Sensible Soccer🏴

Big congratulations to Harry Paton for being called up to the full Canadian international team for the first time

That's a cracker, like the design, love the yellow. I had the 90's yellow one back in the day

An announcement from Elgin City on twitter, that fans will be allowed in to see the friendly with County on Saturday.

I know nothing about him but that sounds better for a signing prospect than the absolute nothing up until now Where did you see this rumoured?

There's an article in the Ross-Shire, with McGregor saying that there'll be new signings in by next weekend. At least it's some acknowledgement that work on signings is being done.

He's only gone and done it! Fantastic achievement by Tom Stoltman, Scotland's first ever World's Strongest Man

Can't see a thread on it but I'm hearing that Tom Stoltman from Invergordon is 1 point in the lead going into the last round on the 2021 World's Strongest Man competition. Can't find it anywhere live online but hopefully he can win the final event, atlas stones and claim the title. His older brother Luke is currently 3rd behind the big American Brian Shaw. Hopefully another Scottish world champion

Yeah, it's a very tough start. 5 of last season's top 6 in the first fixtures. Then two away games against closer rivals after that. We'll be underdogs that's for sure, hopefully others will underestimate us and we can pull a few surprises

I just listened to it there, tbh I thought it was quite a good interview. The timing of the interview, after signing a brand new backroom team is going to focus them, their attributes & the future vision. I'm not sure what others were expecting. What's new to be said about fans, that you'd expect to be discussed in this interview?

I'm just catching up with a few podcasts whilst at work. The Euro Breakfast show from the 15th, I'm halfway through it and for once Neil Lennon speaks very well and is easy to listen to. Wtf is going on!

New tweet from the club, with regards to the coaching set up for the coming season. Must admit it sounds exciting, hopefully we can unearth some hidden gems. Cookie Policy First team Malky unveils his coaching team 14/06/2021 Malky Mackay has today unveiled his new coaching team to take The Staggies into season 2021/22. Don Cowie has been promoted to Assistant Manager from his role as 1st Team Coach last season. The former Staggies midfielder previously played for Malky at Watford and Cardiff City, where he would later win his first Scotland Cap and promotion to the English Premier League. Joining as 1st Team Coach is another familiar name in the shape of Stuart Taylor- who previously played for Ross County between 2004-06. Stuart joins with a wealth of coaching experience, latterly with Aston Villa, Wolves, Stoke City and Ipswich Town. Also joining Malky’s backroom team is Enda Barron. Enda brings to Ross County extensive experience and knowledge of Football Data Analysis and Player Recruitment structures. He has a proven track record at various levels in the game from the English Premier League right through the football pyramid as well as experience working with teams abroad. Goalkeeping coach Scott Thomson, Physiotherapist Willie Nolan and Sport Scientist Liam Jukes, remain an important part of Malky’s backroom team for the upcoming season. On the appointments, Manager Malky Mackay said, “I am delighted to be working with Don again. He is someone I know and trust and believe has the best interests of our club at heart. I am delighted he has decided to go into coaching after retiring as I think he has the perfect temperament to help the modern player develop. Don has a real hunger and desire to learn as a coach and played a vital part in Ross County retaining its Premiership status last season." “Stuart is someone I have known for a number of years in football and brings vast experience of coaching at all levels of the game. He will be a fabulous addition to our coaching team at Ross County and I know our players will benefit from his advice and guidance. I’m excited to have Stuart on board with us for this next chapter.” “Having worked with Enda before I know how knowledgeable he is in his field and how important it is in the modern game to have a structured recruitment and performance analysis department. The support of our Chairman and Chief Executive has been imperative in enabling us to add this important area of high performance to our club.”

So Tierney, Gallagher and Fleck are the three not involved in today's squad. Cooper on the left of the back three is as good a replacement for Tierney as we could have hoped. 'mon the Scotland

Armstrong winner

Had this tune stuck in my head

Good signing, he certainly looked far better than I expected when he returned from loan, at the end of January.

Not sure what you mean by mentioning Ryan Jack, my concern was the right side of the back three. Who would you suggest is the best player from our squad to play there against the Czechs? I thought having McTominay there with his ability to step out of defense and dribble/pass would be an option. I'm not so confident with Gallagher/Hendry/McKenna.

I see what you're saying but wouldn't any midfield with Gilmour in it be one that hadn't played a match together. I'm pretty happy with the midfield, there are several options, that are good on they're own merit depending on how Clarke wants to go. McTominay is certainly one of those good options but to have him passing out from the back and covering the right wingback would maybe be better than Hendry/Hanley/Cooper et all? The opportunity to win this opening fixture is huge, our defence imo is likely to be under more pressure in the following two games so a more natural defender should maybe play in those matches. In all the permutations of how we could line up I see the right side of central defense as OUR weak point. Looking back to the Netherlands friendly, I thought Armstrong was immense and the catalyst for so much good work. I'd definitely have him starting the Czech game.

Does anyone else think that Clarke will play McTominay as a right sided center half again on Monday? I think playing him in midfield for the two friendlies was a rouse for our rivals looking on, and our midfield will be something like McGregor McGinn Armstrong. Our right side of defense and ability to keep retention of the ball are our weak points, playing McTominay at the back, has been an answer for this before, will Clarke go for it again?

I don't get this. Do we expect Gardyne to retire because Ross County haven't offered him a new contract? Dropping down a division, playing with players and staff that he already knows and not having to uproot a family, all makes complete sense to me. For players this is a job, yes a very good job, one we'd all like to have been good enough to do but it pays the mortgage, puts food on the table. There's no room for fans style of loyalty when it's up against looking after your family. What has been so shocking over the last 2-3 months? Gardyne had a contract that was running out, I have no idea what wages he was on but I doubt he was at the low end of our scale. The club have decided (rightly or wrongly, time will tell) to clear the decks and go in another direction. I'm not keen on the McKay appointment but it's clear that many things weren't working as they should, as we barely outpointed a honking Accies & an abysmal Killie side. Change is/was required and Michael Gardyne isn't part of the future first team squad, I don't find that shocking, or surprising tbh. I'd love to see Midge cut his teath in coaching somewhere else see how others do things, then come back to Dingwall in the future. There's no need reason for Gardyne to have an animosity towards County from what I've seen/heard.

Yeah, he never quite got round to explaining that one. Some fresh blood on the shows to start shipping these freeloaders out would be welcomed.

I'm happy that he's re-signed too. He's a very useful player across the whole backline and by all accounts a great trainer and hard worker

That's exactly what we were just saying, get it back to 11 v's 11, this is no use for Clarke. Either that or get the kids (Paterson, Turnbull, Gilmour) on to make a name for themselves.

Has McGinn touched the ball yet? We're pretty poor in possession so far.

It's pretty pish ain't it, hopefully we're flying way under their radar that a result for us at Wembley will see them implode trying to explain it away.

Yeah, that's how I see it. I'd definitely switch McGregor out for someone, probably Gilmour.