Tekel Towers » Half Season

Tek · 27/12/2016 1:48 pm

Saturday's match was our 18th Championship match of 36.

So we have already played half of our fixtures (went quick eh?).

How would you rate each squad member individually,thus far?

Bell - Had my doubts about this signing i must confess and those doubts were cemented somewhat after a couple of early errors that led to us conceding.The past few months however the big man has been in sparkling form and looks a confident,solid pair of gloves who is very good at saving penalties it would appear. 8/10

Zwick - Barely featured due to Cammy Bell's form but when he has he done fine.Still wouldn't feel confident relying on him to be our No.1 just yet though if Bell got injured or is sold. 6/10

Dillon - Hasn't featured much this season but when he has featured has been steady enough. 6/10

Toshney - Opinion is divided on him it would seem.Thought the one game he played at DCM against Dunfermline he done well.But i'm sorry at RB i think he's a bombscare and we have and will continue to lose goals if he plays there. 4/10

VDS - Looked genuinely awful when he arrived (his fault for both Peterhead goals on his debut for example).But happily he has now found his feet and is a steady (if unspectacular) full back.We have missed him at RB actually. 6/10

Durnan - A remarkable turnaround by Mark.Now looking a rock at the back AND a genuine goal threat at the other end.A strong contender for our POTY.Delighted for the lad. 8/10

Edjenguele - Much like VDS he struggled to find form/fitness initially and i wonfered if he was a bit of a dud.But his form since finding fitness has been sensational.His form has been reminiscent of Jaroslaw's Fojut's first 6 months at the club.Should be our Captain imo and i hope he sticks around for awhile beyond this season.My POTY so far 9/10.

Donaldson - I had hoped the drop in standard of football might give the laddie a platform to kick-on and show some decent form but it just hasn't materialised for him.He should look to Durnan for inspiration as to how to turn his DUFC career around.But personally i can't see it happening for him and would be happy to see him move on to get some games elsewhere at a level more suited to his abilities. 4/10

Dixon - A shadow of the player he used to be be and shouldn't be our first choice LB. 5/10

Robson - Very good young prospect and a better defender than i think people realise.Played his part in an almost record breaking backline for shut-out's.Perhaps not quite ready to command a start week in week out BUT he currently is our best bet at Left back imo and is my YPOTY so far. 7/10

Murdoch - Hasn't featured much since around September time.When he has featured he looked 'ok'. 6/10

Telfer - Has shown much better form and consistency this season.Perhaps it is simply the drop in division but the lad can only play what's in front of him afterall and is doing well beside Willo.Stil feel he needs to venture up the park more though. 7/10

Flood - Has been consistently good for us all season and his energy levels for a 30-something are very impressive.The heartbeat of the side. 8/10

Spittal - Hasn't scored all season (his last goal was almost a year ago).Needs to really kick-on in the second half of the season if he's to justify a shirt nevermind staying beyond this season 5/10

Fraser - Has been one of our best players this season and silenced some of his critics from last season somewhat.Still would like to see him trying to drive into the box a bit more. 7/10

VDV - Technically gifted player who you can see was evidentally a very handy player a few years back.Career seems on the wind down now though and whatever pace he had has now deserted him.Still a handy squad player but i wouldn't say a stick-on starter imo 6/10

Andreu - Has added a goal threat to the side and in all honesty is too good a player for this level.Still feel there's more to come from him as he hasn't quite replicated his sparkling performances he did at Accies.Not convinced we are utilising him correctly.But even a Tony Andreu in 2nd gear is a decent player at this level. 7/10

Cammy Smith - Excellent early season form now a distant memory.Has barely featured since around September and when he has has flattered to deceive imo.Wouldn't be heartbroken to see him sent back North in January. 6/10

Obadeyi - A bit of an enigma is old Tope.Has good pace and at times can ghost by defenders with ease.But at other times he looks like he's never played the game.Only 2 goals is a poor return also.Needs to up his game significantly to claim a starting jersey imo. 6/10

Murray - Another player who opinion seems to be divided on massively among our support.For all his faults it's worth remembering that he's our joint top scorer with 9 and if he were continue that form over the season would probably break the 20 goal barrier which isn't a bad return for a player who has played upfront on his own all season (a role i don't think suits him).I like Murray tbh.Wholehearted player who has improved over the past year and clearly works hard behind the scenes. 8/10

Foo Kin Twat · 27/12/2016 2:27 pm

Can't argue with any of that TEK, in the second half of this season's project, we need to at least retain our defensive organisation and solidity (8/10 after a shaky start), whilst building on our desire and teamwork (8/10 after a shaky start); but the biggest improvement needs to be on flair and style (5/10). To be where we are with that last mark is truly amazing, but is shows and doubters that defensive solidity and resilience is what a futba team needs first and foremost (even though I hate admitting that)!!! Oh and the support 8/10 too, as like the team they have been brilliant in the 2nd quarter. Let's be United again.....

Last edited by Foo Kin Twat (27/12/2016 2:33 pm)

TheShed · 27/12/2016 5:10 pm

Bell, Edge, Durnan, Flood, Andreu and Fraser all been generally very good.
Dillon hasn't really featured, harshly imo when Toshneys been RB ahead of him.
VDS been steady after slow start
Toshney a disappointment, but to me isn't a RB.
Dixon started very poor but was coming onto a game until injury
Robson looks good but is positionally unaware at times. Good prospect with a lot still to learn.
Murdoch started ok until injury
Telfer starting to look like the player we signed instead of what Jackie turned him into.
Spittal hasn't performed that well to date, but also hasn't been as bad as some have made out.
Obadeyi had shown a couple of good flashes and a lot of dross, poor signing imo.
VDV, I thought looked a great signing, but has faded yet another who needs to play centrally.
Cammy Smith- see VDV, time for him to return north.
Murray, still not good enough for this level imo, but he's scored goals as well as try his arse off.
Zwick, did ok I suppose in cup games but really need to get better thru from the youths.
Donaldson, still utter pish and will never be good enough for our 1st team.

A little disappointed none of the youths have really made a claim for regular inclusion

lifesanocean · 27/12/2016 5:53 pm

I heard McKinnon spoke to each of the younger ones and told them straight that if they didn't start consistently performing well in the u20s and staking a real claim for the first team, they'd be shipped out at the end of the season. Sadly, it appears none of them have really taken this onboard save for a brief upturn in form around October/November.

I get the impression that the mentality of a lot of the younger ones still harks back to the Jackie era: too soft, losing's ok etc. Hope to be proved wrong but agree that it's disappointing that no-one other than Robson has staked a claim.

Last edited by lifesanocean (27/12/2016 5:54 pm)

Beharder · 27/12/2016 6:38 pm

Things are certainly looking better than they were last christmas. RM has got the team playing with a bit more freedom. Still think we need a bit more pressure from the young guns although its good to RM keeping the faith with the older heads. Is it time to run out of patience with Donaldson or will he get one more try. Continue to think outside the box and wham we will be back in the spl

BigAndyFTD · 27/12/2016 8:00 pm

Hard to argue with that Tek, Bell Fraser Flood Andreu Edge and Durnan all been very good, rest in fits and starts.

I'm a fan of Robson but think he looked suspect in some games, I'm glad Dicker's is back tbh. Robson I'm sure will become very good but not sure I'd have him as my young player of the season so far. Opinions game.

Arabnophobia · 27/12/2016 8:45 pm

From the Arabzone interviews with RMcK it's magic to hear and see his appreciation for players taking one for the team, putting themselves about or playing through pain and fatigue etc.
He is careful with his words but his puss says it all!

Agree all above, give or take 1 point. Although young Robson had a dip he looks like he has ability and a fitba brain.
After last year I wonder if its a good time to give him a regular place at his age.

Last edited by Arabnophobia (27/12/2016 8:45 pm)

SuperMario · 28/12/2016 12:28 am

The Edge man and durno are unreal

Ex Houston Arab · 28/12/2016 10:00 am

Tek, you rate Murray higher than Andreu and fraser? Seriously? The team would struggle much more losing either of them than Murray. Andreu has scored the same amount of goals as Murray from midfield.

28/12/2016 11:47 am

Simon Murray is fast improving, not just in games but in training too. He's probably twice the player he was when he first came & there's more to come.
He's absolutely bursting to score goals, you can see it. Like when he cut in from the left halfway thro the 2nd half on Xmas eve, did brilliantly to make position then...fell over! Really felt for him, he was just bursting to score. You can't fault a guy for trying too hard.
And don't forget v Hibs two weeks ago. His first play on coming on was cutting in from the right brilliantly to win the penalty in what was looking like a stalemate. That play was worth 6 points. Got hacked in the process too.
Wee prediction - when the full season PotY is judged he'll not be far from the top of the short list.

Ex Houston Arab · 28/12/2016 2:29 pm

smedDUm wrote:
Simon Murray is fast improving, not just in games but in training too. He's probably twice the player he was when he first came & there's more to come.
He's absolutely bursting to score goals, you can see it. Like when he cut in from the left halfway thro the 2nd half on Xmas eve, did brilliantly to make position then...fell over! Really felt for him, he was just bursting to score. You can't fault a guy for trying too hard.
And don't forget v Hibs two weeks ago. His first play on coming on was cutting in from the right brilliantly to win the penalty in what was looking like a stalemate. That play was worth 6 points. Got hacked in the process too.
Wee prediction - when the full season PotY is judged he'll not be far from the top of the short list.

I don't dislike Murray, there is just no rational argument that can have him as a better player than Andreu. I can possibly see someone making a case for his goals having more impact than fraser but I wouldn't be convinced.
I'm not faulting him for trying too hard but I will fault him for a lack of composure. Don't know if that's the same thing.
He shirks to many challenges and he can work on that easily by contesting a header instead of standing on the ground hoping the defender misses it. I don't know how he gets a free pass for this when fraser gets absolutely slated yet actually challenges more.
He has improved and hopefully continues to as he is keen but I'd give him no more than a 6/10

Arab_plumber · 28/12/2016 6:39 pm

smedDUm wrote:
Simon Murray is fast improving, not just in games but in training too. He's probably twice the player he was when he first came & there's more to come.
He's absolutely bursting to score goals, you can see it. Like when he cut in from the left halfway thro the 2nd half on Xmas eve, did brilliantly to make position then...fell over! Really felt for him, he was just bursting to score. You can't fault a guy for trying too hard.
And don't forget v Hibs two weeks ago. His first play on coming on was cutting in from the right brilliantly to win the penalty in what was looking like a stalemate. That play was worth 6 points. Got hacked in the process too.
Wee prediction - when the full season PotY is judged he'll not be far from the top of the short list.

twice the player he came here!!?? ....he cant run without stumbling or falling over the ball, , still shoots from ridiculous places on the pitch and has only managed 5 league goals in 5 months

Time to sober up and have a reality check, I know you want to be positive but don't make up nonsense about him.

Murray will be nowhere near player of the year that is just utterly ridiculous.....dearie me

Arab_plumber · 28/12/2016 6:46 pm

Bell 9
VDS at RB 8
EDGE 10
DURNAN 9
ROBSON 7
DIXON 7
TELFER 7
SPITTAL 5
FRASER 8
WILLO 9
TOSHNEY 4
VDV 5 Flatters to deceive
Topi 4 completely heartless
Murray 5
TONY 8 and he will get better with a proper striker and a proper winger if we get them
Murdoch 6

Cammy can't give him a mark as hes not been given a fair run in the side sadly

Tek · 28/12/2016 7:32 pm

Ex Houston Arab wrote:
Tek, you rate Murray higher than Andreu and fraser? Seriously? The team would struggle much more losing either of them than Murray. Andreu has scored the same amount of goals as Murray from midfield.

I don't rate him higher than either individually,no.

I just think he is playing at the best of his abilities given the position he is playing and the lack of service he has received tbh (our deliveries from wide inparticular are almost non-existant).

Whereas although Andreu and Fraser are doing well for us i still think they're is more to come from them.A bit left in their locker.

Particularly Tony (though as i said above i don't think we are absolutely utilising him to 100% of his abilities).

annanarab · 28/12/2016 11:14 pm

Happy with Murray - has scored goals and created chances despite lack of 90 minute games, starts, service from midfield, ability, etc Less happy with Telfer (no attacking threat or potential), Spittal (constantly wanders into congested middle and loses possession) and VDV (passes ball out of the 18 yard box). Need a couple of signings to complete 1st eleven and gee up the under achievers

Ex Houston Arab · 29/12/2016 9:30 am

Tek wrote:
Ex Houston Arab wrote:
Tek, you rate Murray higher than Andreu and fraser? Seriously? The team would struggle much more losing either of them than Murray. Andreu has scored the same amount of goals as Murray from midfield.

I don't rate him higher than either individually,no.

I just think he is playing at the best of his abilities given the position he is playing and the lack of service he has received tbh (our deliveries from wide inparticular are almost non-existant).

Whereas although Andreu and Fraser are doing well for us i still think they're is more to come from them.A bit left in their locker.

Particularly Tony (though as i said above i don't think we are absolutely utilising him to 100% of his abilities).

No meaning to be pedantic but you have rated him higher tek. You gave him 8/10 and them both 7. Ratings aren't on a sliding scale typically when awarded to players.
I understand what you are getting at but we can't score players on performing to the max of their abilities - that's the effort and aptitude part of the report card that you look at on the report card after checking what the academic grade is.
I'm siding with plumber on this. His lack of service is due to the fact he can't make an intelligent run. Delivery from out wide is poor but Murray doesn't jump for a header and is rarely in the correct position. I'd prefer he worked on that rather than fitness

Arabnophobia · 29/12/2016 1:07 pm

Ex Houston Arab wrote:
Tek wrote:
Ex Houston Arab wrote:
Tek, you rate Murray higher than Andreu and fraser? Seriously? The team would struggle much more losing either of them than Murray. Andreu has scored the same amount of goals as Murray from midfield.

I don't rate him higher than either individually,no.

I just think he is playing at the best of his abilities given the position he is playing and the lack of service he has received tbh (our deliveries from wide inparticular are almost non-existant).

Whereas although Andreu and Fraser are doing well for us i still think they're is more to come from them.A bit left in their locker.

Particularly Tony (though as i said above i don't think we are absolutely utilising him to 100% of his abilities).

His lack of service is due to the fact he can't make an intelligent run. Delivery from out wide is poor but Murray doesn't jump for a header and is rarely in the correct position. I'd prefer he worked on that rather than fitness

To be fair he put us top of the league with a good jumping header fae a position he ran into.

Ex Houston Arab · 29/12/2016 1:33 pm

Arabnophobia wrote:
Ex Houston Arab wrote:
Tek wrote:

I don't rate him higher than either individually,no.

I just think he is playing at the best of his abilities given the position he is playing and the lack of service he has received tbh (our deliveries from wide inparticular are almost non-existant).

Whereas although Andreu and Fraser are doing well for us i still think they're is more to come from them.A bit left in their locker.

Particularly Tony (though as i said above i don't think we are absolutely utilising him to 100% of his abilities).

His lack of service is due to the fact he can't make an intelligent run. Delivery from out wide is poor but Murray doesn't jump for a header and is rarely in the correct position. I'd prefer he worked on that rather than fitness
To be fair he put us top of the league with a good jumping header fae a position he ran into.

It came off his shoulder. That's why he was tapping it after his celebration.
He had an easier header later in the game and it went straight to the keeper.
I might sound hard on him but he seems to get a much easier ride than someone like fraser and I don't see any more mprovement in the major flaws in his game.
He never challenges the ch from goal kicks and he never makes intelligent runs for the midfield to 'give him service'

Tek · 29/12/2016 2:33 pm

Ex Houston Arab wrote:
Tek wrote:
Ex Houston Arab wrote:
Tek, you rate Murray higher than Andreu and fraser? Seriously? The team would struggle much more losing either of them than Murray. Andreu has scored the same amount of goals as Murray from midfield.

I don't rate him higher than either individually,no.

I just think he is playing at the best of his abilities given the position he is playing and the lack of service he has received tbh (our deliveries from wide inparticular are almost non-existant).

Whereas although Andreu and Fraser are doing well for us i still think they're is more to come from them.A bit left in their locker.

Particularly Tony (though as i said above i don't think we are absolutely utilising him to 100% of his abilities).

No meaning to be pedantic but you have rated him higher tek. You gave him 8/10 and them both 7. Ratings aren't on a sliding scale typically when awarded to players.
I understand what you are getting at but we can't score players on performing to the max of their abilities - that's the effort and aptitude part of the report card that you look at on the report card after checking what the academic grade is.
I'm siding with plumber on this. His lack of service is due to the fact he can't make an intelligent run. Delivery from out wide is poor but Murray doesn't jump for a header and is rarely in the correct position. I'd prefer he worked on that rather than fitness

You are being a bit pedantic here are you not EHA lol?

I don't 'rate' him as a better footballer than either of the aforementioned players.

But my 'report card' isn't just factoring in the players performance 'academically',it's factoring in other things also like effort,and resources for learning (or lack thereof).

To use another metaphor.

A child was schooled in a poverty stricken town in Africa and yet had taught him/herself to read and write with just a moth-eared book,pencil,rubber and teacher.This same child had to walk 2 miles to school each day in baking heat.

In another part of the World a child is ferried to school in Land Rover,after having a home cooked breakfast and once at school has a highly qualified teacher to teach him/her the 3 r's.Once at school this child also has the use of tablets,the internet etc.

Now the latter child born into a life of comparitive privilege by comparison may read,write and speak much more fluently.

But if you were rating each on effort and factoring in things like resources etc over the course of a school year then it's not implausible that you may give the westernised child 7/10 but the African child 8/10 in their report card.

Bit of a ludicrous metaphor,i know.

But this is what you've drove me too.😂😂

TheShed · 29/12/2016 4:23 pm

This threads turning into hall of fame material.

29/12/2016 4:37 pm

Ye canna whack a ludicrous metaphor!

Ex Houston Arab · 29/12/2016 8:09 pm

Haha,
like I say, I get where you're coming from.
I'm coming from the harsher end where I appreciate the African boy has done more to get where he is but he's at his limit. The spoilt lad has a bit in his tank that can be tapped into so if I'm ther gaffer and one has to go, sad to say it's the boy operating at max capacity but not out performing the other lads.
Hopefully it's not max capacity and he can improve.
If we do get promoted though, what concerns me is that brian graham scored 27 goals in this league, rory loy was division top scorer as well. Both struggled in the prem. If ray isn't changing his style, Murray has to work on these aspects of his game that are holding him back.
Agree with most of your other scores, maybe give bell a 9 though based on his record breaking pk saves and falling 4mins short of a club clean sheet record.
Love a clean sheet!
btw, xmas hols with shite tv is the season of pedantry

Arabnophobia · 29/12/2016 11:55 pm

Ex Houston Arab wrote:

Haha,

btw, xmas hols with shite tv is the season of pedantry

Pedantry is an old Latin term for a gum disease you get from biting fungal toe nails bud.

Stick to the shite telly bud!

bowers · 30/12/2016 10:30 am

Bell 8/10 shakey start but has really come good for us.
Zwick 6/10 done whats been asked.
Dillon 6/10 is just Dillon
Toshney 5/10 dangerous. Solid but too clumsy.
VDS 6/10 settled at rb looking forward to his return.
Durnan 8/10 like a nee player been solid
Edjenguele 9/10 unreal what we have been crying out for.
Donaldson 2/10 less said better
Dixon 5/10 has been up and down.
Robson 6/10 very good prospect still learning
Murdoch 4/10 injury so jurys out and awaiting return
Telfer 7/10 hoping to see more improvement in what we have already seen so far.
Flood 9/10 helped so much along with edge.
Spittal 6/10 good and bad cant swe him doing much in his career.
Fraser 7/10 has come right into a game and really done well since first few games of season.
VDV 6/10 still good for his age but backheels wont win us the league,
Andreu 8/10 very good been quiet past couple games but will be massive player in coming months
Cammy Smith 6/10 a bit dissappointed in how things have went for him and can see him go back in jan.
Obadeyi 5/10 just not a fan of him.
Murray 6/10 boy will give his all but just doesnt have the finished product.

Overall the defence has helped us hugely as i still think we are weak going forward and up top.

Ex Houston Arab · 30/12/2016 4:43 pm

I'd agree with bowers scores.
I like cammy smith, he's a bit more direct than vdv and can stay inside a bit better. He was worth a punt st the time but once tony arrived late in the window, this would always happen.

Arabnaphobia mate, you need to be a bit more pedantic when someone tells you the origin of a word