Vinnyjag Posted August 1, 2017 Share Posted August 1, 2017 A bit off topic, but does Cathro leaving Hearts have an impact on us, i.e. potentially they may come for Archie n Shaggy 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fuctifano Posted August 1, 2017 Share Posted August 1, 2017 Levein will want another puppet, so no. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Armand 2 Posted August 1, 2017 Share Posted August 1, 2017 I'm interested to see how we line up on Saturday. If Osman is anywhere near fit, there's no question he'll start. That leaves us with a 'need' to shoehorn Barton into the team who has been slightly exposed in the League Cup whilst playing in a defensive pairing and you'd suspect he'd be even more so against a higher calibre of opposition. If we play three at the back, the only guy that I can see dropping out would be Spittal which would be unfair considering his performances so far. It would also deprive us of his set-piece delivery which might be invaluable. If Erskine is struggling then it might force Archie's hand in any case but I can foresee an accommodation issue with Barton this season if Bannigan and Osman stay fit. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
forameus Posted August 1, 2017 Share Posted August 1, 2017 I'd be kind of surprised if he wasn't at least on some kind of early shortlist, but I can't see him going there. 17 minutes ago, Armand 2 said: I'm interested to see how we line up on Saturday. If Osman is anywhere near fit, there's no question he'll start. That leaves us with a 'need' to shoehorn Barton into the team who has been slightly exposed in the League Cup whilst playing in a defensive pairing and you'd suspect he'd be even more so against a higher calibre of opposition. If we play three at the back, the only guy that I can see dropping out would be Spittal which would be unfair considering his performances so far. It would also deprive us of his set-piece delivery which might be invaluable. If Erskine is struggling then it might force Archie's hand in any case but I can foresee an accommodation issue with Barton this season if Bannigan and Osman stay fit. If we're sticking rigidly to the 4-2-3-1, then would there be an argument in that central midfield triangle being Osman, Bannigan and Barton together, with the latter two switching around being the one further forward? I'd say 3, but the thought of Osman being a creative outlet is...troubling. Barton is calm on the ball, can pick a pass, and we've seen him able to carry it ponderously forward with a few tricks. He's weak in a central defensive 2, so why not try him somewhere else where he's probaably weak Obviously that means dropping Erskine, but if he's not fit then there's an opening. Feel free to tell me I'm talking absolute shite though. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rednyella Posted August 1, 2017 Share Posted August 1, 2017 I'm interested to see how we line up on Saturday. If Osman is anywhere near fit, there's no question he'll start. That leaves us with a 'need' to shoehorn Barton into the team who has been slightly exposed in the League Cup whilst playing in a defensive pairing and you'd suspect he'd be even more so against a higher calibre of opposition. If we play three at the back, the only guy that I can see dropping out would be Spittal which would be unfair considering his performances so far. It would also deprive us of his set-piece delivery which might be invaluable. If Erskine is struggling then it might force Archie's hand in any case but I can foresee an accommodation issue with Barton this season if Bannigan and Osman stay fit. Totally agree. It's a good problem to have though. I think Archie will lean towards a more defensive setup this opening weekend with an extra man in midfield like a 4-5-1 or 3-5-2. This means Barton will be used in his preferred position. It's more against diddy teams [emoji6] where if Osman, Barton and Banzo are all fit how do you accommodate them? Absolutely would play Spittal as he's showing his value on set pieces as you say that will possibly be a skill set we need. Plus on counter attack we have those options in team. I'd almost say he may drop one of Edwards, Lawless or Erskine and have them as impact players from the bench. Apparently we have another signing this week; hopefully that forward we all have on our wish list. Remember the English players are all released this week so I'd expect the targets Archie had to be signed up this next 1-2 weeks. Gone are the days we panic sign shitey journeymen who are past it like Scott "cheater" McDonald. Keown, Spittal and Turnbull all look like great business to me! 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Armand 2 Posted August 1, 2017 Share Posted August 1, 2017 (edited) 6 minutes ago, forameus said: If we're sticking rigidly to the 4-2-3-1, then would there be an argument in that central midfield triangle being Osman, Bannigan and Barton together, with the latter two switching around being the one further forward? I'd say 3, but the thought of Osman being a creative outlet is...troubling. Barton is calm on the ball, can pick a pass, and we've seen him able to carry it ponderously forward with a few tricks. He's weak in a central defensive 2, so why not try him somewhere else where he's probaably weak Obviously that means dropping Erskine, but if he's not fit then there's an opening. Feel free to tell me I'm talking absolute shite though. I suppose we did flirt with the idea of playing Bannigan further forward prior to his injury but I thought he was wasted somewhat there. I didn't consider a 4-3-3 but maybe it would make sense if Erskine isn't fully fit...it's very gung-ho though and thoroughly un-Archie. Edited August 1, 2017 by Armand 2 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Highlandmagyar 2nd String Posted August 1, 2017 Share Posted August 1, 2017 I'd be surprised if Archie went to Hearts. If the wanted him he would need cast iron guarantees on to run it his way. Jambos Kickback showing a lot in favour of him. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fuctifano Posted August 1, 2017 Share Posted August 1, 2017 I kind of hoped we'd seen the last of 3 defensive midfielders - how many times did osman, barton and Welsh start as the midfield 3 last season? Might be difficult to tell from line ups as barton will have played in defence a few times. But it's either that, 3 at the back, one sits out... or we're reinventing Adam "Riquelme" Barton as a #10 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mediocre Pundit Posted August 1, 2017 Share Posted August 1, 2017 A bit off topic, but does Cathro leaving Hearts have an impact on us, i.e. potentially they may come for Archie n Shaggy It might impact us if they tap up Tommy before our cup game... 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UnitedLoon63 Posted August 1, 2017 Share Posted August 1, 2017 In fairness, Dundee United fans think Erskine and Spittal are shite. Wait and see your opinion on Spittal at end of the season, the boys mince 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dave.j Posted August 1, 2017 Share Posted August 1, 2017 2 minutes ago, UnitedLoon63 said: Wait and see your opinion on Spittal at end of the season, the boys mince 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MARYHILLISWONDERFUL Posted August 1, 2017 Share Posted August 1, 2017 (edited) 4 minutes ago, UnitedLoon63 said: Wait and see your opinion on Spittal at end of the season, the boys mince Dundee United Edited August 1, 2017 by MARYHILLISWONDERFUL 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
forameus Posted August 1, 2017 Share Posted August 1, 2017 6 minutes ago, UnitedLoon63 said: Wait and see your opinion on Spittal at end of the season, the boys mince Aye, just like Erskine. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cilitbang Posted August 1, 2017 Share Posted August 1, 2017 Dundee utd, where promising football careers go to die 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
archie guevara Posted August 1, 2017 Share Posted August 1, 2017 Me, I'd drop Erskine at the weekend and keep him benched as an impact sub. No idea who I'd play elsewhere in the midfield where we look a bit incoherent these days. Brilliant for one game, pants for two and meh for the other one. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
archie guevara Posted August 1, 2017 Share Posted August 1, 2017 In other news Munros in Gt Western Rd confirmed that they have stopped having sport in the bar and are "concentrating" on the food and music side of things. Looks like I'll need to find another handy pre match food and pint place. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ad Lib Posted August 1, 2017 Share Posted August 1, 2017 28 minutes ago, UnitedLoon63 said: Wait and see your opinion on Spittal at end of the season, the boys mince Dundee United fans know absolutely nothing about football. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nightmare Posted August 1, 2017 Share Posted August 1, 2017 Dundee United. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Highlandmagyar 2nd String Posted August 1, 2017 Share Posted August 1, 2017 Wait and see your opinion on Spittal at end of the season, the boys mince Obviously your manager didn't have a clue what to do with a good player. All that hoof ball. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theGOAT Posted August 1, 2017 Share Posted August 1, 2017 Looking forward to welcoming Alan to the club, any chance he can bring Ryan Edwards and Abdul Osman with him? Two great players who would definitely improve our midfield options. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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