Its a wee bit wet down here today. My flat car park is flooded and the roads are full of water as the drains cant cope. If it was to continue all day there may be a slight risk of the pitch being unplayable....BBC says its to rain until 3ish. Just thought I would worry you all 

 

 

Might be a blessing if it gets called off, with all these injuries...

 

ABERDEEN MANAGER'S CUP GAMBLE

 

08:50 - 29 January 2008

 

Jimmy Calderwood is ready for the biggest gamble of his managerial career in tonight's League Cup semi-final against Dundee United at Tynecastle.

 

The Dons manager has five players ruled out due toinjury or ineligibility and five more rated doubtful.

 

Captain Scott Severin, Jamie Smith and Derek Young, who were all injured in Saturday's home defeat by Hearts, have not yet recovered, while Dan Smith and Steve Lovell have sufferedinjuries in training.

 

Richie Byrne, Michael Hart, Karim Touzani and Sone Aluko are all missing due to injury and new signing Stuart Duff is ineligible. The fitness of Severin, Smith and Young is of particular concern to the Dons manager as he prepares for tonight's game against United.

 

He said: "It is worrying and all the boys doubtful are rated at 50-50 but we just have to get on with it.

 

"If it was 30-70 I wouldn't risk them as I don't want to lose players for long spells but I have honest enough lads who will be sensible when it comes to assessing their fitness. If I take a gamble and we win then fine but I would hate to lose the game and lose players for six weeks. It would be disastrous."

 

With a Scottish Cup tie next up on Saturday and the two ties against Bayern Munich in the Uefa Cup in two weeks, the Dons manager may err on the side of caution.

 

He said: "If Derek Young, Scott Severin and Jamie Smith are still 50-50 in the morning then we may have to tell them just to leave it and go with the guys we have fit.

 

"I hate going into the day of a game not knowing what team I can put out. I like to have my team sorted out and our set-up for set-pieces but I haven't been able to do that all season."

 

Having lost 3-0 at Tanna-dice to Craig Levein's side little more than a week ago, Calderwood is hoping for a much improved display from his players in Edinburgh.

 

He said: "United are a difficult team to beat. They won four of the last five games against us which shows how hard it is going to be.

 

"You don't have a divine right to be in a final but we have done well in our time here and it would be nice to get to our first final.

 

"We were very poor in the last game at Tannadice but it is not as if we have been outplayed by them. We have been shooting ourselves in the foot and it is these mistakes which cost you games.

 

"We haven't had consist-ency all season, especially in defence, and it has hurt us big time. Sadly, it shows no signs of changing."

Still raining heavily and reports of flooding in the Murrayfield area.

Potential fixture pile-up if tonight gets postponed and the SFA haven't sorted out the Hamilton/Brechin situation by Saturday.

Doesn't look good and I just can't see past us getting pumped.

 

Too many players out injured and those that are 50-50 aren't going to throw themselves about, in case they miss the glamour tie against Bayern.  Couple that with our inconsistancy and you've got a recipe for disaster.

 

The only way we'll get through is if they pull a performance out of the bag like the other cup ties.  If they do then there's no doubting, their win bonuses must be decent.

It's nae like any football gets played on the Tynecastle pitch these days anyway!!

Tynecastle can take a lot of water, been told there is a pitch inspection at 12.

Tynecastle can take a lot of water, been told there is a pitch inspection at 12.

 

Confirm inspection is planned for mid day

2pm inspection. FaKt.

2pm inspection. FaKt.

 

FaCt even

 

Confrimed on RedWeb

 

We need this game to be off, because they'll be without the ginger cunt in any rearranged game.

My source just told me that the 12pm inspection was speculation cheers! 

 

Looking a bit lighter than it did 20mins ago

I'd be gutted if the game was off, I'm well up for it. Dons seem to do well in the face of adveristy especially when they are expected to get pumped, I can see us winning the night. Get this game on.

FaCt even

 

Confrimed on RedWeb

 

We need this game to be off, because they'll be without the ginger cunt in any rearranged game.

 

It's bucketing down here, thats what'll hit over there in an hour or 2.

Pitch inspection at 2pm.

Fixture pile-up if it gets called off.

Pitch inspection at 2pm.

Fixture pile-up if it gets called off.

 

Indeed, and was pretty much that in any case!

Tynecastle can take a lot of water, been told there is a pitch inspection at 12.

 

Is that a kind way of saying "Hearts are a right load of pish"?

Indeed, and was pretty much that in any case!

 

And who knows if Saturday's game will proceed or not.

This would be the last thing our league campaign needs.

knowing that the fact that the SFA, SPL, SFL never seem to know what one another are doing I'd be amazed if they didnt try to schedule a game on the Monday before the Munich home game or something ridiculous like that.

Reliable source has just told me that as things stand at present the pitch is unplayable and if inspected just now game would be off

One of the corners underwater as I type, but apprently if the rain stops soon, COULD still drain away. If not, replay is next Tuesday.

One of the corners underwater as I type, but apprently if the rain stops soon, COULD still drain away. If not, replay is next Tuesday.

 

Arse. I am supposed to be in London then.

We have:

29th - Today - in doubt

2nd - Saturday - In doubt

5th - Tues - Possible for tonights game if called off

10th - Sat - League

14th - Thur - Uefa

17th - Sun - League

21st - Thur - Uefa

24th - Sun - League

27th - Wed - League

1st - Sat - League

4th/5th - Tue/Wed - possible for Sco Cup game to be played or a replay

8th Sat - Scottish Cup 6th Round

 

Reliable source has just told me that as things stand at present the pitch is unplayable and if inspected just now game would be off

 

I also have a source (employee working at hearts) saying the same thing

From the hearts site:

 

Meanwhile, a 2pm pitch inspection will determine whether tonight's first CIS Insurance Cup semi final between Aberdeen and Dundee United will go ahead at Tynecastle.

 

With parts of goalmouth areas, and corner flag under water at present the game is rated doubtful, however every effort will be made to see if the park can be made playable.

With parts of goalmouth areas, and corner flag under water

 

Might suit that diving cheating bastard Mikoliunas in training.

Great...I was really looking forward to today. No chance i'll be able to make it next week either.