The Famous Aberdeen - Season 2022/23

[coprolite]

2 hours ago, Thenorthernlight said:

Aye, we’re well short IMO.

The squad as it stands might struggle to be top 6, & another couple of injuries and we’d be in bother.

Time yet of course, I’m just a bit disappointed if this is the squad to start the league campaign. 
 

Injuries might happen but i reckon we'll need to get through a fair few suspensions too. Nilse, Shinnie and rubesic are nailed on for at least two each. 

[DukDukGoose]

1 hour ago, Thenorthernlight said:

If the answer is Shayden Morris, we should be asking a different question. 
He can’t ever be a first pick player. 
Zero fitba intelligence.

Maybe Bojan not being sold is holding things up, who knows?

I don’t expect us to be 100% right in one window.  
There are some must haves & some nice to haves. 
The nice to haves can wait.

This squad for a league campaign would be a worry, but I’m hoping & optimistic it won’t be 

 

I agree that Morris is not the answer but the manager is not wanting to throw cash at it and backs himself.

Changed days from Goodwin and Robson spending cash on positions we are overstocked in. Hopefully.

[tarapoa]

4 hours ago, Moorie said:

My mate was saying that the hawk won’t be used mid august due to how many baby gulls going about apparently 

What kind of woke pish is this?

[Thenorthernlight]

19 minutes ago, coprolite said:

Injuries might happen but i reckon we'll need to get through a fair few suspensions too. Nilse, Shinnie and rubesic are nailed on for at least two each. 

Yip.

Even more need to beef up the midfield.

Alan Campbell anyone? 

[Thenorthernlight]

15 minutes ago, DukDukGoose said:

I agree that Morris is not the answer but the manager is not wanting to throw cash at it and backs himself.

Changed days from Goodwin and Robson spending cash on positions we are overstocked in. Hopefully.

Backing yourself is an admirable trait.

But he’s a football manager, not Paul Daniels.  
There has to be a modicum of football intelligence to work with. 
Morris has none.

 

[Thenorthernlight]

22 minutes ago, coprolite said:

Injuries might happen but i reckon we'll need to get through a fair few suspensions too. Nilse, Shinnie and rubesic are nailed on for at least two each. 

I wouldn’t have Ruby in my full strength X1. 

[coprolite]

1 minute ago, Thenorthernlight said:

I wouldn’t have Ruby in my full strength X1. 

I’d say he’s first pick at cb.  Do you reckon we’ll recruit more or do you prefer someone else we already have?

[Thenorthernlight]

5 minutes ago, coprolite said:

I’d say he’s first pick at cb.  Do you reckon we’ll recruit more or do you prefer someone else we already have?

MacDonald

Ruby gives me the fear with his rashness. 

[coprolite]

1 minute ago, Thenorthernlight said:

MacDonald

Ruby gives me the fear with his rashness. 

Don’t see it myself. Rubi can learn to be less stupid (although not very fast apparently) but he’s aggressive and wins stuff. 
MacDonald can be a bit of a bombscare too, just less spectacularly. He’s a solid squad player but a bottom six starter, imho

[DrewDon]

I am concerned about a lot of different areas of the squad, although accept that we can't solve them all in one window.

We are maybe paying the price for bad - and, crucially, relatively expensive - recruitment failures basically since McInnes departed, to be honest. We have had a couple of notable big hits in Miovski and to a lesser extent Ramadani, and a couple of more moderate ones in the likes of Clarkson and even Duk, but we have thrown away really good money on too many duds like Morris, Jensen, McGarry, Gueye, Besuijen and probably a couple of others too. We now have too many of those guys parked on medium to long term contracts, and the phones aren't going to be ringing at Cormack Park to take them off our hands. They won't be rushing themselves out the door, either.

I am still concerned about the defence, too. I thought the centre of defence was a major area of weakness last season, although Gartenmann came onto a bit of form under Leven. But the only change there has been Molloy in for Gartenmann, which is definitely another one to file under 'gamble'. There are problems elsewhere, especially with the forward players (when Miovski is absent/away) not really fitting each other's strengths, but it's going to be very difficult for Thelin to build something sustainable if the most basic fundamentals are being neglected.

[Dons_1988]

I quite like macdonald but I think he’s a classic case of his absence from the side helping peoples opinion of him. 

[Der Panzer]

 

2 hours ago, DukDukGoose said:

Agree with this apart from the last sentence.

Not really fussed by Hearts summer business at all. 

I'm more impressed that the manager was willing to see if he could get a tune out of what he had than the Goodwin and Robson scattergun approach.

Why are you comparing Hearts transfer business to your own? You aren’t even close to direct rivals at the moment as evidenced by last seasons league table.

Maybe keep an eye on the Ross county/St Johnstone etc business - the teams around you.
 

Then when you’ve overhauled them you can start looking up at the next tier of teams before you then try and bridge the still significant gap to Hearts in 3rd. 

[coprolite]

2 minutes ago, Der Panzer said:

 

Why are you comparing Hearts transfer business to your own? You aren’t even close to direct rivals at the moment as evidenced by last seasons league table.

Maybe keep an eye on the Ross county/St Johnstone etc business - the teams around you.
 

Then when you’ve overhauled them you can start looking up at the next tier of teams before you then try and bridge the still significant gap to Hearts in 3rd. 

Awwwwww, trying so hard! 
it’s adorable 

[Der Panzer]

4 minutes ago, coprolite said:

Awwwwww, trying so hard! 
it’s adorable 

I’m not trying at all tbh - I read it - read it again and couldn’t believe what I was seeing.

Just for clarity I’m not even a Hearts fan - I’m genuinely wondering if Aberdeen fans think they will be looking to rein Hearts in this season off the back of what was an abhorrent season and one in which I’d argue (if Miovski goes) your team looks weaker than last season.
 

Exception being in goal where you replaced that joker you had with a competent goalkeeper - kudos for that one.

Edited July 25 by Der Panzer
Been a long day ant that was a mess - still a word salad tbf but enjoy

[coprolite]

8 minutes ago, Der Panzer said:

I’m not trying at all tbh - I read it - read it again and couldn’t believe what I was seeing.

Just for clarity I’m not even a Hearts fan - I’m genuinely wondering if Aberdeen fans think they will be looking to rein Hearts in this season off the back of what was an abhorrent season and one in which I’d argue (if Miovski goes) your team looks weaker than last season.
 

Exception being in goal where you replaced that joker you had with a competent goalkeeper - kudos for that one.

Some maybe expect us to. But they’re definitely the benchmark of where we want to be.

Not unreasonable given our playing budget and the nature of the league.  

I’ve put us fifth behind Kilmarnock in the P&B predictor. 

Still six weeks of the window 
 

[Der Panzer]

5 minutes ago, coprolite said:

Some maybe expect us to. But they’re definitely the benchmark of where we want to be.

Not unreasonable given our playing budget and the nature of the league.  

I’ve put us fifth behind Kilmarnock in the P&B predictor. 

Still six weeks of the window 
 

Just seems a bit mental to me if some actually do think that - especially in the course of 1 season.

As an example - Dundee/Utd etc are way too big playing budget wise for the constant bouncing between championship and top flight  - but that’s were we/they are and as fans need to accept that it’s currently the position we find ourselves in.

A period of building and stability is needed to get us back to fighting weight and able to worry more about looking up than constantly down  - and I also think Aberdeen are now in that position and will need a couple seasons of consolidation before you even think about catching Hearts. 

That or a huge injection of cash right into the playing budget - which realistically you aren’t getting. 

Aberdeen 100% should be looking up - but as you point out Hibs/Dundee/St Mirren and maybe Killie are the teams you are looking to rein in first. 

[VincentGuerin]

Just now, Der Panzer said:

Just seems a bit mental to me if some actually do think that - especially in the course of 1 season.

As an example - Dundee/Utd etc are way too big playing budget wise for the constant bouncing between championship and top flight  - but that’s were we/they are and as fans need to accept that it’s currently the position we find ourselves in.

A period of building and stability is needed to get us back to fighting weight and able to worry more about looking up than constantly down  - and I also think Aberdeen are now in that position and will need a couple seasons of consolidation before you even think about catching Hearts. 

That or a huge injection of cash right into the playing budget - which realistically you aren’t getting. 

Aberdeen 100% should be looking up - but as you point out Hibs/Dundee/St Mirren and maybe Killie are the teams you are looking to rein in first. 

Hearts have a head start, but it's not wild to think Aberdeen could finish ahead of us.

I think Hearts have signed quite well. Nothing spectacular, but the kind of signings that if Hibs or Aberdeen made them I'd consider them to have done something smart. Hearts' squad isn't really spectacular anywhere, Shankland aside, but it's pretty short on weak links and Hearts have depth in most positions.

That said, I'd expect Aberdeen to markedly improve their squad between now and the window, it's quite possible the new coach is able to get more out of what he has than the previous few abject Aberdeen managers, and you have to keep in mind that no non-OF team has managed a third-place finish playing group stage European football yet. Hearts have at least eight extra games to play in the first half of the season.

I think Hearts have the third best squad in the league. There's no way I'd swap with anyone. But in light of the above, limping over the line in third by a point this year would represent a pretty big success.

Aberdeen will have what they had in 22/23; a whole season playing Saturday - Saturday with plenty time for the new coach to work with his team and develop them. They've got a lot of work to do, but with their budget and a clear run at the season, there's no excuse for Aberdeen not putting up a scrap for third.

[Der Panzer]

12 minutes ago, VincentGuerin said:

Hearts have a head start, but it's not wild to think Aberdeen could finish ahead of us.

I think Hearts have signed quite well. Nothing spectacular, but the kind of signings that if Hibs or Aberdeen made them I'd consider them to have done something smart. Hearts' squad isn't really spectacular anywhere, Shankland aside, but it's pretty short on weak links and Hearts have depth in most positions.

That said, I'd expect Aberdeen to markedly improve their squad between now and the window, it's quite possible the new coach is able to get more out of what he has than the previous few abject Aberdeen managers, and you have to keep in mind that no non-OF team has managed a third-place finish playing group stage European football yet. Hearts have at least eight extra games to play in the first half of the season.

I think Hearts have the third best squad in the league. There's no way I'd swap with anyone. But in light of the above, limping over the line in third by a point this year would represent a pretty big success.

Aberdeen will have what they had in 22/23; a whole season playing Saturday - Saturday with plenty time for the new coach to work with his team and develop them. They've got a lot of work to do, but with their budget and a clear run at the season, there's no excuse for Aberdeen not putting up a scrap for third.

Hearts going a bit old firmy 1990s and signing the best players from the smaller clubs - think it’s smart tbh - known quantities that know the level.

The manager finding his feet and getting every signing correct is doing a lot of heavy lifting in your above scenario and I’ll be stunned if Aberdeen are challenging for 3rd - unless group football really does f**k Hearts season. 

[DukDukGoose]

1 hour ago, DrewDon said:

I am concerned about a lot of different areas of the squad, although accept that we can't solve them all in one window.

We are maybe paying the price for bad - and, crucially, relatively expensive - recruitment failures basically since McInnes departed, to be honest. We have had a couple of notable big hits in Miovski and to a lesser extent Ramadani, and a couple of more moderate ones in the likes of Clarkson and even Duk, but we have thrown away really good money on too many duds like Morris, Jensen, McGarry, Gueye, Besuijen and probably a couple of others too. We now have too many of those guys parked on medium to long term contracts, and the phones aren't going to be ringing at Cormack Park to take them off our hands. They won't be rushing themselves out the door, either.

I am still concerned about the defence, too. I thought the centre of defence was a major area of weakness last season, although Gartenmann came onto a bit of form under Leven. But the only change there has been Molloy in for Gartenmann, which is definitely another one to file under 'gamble'. There are problems elsewhere, especially with the forward players (when Miovski is absent/away) not really fitting each other's strengths, but it's going to be very difficult for Thelin to build something sustainable if the most basic fundamentals are being neglected.

Come on now. The recruitment issues started with McInnes.

1 hour ago, Der Panzer said:

 

Why are you comparing Hearts transfer business to your own? You aren’t even close to direct rivals at the moment as evidenced by last seasons league table.

Maybe keep an eye on the Ross county/St Johnstone etc business - the teams around you.
 

Then when you’ve overhauled them you can start looking up at the next tier of teams before you then try and bridge the still significant gap to Hearts in 3rd. 

Stick to posting about your weekly shop.

[coprolite]

30 minutes ago, Der Panzer said:

Just seems a bit mental to me if some actually do think that - especially in the course of 1 season.

As an example - Dundee/Utd etc are way too big playing budget wise for the constant bouncing between championship and top flight  - but that’s were we/they are and as fans need to accept that it’s currently the position we find ourselves in.

A period of building and stability is needed to get us back to fighting weight and able to worry more about looking up than constantly down  - and I also think Aberdeen are now in that position and will need a couple seasons of consolidation before you even think about catching Hearts. 

That or a huge injection of cash right into the playing budget - which realistically you aren’t getting. 

Aberdeen 100% should be looking up - but as you point out Hibs/Dundee/St Mirren and maybe Killie are the teams you are looking to rein in first. 

We finished 10th in 2021 and 3rd the next season.