smedDUm wrote:

not worth a topic of its own so excuse me for hijacking 'no striker lined up' topic

scotland u/21s are live on the BBC Scotland channel tonight v turkey (away) 7.30pm kick off

chris mochrie is the only terror in the squad but doubt if he'll start, this is his first call up for the 21s & he's young enough to still be in the Scotland u/19 squad.

so you can flick between the u/21s & the big Scotland squad who kick off at 7.45pm in austria.

 
Not even on the bench as far as I can see.

Mochie hasn't played many games for United probably called up as a stand by. 

And we need a big centre forward. 

Double false nines can get in the bin. Football is an easy game made complicated. 

Tek wrote:

According to Scott Burns.

Despite several rumours to the contrary online.

This will be a huge mistake on the clubs part.

1 fit Striker at the club.

Shambles. Utter shambles.
 

Fat Tony again culpable

This didn't take long for the lack of balance to creep up. Thank christ we have had a decent start to the season or this place would be carnage.

At the end of the day no one knows why we don't have another striker. Did Tam not won't any more as he was planning to only start with one. Did TA say no because he was happy with the squad. did MO say no because the purse strings were too tight?

So back to the balance -
The manager that TA appointed has surprised everyone so far. good decision it seems.
The Mulgrew signing that most disagreed with - down to TA
The Levitt loan signing - MoTM last night - likely down to TA
The Pawlett contract extension that NO ONE agreed with - down to TA

One possible negative angle and the knives come out. This isn't about anyone being above criticism, this is folk waiting to take a pop and they've had to wait longer than expected. As well as ignoring the positives. 

Edited to add the PP example after seeing a whole other thread about it!!
 

Last edited by Lilley01 (24/9/2021 9:20 am)

A "dummy out the pram" response is painful patter to be honest and is just avoidance of the issue. You'll see in the initial post that type of pish  was pre-empted and clearly stated that no one is above criticism but anyone's performance should be viewed in the round. 

If being fucked is being 5th in the league and wining more games than we're losing then that's not too bad eh? maybe some folk do know what they're doing and some folk just like to moan to suit their own made up agendas. It's divisive and boring. 

And again, you, or anyone else, has no idea what the recruitment strategy was

There is absolutely no contradiction on PP, just further evidence really. That's an apology to the player for improving his game.

So you'll agree on all the points i mentioned then that in balance things aren't all that bad?
 

Balance:
Nearly all aspects of recruitments have been good/impressive.
Caveats:
1) Jury out on Finnish laddie.
2) Likewise McNulty.
3) Woeful failure to sign Striker

Take you up on your bet .

Finn Seemann wrote:

Lots of revisionism going on here.

If Siegrist hadn't got himself injured he'd have been off.  Leaving an aging Carson as No.1, good keeper but I don't think a significant upgrade on Mehmet (and also likely to have more sick days).  Mulgrew has been good, but again we are not likely to see him week in week out.  Edwards (a MM signing) has been the main man in the defence although expect us to cash in on him soon.  McMann has been a good replacement for Robson so far, although most would argue that wasn't difficult.  We've got a 16 year old we were trying to flog as cover for CH and Reynolds who is pretty much finished.  At right back Smith is average although the boy Freeman looks good (albeit we only played him in his position after shoehorning the 16 year old in there).

Midfield has been good.  Fuchs great (but how long will we keep him).  Levitt (to be fair to Tony a great signing - but only a loan)  and Harkes seems to be confounding the critics too.  Pawlett, I'm not convinced we'll see a long enough injury free run but good while he stays fit. Niskanen, might be a find although he's clearly no Eamonn Bannon.  A few youngsters pushing for starts too.

Upfront we are eye wateringly poor.  McNulty is not the answer.  Clark is Championship quality and Appere too.  I'm all for shoring it up from the back first, but we surely needed more options up front.  

Personally I am surprised at our league position and think it flatters us.  Delighted however.  But we can't be resting on our laurels.  Courts has done well so far but a poor run will come and we need to hope that we've built up enough points to avoid being drawn in at the bottom because this team will not score goals.

 
What a ridiculously negative post.
Our best team (IMO) in 7 years and stilĺ moaning

Finn Seemann wrote:

Beharder wrote:

Finn Seemann wrote:

Lots of revisionism going on here.

If Siegrist hadn't got himself injured he'd have been off.  Leaving an aging Carson as No.1, good keeper but I don't think a significant upgrade on Mehmet (and also likely to have more sick days).  Mulgrew has been good, but again we are not likely to see him week in week out.  Edwards (a MM signing) has been the main man in the defence although expect us to cash in on him soon.  McMann has been a good replacement for Robson so far, although most would argue that wasn't difficult.  We've got a 16 year old we were trying to flog as cover for CH and Reynolds who is pretty much finished.  At right back Smith is average although the boy Freeman looks good (albeit we only played him in his position after shoehorning the 16 year old in there).

Midfield has been good.  Fuchs great (but how long will we keep him).  Levitt (to be fair to Tony a great signing - but only a loan)  and Harkes seems to be confounding the critics too.  Pawlett, I'm not convinced we'll see a long enough injury free run but good while he stays fit. Niskanen, might be a find although he's clearly no Eamonn Bannon.  A few youngsters pushing for starts too.

Upfront we are eye wateringly poor.  McNulty is not the answer.  Clark is Championship quality and Appere too.  I'm all for shoring it up from the back first, but we surely needed more options up front.  

Personally I am surprised at our league position and think it flatters us.  Delighted however.  But we can't be resting on our laurels.  Courts has done well so far but a poor run will come and we need to hope that we've built up enough points to avoid being drawn in at the bottom because this team will not score goals.

 
What a ridiculously negative post.
Our best team (IMO) in 7 years and stilĺ moaning

Your negative appears to = my realistic.  Although, if we had something upfront I might agree with your best team comment - without that we can't be.  We've been total mince for 7 years so its not that great an accolade though.

 
Sounds like your realistic = my oh ffs wake up and smell the roses. Unless you have millions you are about to surprise us all by investing...

Finn Seemann wrote:

Lots of revisionism going on here.

If Siegrist hadn't got himself injured he'd have been off.  Leaving an aging Carson as No.1, good keeper but I don't think a significant upgrade on Mehmet (and also likely to have more sick days).  Mulgrew has been good, but again we are not likely to see him week in week out.  Edwards (a MM signing) has been the main man in the defence although expect us to cash in on him soon.  McMann has been a good replacement for Robson so far, although most would argue that wasn't difficult.  We've got a 16 year old we were trying to flog as cover for CH and Reynolds who is pretty much finished.  At right back Smith is average although the boy Freeman looks good (albeit we only played him in his position after shoehorning the 16 year old in there).

Midfield has been good.  Fuchs great (but how long will we keep him).  Levitt (to be fair to Tony a great signing - but only a loan)  and Harkes seems to be confounding the critics too.  Pawlett, I'm not convinced we'll see a long enough injury free run but good while he stays fit. Niskanen, might be a find although he's clearly no Eamonn Bannon.  A few youngsters pushing for starts too.

Upfront we are eye wateringly poor.  McNulty is not the answer.  Clark is Championship quality and Appere too.  I'm all for shoring it up from the back first, but we surely needed more options up front.  

Personally I am surprised at our league position and think it flatters us.  Delighted however.  But we can't be resting on our laurels.  Courts has done well so far but a poor run will come and we need to hope that we've built up enough points to avoid being drawn in at the bottom because this team will not score goals.

Agree with this. Desperately needing a decent striker plus maybe one more up front.

Finn Seemann wrote:

Lots of revisionism going on here.

If Siegrist hadn't got himself injured he'd have been off.  Leaving an aging Carson as No.1, good keeper but I don't think a significant upgrade on Mehmet (and also likely to have more sick days).  Mulgrew has been good, but again we are not likely to see him week in week out.  Edwards (a MM signing) has been the main man in the defence although expect us to cash in on him soon.  McMann has been a good replacement for Robson so far, although most would argue that wasn't difficult.  We've got a 16 year old we were trying to flog as cover for CH and Reynolds who is pretty much finished.  At right back Smith is average although the boy Freeman looks good (albeit we only played him in his position after shoehorning the 16 year old in there).

Midfield has been good.  Fuchs great (but how long will we keep him).  Levitt (to be fair to Tony a great signing - but only a loan)  and Harkes seems to be confounding the critics too.  Pawlett, I'm not convinced we'll see a long enough injury free run but good while he stays fit. Niskanen, might be a find although he's clearly no Eamonn Bannon.  A few youngsters pushing for starts too.

Upfront we are eye wateringly poor.  McNulty is not the answer.  Clark is Championship quality and Appere too.  I'm all for shoring it up from the back first, but we surely needed more options up front.  

Personally I am surprised at our league position and think it flatters us.  Delighted however.  But we can't be resting on our laurels.  Courts has done well so far but a poor run will come and we need to hope that we've built up enough points to avoid being drawn in at the bottom because this team will not score goals.

. ... Revisionism - that's football - you can only really go on your last game.

Think you might be looking at the cup half empty here Finn.

Agree 101% with you that we've been woefully tardy in bringing in a target man consequently goals at present hard to come by.

But to your every point there's a counter-argument.

Proof of the pudding being on the park the other day, performance reflected good team spirit, good belief in the gaffer shown by sticking to his high press entertaining football and good simple high workrate basic football (again good positive coaching.)     - Big improvement on last year. 
- Oh and the result wasnae bad either.
- Not tae mention 5th on table 7 games in. No fluke.

Last year we'd a Scotland striker, failed to get the ball to him largely by way of CB's continually lumping the ball up the park, no left wing didnae help either. Still 2 points off 5th (thanks Connolly.)
This year we're already seeing improvement.
This year we're working it out from the back, making our excellent midfield effective and hopefully Niskanen will prove a talent. I actually rate Clark - good 60 minute man and another good team man.
One day they'll surprise us and put a truckload past somebody and meantime nobody's going to put many past us.

Fair enough we'll lose talent, but that's the nature of Scottish football - every other team will do too.
You're saying Fuchs, Benji,Edwards will be offski. 2 of the 3 will I agree.
But to sell talent we have to develop it in the first place, by way of the academy or by bringing in guys.
Exactly what we've successfully done and what we'll successfully continue to do.
- Logan Chalmers waiting in the wings, full Scotland international if he can stay fit/no get clattered.

Mr. O has a stated aim of medium term development of the club. I take him at his word.
He will sell, he has to, especially coming out of Covid.
But he is developing the team - he has to, makes sense to recoup his investment.

Don't be surprised at our posi on table, no way it flatters us, 4 off 6 against uglies no coincidence.
Plus a couple of hard fought wins.
Needs to improve indeed, we need that striker, but a fair reflection.

You reckon a poor run will come - it will agreed, again that'll happen to everybody bar Huns.
We can't rest on our laurels agreed, don't think young Tam is either (another young talent that's come through the ranks.)

So yup I'm revisionist all right, young Tam, Pawlett and Harkes have shone, midfield being allowed to shine and just quietly Fat Tony seems  to be doing his job on recruitment.
Just please, please don't leave striker to final hour of final day of January window better still pull a bunny out of the hat from somewhere.




 

Last edited by Shakey Isles Arab (29/9/2021 2:06 am)

Shakey Isles Arab wrote:

Finn Seemann wrote:

Lots of revisionism going on here.

If Siegrist hadn't got himself injured he'd have been off.  Leaving an aging Carson as No.1, good keeper but I don't think a significant upgrade on Mehmet (and also likely to have more sick days).  Mulgrew has been good, but again we are not likely to see him week in week out.  Edwards (a MM signing) has been the main man in the defence although expect us to cash in on him soon.  McMann has been a good replacement for Robson so far, although most would argue that wasn't difficult.  We've got a 16 year old we were trying to flog as cover for CH and Reynolds who is pretty much finished.  At right back Smith is average although the boy Freeman looks good (albeit we only played him in his position after shoehorning the 16 year old in there).

Midfield has been good.  Fuchs great (but how long will we keep him).  Levitt (to be fair to Tony a great signing - but only a loan)  and Harkes seems to be confounding the critics too.  Pawlett, I'm not convinced we'll see a long enough injury free run but good while he stays fit. Niskanen, might be a find although he's clearly no Eamonn Bannon.  A few youngsters pushing for starts too.

Upfront we are eye wateringly poor.  McNulty is not the answer.  Clark is Championship quality and Appere too.  I'm all for shoring it up from the back first, but we surely needed more options up front.  

Personally I am surprised at our league position and think it flatters us.  Delighted however.  But we can't be resting on our laurels.  Courts has done well so far but a poor run will come and we need to hope that we've built up enough points to avoid being drawn in at the bottom because this team will not score goals.

. ... Revisionism - that's football - you can only really go on your last game.

Think you might be looking at the cup half empty here Finn.

Agree 101% with you that we've been woefully tardy in bringing in a target man consequently goals at present hard to come by.

But to your every point there's a counter-argument.

Proof of the pudding being on the park the other day, performance reflected good team spirit, good belief in the gaffer shown by sticking to his high press entertaining football and good simple high workrate basic football (again good positive coaching.)     - Big improvement on last year. 
- Oh and the result wasnae bad either.
- Not tae mention 5th on table 7 games in. No fluke.

Last year we'd a Scotland striker, failed to get the ball to him largely by way of CB's continually lumping the ball up the park, no left wing didnae help either. Still 2 points off 5th (thanks Connolly.)
This year we're already seeing improvement.
This year we're working it out from the back, making our excellent midfield effective and hopefully Niskanen will prove a talent. I actually rate Clark - good 60 minute man and another good team man.
One day they'll surprise us and put a truckload past somebody and meantime nobody's going to put many past us.

Fair enough we'll lose talent, but that's the nature of Scottish football - every other team will do too.
You're saying Fuchs, Benji,Edwards will be offski. 2 of the 3 will I agree.
But to sell talent we have to develop it in the first place, by way of the academy or by bringing in guys.
Exactly what we've successfully done and what we'll successfully continue to do.
- Logan Chalmers waiting in the wings, full Scotland international if he can stay fit/no get clattered.

Mr. O has a stated aim of medium term development of the club. I take him at his word.
He will sell, he has to, especially coming out of Covid.
But he is developing the team - he has to, makes sense to recoup his investment.

Don't be surprised at our posi on table, no way it flatters us, 4 off 6 against uglies no coincidence.
Plus a couple of hard fought wins.
Needs to improve indeed, we need that striker, but a fair reflection.

You reckon a poor run will come - it will agreed, again that'll happen to everybody bar Huns.
We can't rest on our laurels agreed, don't think young Tam is either (another young talent that's come through the ranks.)

So yup I'm revisionist all right, young Tam, Pawlett and Harkes have shone, midfield being allowed to shine and just quietly Fat Tony seems  to be doing his job on recruitment.
Just please, please don't leave striker to final hour of final day of January window better still pull a bunny out of the hat from somewhere.
 

Good post.   I'll admit to being more of a cup half empty rather than half full sort of person!  Although I am not sure there is a counter argument to all my points.  First one being Siegrist would have already been sold if he hadn't injured himself.

I agree with your team spirit point - Courts has, it appears, done well with the changing room - they do appear to be singing from the same hymn sheet.  I've been pleasantly surprised by Courts.  His appointment was a risk but one that Asghar and Ogren appear, so far, to have got right - albeit as I say the real test comes with a bad run which is unfortunately inevitable.  My gripe as ever is with the more structural issues at the club.

I agree that we will lose talent, that's where we are in the grand pecking order.  But we have to do that sustainably.  We have not done that with Shankland.  We needed to replace him with someone and McNulty was not that someone he just "replaced" himself with another loan.  So in terms of strikers we've actually only got Clark and Appere on the books plus any in the Academy and I haven't heard that anyone in the Academy is threatening a first team start in that position.  I don't think 2 strikers who are, let's face it, not clear top league standard, is a sustainable position.  This is going to be our achilles heal this season that is for sure.  If we don't do it sustainably then we are looking at another post Armstrong/GMS-esque melt down - and that means keeping a core of senior players throughout the team (i.e. Siegrist/Carson, Edwards/Mulgrew, Fuchs/Butcher, Clark /?).  It is the flogging of these core players that concerns me most as we can't bring through the kids without that core.

I do think 5th flatters us.  The performances against the Old Firm have been excellent, but I am not that convinced that the other performances have been much different from last season.  People say that the second half in the cup loss to Hibs was good (I didn't see that game) so maybe you are seeing a pattern develop that I haven't.  This weekend will be a big test of that improvement.  RC at home is a game a 5th placed team should be winning comfortably - let's hope we do.

Much as it hurts my anti-Tony arguments, I will say that I am impressed that we've managed to pick up a player like Levitt on loan.  If he keeps his performance at Parkhead up in future games he'll be one of the best loans in recent SPFL times.  But he is still a loan and that doesn't really help our medium term development.  The true test of Courts will come in whether he can get our Academy players to come through into the first team.  The model is based upon that - bar Smith (who is a huge talent) I am not seeing any evidence that we are making those steps.

So forgive me for looking at things a little more long term than the current good league position.  Maybe I should just enjoy the "good times" while they are happening, but that isn't really my style.