Marinello

I'm probably in minority as ( paper stuff aside which btw unless I missed it was never confirmed) I feel he did well this season. It ain't no coincidence ( and CPT Oates alludes to this) that Dec's return to the team some weeks back has seen our performances improve and contributed to our impressive clean sheet record . Aberdeen are getting an accomplished player whose strengths lie in his composure, game reading and distribution. His main weakness is his lack of pace but his strengths outweigh this. Wouldn't play him as a Captain though as I don't think he is cut out for this.

Meanwhile ( sorry to be a spoil sport) back onto footie matters, does anyone have any news on Grimmy O'Hara , Smith and the rarely spotted Malone?

Could be significant that the commentators on Sportsound tonight alluding to Dec's contract situation as the reason for him not currently playing with us. Hmm!!

Congratulations Cpt. Don't always agree with you but you never fail to make interesting comments. Here's to the next 8,000

Suggestion that MacIver may be going on loan to Queens Park. Can anybody confirm?

Forrest replaced Lawless at Livi when he went to Burton Albion. Martindale added that if anyone is to get the best out of Lawless it's important he is played on right wing.

Living in Livi and often speaking to Martindale it's interesting that he says Crawford was very unlucky at Livi because he was replaced by the slightly more effective ex Hearts player Holt who impressed on a trial. Martindale was nevertheless full of praise for Crawford saying his only fault was that he tended to " chase the game too much" rather than being patient. Meanwhile, Livi fans without exception feel Crawford was never given a chance at Livi. They wish him well at FP. As an aside Martindale was less praiseworthy of Lawless believing that his best days were behind him and that Alan Forrest was the better of the 2.

C' Mon Captain You're better than that. Dugmeat???? Yes, not as good as last season but still miles ahead of anyone else we've had to play in central defence. Also, in addition to his Captain duties he has had to regularly ' nurse' Lamie and Bevis through their --- if I'm being kind---erratic periods whilst often not having a reliable left back or for a period a competent right back.

If as some would have us believe that only SOD will be back for Wednesday I think there's a strong chance that Max will remain at RB ( I thought he did ok all things considered) and that SOD will replace either Baresi or Maldini ( I meanTyler or Lamie). Other option is Mc Ginley at LCB as this according to Robbo is his preferred position.

Have the following questions been asked of GA; * How fit are Nolan and Foley? * Is Smith injured? * Has the non COVID illness or illnesses affecting a number of players been identified. * Why play 3 in midfield when playing a 4 would have made us more difficult to beat. As for Gallagher's situation? On second thoughts!!!

He's that rarely spotted I got Nolan's name wrong.Doh!!

I'm with you. From 15 minutes onwards the entire momentum is with the Accies whilst we are facing upstream without a paddle. Put another way, we gave ourselves no chance to salvage the game. Still doesn't fully exonerate our slow start, bad marking at first goal and SOD's brain fart but let's try and see the game in the round. Next Saturday will be a better indicator albeit in addition to SOD we look to be without Mugabi ( dislocated shoulder?) and perhaps Gallagher. Step forward Tyler, Mc Ginley or the rarely spotted Malone!!

Disagree re your slur on Goodwin. Check out his post match comments after Buddies loss to Livi in semi. Despite certain key decisions going against his team he chose more to give Livi credit and to wish them well in the final. He's done likewise with Motherwell praising them highly and seeing us as a benchmark for his team to aspire to. As for his tactical nous I would agree with a lot of the ' experts' that he knows his stuff.

Not that we should be gloating considering our likely central defence pairing but I'm sure GA will be urging us to target Welsh who is seen as being poor in the air and less than surefooted----- just like Celtic's defence overall!!!

Overjoyed with the win in a game that not long ago we would have lost. Our strike force is rapidly improving ( Cole Wow) although Smith is showing early signs of Fisher/ White syndrome!! Still bags of time to impress though . Kelly is proving an able deputy for TC. SOD and Jake both steady as usual. Bevis although getting better still gives me the heebie jeebies as seen by losing his man at United's goal. Lamie-- best I can say is that I've seen him play worse. I fully expect Nolan ( or perhaps Tyler) to replace him sooner than later. Hope Dec returns quickly too. Campbell back to something like his old self. Crawford did well but faded. Now Maguire!!. Yup I'm in a minority but I really don't get the 'love in ' with him. Yes, no one can't fault his effort and desire to do his best but to me he is seriously limited re guile and craft. Add to that as witnessed tonight he is regularly dispossessed , guilty of misplaced passes and set pieces often going astray. Fully expect O'Hara or even Foley to replace him when up to speed. All in all its great to get the win and certainly grounds for encouragement.

However underwhelming the ' window' may have been I do feel it's important to remember a few things; * Retained Dec, SOD and Campbell. * Guys signed are upgrades on what was at the club. * These guys are only here until May as per loans. * We have several players injured . Their positions needed covered. * Most importantly, these signings are all geared towards securing our safety. Set in this context I'm satisfied. Also, give the guys a chance

Re Crawford. Many posters linking his retention to the unavailability of O' Hara and Donnelly. Personally, I see him more linked to Campbell's situation as in if the wee man leaves Crawford is his replacement.

O'Hara ' illness'? Is this related to the recovery period following his concussion suffered ( I think) in training?

Other than the 'dated' info on the MFC site are there any updates for Donnelly and Dunne?

Didn't excell at FP but with Leyton Orient he is highly regarded.

Having witnessed over 50 years any number of dodgy decisions going the way of Rangers against us , I must say I've no complaints over their goal today.

Stevie Lawless it seems.

Re the penalty on Saturday. Yup , never a pen in my book. But I wonder if Madden had his non award of a penalty to Dundee United in his mind from 2 weeks back?

Using Chapman as a benchmark I'd say Kelly is akin to Buffon. Yup, under our present circs Kelly would be a good move. Selected for a few Scottish 'A' squads and did well at Livi. But SJ fan saying he is better than Carson is tripe. A concern is his height as he falls into the Twardzik and Hollis category.

I'm probably way out the loop but is there any official word that Archer has left the club?