Sensible Soccer🏴

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.

There's usually a few kicking about on eBay. I've bought up a few of the older ones out of nostalgia but they're all overweight man sizes, I'm afraid.

I'm running out of greenies, a very good warm up match. I know it's frightening but there's plenty to be positive about. Hopefully there's no injury issues between now and the real deal. A draw was probably a good result, as a win in the Netherlands would have alerted everyone to our impending Euros charge

I think Callaghan could be a really good signing. I'm surprised that he's only 27 years old, thought he was about 30ish. He seemed to be a real leader on the pitch for Hamilton last year so that's something we could clearly do with. Also if he can find the net like he had been the last few months, that'll be a bonus too.

Ross Callaghan signed, well according to the daily record.

It's going to be a hell of a rebuild in Dingwall. Has there been any players linked to the club yet?