BucksburnDandy

Word for word agree with this. For 60 minutes, we played Celtic off the park for the first time in the time I have watched Aberdeen. Despite obvious disappointment, I struggle to criticise anyone beyond the obvious keeper, Flood and captain Reynolds, who made a genuine error which is rare in his game. I think the manager went into the game with the right team and tactics, and our performance in the first hour, despite seeing us 2-0 down, was satisfying. The last half hour was tough to take, but after playing so well and finding themselves 2-0 down, it doesn't surprise me the players were deflated. Yesterday felt like I imagine the Liverpool game must have felt back in 1980. A really timely lesson that will help us grow stronger and improve exponentially. For me, we're two real quality players off a sustained title challenge - a dominant, commanding goalkeeper and a better partner to sit beside Jack in big games, distribute the ball quicker and more directly. Obviously we are rightly bound by budget but with Anderson and Robson likely to retire/leave in summer, there's money available. If we can keep what we have and add these two key players from somewhere, we could challenge at the top of the league. Progress is being made, and the fans showed they appreciated that at full time yesterday. However, it has been hugely frustrating to lose every big game this season, near enough, and that's something we need to address.

Part of me thinks the police had a large factor in seeing the slot for the Dundee game being the Monday night. After Tannadice in December, if I mind rightly there was a Dundee Courier story stating that the match commander was looking for future Aberdeen kick offs in the city to be lunchtime ones to try to somewhat stem the amount of fannies who go down and see it as a chance to trash pubs. With BT offering coverage, Monday night is a nice compromise for the police given the majority of fans will be travelling straight from work and will be working the next day, vastly reducing the time fans can get drunk & in their hope reducing the travelling support in size. BT will be delighted to oblige given these games have so far provided great entertainment and 14 goals in 3 games. Bit of a ball ache, but sadly I worry this may become a trend. As for Kilmarnock away on a Sunday lunchtime, utterly brutal time for any fans who want to travel. Nae trains would make it down from the North East on time, but why should the fans matter? I will likely travel but I don't blame those who just won't bother, it's a shocking time for a game, our furthest trip of the season.

Fantastic sign of intent signing Kenny McLean. He's the sort of dynamic midfielder we were desperately missing on Saturday, it is a superb signing. The fee is fantastic, put in context against those for Andreu and Armstrong, this is superb value for money. Credit to McInnes and the board for this piece of business. Hopefully Lukas Culjak (forever to be known as LL Cul J) turns out to be an astute long term but of business. Disappointed to see Kelly go. Refereed the kid in a fair few AFC youth games a couple of years or so back, and he was a fantastic prospect, well cultured left foot, great work ethic, hard but fair manner and very versatile. Overall, a good window, tying up key players, seeing McLean and Daniels in, Shinnie sign a pre contract and not losing any key players. Decent month!

As much as I find Goodwillie frustrating at times, our overall attacking play has improved greatly with his presence in the team. He and Rooney have linked very well, with the partnership really reaping rewards in this team. It is a totally different dynamic to last season, and it had especially helped us look a lot more comfortable in home games we scraped across the line in last season. On a personal basis, Goodwillie has produced a number of impressive performances recently, suggesting that he's got some of the old confidence back. Sadly, he's not the young David Goodwillie that left to go down south. A year's extension suggests that either the club still hold reservations or Goodwillie sees his long term future away from Pittodrie. Considering he's nigh on saved his career here under a manager that took a big gamble on the lad, you'd naturally assume he'd be reticent to leave.

Another good bit of business signing Ash Taylor up for another year. I will hold my hands up and say I got it totally wrong on Ash, over the last 2 months he has been exceptional. He's come onto a game, reading things excellently and looking far more confident. Great bit of business, and with the Dons in talks with Jack, hopefully more good news on the way. And hopefully a replacement for Jeff Monakana that's useful!

Indeed, and they have also covered the first three seats in the sections either side of the fence between the home and away fans, for reasons unknown.

Fantastic business again by the club and McInnes. That's all the current first team regulars with the excepton of Goodwillie signed up until 2016 at least. Of those still left to be dealt in, I would like to see Low, Storie and Murray given new contracts. Goodwillie is a tough one, as he's not been brilliant, but he seems to be working well in the team just now. I'd imagine if Anderson and Robson feel that they can go on another season, they will get a year's extension. Shaughnessy, Robertson, McManus and Rogers are going to struggle to get new deals I feel, and Masson has no chance. Once again, full credit to the club for getting two key players signed onto extended deals. A rare change to previous era's of boardroom contract management incompetence.

Pleasing business, efficiently carried out and executed. The newer directors have made an incredible difference to the running of the club. Long may this Armageddon continue!

Great news, after 9 months of negotiation to finally get across the line. A massive burden off the club's back to go totally debt free as opposed to exchanging for soft loans. The debt conversion to equity gives SMG and AAM an increased stake while the Donald family become major new shareholders. Huge credit to George Yule, Duncan Fraser and the rest of the board, been a painstaking process but it has been worth it. Now, let's hope for good news on the training ground at Balgownie and the new stadium sooner rather than later!

If he continues that way, he'll find himself unemployed in 6 months after being unable to deliver on the pitch. Nothing wrong with a drink now and again, and enjoying himself, but I hope this is his last blowout for a while. Lad really needs to mature and focus on getting his performances right on the park. If he doesn't in a dressing room containing Robson, Flood, Anderson, Reynolds, Doc and Del, he never will.

From my memory he was bang average at best. However he had a penchant for Rowies with a cringeworthy feature in the Evening Express explaining his love for them. It's little wonder he got punted soon afterwards!

Some of the stuff on Aberdeen Mad was pathetically hilarious. Particularly from a poster who wouldn't know the location of Pittodrie if he was standing on King Street.

We'll put that down to excellent build up play and delivery which gave Calvin no time to think too much.

Whilst not totally convinced, fully support Del here. Robson and Flood will provide steady figures from his early Utd days, whilst the aforementioned, Ando and Reynolds won't stand for any stupid antics on and off the pitch. Goodwillie is a player who needs a fresh start mentally, as well as to work closely with Graham Kirk to get his pace fully utilised like Pawlett has. If he rediscovers his previous form in Scotland before Blackburn - masterstroke. If not, he's still bound to be better than Calvin bloody Zola, the useless carthorse he was.

Ended up with a First Class Honours pass in Management and have a job lined up when I return from NZ. Not sure how I managed to bag a first given it looked miles off at Christmas but the hard work paid off nicely. Congratulations to all fellow P&Bers graduating this year.

Just back from the Waikato Stadium in Hamilton having watched the All Blacks trounce England 36-13. The strong and resolute English defence of previous weeks was breached four times in the first half and once when the New Zealanders were down a man at the end. Superb occasion to watch, though couldn't get too excited given it wasn't my team playing. 25,100 crowd in the agricultural Waikato heartland, a fair number of Nigels dotted round the ground who very quickly fell silent.

Well done St Johnstone, thoroughly deserved for an outstanding season - from knocking Rosenborg out in July to the Scottish Cup in May, not a bad 10 months! Perth will be bouncing tonight with epic scenes in the Loft, and rightly so, enjoy it. Old Geoff Brown must have sat there today and enjoyed the payback for 30 years of hard graft! Wonderful atmosphere at the game and a good open game of football. Thought bar the last 15 in the first half, Saints were in control, ironically getting the opener after a strong period from United. Second half was brilliant, nearly had one of the great cup final goals from Wotherspoon and Robertson's drive saved by Mannus was nearly brilliant too. The two goals were absolute brain farts from Flapniak in goal for United, but the game passed so many of their players by today. And my god Nadir Ciftci is a moaning lazy b*****d. Saints had many strong performances including James Dunne, Wotherspoon and McLean. Two centre halves were rocks too. Credit also due to the officials, so easy to pan them so must also credit them. Totally correct to rule out May's goal from my angle and allowed the game to flow well. Seeing my Granda's face at full time almost made up for losing the semi final, almost. Cracking game of football, credit to both and well.done Saints. Enjoy your night and many weeks of celebration.

Excellent news. Now that Barney is out of power, hopefully the rest of those Labour and Tory cockwombles grow up and stop getting in the way of progress for AFC and the town in general. Particularly that tosspot Willie Young, the bitter h*n twat.

No idea either, but fair play. Remarkable effort from both sets of fans tomorrow. Our effort with the Jock Stein and full North Stand really was stunning. Up there with many of the Continental displays. Glad our sunbeam display, given the red light by police in Glasgow for some ridiculous reason, was rolled out on Sunday. Real get it right up you to the police down there. Tomorrow will be every bit as brilliant an effort given both teams have displays. For you guys, it'll feel more special of course, and rightly so too. Could never imagine the Ugly Sisters trying one!

By the looks of it, they've recreated the old Lion badge in the LL with tangerine, black and some white cards round the rest of the stand. Didn't see if there was any special design in the north but there were cards laid out there. If correct, it looks bloody brilliant, not far off our cup final effort from March. Great effort from those United fans!

Even better, it's Stewart "Armageddon" Reg-*** and Campbell Ogilvie who will be likely be part of the presentation party. I have a feeling our friends from Tayside will share our joint opinion of the useless corrupt men who run our game. I'll certainly be joining in any booing and abuse!

Apparently the organisers of our displays have given a bit of design and organisational advice to both sets of fans, having put on our cup final displays in the same ground just two months back. Certainly wouldn't claim either have stolen ideas, why would they when each club has different symbols of their fan culture. Haven't seen St Johnstone's on SSN but saw the United one earlier when Andy McLaren was being interviewed and I have to say it looks smart as f**k. Fair play United fans!

Same here RiG. Taking my 82 year old Saints supporting granda down. Gutted we aren't in this one, but Saints fans were top class after both semi finals this season. Hope we get an absolute thriller tomorrow with both teams going at it hammer and tongs. Wish both sets of fans all the best, hope you enjoy your special day, thoroughly deserved for the parts both have played in this fantastically exciting season. Final hope is a massive anti Armageddon chant at some stage from both sets of fans!

Agree with all of Del's business there. Robson and Anderson are likely to play reduced roles next season, albeit very important roles. Low is a player I like a lot but at his age, he really has to make himself a first team regular next season or be left behind. Scott Vernon can go with his pride intact. His goals were invaluable in battling the inherent mediocrity brought to the club by McGhee and Brown. Totally dicked about by Brown but fired in some decent goals this season. However, unfortunately not prolific enough. Still assured of his place in history thanks to his penalty in the League Cup Final! Magennis while an honest lad isn't good enough at this level. Weaver offered very little and had to go. Tate was very meh all in. Logan would be a solid signing but all depends on his ability to move his family north on a long term deal. Hector has been offered a deal from us too and talks seemingly productive so we'll see how that turns out. Would be a bloody fantastic signing all in. Russell's long term replacement. Now how to deal with a problem like Zola?!

Was a good day out all in. Was about halfway up Stand A, right behind Taylor's boundary catch, place went mental. Good atmosphere and banter between Scots and English in our Stand. Didn't quite restrict England's run rate enough and didn't get going with the bat, bar Leask who for 10 minutes had me naively beginning to dream! The West Ham eejits were the only dampner outside the weather. Absolute idiots with zero interest in the cricket. Trying as hard as possible to cause a stooshie with Scots. Absolute arseholes.