LA-Don

2 hours ago, Jute said:

If he is going it needs to be now to give us time to source an adequate replacement. 

Would certainly like it to be the boy from st mirren. A bit more creative and attack minded than Ferguson but we’ve plenty of holding and box to box central midfielders already.

6 minutes ago, scotfree said:

Yep. It's been a shit 18 months, but how many other teams fans ran on to the pitch when they scored?

How many other teams scored the winner in the 95th minute away, after a shit first half and a goal down? A goal by a young kid and a real find to our first team. Playing in a lineup that had us all scratching our head with the players rested. It’s only a big deal because people make it one. It’s not. No harm was done and the fans were being entertained and having fun. Is that bad?

56 minutes ago, scotfree said:

Teddy's goal was really well taken goal. And it was a cert that Anderson would score against us. If I was a betting guy I would have put some money on that... Bold move from Glass with the changes. You would have to think that this would have of been loss/draw under McInnes. Even if It's the first game that some fans have been too in over a year and we score a winner in injury time does not mean you can run onto the pitch like a bunch of old firm fans. That will cost us money. Bunch of fucking arseholes. 

Let the ‘arseholes’ have fun then!! Good for them and I don’t think the club will ultimately care that much, Glass even commented on it post game. Yes it costs the club money but I’m sure Cornmack doesn’t mind writing a check when things are pretty positive with the club right now. It’s been a shit 18 months and the first away league game for fuck knows how long with fans and they get a 95th minute winner. I fucking hit the roof here in LA when it went in and celebrated like we’d won the fucking cup winners cup! Put things in perspective, no harm done.

Pretty brutal stuff. Getting zero from mcginn and jenks. Beating my dead horse yet again, in desperate need of a creative #10, plus Jet pretty much gives us nothing as a center forward. Don’t mind squad rotation but it isn’t working so far.

I think Gallagher made a big difference, experienced and solid central defender. He really should be in there ahead of McRorie although where do you play Ross, you cannot drop Ramsey? Think the back 3 may be the answer, but I still think we've looked solid in a 4-4-2 for the most part. Tough call. I'd argue we may not have lost the two goals with Gallagher in there.

Despised the fucker at Celtic but continue to be impressed with Brown every game. Leader, excellent positionally, and does not get tired. Very good signing so far.

My yankee Ramirez continues to look the part, and not just the goals. Quality number 9.

Plenty of positives in the first 3 games but I’m certainly concerned by our lack of creative players. Jet is probably our only #10 type, but we need a natural attacking central mid to make us less predictable. So far it’s hedges mclennan and ojo wide but I think one more is needed too. Are we priced out from going for McGrath? Anyone else remotely linked with us? If hedges were to go we are really limited on the creative front.

plus who is the other forward we pick up? That’s essential!

4 hours ago, Elgindon said:

Thought McKenzie was a bit cautious to start with but came onto a game.Would have been intersting to see what Hedges could have done in a game like today,hopefully the transfer rumours are nonsense.Nae sure about Ojo either,but he seems to be playing with a bit of confidence,might get more out of him with a longer run

What transfer rumors?

2 hours ago, HaarDon said:

Fuck off Scott wright

I don’t have any ill will towards him but I think it’s just a matter of time before he gets injured. Or Scott brown breaks him when we play them.

1 hour ago, RicoS321 said:

Jet was head and shoulders above Ramirez last night, he was excellent. I don't remember him giving the ball away once from a position that would have caused us trouble, although he didn't track his man at one point (which I think eventually led to their goal) but he was unexpectedly covering Hedges and wasn't prepared. The times he did give the ball away were when he was trying to make something happen, which is completely acceptable. We were very guilty of not trying things under McInnes for fear of giving it away. Many of the chances we created through jet last night would have been a sideways pass last season.

I was unconvinced by Ramirez last night, but he certainly does have the potential to be a Rooney. His movement needs to improve a bit, but given he's on a new continent with a completely different game it'll maybe take time. He's about the size, stature and pace of Rooney anyway. Jet being there will be a huge benefit to him.

Don’t necessarily agree. Ramirez was excellent, touch was good, link play, hold up play, work rate, pace, strength, and a tap in. Very good number 9 on first impressions.

jet is more of a #10, even a wide player. Very different style and attributes, and he was very good too. Yes, we went long and he won pretty much every header, and I anticipate Ramirez will read that better as their partnership develops. They are just totally different which is why they may do very well playing together.

forgot about Devlin, plus mccrorie played well yesterday, so maybe not quite so essential. Would quite like to see Mackenzie given a run at left back and hayes ahead of him. While he doesn’t have the pace he used to, hayes as well as hedges are clearly our best wide players. Would like us to move on kennedy and bring in another winger.

agree we have a log jam in center mid, need to move on ojo or mcgeough and get a more creative midfielder. I know st mirren want money and it’s my American influence here, but no way cash plus ojo or mcgeough, and or kennedy for McGrath?? agree another forward too, while that’s mcginn now I think we’re still thin up top. 

Based on what we saw today, i think we are good for fullbacks when we have the two young boys, gurr, hayes, considine and mccrorie. Still think we need another central defender, a #10, and a winger. Not convinced by mclennan, kennedy, even ojo wide, but at least the first two are essential.

1 hour ago, Elgindon said:

Thats what to expect with a more attack minded team though.Rather that than manage out a 1 - 0 with 85 mins to go.

  Be great to see McLennan and Ojo find what theyre capable of

I actually thought about your first point too. At 2-0 we could have gone into the old game management mode in the second half and tried to simply see the game out, but thankfully we did not!

Quality stuff but not getting carried away. No clue how good hacken are.

Our front two were certainty impressive. Thought Jet was creative but Ramirez had excellent touch and link up play. Very solid start from those two, but the latter looks a real find.

Didn’t expect 5-1. Happy day!

1 hour ago, BigAl said:

We won't be signing Jackson Irvine, if indeed we were ever remotely interested as he is off to St Pauli in Germany.

No great loss in my opinion

I like him, but see him playing a similar midfield position to Ferguson, mcgeough, Campbell, brown, ojo, mccrorie, even jenks. I think he’s played as a central defender and we need that but is more of a midfielder now and we don’t really need him with the log jam we have there. We need the creative midfield types and that’s not him.

Any info? Think in the Q&A Glass said there would be a bunch of behind closed door games, starting last Thursday night. And another today? Anyone got any info??

58 minutes ago, wee toon red said:

Anyone watch tonight's Q&A? Doesn't sound like we're after too many more players, although I have a feeling Glass was playing his cards quite close to his chest regarding transfers.

Watched some of it, I think he’s playing it down but we have to add some more. Have to get a central defender and a creative midfielder/winger (ideally both) at the very worst. Think the fact we were liking to get Robertson and tried to get Additionally, he talked up Jack Gurr, curious to what we get there.

I’ll even add that we have 3 central defenders which includes an aging Andy and Mikey Devlin. I don’t see Devlin being fit for long. He was a good player but I do believe he’s damaged goods and his body won’t last. Central defender will be added.

30 minutes ago, wee toon red said:

Anyone watch tonight's Q&A? Doesn't sound like we're after too many more players, although I have a feeling Glass was playing his cards quite close to his chest regarding transfers.

Watched some of it, I think he’s playing it down as surely we have to add some more. Have to get a central defender and a creative midfielder/winger (ideally both) at the very worst. Think the fact we were trying to get Clark Robertson and supposedly Jamie McGrath suggests he knows we’re missing a few. Additionally, he talked up Jack Gurr, curious to what we get there.

31 minutes ago, RicoS321 said:

I think jenks might be a no 10, LA. Can't see Ferguson moving quickly in the window, one of those where the buyer will try and string us along with derisory offers to unsettle the player and lots of paper talk.

I read somewhere he was a 6’3 box to box midfielder, actually not unlike Ferguson. Could be wrong though.

id really like us to publicize a price and push for a sale, force the issue. I still think if we say we’ll accept in excess of 5 mill we’ll get buyers sooner, we just force it. I fear the McKenna situation where it fizzles out and we eventually get a lesser deal. Saying that, if Ferguson is smart, he plays with brown for a year, an experienced pro that can certainly help him in my opinion.

3 hours ago, RedStarTorphins said:

You don’t think the squad is a bit thin/weak on certain areas?

I do.

All outfield areas apart from central midfield.

We have TWO strikers.

We are weak for wingers (if we’re counting Kennedy & McLennan). McGinn can’t play there now, & Hayes showed signs of coming up for 34. 
Hedges might play off the right… we need a fast winger.

Central defence:

Gallagher - should be solid

Considine - should be a back up now

Devlin - injury prone waste of a wage

McCrorie - not really a central defender.

Here's what I think we have.....

GK - Lewis, Woods

RB - McCrorie, Gurr, Ramsay, Virtanen

LB - Considine, McKenzie, Hayes, (even Campbell)

CB - Devlin, Gallagher (plus Considine)

CM - Ferguson, Ojo, McGeough, Brown, Campbell, Jenks

ACM - McGinn

RW/LW - Kennedy, Hedges, McLennan

F - Jet, Ramirez, Ruth (even McLennan)

That's a squad of 24. I think we definitely sign at least one more central defender (we are looking and missed out on Robertson), at least one more winger, and I'd say another forward too. I think we desperately need a #10, and I've moaned about that for years. I think our failure to have a creative attacking central midfielder has killed us no end, although Jet talks about liking to play deep, maybe that's his role???

Based on this, I'd say probably 2-4 more coming in. Anyone linked????

I'd say slap a 5 mill plus price tag on Ferguson and ship him out ASAP. We'll get that money, we need to move on from this and have replacements for him already in the squad. Finances another 4 players no problem.

3 hours ago, HaarDon said:

Agreed L. A.

To get Brown and Ramirez (who has taken a huge wage cut to join us) is advancement alone.

 

James Wilson took a pay cut too

Depends on your outlook and I’ve commented on the negativity before. We were shit last year and have upgraded if you ask me.  A lot of it is unknown which makes people nervous, particularly when you add the cultural difference coming from overseas. But I’d rather see that than the journeyman Scottish pro or an unknown from English league 1 or 2. That’s exciting to me.

weve added another coach that I think brings more to our coaching staff. History of youth development , modern methodology, and a track record, plus new blood added to existing experience.

From what I’ve seen, which isn’t much so I could be wrong, jet is better than anything we had up top last year and I was impressed with the little I saw of him. Would take him over kamberi.

brown will be a clear leader and influencer in the middle of the park, although he is older so im not expecting too much. We’ve not had a clear presence in there for years.

Gallagher is a clear upgrade in central defense, better than Taylor, and Hoban who fizzled out.

Ramirez comes with a positive background and was capped by the US not that long ago. Russel has a connection with the guy, Atlanta tried and failed to sign him last year, I think he’ll be a good signing. I’d take him over Hornby or hendry.

jenks sounds like a talented lad, I’d prefer to see him play over Ojo or mcgeough.

we’re still missing a full back or two, a winger or two, and a number 10. But as I’ve said before, I’m optimistic. 

We’ve probably got the best talent we’ve had in a very long time - McTom, Tierney, Robertson, Gilmour, Armstrong, McLean,  Fraser, Adams, McGinn, Cooper, Fleck are all premiership players. Add Christie, mcgregor, turnbull, McKenna, Forrest……Hanley looked surprisingly solid in the euros, even our Gallagher has been solid when selected.

The problem i see is that we’ve been a long ball national team and not one single one of these players plays long ball at club level. I think Souness got it spot on criticizing the tactics, I think we are capable of better than we showed. We don’t need the big target man, I think we have the skill capable of more. I don’t dislike Clarke but he has to take a look at the talent available and how they play.

38 minutes ago, RicoS321 said:

I agree with your first point, but not your solution. The midfield and the wide areas were the issue. I don't think it's stubbornness either, it's fear, as it was with McInnes (and many, many other managers). The inability to see that the game isn't going your way and a goal for the opponent is inevitable. The subs should have been on well before their second goal (well, a few minutes at least). Despite our great chance with McGinn, that game was only going one way. We needed to be proactive and take the gamble to win the game, as you nearly always do as the underdog. O'Donnell off for Forrest or Fraser and Armstrong off for Christie or Turnbull. Double sub, try and affect the game positively and throw them off their stride. Our midfield was a straight line, just as it was against the Czech Republic, and was far too easy to play against. Clarke changed nothing tactically. You only get one chance and you need to be prepared to take risks.

I thought in the second half mcginn Armstrong and mcgregor were poor, average at best. For mcginn, even the other two who played less, I’d say the third game in a week caught up to him.  We clearly lacked a steady influence in midfield, I suppose Gilmour would have done that and I’d have been tempted to move mctom back in there in the second half. I’d definitely have put on turnbull for Armstrong earlier, I though he was piss poor and gave the ball away endlessly, plus in dykes and mcginn I agree, mcinnes like loyalty when clearly it wasn’t working and a change was needed. No clue why Patterson came on and forest stayed on the bench when you need more creativity and attacking flair.

we score two headers if Adams and mcginn were braver, big difference to the game if we score one or both.

I thought today was our worst performance of the three, but I also think Croatia are still a tidy side.

3 hours ago, KGB said:

I’m seriously starting to lose patience with this ridiculous circus we’ve become a part of. 

What circus? The only negative noise I hear is from our own fans not giving glass and the new signings the benefit of the doubt. It’s our own doing.

7 hours ago, sancho_panza said:

If we win by one goal then we need at least two of these as far as I can work out:

Group B

- Belgium win or Denmark win / Finland win and Russia draw

 

Group C

- Ukraine and Austria is not a draw

 

Group E

- Poland don't win or Poland win by 3+ goals

 

Group F

- France win / Portugal win by 3+ goals / Hungary win by one goal

I’m pretty confident Ukraine and Belgium win tomorrow leaving Finland and Austria on 3 points in 3rd place in their groups. 
Groups E and F could really go any way, too tough to figure out.

But win by 2 and we’re good if you ask me. Tough ask I know.