CoF

Weird post IMO. We sometimes sell players. This is a discussion forum. All your other points are discussed regularly in other threads.

I see the "he's not that type of player" brigade are out in full force for Christie after his red card yesterday. His Dad given air time on BBC Scotland tonight and plenty in the game pleading about how nice a lad he is. He's had to delete his twitter account because of the abuse he's been getting so there's been a plea from Jonathan Sutherland to lay off him. I'm certain the only one who publicly had Bowman's back was Steve Robinson. That's annoyed me tonight.

He seems like a different player than he was when he first broke through. I don't see that terrier like hard tackler anymore, he's far more of a forward thinking player whose best work is on the ball rather than off it which was previously the case. He was off the boil for long spells last year (in my opinion), so great to see him return to surely one of the first names on the teamsheet.

Robinson definitely seems to be taking a 'tough love' approach with Scott however I think it's because he's got such high expectations of him. In his interviews, he'll say he's got massive potential but it's always with a strong caveat of what he needs to improve on. From what I can see from the stands he doesn't hide his frustrations with Scott well, and seems to be harder on him than he is with other players when mistakes are made. He's just turned 19 so that approach could break a young player. Can only hope Robinson has seen something in Scott's character that warrants this approach.

In large spells of the game that was as good as I've seen us this season. There are always going to be rough edges to our game, particularly considering the number of changes over the summer, the level the new additions have previously played at the general young age of our team. To see us gel the way we have is outstanding, and some individual performances today (Polworth, Gallagher, Hartley, Campbell) show we have an excellent spine of a team. It's worth mentioning Barry Maguire's performance too, who showed a few deft and classy touches to give himself space. Great to hear Robinson say he's now got a decision to make when Donnelly is ready to come back into the team. St Mirren were decent enough and you can see why they don't concede many goals. It was particularly pleasing to see us weather a 15 minute spell around the 70/80 mark where we looked panicky - I was just waiting for that mistake that would cost us the goal. The only area which we can improve on is up-front. I know they are a rarity, but to have a 'natural goalscorer' up top could make this as exciting a team as I've seen in years. Hopefully Long becomes that man - Robinson said he used to be a real prospect so hopefully he can get the best out of him.

Gillespie. One dodgy pass aside, he was absolutely outstanding and dealt with everything. Great penalty save, and a good save from a first half free kick but the one near the end (from May?) was absolutely brilliant.

Didn't think it was a yellow at the time. Carroll turns to take the ball and pulls out - the two players come together. No big deal. Now I've seen the highlights I can see that the County player does go down holding his face. Completely conned the ref. I don't know the rules in terms of what can be cited and what cannot, but it's as blatant an example of cheating to gain advantage as you'll see all season. As for the chopped off goal - a really harsh decision. Can only assume it's because Gallagher has his hand on the defenders shoulder however it's no worse than is allowed all over the pitch.

I didn't even consider that a possibility. Regardless of is he's sacked or leaves by 'mutual consent' I'd think that his credibility as footballing director would be completely undermined. That said, now that you mention it, it's such a weird setup they have there that it wouldn't surprise me.

From front to back we were very, very good. The players all look like they know the job they've to do. Thought Hartley and Polworth were the standouts, and Campbell had his best game in many months. The strength and depth in the squad is plain to see when you look at the substitutions we made. I thought O'Hara in particular did well to take a bit of control when he came on. I think it says a lot that we've come away with a win at Tynecastle feeling like we should (not could) have scored more. I've also got a feeling the backline will be gutted to not keep the clean sheet after putting in an otherwise fantastic shift. I'm sure there will be many blips, but there's a definite feeling that there's even more to come from this team.

Trying to work out Tanner's decision not to sign on for a few months and instead, go hunting for a club at this stage. He's not been in the shop window for 18 months and is effectively, untested after injury. He's maybe feeling it in himself that he won't get competitive football (beyond the reserves) any time soon for us, and his best chances would to be become a free agent after the transfer window. Maybe looking for first team football lower down the leagues to build himself back up.

That's that mystery solved then.

That was an excellent game of football. Great atmosphere and I was sure there was more than 5300 odd in today. Hibs were well and truly still in the game at 1-0 and at times, they passed it about really neatly (then tended to fuck it up), however we just had everything today - aggression, composure, creativity, teamwork. Gives me real hope for this season and I definitely think there is far more to come from this squad.

Day off work so drove down to see the reserves at Cappielow win 4-1 this afternoon. Main points: Ilic - in the right place at the right time for two goals - good stuff, however on the ball didn't really stand out in any way. Tanner - two assists (one from a corner) however a fairly quiet afternoon and again, didn't really stand out as a senior player. Hopefully it's just a matter of time and confidence. Barry McGuire and Adam Livingstone both had that bit of quality and physicality about them. The two big centre halves won everything as well.

Don't know if my view is skewed having seen two awful leg breaks playing amateur on astroturf, but today gave me the fear. Seemed like every physical dual left someone on the deck with some sort of injury. Not sure if upping the physicality on these pitches is a good idea.

Seemed like there was no room on that pitch at all, we certainly didn't capitalise on the pace we have out wide. Or rather, Livi did well to nullify it. Or rather, the pitch got in the way. Or rather, we weren't very good. Probably a bit of all three. To leave with a point is decent enough. To put a positive spin on it, the fact we got a point when we we're quite shite suggests..... something. Not sure what. Carrol was good. Gallagher was loving putting his team-mates under pressure with some awful passes. Gillespie will gain us many points this season. That concludes my clinical insights.

Not sure if this has been posted, but an interesting analysis of Curtis Main's career, his time with us and what he might bring to Aberdeen. The jist of the entire article is that he's fucking awful. https://www.modernfitba.com/blogs/2019/6/10/rate-my-transfer-curtis-main

Aside from other points made, Erwin broke through playing alongside Sutton and McDonald. Couldn't ask for more experience on and off the pitch. He comes across as a confident young player but it's a huge ask, particularly when he doesn't have older heads around him.

What was really notable last night was there seems to be a real fight and desire pulsing through the team. Even in the last 10 minutes folk were battling for every ball. Folk also seemed to know their jobs. Hopefully this is another season where the fitness and organisation gives us an edge. Add in a few classy looking players and I don't think it's unreasonable to be excited about the first premiership tests.

Totally agree - I'd love to see them both start as I was on the edge of my seat every time either of them got the ball. Great entertainment. I'm basing it purely on Robinson's comments about having players who can change games now. I'm sure we'll see them start in at least one of the group games.

Agreed, but not sure we'll see that. Robinson likes impact players and the team earning the right to play and all that. He said as much in the dressing room post match video - "we've now got players who can change games". He's probably right. Players coming on against a tiring defence is a totally different proposition than taking on a defender full of energy. They might be best deployed later in the game. I'll trust his judgement.

Anyone know the latest on Cadden?

http://www.usagoals.me/c/football/3019814/1/aberdeen-vs-motherwell-live-stream/ if anyone is having trouble with the other stream

Hmmm. I thought they were smart in nullifying our forward threats, stopped Turnbull and Gorin dictating in the middle and lost possession because they were actually trying to play some incisive football. We were rank because of Hibs.

Hibs were good while we were 6/10 across the pitch. Not bad perfomance however they successfully nullified most of what we tried to do and always looked more threatening in possession. In the grand scheme of 2019 a performance like that is to be expected.

A very good point at a difficult place to go. For all that it was a scrappy game, it wasn't the shitest game I've been to. It was fairly end to end, even if it was devoid of skill and it looked like either team was only one mistake away from losing the goal that would settle the match. Credit to Killie for stifling Hastie, Ariyibi and Main. Gorrin was fantastic.