’t think we’ve come close. In regards to motivation, I think he’s a very good motivator. The players also like him and play for him. However, against the old firm DM is the one that shits it and doesn’t believe we can win and his lack of belief I think clearly affects the players.

It’s not clear, are you a fan of Walter Smith?

Steve Clarke? I'd say he's the best option now but being a younger guy will he jump to an EPL or Rangers job if and when as McLeish did? If we're looking at Walter Smith you might as well ask Fergie....

Not a great game but goals, a shutout, and the ugly sisters losing means a good weekend. Woodman looked ok but put under little pressure. Other than one clearance that went to them, don't recall other mistakes. Hamilton offered so little up top so AOC didn't have any bomb scares. McKenna is quality, crazy how natural he looks in there, hoping Devlin creates a partnership for a good few years (although McKenna being sold for $$$ is possible.) McGinn looks refreshed and eager to do well and we certainly have attacking options. I think 8 days until the next game will give us a little needed rest. 5 games in two weeks on heavy pitches takes it's toll and todays performance was a reflection of that.

Think he needs a break. Due a suspension, how many game? Probably comes at the right time and needed, thought he was poor today but well done for not getting another booking.......or worse!

What a signing, goals and assists already, and no coincidence we've scored 14 goals in the four games he's been back. Wouldn't be surprised to see Stewart's playing time lessen and he'll disappear in the summer. Getting McGinn has been huge for us, plus the boost to the team is pretty clear.

There you go. Case and point. Get the tactics correct and the huns and tims are there to take points from. Solid win from us, but todays scores just frustrates me that we've taken nothing from the ugly sisters.

Harsh on Rogers but given DM sees him daily pretty obvious he doesn't rate him.

America is the ultimate corrupt capitalist country, money rules. The government is terrible, whether democratic or republican (nothing to do with Trump), and that's why the country is fucked. Gun laws won't change dramatically due to money, just like the medical field where money comes before health. It's a messed up place...

I like that lineup except I expect Rogers in goal, Consi at left back and Shinnie being booked in midfield 3-0 - Christie,Rooney, and GMS

If we are being realistic it's been a strong window. We're not spending much money on players ever, never mind in the inflated and desperate January window. McGinn - a luxury we arguably didn't need since we replaced him (and Hayes) with GMS & Stewart. A definite upgrade and already contributed with a goal and assists. Devlin - one of the best up and coming central defenders in the country and accies captain. Plenty of players recover from his surgery, no reason why he cannot excel here. We also have plenty of other players able to play his position until he's fit. McLean - got money for him and kept him until the summer when he was leaving anyway. I think we've seen in the last two games alone a relieved and pressure free McLean. I've never been a fan but I think he'll have a good second half of the season Woodman - a talented keeper, someone we'd heard of and has had career success Cosgrove - replaces Stockley as the big loon to stick up top when we need a different option. Cheap low risk high reward. We also have Rooney, May, McGinn, Stewart who can all play up top so we're not desperate for him to have an immediate impact Chidi - young talent given an opportunity to shine. We're thin for cover so helps the squad depth but we're not relying on him Tansey - get healthy and match fit. If he has a strong latter half of the season it's in our hands to keep or sell Ross - gets valuable experience We could have punted players (i.e. Maynard) but keeping them gives us depth. Left back - We have Considine and Shinnie for now but hope to sign a LB in the summer once we punt AOC, Arnie, and possibly even Reynolds. Consi will stay as cheap and easy cover for LB and CB Center mid - possibly McGeough on a pre contract to replace McLean in the summer Maybe I'm a glass is half full guy but I think we did ok!

I thought Rogers looked nervous and made mistakes, and I think it was the free kick he coughed up and they nearly scored the rebound. He did make a couple of saves but one in particular went straight at him when they should have scored. Thought Red TV and Joe Lewis were overly complimentary but I wasn't particularly impressed.

Don’t agree with making guns illegal. Drugs are illegal too but drug crime is massive. Make them harder to get, plus incentives to give up guns. I’d certainly ban assault rifles and the likes, flat out no need for those unless you’re fighting a war. America doesn’t have a gun problem, it’s a culture problem and the disregard for people and human life. Fuck knows how you solve it.

If we want McGeough I’d say the time is now too. I think we got it right with Devlin, once healthy he may have priced himself out of a move to us. McGeough is still somewhat unknown, a strong second half of the season and he may get a move to the championship. Push now with the sell of cup finals and Europe, plus the excitement of the new stadium and training facilities, he may just bite.

Didn’t see that much of the game but I didn’t think Ball was that bad. I would add I thought he looked more athletic and mobile than OConnor.