Tekel Towers » How Do We Improve Next Season?

JerryDungle · 27/5/2019 10:07 am

Can’t see there being a massive amount of upheaval this summer, not in terms of incomings anyway, despite still feeling numb from yesterday, I don’t realistically think we’re far away from having a squad that’ll see us over the line. Around 6 quality additions required.

GK - Siegrist has shown up well in the last couple months so deserves a chance next season, would still be going for another though, heard Fox from Ross County, also heard whispers of Craig Gordon as player/coach, either would do me.

RB - Sorted with the boy Smith coming in. Watson will do as cover.

LB - Maybe Wallace, though would think that one relied on us being a Premiership club. Booth and Robson would still be OK for the championship next season.

CM - Biggest position for me. Harkes let’s too many games pass him by, we need someone who’s going to dominate the midfield with Butcher. Jamie Lindsay at Ross County was far and away the best centre midfielder in the division this year, big strong box-to-box player, and still hasn’t signed a new deal up there, so may be wanting to move closer to home.

Winger - Need at least one proper out and out winger, too many of our supposed wingers want to play through the middle. Heard talk last week of Sam Nicholson who Neilson had at Hearts. Yesterday might’ve scuppered that though. Conway’s just been released by Blackburn.

#10 - Folk might scoff at this, but I’d go for Gauld, Hibs don’t want him, Sporting Lisbon presumably don’t want him. I don’t see him getting many offers better than what he would get here.

Striker - Safranko’s presumably away, who we get to replace him, I’ve no idea, good strikers are like hens teeth.

Arab87 · 27/5/2019 10:36 am

GK - Also heard Scott Fox had agreed terms.
RB - Smith, with Watson as cover yes.
CB - We need another strong CB.
LB - Jackson Longridge or Stephen Hendrie
CM- Jamie Lindsay all day long
Winger - be happy with Nicholson, also be very happy with Chria Cadden.
ST - Kevin Nisbet (25-30 goals) Chuks Aneke or Agard from MK Dons? We need at least 2 strikers anyway.

Playera out: Booth, Loemba, Barton, Rabitsch, Matty Smith, Aird.

PatReilly · 27/5/2019 10:37 am

Some good shouts there: I mentioned Gauld yesterday in Glasgow, that's how rumours start......

You've not highlighted the central defence, JD, but you cannot be happy with the performances there, surely? But with a more mobile and confident midfield perhaps the two CHs brought in in January wouldn't look so exposed with the ball at their feet.

Robbie Neilson has brought a few in that he worked with before, but it hasn't been a successful formula so far. And I'm wondering if Pawlett is the next Fraser Fyvie, very unfortunate with injuries.

More than anything, perhaps a change of mindset is required to improve next season. Trying not to lose rather than trying to win hasn't worked for us so far.

JerryDungle · 27/5/2019 10:46 am

PatReilly wrote:
Some good shouts there: I mentioned Gauld yesterday in Glasgow, that's how rumours start......

You've not highlighted the central defence, JD, but you cannot be happy with the performances there, surely? But with a more mobile and confident midfield perhaps the two CHs brought in in January wouldn't look so exposed with the ball at their feet.

Robbie Neilson has brought a few in that he worked with before, but it hasn't been a successful formula so far. And I'm wondering if Pawlett is the next Fraser Fyvie, very unfortunate with injuries.

More than anything, perhaps a change of mindset is required to improve next season. Trying not to lose rather than trying to win hasn't worked for us so far.

The distribution from the centre halves is what gives me the fear, it sets the tone for the aimless punts we’ve seen in the last couple of games. I wouldn’t be against bringing in someone who can play the ball out form the back, but wouldn’t be overly concerned if we go into next season with the same options we have now. Think they’ll get enough clean sheets between them to see us through.

Pawlett needs a break, he’s not been properly fit since he’s come here. Was speaking to the club doctor in the queue for tickets last week, says he’s been getting painkilling injections throughout the playoffs, after the game, he’s apparently absolutely fucked.

Agree on the mentality thing. It’s strange, cause Neilson’s Hearts team are probably the most dominant, positive side that’s played in this division. They stuck 10 past Cowdenbeath without reply. I can’t think of a time we’ve really put a team to the sword since we’ve been down here, other than a meaningless game against Brechin, it’s high time we put a bit of fear into the other teams in this league.

Tangy · 27/5/2019 10:53 am

I think we need bigger moves than some, maybe....

I'd try to get rid of the following (Some of which are away already tbf)
Murdoch, Frans, barton, Toshney, Fyvie, Deniz (still on the official but know hes been away ages) Edge, King, Stanton, Gomis, Nesbitt, Rabitsch, Scobbie, Aird, Laidlaw, Seaman, Loemba

I think we need a squad of 22 with 2 players for each position - maybe good that we have some players who can play 2 positions, such as Bouhenna, Robson etc

Keeper: Siegreist has earned a shot but think we need 2 good keepers and not a backup who will never play.

LB: Booth/Robson are ok - guess it depends on where Robbie sees Robsons future - I'd still welcome another
CB: Connolly, Reynolds, Watson + 1 other. I don't think Connolly and Reynolds play that well together - Add a regular starter who has a bit of speed
RB: Liam Smith + 1 back up

CM: Butcher, Harkes, Bouhenna + 1. Harkes is a young lad and needs support - i don't think we can rely on him week in week out just now
LM/RM: McMullen, C. Smith Pawlett +1

Strikers: Sow, Pavol, Clark + 1 would work ok however, i can't see pavol staying and I'm not sure Clark is rated by Robbie - so can't see either being here - so maybe need +2 in there?

Players I've no idea on Wardrop, Matty Smith

Last edited by Tangy (27/5/2019 10:55 am)

Arab87 · 27/5/2019 11:06 am

Out of contract now:

Lewis MacLeod-CM
Jamie Lindsay-CM
Chris Cadden-RM
Stephen Hendrie-LB
Jordan McGhee-RB
Stephen Lawless-LM
Tony Watt-ST

Finn Seemann · 27/5/2019 11:32 am

JerryDungle wrote:
PatReilly wrote:
Some good shouts there: I mentioned Gauld yesterday in Glasgow, that's how rumours start......

You've not highlighted the central defence, JD, but you cannot be happy with the performances there, surely? But with a more mobile and confident midfield perhaps the two CHs brought in in January wouldn't look so exposed with the ball at their feet.

Robbie Neilson has brought a few in that he worked with before, but it hasn't been a successful formula so far. And I'm wondering if Pawlett is the next Fraser Fyvie, very unfortunate with injuries.

More than anything, perhaps a change of mindset is required to improve next season. Trying not to lose rather than trying to win hasn't worked for us so far.

The distribution from the centre halves is what gives me the fear, it sets the tone for the aimless punts we’ve seen in the last couple of games. I wouldn’t be against bringing in someone who can play the ball out form the back, but wouldn’t be overly concerned if we go into next season with the same options we have now. Think they’ll get enough clean sheets between them to see us through.

Pawlett needs a break, he’s not been properly fit since he’s come here. Was speaking to the club doctor in the queue for tickets last week, says he’s been getting painkilling injections throughout the playoffs, after the game, he’s apparently absolutely fucked.

Agree on the mentality thing. It’s strange, cause Neilson’s Hearts team are probably the most dominant, positive side that’s played in this division. They stuck 10 past Cowdenbeath without reply. I can’t think of a time we’ve really put a team to the sword since we’ve been down here, other than a meaningless game against Brechin, it’s high time we put a bit of fear into the other teams in this league.

I think part of the distribution problem is that the midfield don't show for the ball as much as they should. Harkes does, but his end product is not there yet. We miss a Fyvie type player who actively seeks the ball and looks to open up the play. A couple of those are key for next year.

TheShed · 27/5/2019 12:51 pm

How do we improve next season?

Pace, getting the ball in the box, attacking the box from midfield, win 2nd balls, be direct, have a goalie, stop fucking about and move the ball quicker

Dirk Diggler · 27/5/2019 6:10 pm

We need a creative midfielder with a bit of arrogance and belief in their own ability. Not one player yesterday had the ball to try and gtav the game by the scruff of the neck and try and win the game.

Not once bit of aggression/drive shown by any of the players either. We need players who hate getting beat and will give players who are hiding and absolute roasting for doing so.

Still sick after yesterday. With a bit more fight and if we had a go at them for a prolonged period that game was there for the taking.

Last edited by Dirk Diggler (27/5/2019 6:10 pm)

lifesanocean · 27/5/2019 7:57 pm

A manager who doesn't think it's a good idea to stick your best striker at left midfield to 'do a job' in your biggest game of the season also in order to accomodate a powder-puff 7 foot Bambi on Ice look-a-like who is afraid to header the ball then refuses to change it even when the opponents are down to ten men and fist-pumps getting to penalties and puts two fingers up to punters like me who spent about £200 easy over the past fortnight in the vain hope we might actually try to get out of this hell hole of a league.

That might improve things because make no mistake, the Fun will be in their element that we've stayed down because their obsessive hatred of us will spur them on next season to challenge for 1st place whereas if we'd gone up you'd have been lucky if they'd finish mid-table next season.

Last edited by lifesanocean (27/5/2019 8:06 pm)

Arab87 · 27/5/2019 8:02 pm

Dirk Diggler wrote:
We need a creative midfielder with a bit of arrogance and belief in their own ability. Not one player yesterday had the ball to try and gtav the game by the scruff of the neck and try and win the game.

Not once bit of aggression/drive shown by any of the players either. We need players who hate getting beat and will give players who are hiding and absolute roasting for doing so.

Still sick after yesterday. With a bit more fight and if we had a go at them for a prolonged period that game was there for the taking.

Well said. I'm not a fan of taking old players back but I genuinely think trying to get Ryan Gauld on loan would be the ideal creative player.

Jamie Lindsay from Ross County is out of contract, hard working, box to box, gets stuck in and gives others a bollocking for making mistakes or not getting stuck in.

Chuks Aneke is also out of contract at MK Dons. Pace, skill, good scoring record, can play up top or attacking midfield.

Arab87 · 27/5/2019 8:04 pm

Also hearing Ross Doohan has agreed terms with us. Good young keeper.

kingdomarab · 28/5/2019 3:29 am

Arab87 wrote:
GK - Also heard Scott Fox had agreed terms.
RB - Smith, with Watson as cover yes.
CB - We need another strong CB.
LB - Jackson Longridge or Stephen Hendrie
CM- Jamie Lindsay all day long
Winger - be happy with Nicholson, also be very happy with Chria Cadden.
ST - Kevin Nisbet (25-30 goals) Chuks Aneke or Agard from MK Dons? We need at least 2 strikers anyway.

Playera out: Booth, Loemba, Barton, Rabitsch, Matty Smith, Aird.

Some really good shouts and some very unlikely.

If we could get even just half of the players you’ve suggested I’d be delighted.

kiwiarab · 28/5/2019 9:12 am

question from long distance - is our forwards coach doing a good enough job?

Have any of our strikers significantly improved since he joined?

Is our attacking game plan any better since he joined?

Did the players practice penalties before the St Mirren game? If not, who made that decision? If they did, who ran the training session?

bowers · 28/5/2019 11:18 am

I heard last week about the guy Sam Nicholson signing hes playing or has been in America.

I doubt we would get Gauld.

Arab87 · 28/5/2019 12:31 pm

bowers wrote:
I heard last week about the guy Sam Nicholson signing hes playing or has been in America.

I doubt we would get Gauld.

Would take Nicholson in a heart beat. Quick, skillful and has a good end product. Something we've been lacking for a long time.

He'd tear teams apart.

Macbonzo · 29/5/2019 5:34 pm

Do we have anyone, at all, involved in performance psychology? Has anyone heard anything?

The penalty shootout, got me thinking that many of these guys would benefit from NLP therapy, being able mentally visualise and rehearse taking the penalty and getting the result. Every other sport benefits from performance psychology.

japanarab · 29/5/2019 10:03 pm

Macbonzo wrote:
Do we have anyone, at all, involved in performance psychology? Has anyone heard anything?

The penalty shootout, got me thinking that many of these guys would benefit from NLP therapy, being able mentally visualise and rehearse taking the penalty and getting the result. Every other sport benefits from performance psychology.

Pish. Hit it hard into the corner was all that was needed telt. We have enough "coaches" as it is.

MockChop · 29/5/2019 11:12 pm

It’s a cliche but it works.

Practice it. Pick your spot, hit it hard. Don’t change your mind.

If it’s on target, 9 times out of 10 it’s a goal. That 1 out of 10, the keepers done great.

Finn Seemann · 30/5/2019 10:46 am

Agreed - you get paid for playing football. You should be able to hit a half decent penalty if called upon. Individually, accepted that one player in 5 is likely to miss or the keeper save, but 4 in a row is criminal. I reckon you could pick any 4 posters (apart from the really old guys) on here randomly and at least one of them would have scored.