MockChop wrote:

Trying to cut short Pappoe’s loan.

The right thing to do considering he’s not going to play again this season.

Farrugia signed.  Hope he exceeds some expectations...

Bet we were all dead chuffed when Ryan Strain signed, St Mirren fans were quite upset.

4 Months ago we had Dolcek up for the Balon D'or.

None of us were excited about Darren Dods or Noel Hunt, Conway and Swanson, fringe players for pub teams.

Whereas we were all pulling the heid aff it for Collin Samuel, Mark Kerr, Lee Miller, McIness etc

It's a funny old game.
 

Last edited by David_Blunkett (14/1/2026 4:11 pm)

Conway11 wrote:

Stillliving wrote:

Arabdownsouth wrote:

 
No idea but I doubt it's much

 
Your just assuming he's a cheap replacement then

Compare and contrast the farewell messages of Farrugia and the boy the filth across the road just signed.

Chalk and cheese.

Fans of Bradford are gutted he has left, while Barnsley fans are in disbilief someone has paid a penny for Farrugia.

We are behind on so many levels across the board - Recruitment, Academy, Investment. Miles behind.

It is very hard to get excited about signings under the current regime when you see the dross that has been brought in under his watch.

Of course, you always want new signings to hit the ground running etc and we struck gold with Dalby (who didn't have the best reputation upon signing)

This guy has about 90 positions which fits Goodwins shoehorning tactical style.

As I've said before, giving him another window is ridiculous and if we lose on Saturday he should be gone. 

I fear the next manager is going to be lumbered with his dross.

Very sad times. 

Intrigued enough to have a look at a couple of forums.  Yes Bradford fans clearly liked Halliday but pretty clear they also think the step-up to League One was beyond him - clearly helped get promotion.  Barnsley fans I'd say have fairly similar views in that it hasn't really worked out for Farrugia.  Both forums say both are hard working pros.

75% of Bradford fans say they are happy with the transfer so they are not really gutted.  Difference seems to be that Halliday leaves with good wishes, whereas Farrugia doesn't appear to have built up that level of support over a significantly shorter period.  Halliday is also 4 years older so not exactly one for the future or with any residual value.

I get you want Goodwin gone, but what you have said on these two transfers isn't really representative of what is actually said on the forums.  If the Bradford fans are made to rue their loss as Halliday eats up the SPFL then maybe you can report back - you seem to want to switch your allegiances 

Conway11 wrote:

It is very representative on united's official social media pages. They cannot believe someone has taken Farrugia on. Boys on here will have seen them, Tek included.

Not switiching allegiances at all. I want the club to the best it can be and is currently being held back by a fraud in the dugout. 

I like how you've not said your piece on being behind others off the pitch, must sting knowing its true. Because it stings me i'll have you know.

Any comments on Goodwins words "Goalkeeper is not a major concern?" maybe it'll be on a fan forum somewhere or it never happened if that's your logic?



 

Haha partly levelling the playing field, partly pulling your leg. 

I've represented what the forums I've looked at have said.  Maybe the ones on United social media are themselves not representative.
I'll be honest I tend not to concentrate on what the Dees are doing off the pitch I don't support them.  I also live in Edinburgh so I can avoid 'the banter', but the facts are we've got about twice the support and despite their best run in the league for years they are still behind us.  I'd like rid of Ogren, but I still think he's invested better in us than the Dee's Americans - at least he's not spinning us bullshit on a new ground.  On Recruitment see league position.  On Academy see league position.  I'd have Goodwin over Pressley any day of the week.  I'm not really sure we are behind the Dees on anything apart from derby banter rights.

I'd fully expect a good manager to be saying the goalkeeper is not a major concern.  He can hardly say it is major concern.  The question which I will give you is whether he genuinely means that.  I fully expect, as he has said, that he is looking to strengthen in that department.  I'll be extremely disappointed if Richards is our number one post the January window, but similarly I don't think there is any point bringing in someone for the sake of it if we don't think we can find (and afford) better.  I have also said that our CHs are not good enough in the air which was why Kuch didn't work.  Richards issue seems not to be chucking it in the net, but laying it on a plate for a striker as doesn't seem to be able to parry around the post - we're not going to train that in to him now.  Goodwin must see that but he isn't going to throw Richards under the bus with no replacement.

That said, Richards is no Birrighitti so I don't see him relegating us.

 

Stillliving wrote:

Arabdownsouth wrote:

Stillliving wrote:

 
How much are we paying for Farrugia?

 
No idea but I doubt it's much

 
Your just assuming he's a cheap replacement then

 
Sodo you think otherwise?

Welcome Neil

lifesanocean wrote:

If we had signed him from Shamrock Rovers where he clearly had a good pedigree and we have had good success in signing Irish players in the modern era then the mood of fans for the same player would have been almost universally positive I reckon. He's moved someplace and his career has stalled. Lets give the boy a chance eh?

Very true.

The Barnsley fans comments were slightly concerning, but fresh slate and a chance to continue what has (but for a minor bump in the road) been a very successful football career, thus far.

As you said, let's give the lad a chance and judge him in a United jersey.
 

lifesanocean wrote:

If we had signed him from Shamrock Rovers where he clearly had a good pedigree and we have had good success in signing Irish players in the modern era then the mood of fans for the same player would have been almost universally positive I reckon. He's moved someplace and his career has stalled. Lets give the boy a chance eh?

Exactly.   
Not to mention that you'll get some who  for whatever reason don't fit in one side, get a move then things come up trumps ( Dalby)
Similarly to Farrugia's  Shamrock form Ferry's pedigree shone at the end of last season. He'd have been a more saleable asset. Look now.   A fact not lost on him.

Last edited by Shakey Isles Arab (15/1/2026 11:20 am)

Shakey Isles Arab wrote:

lifesanocean wrote:

If we had signed him from Shamrock Rovers where he clearly had a good pedigree and we have had good success in signing Irish players in the modern era then the mood of fans for the same player would have been almost universally positive I reckon. He's moved someplace and his career has stalled. Lets give the boy a chance eh?

Exactly.   
Not to mention that you'll get some who  for whatever reason don't fit in one side, get a move then things come up trumps ( Dalby)
Similarly to Farrugia's  Shamrock form Ferry's pedigree shone at the end of last season. He'd have been a more saleable asset. Look now.   A fact not lost on him.

To add to this, I had a wee look at the Barnsley fans comments regarding Ferrugia, and while I'm willing to believe them that he wasn't great for them, from Barnsley social media responses in general it seems it's not a great club to be around at the moment. That's not a slight at their supporters, but it seems like they feel ownership, managers and the playing squad need freshened up across the board after a fairly stale couple of year(sounds familiar? ). 

Maybe a change of scenery will bring him back to his best. Irish players have certainly done very well for us in recent years, Ritchie Ryan the only disappointment that stands out for me, remember him? 

There's two weeks left of the window, so plenty of time I suppose, but from i'd say Easter Road away, the alarm bells must've been ringing...

Maybe we had to wait until we could ship one out but getting someone in for tomorrow, would have given them what should be an easier tie to play in, get to know his defence and then give a week to be ready.

Maybe finances are playing a part, but the longer we don't address it, the more desperate we might become, Hamish can't work the hospitality suites if we need him to pick up the gloves again! 

Last edited by David_Blunkett (16/1/2026 1:22 pm)

United Arab Emarite wrote:

MockChop wrote:

16th day of the window.

Absolutely nothing on the goalkeeping front.

I'm backing Dave.
With Roory waiting in the wings.
Don't want some random new dodgy goalie.
Give Dave more backing, he's earned it.
 

 
Na for me made about as much errors as kucherenko- he’s a number 2 all day long

Been a dreadful window up to now

All fair points, that I couldn't disagree with any of them.

I just think Sibbald isn't good enough when asked to play in a role where he has to do more than the basics, injuries have probably forced the issue, if Naamo or Strain is fit it frees up Stephenson and I'd have Sevelj in there ahead of Sibbald.

But ultimately Goodwin chopping and changing the personnel, having to change the formation/tactics mid game so often is on him, we don't seem to have a recognised style of play at all.