Walking Down The Halbeath Road

[101]

1 hour ago, CallumPar said:

I get that. But we should have been prepared for this window and made sure there were guys coming in early. It’s not like we can only start talking to clubs about who is/isn’t available when the window opens. We’ve had these issues for months and we’ve known that we need more bodies in.

Even John Hughes was prepared for the January window 2 years ago - Lawless was announced in December as a player who was joining in January. We’ve done the same with Callum Morris in the past. I think Coll Donaldson was sorted very early January.

For whatever reason, we’re not as organised as we should have been. It’s as simple as that. We were linked with 2 players last week. It’s been 6 days since we finished the game with Miller Fenton, Chris Hamilton and Josh Edwards as a back 3 and we’ve denied interest in one of the players and more clubs are now reportedly interested in the other.

Ashcroft hasn’t been involved for Dundee all season. If we wanted him, a deal should have been agreed for when the window opened. If that wasn’t possible, we should have been finding someone who was available. We can’t afford to wait until the end of the window, or we’re going to be in a relegation battle with a team of kids playing through injuries and out of position.

I agree but if I was McPake I would be very tempted to leave Ashcrofts wages open for as long as that deal remains a possability, we are unlikely to get another experienced CB that has won the league in this window.

But seeing as we need 2 defenders then I agree we should have been looking to bring in someone who is available now. To me it kind of points to the strange decision for the Germans to invest in a Scottish club post Brexit, they obviously have good knowledge of the German league and others in Central Europe but seeing as the only Europeans we can bring in are Irish or capped internationals it does on the face of it seem a waste of their knowledge and scouting potential.

Anyway I'm sure Craig has a queue of defenders to take photos off with the scarf above their head today!

[Stellaboz]

Don't get our hopes up with that last image. It's not fair. The pen gif is a distant memory.

[RRFC_Liam]

11 hours ago, The Toun Clock said:

I would say I was definitely in the “not got enough” camp in the summer. We didn’t address the lack of goals in the team. I have to say, with no injuries I’m fairly content with our squad/quality. Not a title winning (championship) squad but definitely one that can compete. However, so many injuries to so many key, guaranteed starting players has really impacted us.

I think we might get 2/3 in. Two defenders or a defender and midfielder soon, then possibly another later in the window. Realistically, if we had everyone fit I’d like a new goalie and a proper striker. Unfortunately we just need a bit of depth. Wouldn’t be shocked if as good as it got for us was some Old Firm B team loans.

Just noticed Scott Burns posted an article about Dundee wanting defensive cover before allowing Ashcroft on loan. Sounds like Pars, Raith, ICT & Thistle all interested.

I very much doubt partick needs him now since they have Muirhead, Neilson, O’Reilly and that Williams, plus Inverness signed that Carragher so realistically I think it’s between the 2 of us for Ashcroft and if the rumours are to be believed he’s coming our way 

[Shandon Par]

On 08/01/2024 at 14:57, parsforlife said:

Amount of players we’re needing to send away to specialists we may as well make it a team trip.

I remember Bert Paton sending a couple of guys (maybe Gerry Britton and Marc Millar?) to see the equine vet that looked after his daughters horses. He sorted out their knee troubles. 

[Salvo Montalbano]

Just seems bizarre the whole thing. I remember listening to the mammoth 6 hour lower league Terrace preview at the start of the season and both Craig and Shaughan were surprised we hadn't added a few more bodies to the squad, particularly with experience. Our success last season was built on defence but we had a goalkeeper who had struggled at that level before, a centre back who had had mixed success at that level before, and two who upid expect to be solid enough. After that we were down to midfielders and full backs filling in. It wasn't enough. In midfield we had a couple of good defensive/destructive type players, decent options wide and a box to box player but had lost the experience of McGowan and were reliant on players who were untested at this level, who had been poor at this level or who were coming back from injury. Up front we struggled for goals last season but originally planned to go with only 3 rather than 4 forwards, one of whom is often better deployed on the left. Has we signed for example Euan Murray, Kerr McInroy and David Wotherspoon in the summer I'd say we'd be well set for the play offs even with the injuries we've suffered. 

The other thing that annoys me is this narrative that either you can't get quality in January (you absolutely can, and our own previous January transfer windows are full of quality players who have come in and made a big difference, from Crawford to Hardie, Rutkiewicz to Morris. The other cliché you hear is that you can't get quality players on loan until the end of the window. I'd say Turner is a quality player. There may be some cases where the parent club are waiting on a replacement but in many other cases it's clear a player isn't in their plans, or they have a guy coming back from injury, or a player has been on loan somewhere but they want to send them somewhere else for more game time or a higher level of play or whatever. It's just lazy. 

[DAFC.]

Are we genuinely going in to an important home fixture with zero out and out centre backs? I am guessing we will be playing Fenton LWB, Edwards LCB, Hamilton CH, O'Halloran RWB? Who plays at RCB assuming Otoo is still out? Absolute shitshow at the moment. 

[CallumPar]

40 minutes ago, 101 said:

I agree but if I was McPake I would be very tempted to leave Ashcrofts wages open for as long as that deal remains a possability, we are unlikely to get another experienced CB that has won the league in this window.

But seeing as we need 2 defenders then I agree we should have been looking to bring in someone who is available now. To me it kind of points to the strange decision for the Germans to invest in a Scottish club post Brexit, they obviously have good knowledge of the German league and others in Central Europe but seeing as the only Europeans we can bring in are Irish or capped internationals it does on the face of it seem a waste of their knowledge and scouting potential.

Anyway I'm sure Craig has a queue of defenders to take photos off with the scarf above their head today!

You leave the wages available, until that spot in the team is filled. I would honestly rather get 2 fairly decent CBs in now though, than wait until we’ve played another 2/3 games with a makeshift backline, for a good defender.

As I’ve said, we should have had a defender ready to come in very early in the window. Simple as that. As soon as Comrie went down last Friday, it became even more desperate and we’re now needing at least 2 CBs as soon as possible.

The lack of preparation, despite the fact Breen/Benedictus have missed 75% of the season, is very disappointing and we definitely need to be asking why something wasn’t sorted, to ensure someone was coming in when the window opened. For 2/3 months, we’ve had guys playing when they really shouldn’t be, including guys returning from injury too soon, and had so many players out of position. The urgency/need to add to the squad as quickly as possible was there for all to see.

[Rob1885]

26 minutes ago, RRFC_Liam said:

I very much doubt partick needs him now since they have Muirhead, Neilson, O’Reilly and that Williams, plus Inverness signed that Carragher so realistically I think it’s between the 2 of us for Ashcroft and if the rumours are to be believed he’s coming our way 

Aye I'd imagine he'll be a Raith player by the end of the week sending Pars social media into fucking meltdown

[DAFC.]

It's not just defence as well though; we are having to play Chalmers with Allan in midfield. I like Chalmers, but he is a player that only works well with players like Otto, Hamilton, and Matty around him: guys that will take the game by the scruff. When you put him beside Paul Allan, they cancel each other out, and the midfield is pretty much non existent, especially on the back foot. You are then relying on Ben Summers to work magic when we have possession to progress because the other two don't do anything. 

Edited January 11 by DAFC.

[CallumPar]

5 minutes ago, DAFC. said:

It's not just defence as well though; we are having to play Chalmers with Allan in midfield. I like Chalmers, but he is a player that only works well with players like Otto, Hamilton, and Matty around him: guys that will take the game by the scruff. When you put him beside Paul Allan, they cancel each other out, and the midfield is pretty much non existent, especially on the back foot. You are then relying on Ben Summers to work magic when we have possession to progress because the other two don't do anything. 

At the moment, we have zero defenders available. That’s worse than the midfielders not being great together. Sorting numbers in defence also allows Hamilton/Otoo to move back into midfield - where they’re better and the team are better with them there.

The root of the problem you’ve described is the lack of defenders, as Hamilton/Otoo have rarely been unavailable to play, they’re just having to play out of position due to the defensive issues. Signing midfielders to keep Hamilton/Otoo in defence doesn’t seem like a decent solution to me.

[Cardle is Magic]

Let’s be honest; Paul Allan adds very little to our team. He’s not much of a threat going forward, he doesn’t get stuck into tackles, his passing is average at best.

He seems to have a decent engine but I think if he was a signing rather than a player who came through the youth system then people would be more vocal about his performances.

As @CallumPar says though, the issues at the back are far more pressing.

[RAITHROVERS84]

39 minutes ago, Rob1885 said:

Aye I'd imagine he'll be a Raith player by the end of the week sending Pars social media into fucking meltdown

Can’t lie, if we get Ashcroft it’ll be a fantastic coup and from our perspective it’ll be an enjoyable read on here, X and pars.net (or whatever it’s called) with the level of seethe. 

All our business from the summer to date, every player has mentioned Potter being an influence. I don’t know what sweet magic he’s whispering but I’m all for it. 

[Rammit Bawdeep]

7 minutes ago, RAITHROVERS84 said:

Can’t lie, if we get Ashcroft it’ll be a fantastic coup and from our perspective it’ll be an enjoyable read on here, X and pars.net (or whatever it’s called) with the level of seethe. 

All our business from the summer to date, every player has mentioned Potter being an influence. I don’t know what sweet magic he’s whispering but I’m all for it. 

Free bag of...............conservatories 

[101]

Ollie Younger seems a perfect CB for us, promising youth player who has been without a club since rupturing his hamstring.

Or send a plane over to Colorado and sweep up Danny Wilson.

[Salvo Montalbano]

40 minutes ago, Cardle is Magic said:

Let’s be honest; Paul Allan adds very little to our team. He’s not much of a threat going forward, he doesn’t get stuck into tackles, his passing is average at best

Scored more goals than Joe Chalmers (not that that's saying much!). I thought he did OK alongside Otoo tbf, although both he and Chalmers aren't players good enough for a side looking to challenge at the top end IMO.

[CallumPar]

21 minutes ago, RAITHROVERS84 said:

Can’t lie, if we get Ashcroft it’ll be a fantastic coup and from our perspective it’ll be an enjoyable read on here, X and pars.net (or whatever it’s called) with the level of seethe. 

All our business from the summer to date, every player has mentioned Potter being an influence. I don’t know what sweet magic he’s whispering but I’m all for it. 

When Potter was here, he was very popular with the players. His spell as manager was obviously really poor, but the players all absolutely loved him and I do believe they all genuinely wanted to do well for him.

When he left for Sunderland, I know the players were all really sad to see him go. I honestly have a lot of time for Potter. He did a lot for the club and even played through injury during admin times, to try and talk the kids through the games. In other games, he was named as a sub and would stand behind the goals (where players warm up), organising the young defenders.

Rovers players that Potter was involved with at Dunfermline would include: Ross Millen, Shaun Byrne, Callum Smith. Not sure if Aidan Connolly maybe played for a very brief spell while Potter was still a coach as well. Andy Barrowman was also one of Potter’s first signings as manager. Lee Ashcroft would be another one that worked with Potter at Dunfermline when he signs. I’d imagine Gullan, Dabrowski and Stanton possibly worked with him at Hibs too?

[Heaton]

Potter the turncoat!

We don't know that the club aren't trying and talking to players, however, as others have said, it's been glaringly obvious we were short from before the season even started. To not have been doing homework since and be in a position to have at least one in early in the window is alarming. 

I hope they prove us wrong and pull something out the bag, but I'm not holding my breath.

Edited January 11 by Heaton

[third lanark]

1 minute ago, Heaton said:

Potter the turncoat!

We don't know that the club aren't trying and talking to players, however, as others have said, it's been glaringly obvious we were short from before the season even started. To not have had been doing homework since and be in a position to have at least one in early in the window is alarming. 

I hope they prove us wrong and pull something out the bag, but I'm not holding my breath.

Did you guys try and sign o Reilly from Raith.  Would have thought if you were looking for a CB you would have put in a bid

[Heaton]

No idea. All smoke and mirrors unless it's someone from one of the OF coming our way 

[Cardle is Magic]

21 minutes ago, Salvo Montalbano said:

Scored more goals than Joe Chalmers (not that that's saying much!). I thought he did OK alongside Otoo tbf, although both he and Chalmers aren't players good enough for a side looking to challenge at the top end IMO.

Chalmers hasn’t been good either but he seems to get 10 x as much criticism as Allan for some reason.

It’s not like Allan is some untested teenager trying his best either - lad will be 24 next month.