For fucks sake Manc where’s the game day thread. 
 

Mitov out and P&J reporting that Nilsen out injured for next few weeks as well. Really glad I booked that expensive train ticket. 

 

Match is a sell out according to club. 
 

 

Huge game really. You'd expect Hibs to beat St Johnstone. You don't want to fall further behind when your last seven games would be an away game, Rangers at home, then five top six games where no-one really goes on a consistent run.

 

With Nilsen out, this is Clarkson's big chance. He's played okay recently but needs to now get a consistent run of form and hold down that position. Palaversa too needs to step up as Shinnie needs managed so he's not running himself into the ground when we need him for some big games coming up.

Always good to know you can rely on your subs bench to get the match thread going, ta @Jute 😉

Clarkson has been playing well, but it'll be interesting to see if Shinnie gets shunted back in to mid (i'd prefer him at LB). Obviously Well had a great result at Ibrox and played quite well, as well as being typically physical, so whether a Palaversa / Clarkson combo has enough bite or nous to avoid the battles in the middle will be a big test. Nice that it is a sell-out, just hope the team turn up! Sokler is fit again, so i'd imagine we see some decent minutes from him in the second half? Will it be him and Nisbet up top even, as I'd imagine Dabbagh may come off the bench due to the international games?

I know we are looking to third place. But there are some connotations regards the top six. I believe if we were to not lose and as long as hearts don’t beat Celtic at Celtic park, that guarantees us to be in the top six. Motherwell and Hearts play each other in the last game before the split so only one of them would be able to better our points tally with two games remaining. Of course a win would be great and a must I think if we are to get 3rd and that automatic European qualification. 

17 hours ago, Panda said:

Huge game really.

Let me correct that for you Panda

17 hours ago, Panda said:

Huge game....REALLY?

I dunno how I feel about gunning for third. Bragging rights and a bit more cash are obvious pros. But we don't have the squad to compete in Europe AND at home yet. One summer window will not be enough to convince me either. 

The January window showed me JT can fix problems. But I think he needs another season in the doldrums of domestic football to build a squad capable of actually doing anything exciting in Europe. 

On this game, Well look like they'll bring a sizeable support up to Pittodrie which could make for a cracking atmosphere with our sold out home areas. But I reckon we will just edge it (glass half-full as always)

2-1 Dons, Jensen & Knoester 

As this is last season 3rd could be guaranteed European group football think we need to get in to get in and make the cash. 

Mitov injury not as bad as first feared, but not available tomorrow and still a doubt for semi.

Nilsen definitely out. Tobers not far away but out tomorrow.

I'd drop Gueye. Morris too. Devlin if fit should start. Let's do this Aberdeen.

4 hours ago, Reekie_Red said:

I dunno how I feel about gunning for third. Bragging rights and a bit more cash are obvious pros. But we don't have the squad to compete in Europe AND at home yet. One summer window will not be enough to convince me either. 

The January window showed me JT can fix problems. But I think he needs another season in the doldrums of domestic football to build a squad capable of actually doing anything exciting in Europe. 

On this game, Well look like they'll bring a sizeable support up to Pittodrie which could make for a cracking atmosphere with our sold out home areas. But I reckon we will just edge it (glass half-full as always)

2-1 Dons, Jensen & Knoester 

I’ve said that before too, Europe is running and we can barely walk. Another full year of overhaul/clean up certainly helps, but the money is certainly a huge factor. Ideally we get another season to find our feet, but, at the same time, our league is pretty shit - we have been pretty awful for 5 months and are 1pt off third. Does playing in Europe really make that much of a difference?

1 hour ago, OrlandoDon said:

I’ve said that before too, Europe is running and we can barely walk. Another full year of overhaul/clean up certainly helps, but the money is certainly a huge factor. Ideally we get another season to find our feet, but, at the same time, our league is pretty shit - we have been pretty awful for 5 months and are 1pt off third. Does playing in Europe really make that much of a difference?

No brainer for me.

All about dining at the table and the financial rewards that it brings rather than feeding off the scraps thrown at others because of the Erse Cheeks performance in European football.

There is also the small matter of personally not getting any younger and keen to enjoy more trips as I approach my 45th anniversary of following Aberdeen in European competitions 

European groups are tedious pish. Fourth and if we get to the groups on merit, then that might give an indication of squad strength.

10 minutes ago, RicoS321 said:

European groups are tedious pish. Fourth and if we get to the groups on merit, then that might give an indication of squad strength.

Fecking youngsters nowadays 😂

Should be an enjoyable one today. Time to unleash the secret weapon in midfield: Polvara. Biggest worry is that they play a high press and we have Doohan in goal. I can see us losing a goal via dicking about trying to draw them in. We'll need at least two today I reckon. Hopefully Nisbet returns thoroughly pished off at the abysmal Scotland performance, and gets torn into this weegie pish.

Looks like Shinnie at left back. I do think Clarkson and Palaversa is an interesting partnership in midfield though.

Jensen clearly the first choice right back now which is a shame for Devlin as Jensen's performances have been erratic.

 

19 hours ago, BigAl said:

No brainer for me.

All about dining at the table and the financial rewards that it brings rather than feeding off the scraps thrown at others because of the Erse Cheeks performance in European football.

There is also the small matter of personally not getting any younger and keen to enjoy more trips as I approach my 45th anniversary of following Aberdeen in European competitions 

Does playing in Europe make that much of a difference - I’m meaning in terms of the league. Like I said, awful 5 months and we’re 1 point off third, I don’t think a euro run makes a significant difference, and the money is worth it.

3 minutes ago, Panda said:

Looks like Shinnie at left back. I do think Clarkson and Palaversa is an interesting partnership in midfield though.

Jensen clearly the first choice right back now which is a shame for Devlin as Jensen's performances have been erratic.

 

Really? I think Jensen has been pretty consistent. Devlin was gassed and running on empty, then got injured. Jensen has been an attacking threat at right back and has improved since he signed and got used to the league. While not Doug rougvie, he’s been more physical too, don’t think he deserves to be dropped. Tough one as I rate devlin.

42 minutes ago, OrlandoDon said:

Really? I think Jensen has been pretty consistent. Devlin was gassed and running on empty, then got injured. Jensen has been an attacking threat at right back and has improved since he signed and got used to the league. While not Doug rougvie, he’s been more physical too, don’t think he deserves to be dropped. Tough one as I rate devlin.

I wasn't saying Jensen particularly deserved to be dropped today, I'm saying he clearly is the first choice RB ahead of Devlin now as he's starting every game ahead of Devlin, and I don't think Jensen has produced the level of performance to push ahead of someone who has generally always been consistent until being overplayed.

I disagree Jensen has been consistent. I think he shows flashes of good things.

Shit goal. Awful defending of the cross from nisbet, stand infront of him and he doesn’t cross.

Christ sake

Less than five minutes and a simple goal for Motherwell 

Pretty much a free header

Throw in close to the corner flag and we go back to Doohan ffs.

Keskinen should score!

Alfie!!!! New #9?

Can we get Gueye off please?

We are definitely fiesty and more physical today…