MelvinBragg

You know me, I'll come up with something. As will you in the absence of Yerdaza...

Oh aye, I'm only too aware how lucky we've been. Doesn't stop the (occasional) moan at a particular game or player that frustrates. Not talking about some of the serial offenders on here...

So you wouldn't want to finish second if Europe wasn't the reward? The whole point of finishing second is to finish second. Europe is, and should always be seen as, a bonus. If we don't do well there, is it really a catastrophe or a crime...?

Proof, if any were required, that we supporters have had it pretty good for a good few years. Kind of puts in perspective the moaning that we supporters (myself included) do on a regular basis. Even in the last six seasons of pretty much uninterrupted relative success, how many players (and managers) have been declared "not good enough" by some of our support (again, I include myself). Frankly, we should be enjoying looking back at some of the cracking teams we've seen in claret and amber, because there's no guarantee it'll last forever..

This...

There's a joke about Ratteling the goals in there somewhere...

I'm happy with the signings we've made but as others have pointed out, it's important not to get carried away. Aberdeen in recent seasons have signed some "name" players, and probably had high hopes. We've done well in previous seasons by getting the right combination of players and the right spirit, let's hope we don't lose that. Cautious optimism is the way to go...

I still reckon if we sign McManus then we'll look to sell Hutchinson. Whether the club tries to hold off until after the European games before selling is another question. So if it all pans out looking at GK Nielsen Hollis DF Kerr Reid Ramsden McManus Cummins Hammell Angol Murray MF Lasley Lawson Vigurs Carswell McFadden FW Sutton McHugh Erwin Moore Plus another two players (I'd imagine two forward thinking players). I could live with that...

I think Frazzle has a point regarding the fact that neither McManus nor McFadden will be in great demand. I think people have to take into account the number of players we've removed from the wage bill, including some who were rumoured to be among the higher earners at the club. I'd wager that Kerr and Nielsen aren't on what Hateley and Randolph were on. Money has been saved. And the fee for Ojamaa may mean the budget hasn't shrunk as much as anticipated..

If we sign McManus, we will sell Hutchinson...

Aside from the fact that's a bench heavy on defence that looks ridiculously good. Just have a funny feeling we'll miss out on McManus...

I suspect McFadden is torn slightly. He knows, in terms of natural ability, he could be playing at a higher level but his lack of pace undermines him somewhat on that score. Were he to go a bigger club, he'd get a better financial deal, but would he be seen like McCourt as an option from the bench with 20 minutes to go (having said that Maloney was a first team player in the EPL last season)? Even at Celtic, would he be benched for Champions League games in favour of more athletic players like Forrest? But, fact is, although we offer a meagre wage in comparison, we offer guaranteed first team football and a shot of getting back into the Scotland team. It all comes down to what he prioritises. Can't blame him for being cautious before making his decision...

If we're going 442, then I reckon McHugh would be a good partner for Sutton. It all depends whether McCall is going to try and keep the same shape and system as last season or whether to go with a system that suits the players we have just now. But the lack of pace is a concern, no matter how he plans to set up...

I think we need to plan for the season without McFadden. Figuring if a deal was to be done, it'd be done by now. However, McFadden is a class above pretty much everything else in the SPL so if in two weeks time he was to come and say "what can you offer?" then we'd be mad not to try and reach an agreement...

His name is Fraser Kerr...

If he can stay clear of injury, Saunders is a very good footballer. I wish him nothing but the best...

I liked Higginbotham a lot but don't know if he's what we're looking for now. We've lost a bit of pace from the team, and while he's not slow, he's not lightning quick either...

Slight problem with my being a representative, given I'm not even in the society... But you two make a valid point regarding there being a wide range of views, some of whom won't feel represented. How the society gets round that is, I'm glad to say, not my problem...

Aye, smells like Casagolda to me...

Cautiously optimistic that we'll be alright next season. On paper, McCall seems to be making a very good fist of this rebuilding lark. Three players with SPL pedigree and two with potential to develop. Two or three more of the right signings and we'll be well equipped for the new season...

Couple of wingers and we'll be sorted...

Wouldn't surprise me. Injury troubles or not, former Scotland captains don't come cheap...

Cheers..

I know this will have been answered earlier in the thread but need an answer at shortish notice, what are the dates for our European games...?

Just been looking at Gunnar Nielsen's stats. He's only played 14 first team games in his career. Anyone concerned about that? Goalkeeper is a pretty specialised position, so the majority of them don't play first team football. Not saying this as a criticism of him. Just strikes me that if you add Nielsen's and Hollis' career appearances together, you don't get as high as 50...