Kmcalpin

Agree with much of whats been written so far. I reckon we'll go for a goalkeeper, either back up or first choice depending on Samson's position; a defensive central midfielder and a striker. Interesting too to see which of the young lads get promoted.

Not an unreasonable package I'd say. Most prices are increasing by just under 5%, but POD adult prices have been frozen. Those aged 16-18 are now classed as concessions which will help younger folk. Those aged 60-64 still enjoy concession prices which isn't the case for most clubs. However, I'd like to have seen us follow Hibs temporary measure of giving season ticket holders a 10% reduction of cup prices but having said that, they are reviewing this. Anyone thinking of upgrading to the Centenary Suite should just ring the ticket office.

Really? I wasn't aware of this.

Hi folks Yabba's Turd: Sorry Ian - I have the Raith programme but there's no mention of your cousin's friend. I've also checked other programmes around that date but still no mention. Tamwell: I have a home programme against Hibs dated 17 August 1991. Dezz: sorry I don't have that programme. Richie: sorry I don't have the Liverpool programme. Superward: yes I have 3 Aberdeen programmes from 22 August 1987, 1 October 1988 and 21January 1989. Take your pick. SBMFC: yes I have the 30 July 2006 Rangers programme. For those of you I do have programmes for can I suggest we meet before the St Johnstone game next week? PM me to arrange.

I think its worth bearing in mind that the team who won the cup last night was not just the product of Stephen Craigan & Keith Lasley's guidance over the past year or so (they have done very well) but also of our scouts from 2/3/4 years ago. A feature of youth schemes is that they take several years to bear fruit and it takes along time to find out if they are working or not. Two more interesting thoughts - Hamilton, who are recognised as having a very good youth scheme have never won the cup. How many of our lads from last night have been picked to represent Scotland?

Well done to the young lads and the management team of Stephen Craigan and Keith Lasley. We do seem to have real talent in the squad and I hope many of them progress to the first team. It will have been an experience for them to have played at Hampden, put in a good performance and won a cup. Some cracking goals to boot.

Morgaro Gomis (loan), David Clarkson and Craig Moore.

In planning terms "out of town" will be defined as being outside the settlement envelope (as set out by the Local Plan).

Presumably thats on greenfield land, where development costs are far cheaper? We should be regenerating brownfield land first. Housing developers cherry pick the best and easiest sites first in order to maximise their profits not serve the community. There's nothing wrong in making a profit though and every area needs new development. However its the role of the planners and ultimately the elected councillors to ensure that the needs of the community come first. Also, there's no guarantee that if a developer gains planning permission that they'll build houses immediately. They may well sit on the site, in other words landbank, until the time is right to build and maximise their profits.

New businesses will come in. The area needs to evolve as do all cities, towns and villages. As much as we love Fir Park, it is no longer fit for purpose.

Ravenscraig regeneration is still going ahead although the focus on a new town centre has been dropped or decreased, I'm not sure which. The entire site needs development and part of that is the construction of new housing, which is badly needed. The site could well accommodate a new stadium but the financing will be a huge stumbling block. I just wonder how Aberdeen and their Council can afford a new ground.

Ok Greg - I'll check for you.

Just stating the facts as they are Mitch.

Yes, leave it with me.

Absolutely. When he learns to be a bit more composed under pressure, and he will, he'll turn into a great player.

I wouldn't have thought he fits the Aberdeen/Hearts stereotype striker. Both clubs like their strikers to be big and physical.

Not everyone moves for more money.

Very true, but I put this down to positional changes, especially in relation to MacDonald, who was asked to play deeper.

A well deserved victory and as others have said it should have been much more comfortable than it was. We missed a few gilt edged chances, which had they gone in would have given us a 3/4 goal lead. In fairness i think hearts had already packed their holiday cases but they still gave us a tough test with their physical combative style of play. A strong midfield but toothless sup front. McManus was my MOTM although both Cadden and MacDonald had reasonable games. Samson, although not full tested, proved very capable and staked a claim for a longer deal. We were a bit unlucky having to make 2 changes due to injuries and that disrupted the rhythm of the team. I thought Law struggled a bit at right back even before his injury but formation wise our whole right side struggled defensively. As MMcG said he tried a few experiments with some working and some not. Midfield looked a bit disorganised at times with MacDonald looking a bit uncomfortable when defending although he did play well. Despite playing with 2 wingers on paper, we were often caught too narrow and consequently both full backs struggled a bit. I must say I prefer to see Skippy playing further forward. I didn't feel comfortable watching us sitting back and soaking up pressure in the latter stages. Jack Leitch didn't do much to further his claim for a longer deal. A few nice touches early on but he was largely anonymous and struggled against bigger and heavier opponents. I thought the ref was dire. Very erratic with his bookings. Puzzled as to why he blew for a very late challenge on Stevie Hammell but then took no further action. Overall a good day but not all experiments worked. Still the result proved that Mark McGhee got much more right than wrong. He really has turned this squad around.

Hopefully not an Alan Martin mark II.

Yes, I'll be in contact Charlie. I'll firstly look out individual programmes that posters have requested and then you can have the remainder, of which there will be quite a few. The main thing is that they will be looked after and retained for the benefit of the club and our support - not looking to make any profit from them.

Stephen McManus for me. Solid as a rock throughout when some others at round him were flagging a bit.

Good post. I'm not entirely sure if we have regressed but at best we've stood still. Like you say plans should have been put in place several years ago to replace Dads Army. Keith Lasley is now slowing up and struggles to last 90 minutes and he'll be 36 at the start of the new season. Stevie Hammell is 34 and has had a jekyll and hyde season - good on the attack although slowing a bit but poor defensively and has cost us a few goals. No serious attempt has been made to replace him. Francis Angol was meant to be a long term replacement but never quite made it. Straker was a short term emergency signing nothing more; and Joe Chalmers was presumably seen as a longer term replacement but hasn't quite made it. It doesn't surprise me that Stephen McManus might be offered a new deal as both Ian Baraclough and Mark McGhee seem to rate him and he is "only" 33. Faddy? A year older and slower. Scott MacDonald is a no brainer and deserves another deal or take up of his option. At worst the team will finish in a credible 6th position and now is the time to bring in fresh blood, although it ought to have been done a few years ago. Pearo too isn't getting any younger and our engine room will require an overhaul sooner rather than later. Time will tell though which players will be offered new deals and which won't. Ideally, even a successful squad needs about 3/4 new faces a year to keep the team developing and the time to do it is when you're doing well not when you're struggling. We may well require a new goalie unless Craig Samson steps up and the striking department will require additions if Fletcher, Clarkson and possibly Moore move on. Still no word on Ben Hall?

No problems I'll check for this one.

Ok, I'll check