1 | General Discussion » Trump: Is the 25th Amendment a possibility? » 21/1/2026 8:51 pm |
- Macbonzo
- Replies: 2
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We have all witnessed the increasingly incoherent speeches from Trump and now his disregard for the separation of powers, rule of law and respect of sovereignty in regard to Venezuela and now Greenland.
People use terms like “narcissistic” “insane” “dictator” but is it not something much more simple - Frontotemporal dementia (FTD)? About 18 months ago, I saw him using both hand to pick up a glass of water. Then, just before he was elected he was interviewed by a woman from the Association of Black Journalists. During this interview the picked up his interviewer’s glass of water which was a metre away from his.
Another classic symptom of FTD is a loss of inhibitions. This can take the form of language or behaviour.
How far does this go until his Cabinet invokes the 25th Amendment? It would require a majority of the Cabinet. Almost certainly Trump would not voluntarily agree to it, so it would need to be presented to him. What bothers me is that his Cabinet are a bunch of unqualified flunkies, many of whom are hardliners.
Let’s be clear, this is not a case of a forgetful elderly man like Biden who just retreated from public view. This is a crisis for everyone.
| Dundee United » Imagine a scenario... » 21/1/2026 7:38 pm |
- Macbonzo
- Replies: 13
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Tek wrote:Stillliving wrote:I'm in total agreement with the philosophy that football clubs should be run on a break even principle.
There are plenty of moans that JGs budget is poor but we still lost money last year.
When the next ' crises' hits the banking sector and it will come round again we need to be as stable an organisation as possible.
So agreeing with Finn really Celtic or Rangers away will end our Cup run , always has in the past and no ( realistic) amount of transfer market spending will change that.
Just remembered the 1980 LC semi 2nd leg at Parkhead but I'm sticking with my points.We're going to sell Ferry this window. We've already sold Kucherencko.
No one is advocating for us to run at a loss.
Just that not all that money goes in Ogren's back pocket.
Genuine chances to win a Cup don't come around too often.
Ogren has been pretty clear that he wants to develop (younger) players and sell them on for a profit. I think he will take at least half of the proceeds to pay down some of the debt.
We all know Ogren is going nowhere. He will not engage with supporters if it means diluting his controlling interest. It is preposterous to think that he can recoup his “investment” and pay down his debt.
I see no reason why we can’t have a decent cup run. We do have some big game players, however our record in SC finals reads played 10, won 2, lost 8.
| Dundee United » Jim Goodwin new contract agreed » 03/1/2026 10:36 pm |
- Macbonzo
- Replies: 40
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nickymkirk wrote:dyed in the wool wrote:
I'm no quite in the Goodwin Out camp as I do think he's a fair bit of credit for the last 2 seasons but it's not far away.
As I've seen posted elsewhere though...if JG goes, then who, realistically comes in?
Not making a change because the status quo is better then the alternative is the death knell of organizations. Needs objective evaluation and you’d imagine the club has internal benchmarks that either are or are not being achieved. I’m not in the Goodwin out camp either but in corporate speak he and his staff do probably need to be on a performance improvement program…..even with the best will in the world recruiting new management is 50/50 at best.
Absolutely correct.
Football clubs are organisations like other businesses. Some clubs - Chelsea and Celtic are run in a shambolic way: nepotistic recruitment (Board and coaching), appalling communication, convoluted hierarchies, conflict of interests and poor financial controls.
In fairness United have a flat organisation structure and a relatively good communicating (despite our owners reticence to engage with “stakeholders”)
On a purely personal level I favour non British managers because for me they bring a much more rounded skill set. Apart from Eddie Howe are there any top half EPL clubs with British managers?
Goodwin has done a brilliant job, but, could a non British manager do better with our current squad?
| Dundee United » The Academy - Is it worth the money? » 15/12/2025 3:43 pm |
- Macbonzo
- Replies: 25
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Tek wrote:
Most of the focus in the last 5 years of Ogren's tenure has been to sell as many Academy players as possible, for profit.
How many have we actually sold in that time?
Scott Banks
Jamie Robson
Kerr Smith
Louis Appere
Kai Fotheringham
Rory Macleod
Brandon Forbes
By my count, 7 players in 5 years.
What is the total transfer intake for the above 7? I honestly don't know.
But does it match the 3M spent on the Academy in that same time frame? Absolutely not.
Perhaps our best course of action is better recruitment in scouting, both Scotland and UK based.
I have never understood for example, the clubs recent focus on only recruiting young players from the North East.
Why not also scout from the most populas part of the country like we used to in the past? I.e. Glasgow and Lanarkshire? And indeed all over the entire country and parts of England.
That to me is possibly the way forward.
And without the huge cost of doing it via the Schools.
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I feel Ogren was conned into thinking you could have a smooth conveyor belt of talent which could be sold on EPL clubs. This was never the case. You could have 5-7 years of nothing. That is not to say we haven’t unearthed talent, on the contrary, Mark Wilson and Badger were from Coatbridge, Richard Gough was overlooked by Rangers, Barry Douglas, Paddy Connelly and Andy Robertson were all Queen Park and that’s just off the top of my head. We had a great scout in the Coatbridge area Graeme something???
I suspect one of the problems we have, is the same problem that the Old Firm has i.e. we don’t see ourselves as a “feeder” club. This means we develop young players, but, rarely play them. Very simply that is a hugely inefficient approach.
It reminds me of something Ian Cathro said when he was trying to coach 10 year olds. If you tell a kid: “don’t lose the ball”, “if in doubt clear your lines” “get in their faces”, how you foster talent? Football is a game about individual e
| Dundee United » January Transfer Window » 11/12/2025 4:13 pm |
- Macbonzo
- Replies: 17
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JerryDungle wrote:Finn Seemann wrote:
Conway has always hated Goodwin. He's entitled to that opinion, but we only hear it when we are in a slump.
I was at Killie and St Mirren. We were the better team at Killie and the game was evenly matched at the SMISA (like every game I have seen there - this one fortune fell their way - if Sapsford had scored his one on one then I think we go on to win that one). I missed our good performance against The Rangers.
Our main issue is the defence. Both keepers look prone to the odd error or two and Bert doesn't win enough aerials for me to be the main CH. Ross Graham will help the latter point, but it is clear he's going to need a few games to get up to match level and also to get to know playing with his new teammates in a match scenario. We need to stop losing soft goals. Goodwin managed that last year with a boy who is currently rooting Ross County to the bottom of the Championship (not to mention last years best midfielder).
There is a wee bit of a panic due to form, but knee-jerk reactions from Ogren are not what we need. My confidence of him choosing someone better than Goodwin for the role is at zero. We need to remember what Goodwin has done behind the scenes as well as on the park. For that he gets more time for me. Top six looks beyond us at the moment, but consolidation as the best of the rest is good enough for me this season. Significantly below that and questions will rightly be asked and relegation = inevitable regime change.
I think we probably need a keeper in January although I'm OK with Kuch coming back if his confidence isn't shot.
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I mostly agree with this. I think binning Goodwin based on this run of form is chucking the baby out with the bath water. He’s not perfect, but he’s done a lot of good in his time here, enough to have my belief that he’ll get us out of it.
I don’t think top 6 is achievable this season either, Hearts, Hibs and Aberdeen are better t
| Dundee United » Dundee United vs Motherwell - Saturday 13th December » 09/12/2025 2:54 pm |
- Macbonzo
- Replies: 45
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Macho Man wrote:
I can make myself available for the managers gig if Goodwin leaves.....
If you get the gig, could you please get shot of Mathers and Marcin (Sports Medicine) guy.
| Dundee United » St.Mirren vs United - Saturday 6th December » 07/12/2025 9:43 am |
- Macbonzo
- Replies: 34
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Tek wrote:
Definitely starting to get worried.
No clean sheet since September in our home win against Aberdeen.
No win since October
Lost the first goal in 9 of our last 10 games
Players who were flying in the Summer, now looking a shadow of themselves (Keresztes, Bert, Dolcek)
Other players been poor all season (Vicko, Ferry)
Both Goalkeepers making errors nearly every week
Injuries mounting up again (and to key men)
Grumblings in the support towards Goodwin again
December looks like it's going to be a very trying period.
We will find out what Jim Goodwin and the players are made of. Either good or bad.
I suspect we will go into the Winter Transfer Window realising we are in a relegation dogfight between ourselves, Dundee, Killie and Livi.
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I don’t think we can wait any longer. This is not working. It’s not one thing, it’s many things. The most glaring issue for me, is the lack of cohesion within the team. They look scared. You can’t play not to lose. A defence (and particularly a goalkeeper) cannot be petrified of making a mistake. At not point, this season have we seen Iovu, Bert and KK all having a good game. Togetherness has to mean something. We don’t have it and that goes back to Goodwin.
To be successful (in most things), you need clarity, commitment and composure. We don’t have it. In his post match interview Goodwin reiterated “we need to work harder at training and create a togetherness” After four months this group of players have deteriorated.
I wanted to see Goodwin at the club and I think his achievements have to be praised. Furthermore, I really think he is genuinely a sincere individual (Dave Cormack gave him a lot of support), but when something is patently not working you change it. Leadership is about making decisions without fear of making mistakes. Procrastinating and hoping things will get better is a weakness.
What works for a group of predominantly Scottish players in terms of motivation, training and coa
| Dundee United » Dundee United vs Rangers - Wednesday 3rd December (7.45PM) » 04/12/2025 8:18 am |
- Macbonzo
- Replies: 31
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I thought there was a lot to like about the performance. After some of the most recent home performances, there was a togetherness and sense of purpose from the whole team. I was delighted to see that Iovu and Bert looking much more confident (maybe being rested last Saturday helped them).
I do agree with Tek in terms of our inability to finish teams off. It’s all very well playing well and getting draws, but, do we lack a “Fergie” desire to win?
I noticed Richards punching the ball, when in my opinion he should have caught it. This bothers me. Two weeks ago, I questioned what Mathers was doing vis a vis Kuch. I am still unclear whether our goalkeepers are being coached to punch the ball or whether they lack the confidence to catch the ball. McCann (on Sportscene) suggested that goalkeepers are being coached to “parry” the ball.
Lastly, in terms of the refereeing decisions, it is an inescapable fact that we have lost four points in two games. If it was just us, I would be livid, but the whole thing has reached a farcical point. Managers are going to get sacked and teams are going to get relegated due to the utter failure of officials to apply a set of rules consistently. This in turns raises questions of biases, corruption and even betting syndicates. The fact that Rangers are getting crucial decisions going in their favour nearly every week just perpetuates the lack of faith in the whole VAR system.
| Dundee United » Dundee United vs Rangers - Wednesday 3rd December (7.45PM) » 02/12/2025 10:45 am |
- Macbonzo
- Replies: 31
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SuperMario wrote:
Do we gamble with Watters and Graham essentially 3 games in a week if you include the county game.
Can’t decide between 2 teams.
Richards
Sevelj Graham KK
Strain Stephenson camera sibbald ferry
Sapsford Watters
Or
Richards
Strain Graham kk ferry
Stephenson camera sibbald
Fatah Watters sapsford
I would go with the first set up. Naturally it comes with a risk, but, I really feel we play better with width. For most of the home games this season, we seem to start off on the back foot and then try and dig ourselves out the hole. I was impressed by Ross Graham lasting the 90mins on Saturday. I would like to see a decent atmosphere too. Finally, I think Stirton should get a chance at some point.
| Dundee United » Kilmarnock vs United - Saturday 29th November (5.45PM) » 28/11/2025 2:07 pm |
- Macbonzo
- Replies: 26
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BMT wrote:
Jim is on the front page of the Evening Telegraph saying there is no crisis at Utd!
I think it’s a big game for Goodwin. One bad loss isn’t the end of the world, BUT, it’s the first time I’ve noticed, in the post match interview, that he was rattled.
There seem to be a lot of unknowns going on: What is Mathers doing with Kucherenko? Are there underlying issues we are unaware of? Why was Ross Goodwin talking to the press about possible sell ons? Is there some friction between owner and management? Why could Goodwin not change tactics (lack of width) after 20mins against Falkirk? Why (after a positive start to the season) has the team failed to bond and lacks togetherness?
We can all come up with our preferred starting 11 for Saturday, but, ultimately if Goodwin can’t get a performance (and a result), the pressure on him will mount.
As supporters we are kept in the dark on many of the internal going ons. I just wonder if Goodwin is too?
| Dundee United » Utd vs Falkirk » 23/11/2025 11:25 am |
- Macbonzo
- Replies: 46
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Tek wrote:
A disgrace of a performance.
Keeper needs taken out the spotlight for a few weeks. He has some good qualities (shot stopping and distribution), but his ability at cross balls (or lack thereof) is absolutely killing us and will destroy his career.
I was pissed off yesterday listening to Jim Goodwin heap praise on our Goalkeeper coach, Paul Mathers. Reason being that Kucherenko is making the exact same mistakes as he has going as far back as July. After Hibs away he needed dropped and he shouldn't have played again until he stopped punching every cross. He hasn't and it's killing us. Richards has to start next week.
Back three slow and ponderous. As said above Brian Graham out-pacing us for the 3rd is eye-opening to put it mildly.
Midfield non-existent in the absence of our best player (Camara).
Forwards anonymous bar Amar Fatah who was our best player by miles.
I'll say what i've been saying all season. We have some talented players, but i don't think Jim Goodwin knows how to get the best out of them or utilise them correctly.
I also don't think he knows his best formation or best XI.
We were one dimensional last season and a horrible watch, but at least we had a game plan i.e. stop the opposition scoring at all costs, defend every set-piece, and try and nick one at the other end. We ground out so many wins and points.
I'm not sure what the game plan is this season. We are wildly up and down (sometimes even in the same match).
The Jekyll & Hyde of the Scottish Premiership.For me, something is not adding up. The remarks Goodwin made when we signed Kucherenko: “commands the box” “maturity” “technically gifted” contradict the reality. We all know his weakness but why has that not been addressed? What is Mathers actually doing? Is it possible that Mathers is encouraging him to punch the ball when under pressure or is he punching the ball because he lacks confidence? Either way I think much of this falls back on Mathers. Goalkee
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| Dundee United » Dundee United vs Motherwell - Wednesday 29th October » 30/10/2025 8:53 am |
- Macbonzo
- Replies: 39
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I do think Stirton deserves a chance. I understand that most managers are reticent to change anything but surely he has earned his right to start.
| Dundee United » R&D Tax Claim » 28/10/2025 7:46 pm |
- Macbonzo
- Replies: 48
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We must remember, when you make an “investment” you expect to make a return. As things stand we (Dundee Utd Football Club Ltd) owe Ogren about £7.9million, which is considerably more than the club is worth.
My personal view is that Ogren will not put any new money in, rather, he will hope the player trading model will go some way to paying back some of the loans. The model under the previous regime involved selling our best Academy graduates to EPL clubs and reinvesting the proceeds in the club. Quite frankly my dog could have explained why that would never work. The new approach is to scour the World for better value players and increase our asset base thus creating the possibility of selling them on to bigger clubs. I think Ross Goodwin has done a fantastic job.
I think we should accept that if we can sell on some of our players, Ogren should get a decent chuck of the proceeds.
| Lesser Teams » Can hearts win the league? » 27/10/2025 5:20 pm |
- Macbonzo
- Replies: 5
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Probably the most important factor is having a manager who can instil a winning mentality. There is a huge difference between going to Ibrox and Celtic Park to get a result and going there with the expectation of winning.
I remember when Fergie took his Aberdeen team to Celtic Park in the early 80’s . They got a draw and celebrated. Fergie went ballistic.
If I were McInnes, I would use the condescending attitude of the West of Scotland media as a motivation. I would use some of Brendan Rodgers comments as motivation. I would keep the players together, as long as possible during non training hours. Bring someone in who is top notch on NLP.
To answer the question: Yes they can, but, only if they really believe they can.
| Dundee United » Dundee United vs St.Mirren - Saturday 25th October » 25/10/2025 8:06 pm |
- Macbonzo
- Replies: 46
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I thought we started out better than we did against either Livingston or Kilmarnock, however after 20mins we ended up on the back foot. The formation was just not working. Lucky to go in level.
What does impress me is that Goodwin is capable of changing things both in terms of personnel and formation. Fatah’s introduction changed everything. I don’t think teams like Kilmarnock, Livi or St Mirren have the scope to change things mid game in the same way
| Dundee United » R&D Tax Claim » 24/10/2025 2:20 pm |
- Macbonzo
- Replies: 48
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Arabdownsouth wrote:
It's not a question that hasn't already been asked of course,but how the fuck does somebody so naive in business get so rich in the first place? It beggars belief.
Easy. Second generation. His folks built up a network of gas (petrol) stations (with associated retail). They had a gas distribution retail business too. Simple stuff, but, scalable and consistently profitable. He could have continued the business but chose to sell it off. At that stage he could have invested the proceeds for income. He didn’t, he decided to speculate. It’s a bit like looking for the next Nividia, Tesla or Netflix - your chances (even if you are a billionaire) are 10%. Peter Thiel’s book “Zero to one” is excellent on this.
But think about it: Steven Thompson, The Glazers, Rocco Forte, Sir Hugh Fraser. It’s always the second generation.
| Dundee United » R&D Tax Claim » 24/10/2025 12:00 pm |
- Macbonzo
- Replies: 48
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Arabdownsouth wrote:
Again no fucking mention of The Rangers as one of the clubs involved, Quelle surprise!
Ogren coming across as a dimwit once again though 🫤
As much as it pains me to say it, I think this is Ogren showing some candour. On a personal level I find it woefully inadequate, but, I think it’s the best we’re going to get. Even as a de facto “investor” his remoteness (and lack of trust) in the supporters bothers me. I really feel the way forward is fan ownership. Let’s be honest, whoever wants to buy the club, we almost certainly don’t want.
| Dundee United » Dundee United vs St.Mirren - Saturday 25th October » 23/10/2025 11:11 am |
- Macbonzo
- Replies: 46
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redford_must_score wrote:SuperMario wrote:
Think we’ll match up with them
Kuch
Lovu Bert kk
Stephenson camera sevelj sibbald ferry
Moller sapsford
Presuming your meaning 352 Mario, I think that's the team he'll pick. He talked post match v Rangers about St Mirrens physicality, and your 11 definitely addresses that. Camara Svelj and Sibbald v Phillips Bachus and OHara. We win that battle with Stephenson and Ferry on the flanks.
Agreed. After the performances against Kilmarnock and Livi, we need to start the game on the front foot. If not, they gain an ascendancy and we end up playing on the back foot. I think we need to stop worrying about conceding an early goal, rather, take the game to them. Very simply, if we are attacking, they’re not.
| Dundee United » As if having to go there isn't bad enough.... » 20/10/2025 8:47 am |
- Macbonzo
- Replies: 26
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Unless someone was really desperate for a job, no one would touch it. Remember when we had a Sporting Director who was in charge of recruitment, the philosophy, the style of play et al? It is exactly the same at Ibrox. Thelwell (graduate of Manchester Met) is in charge of everything. He has even appointed his son as Chief Scout on a £130k salary.
Another set of American owners will have to learn the hard way.
| Dundee United » Dufc accounts 2024 » 16/10/2025 7:52 pm |
- Macbonzo
- Replies: 9
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redford_must_score wrote:
Can anyone explain what the term "accounting interest charges" means?
Described as notional non cash items ??
400k
Link to BBC article
It’s essentially the interest on loans to the company. So Dundee Utd owe Mark Ogren about £8m. If Ogren was commercial lender the club would have to pay £400,000 pa to service the debt.
EBITDA is just a measure of operational activities (before Interest, Tax, Depreciation and Amortisation is included).
For me the turnover figure is really impressive and getting the percentage of wages to turnover down to 61% is great. That, of course has to be put in context when we consider the profligate expenditure of the previous regime. I really think Ross Goodwin’s clear out and recruitment was nothing short of brilliant.
Unfortunately the fact remains that Ogren is still owed a lot of money. We know that he is looking to offload the club. The tax case will not help.
| Dundee United » R&D Tax Claim » 14/10/2025 11:15 am |
- Macbonzo
- Replies: 48
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Tek wrote:Jims Beard wrote:
New emails undermine the timeline of Dundee United's claim for more than £1.2m in relief from HMRC, according to a tax expert who warns that the Premiership club could face a massive financial penalty over the saga. (The Courier)
And the man we all know was behind all of this, evades punishment or any accountability. He hasn't even been mentioned in the various articles published.
Makes you sick.
Another article in the paper today. Quotes another R&D tax expert, Paul Rosser. I’m actually pretty worried about this. At best it will impact our player budget, at worst deduction of points, reputational damage. I’m almost convinced that BBC Scotland will run a “Disclosures” programme on this.
| Dundee United » As if having to go there isn't bad enough.... » 12/10/2025 11:06 pm |
- Macbonzo
- Replies: 26
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redford_must_score wrote:
I never thought that Gerrard was nailed on for that despite the press wishing it to be so.
A return to Glasgow is not for everyone after you've experienced that toxicity first hand.
But the "not the right time" story doesn't ring true, sounds more like he wasn't keen on what he saw and heard at the interview.
Their selection pool continues to narrow to those who either don't really get what they would be walking into or do realise but happy to take a punt for the payoff.
Pictures of Russell Martin needing a police escort after a drawn game won't have gone without notice.
The longer this drags into next week the better, the less time a new coach has with their players counts in our favour.
My guess is that Gerrard did not like the idea of working under a Sporting Director. When The Friedkin Group took over Everton earlier this year, Thelwell was DOF. His role seemed to be to make a profit trading players. They did not renew his contract.
I suspect Gerrard would not work under that model. Not only would he want his own team in, but, he would not want to be “told” which players to sign.
| Dundee United » United vs Killie - Saturday 27th September » 27/9/2025 8:22 pm |
- Macbonzo
- Replies: 32
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I have to confess, this is that first time (in a long time) I have seen Killie at Tannadice. I was really impressed with their fitness levels and general approach. Certainly in the first half we seemed sluggish, but their first goal was excellent. Deceptively we had 58% possession. It didn’t seem that way to me. Ultimately games are won and lost on small margins. Onwards and upwards.
One final thought: The referee actually had a good game. Quite unusual.
| General Discussion » The Manchester Mafia » 13/9/2025 3:44 pm |
- Macbonzo
- Replies: 1
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This probably should be on the main board, but, I feel that I have exhausted the topic to the point of monotony, however I think it’s relevant.
I was browsing through the sports news and noticed that David Weir had resigned his position of Technical Director at Brighton and Hove Albion to move to Everton. Not surprisingly David Moyes wants someone he knows well to take up a senior role.
Having done a bit of browsing, I discovered that Lee McCulloch was Brighton’s head of “Talent and Acquisition”. Whilst doing this, another name came up, Mark McGhee - not him, his son who happens to be Financial Controller at Brighton. Ok jobs for the boys, what’s new?
I was aware that McCulloch had done the highly prestigious, elite, Master in Sporting Directorship at Manchester Met University (the pilot course Asghar graduated from in 2017). I had a look at the MSD alumni and found, not only, had David Weir completed the course but Mark McGhee Jnr was a student too.
Yet another name appeared - Robbie Neilson, who started the course in 2019 (when did he leave United)? and has just graduated with distinction.
The final name which came up really shocked me: Neil Doncaster. Neil Doncaster (whether you like him or not) is not some ex footballer trying to buy credibility, he was a solicitor with a (decent) regional firm Burgess Salmon, who already held an MBA. Why would he do a water downed Master course which you don’t even require an undergraduate degree to get on?
The only answer seems to be that we have gone beyond “jobs for the boys”. It is now a closed shop. In other words if you don’t complete the course you are not part of the club. Or as the blurb says “the elite alumni have access to an exclusive network”
Sometimes you feel football is one big Ponzi scheme.
| General Discussion » Negative bias due to appearance or speech » 11/9/2025 4:35 pm |
- Macbonzo
- Replies: 8
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Being Weegie, myself, but, never having adopted a Weegie accent, I sometimes feel I am in no man’s land. My Dad had a rich vocabulary of Scottish words which I adopted very easily. My standard pun about someone not having a dog is Dugless seems to be met with blank stares in Stirling area. I also notice that when asked for “wee” receipt/bag/Tesco card etc and I respond “do you have a medium sized one” is not considered funny outside the west.
I guess it’s a function of where you are living and who you are dealing with. I do recall an ex of mine (from Kent), visiting Glasgow for the first time. There was a wee book beside the phone with all the important numbers - Doctor, Dentist, Plumber etc. She noticed one that said “Uplifting “. She thought because all Scots were clinically depressed or suffering from SAD that you just phoned the number and someone cheered you up. It was the Council Cleansing department which did special uplifts.