Malky79

Not optimisitc but it not game over at 2-0.

Don't see why we can't get a result, but we'll need to see Faddy and Vigurs step up to the plate. No real pace in there they need to give Sutton and McHugh some ammunition. Anier and Angol can hopefully provide an impact from the bench, hope McCall is more proactive than last week if it's required.

Not a huge amount but think we need a fullback who will power forward a bit more. Be tempted to drop Hammell for Angol given his ropey start but I imagine he'll settle down.

Hollis Kerr Hutchison McManus Hammell Carswell Lawson Lasley Sutton Anier McFadden I expect to see Hollis start, given us a couple of nervy moments but has on the whole done ok and made a few good saves. Like to see Kerr get a chance, more legs to get up and provide a bit of width. With that midfield three I'd hope we can get a reasonable grip on the game but Carswell provide a bit more energy that been a bit lacking. I'd give Faddy licence to roam and hopefully Sutton and Anier can develop a partnership.

Thought Aberdeen weren't much to write home about today, we however notably in the 2nd half were poor. For me the game has turned on 3 things. Firstly Angol's crazy decision to try and play in a player quite a good few yards behind him at 1-0 rather than a much simpler looking pass to play in Anier who looked well set to be put through one one one with the keeper again. Hammell's inexplicable blunder to gift possession leading to the penalty With finally McCalls reluctance to freshen up our midfield which was looking tired and generally losing cohesion, especially in the spell after they equalised. Not having a pop at McHugh but just before they scored the second why was he getting readied to be brought on. Lawson and or Carswell should have been on for two from Vigurs, McFadden and Lasley. McFadden wasn't having a great day, a few flashes here and there, Vigurs was on a yellow and Lasley well I'd suspect was most likely to be feeling the effects of midweek. We were a shambles for a good spell and it shouldn't have taken them to score a second to spark McCall into action. That we then give away a seemingly soft penalty clearly kills the game at that point but overall I left with the feeling that despite not playing that great we gave that game away. Overall I still think we'll be fine but we haven't gelled as a unit yet and there are a good few areas of concern. Hollis made some decent saves but does things that makes everyone nervous, there often seems to be a tonne of space in behind Ramsden at times, Hammell is making some big blunders, midfield look competent but a bit one paced, Angol looks bright but final ball and decision making are suspect so far, McFadden is looking like he doesn't know what to expect from players around him and generally below par so far. Sutton lovely pass to put Anier in, working hard enough but looks laboured could do with a couple of goals quickly to give him and us some confidence he can still really do a job. We really could do another pacey player so we can break a bit more effectively. Quite pleased with Anier so far, think Angol will be ok but probably don't want to rely on him week week out just yet.

Happy to see a respectable result, shame we didn't have more of a live tie to compete in but one of these days we'll maybe click in europe.

Hardly a perfect analogy though is it. A better analogy would be Arsenal not chucking it despite getting spanked by Bayern Munich at home in the CL last season. As it happens they went out on goal difference but like Liverpool in the example you gave they also had a squad full of international class players who earned many thousands of pounds a week. We on the other hand operate largely in a different world. I guarantee you if the tie was even half alive McFadden etc would be getting gaffer taped up to get them on the park as it is though we've blown our chance of a giant killing and it is never in a month of sundays going to happen in deepest Russia from a two goal deficit. Unless in a tactical stroke of genious by leaving three of our best players at home McCall suckers them into playing a weakened team that thinks the jobs done and a bunch of our youngsters playing with no fear or pressure to produce a result cause the upset of the year! If we pip Aberdeen to a European spot by a point due to getting something from Sundays game then maybe we'll get a bit more luck in the draw like St.Johnstone got this year. Maybe not, we might still get stuffed but I quite happy for McCall to pick and choose his battles. I'm less pleased about the first leg performance but it's done with.

Absolutley fine with that decision. The tie is dead. Frankly I'd have given more of the first team a rest. Hope to see likes of Carswell, Kerr, Cummins, Erwin, McHugh, Angol and Neilson all start or feature heavily. A few older heads mixed in and guys like Lawson, McManus and Lasley not to play the full 90 ideally, come back reasonably fresh for Sunday.

Safe to say football wasn't the winner yesterday but at least we were. We started slowly but once we settled into the game we largely controlled it but had a lack of cutting edge and any real verve out wide. Full backs did best to provide a bit of support there but was no real danger coming from there other than occasionally leave space for Hibs to counter which fortunately they never really used to advantage. McFadden wasn't having best of games but generally he was getting left up against 2 or 3 Hibs players and getting huge amount of support. Sure he did have some poor decisions but hopefully as the team gels and he gets match fit we'll see better link up play. Thought Sutton did ok, he also needs games to settle back into the team proper but if I was McHugh I'd be pretty down about a missed opportunity to lay down a marker. Hard to see in first half what sort of contribution he made from afar but it didn't look like much and nothing to telling in the second half before he was hooked. Also needs a run of games but with Anier coming on and scoring and putting himself about I imagine he's pushed himself ahead in the pecking order. Not changed my expectations for the season, think we'll do alright but it won't be as good to watch

Hard to guage how good Kuban were, might be they are a very good team that didn't need to get out of first gear. However it was disappointing to see us not do ourselves justice again. There are some mitigating circumstances regards the changes in personnel from last season and the fact that they are already into their league season, albeit only a few games, but they certainly didn't look anything special. Rarely felt like we were under the cosh, a bit more focus and we really should have came away with a 0-0 and maybe even sneaked it at the death if Sutton's header sneaks inside rather than rattles the post. I think we'll settle into a half decent team but that's the european run grinding to a shuddering halt barring something close to a footballing miracle.

Could do and certainly Angol done pretty well coming off the bench, less pressure on him as well arguably. I know we got a few new players, but still a core of the old from last season and it a system I imagine we could settle into quite comfortably still despite the changes. If we go 5 at the back and with wingbacks I picture myself watching the game through my fingers as we get go grips with the formation.

Team I'd like to see start remains something like this Neilson Ramsden Hutchison McManus Hammell Lawson Lasley Vigurs McFadden Sutton Angol Experience back line, midfield 3 to hopefully make sure we don't get over run in there. Sutton as focal point to the attack, McFadden hopefully along with Vigurs adding some creativity and goal threat with Angol pace hopefully utilised going forward and coming back.

Would I pay that for a friendly. Nah not unless I win the lottery.

Lasley is 34 and whilst no one lasts forever if he looks after himself he could keep going for a bit yet.

We've got so few decent defenders we should probably return to era of 2-3-5 formation!

I agree with Mitch Hammell is a good player but shouldn't be near Scotland team. That said we've had a few full backs like Danny Fox in his time who shouldn't have been either so he definitely been unlucky not to at least have picked up a few caps. Rab McKinnon should have had more as well but I mind watching him on one of his appearances and I remember thinking he didn't do himself justice but should have had a couple more at least to prove himself.

I'm not panicing over our options just yet. Firstly I'm expecting at least one more forward type signing and if you told me we would start against Krasnodar with... Neilson Ramsden Hutchison McManus Hammell Lawson Lasley Vigurs McFadden (Please be fit!) Sutton Angol ...I'd be reasonably content. Sutton can lead the line Angol can provide some pace, McFadden real quality and danger coming in off the right. A pretty solid midfield trio with Vigurs offering some creativity. Lawson a steady base and Lasley giving it a bit of everything. Hoping to see a bit of depth added soon but if everyone is fit right now I see a team that could be pretty decent.

Arguably it is a bit pointless qualifying for Europe as even with a good team by our own standards we get papped by likes of Pana and Levante. As it is we've made several of the signings we need but creativity and pace aren't easily found on our budget. If Faddy signs on again that is a huge signing and if we can find a bit of pace even better but core of the team is there now just needs a couple of final touches.

Hitting MJC levels of self parody now!

Pretty sure we played NEC on a Dutch preseason tour back in early to mid 90's.

Saunders was no better or worse than Cummins imo. Raw but with promise and a little more versatile arguably.

I have doubts about Ramsden at right back, does he have the mobility to get up and down. Not saying he couldn't do a job but reckon he's limited. Kerr is fairly quick at least and I'd rather see him get a run to be honest. Heart probably in mouth as reckon there is plenty reason to be concerned about whether he up to the job week in week out, but he a player to be developed hopefully.

Yeah I saw on Facebook someone suggest they wouldn't buy a season ticket if Sutton signed. Nevermind the fact that Sutton is no where near as objectionable as say Bob Malcolm or whoever else your pet hate is since when did who plays for the team really influence anyones decision to get a season ticket or not? You support the team or not, you have the means to buy one or not, you have the time to get to the games or not. These things are surely what influences your decision? Sure we all have our peaks and troughs, who wanted to go in the Malpas era and if we hadn't sacked him I could understand if money was tight you'd think twice about renewing. But buying or not buying on basis of an individual player, it should have to be quite an extreme moral choice I think for it to have an impact. Not just because we make an underwhelming signing or sign someone who is a bit of a dick.

I hope we sign Fraser Kerr and he has a beast of a season. For obvious reasons like I hope whoever plays for us plays well but it's amazing how so many people never learn to not write players off. He's a young player who had a few mares last season, plenty of top players have had bad spells and went onto much better things. Martyn Corrigan went from boo boy to cult here in that very same role. Don't assume it can't happen again, McCall sees him more closely than most and if he wants to sign him I'm sure it's because he sees potential.

If Higdon hadn't had a likely one off wonder season about half those bemoaning the signing if Sutton would have been saying we were getting an improvement. John Sutton probably doesn't excite even his missus but he I'd a tried and test SPL forward who will likely do a decent job given regular games.