Arabdownsouth wrote:

Finn Seemann wrote:

Shakey Isles Arab wrote:

Watched the goal time and again - thing of great beauty.
Anyway -
Birighitti (Ashgar signing), rapid distribution to Levitt (Ashgar signing), 40 yards across field to Middleton (Ashgar signing) to Middleton (Ashgar signing) , does old fashion winger thing and jinks past two, lays it off to McGrath (Ashgar signing just subbed on by JR - Ashgar appointment.)     McGrath places a peach of a delicate falling away instep to Middleton who's had the the vision to run inside to the middle to pick it up. Middleton curls it around two and goalie to left hand corner.
.... Credit where credit's due - got to put it down to you Tony.  You cop all the criticism, but fair play, you get all the plaudits for all the quality signings.

Edit. Rags to riches, or is that mebbe going a bit far ?   
But on the basis of that performance we're now at the stage where we've a good squad, JR spoiled for choice and being able to pick a side to suit opposition.......  Nah, given injuries/resting Fletcher & Mulgrew suffice to say we're looking good.   Oh and forgot about the Ozzie wing back yet to come once TA sorts that out. 

Perhaps we can get back to actual real world criticism, rather than vainglorious pomp, after yesterday?  For all that we were excellent through the week, sounds like we were back to our insipid best.  Maybe if we had a ball winning CDM we might not get bossed by Livingston.  Long way to go.  Tony still needing to get his finger out...

 
Tony's fault again? Unreal

Not really unreal - I've been consistent in saying we are short of players.  So has Jack Ross.  I've ben consistent in saying that we need a combative CDM for this league (we don't have one).  If it's not Tony's fault (as Sporting Director and apparently singularly in charge of these things) who's is it?  The manager, players and I guess Tony deserved plaudits for the Alkmaar display, but the manager, players and Tony also need to take the flak when they fail to beat Livingston at home.  For me the lack of depth in the squad and omission of a ball winning CDM fall firmly on Tony's shoulders.

Look at Hearts - Haring is not the most impressive technical footballer, but he'll be first name on their team sheet every week as he breaks up opposition play and recycles the ball to better players.  Unless you are Celtic or Rangers and just have better quality all round you need one of these for this league.  

Last edited by Finn Seemann (08/8/2022 11:07 am)

Stillliving wrote:

This tie has the feel of Scotlands play off against the Netherlands about 20years ago.
A surprise 1-0 home victory followed by a bit of a hammering away.
Based on what I saw on Sunday unfortunately that could be a very real possibility

 
What a joy you must be to be around!!

It always was and always is going to be the toughest task to qualify, however an excellent performance has given us the best possible chance of progression.

Tek wrote:

Stillliving wrote:

This tie has the feel of Scotlands play off against the Netherlands about 20years ago.
A surprise 1-0 home victory followed by a bit of a hammering away.
Based on what I saw on Sunday unfortunately that could be a very real possibility

I must confess i thought the exact same on Sunday night.

Hope we are both very wrong.
 

 

Was very similar actually. Only worse.
 

Finn Seemann wrote:

Tek wrote:

Tek wrote:

I must confess i thought the exact same on Sunday night.

Hope we are both very wrong.
 

 

Was very similar actually. Only worse.
 

The difference was that that Dutch team were brimming with world class internationals.  AZ, whilst a decent team, are comparatively not that good.  I mean comparatively to other European clubs.  I think they'll beat the Portuguese, but don't see them getting out of the group stages.  Sadly we can't even say we were beaten by a great team.

They are no better then our OF. under TC we did well against the OF last season, Often with loads of kids in the team