The Official Airdrieonians Thread - 2019/20 and beyond

[Mr November]

A very impressive season for our strikers this year. Gallagher (22), McGill (15), Smith (10) and even Jamieson (8) have all had a good return in the league, as well as a few cup goals between them too. I think Gallagher has played fewer minutes than Paton too, as well as having more assists, so hopefully that gives him the edge for top goalscorer. It’s a meaningless award for us but he seems desperate to win it. A ridiculous season for him, 30 goals/assists in the league is some going.

[Jack Reed]

1 minute ago, Mr November said:

A very impressive season for our strikers this year. Gallagher (22), McGill (15), Smith (10) and even Jamieson (8) have all had a good return in the league, as well as a few cup goals between them too. I think Gallagher has played fewer minutes than Paton too, as well as having more assists, so hopefully that gives him the edge for top goalscorer. It’s a meaningless award for us but he seems desperate to win it. A ridiculous season for him, 30 goals/assists in the league is some going.

Great result going into play offs ,well done team and manager ,

[Preston Diamond]

Where was C. Fordyce today?

[Rhys McCabe Hype Train]

11 minutes ago, Preston Diamond said:

Where was C. Fordyce today?

On the sideline with R. McCabe.

[Kenny_m]

Ben Stanway not stripped either in a game I thought he would have featured in, Injured? 

[The Toun Clock]

FYI - I know it was mentioned a before our last game about O’Hara & Todorov getting new deals, would Airdrie be a possible destination if not etc. Both have confirmed on twitter tonight that they’re leaving the club, I suspect Kyle McDonald may be too, obviously know his connection with you. 

[Mr November]

8 hours ago, The Toun Clock said:

FYI - I know it was mentioned a before our last game about O’Hara & Todorov getting new deals, would Airdrie be a possible destination if not etc. Both have confirmed on twitter tonight that they’re leaving the club, I suspect Kyle McDonald may be too, obviously know his connection with you. 

I wouldn’t be hugely surprised with either signing. O’Hara fits the hard working forward who can play out wide that we like, though I don’t think he’d bring the same goals as McGill or Smith. The Todorov idea was purely because of his agent, most of our signings seem to be represented by or linked to Jackie McNamara in some way. McCabe and Fordyce seem terrified of Todorov too, see panicking and changing a sub to bring on big Byrd in the 4-3 game when Todorov started getting ready, so I’m sure they’d like him as an option. I suspect he’ll get a Championship club though.

We hopefully won’t need a right back, as Ballantyne is signed up and Watson will presumably still be around. I liked Kyle MacDonald at Airdrie but his performances in the play-offs last season put me off him.

[Diamond8]

3 minutes ago, Mr November said:

I wouldn’t be hugely surprised with either signing. O’Hara fits the hard working forward who can play out wide that we like, though I don’t think he’d bring the same goals as McGill or Smith. The Todorov idea was purely because of his agent, most of our signings seem to be represented by or linked to Jackie McNamara in some way. McCabe and Fordyce seem terrified of Todorov too, see panicking and changing a sub to bring on big Byrd in the 4-3 game when Todorov started getting ready, so I’m sure they’d like him as an option. I suspect he’ll get a Championship club though.

We hopefully won’t need a right back, as Ballantyne is signed up and Watson will presumably still be around. I liked Kyle MacDonald at Airdrie but his performances in the play-offs last season put me off him.

I suspect the ultimate car crash interview before the play offs played on him a bit. Like you say though, I'd have Ballantyne and Watson over him.

[Diamonds are Forever]

3 minutes ago, Mr November said:

I wouldn’t be hugely surprised with either signing. O’Hara fits the hard working forward who can play out wide that we like, though I don’t think he’d bring the same goals as McGill or Smith. The Todorov idea was purely because of his agent, most of our signings seem to be represented by or linked to Jackie McNamara in some way. McCabe and Fordyce seem terrified of Todorov too, see panicking and changing a sub to bring on big Byrd in the 4-3 game when Todorov started getting ready, so I’m sure they’d like him as an option. I suspect he’ll get a Championship club though.

We hopefully won’t need a right back, as Ballantyne is signed up and Watson will presumably still be around. I liked Kyle MacDonald at Airdrie but his performances in the play-offs last season put me off him.

 

MacDonald's a weird one, when he was initially with us I never saw him as being more than a standard League 1 full-back. Got a move then came back last season, played a few games, then barely played until the play-offs where he was poor in the semi-final and then dropped for the final.

I got the impression that Dunfermline fans rated him, although I could have made that up. I'd have him in exactly the same bracket as Watson and Ballantyne - a decent enough full-back for this level. Like you say if Watson and Ballantyne are still here then there's no point signing him as I don't think he's any better than them.

[Stellaboz]

MacDonald can cross a ball really, really well. Its just that often he doesn't. 

[Mr November]

4 minutes ago, Diamonds are Forever said:

 

MacDonald's a weird one, when he was initially with us I never saw him as being more than a standard League 1 full-back. Got a move then came back last season, played a few games, then barely played until the play-offs where he was poor in the semi-final and then dropped for the final.

I got the impression that Dunfermline fans rated him, although I could have made that up. I'd have him in exactly the same bracket as Watson and Ballantyne - a decent enough full-back for this level. Like you say if Watson and Ballantyne are still here then there's no point signing him as I don't think he's any better than them.

Yeah, I know you weren’t as big on McCann as most but I was very surprised MacDonald got an upwards move before him. I suppose it was a good deal for us though given we ended up getting Kyle Turner out of it.

I agree though, if we needed a right back then we could do a lot worse but I suspect we’ll have more pressing issues this summer whatever league we’re in.

[ShineOnYouCrazyDiamonds]

MacDonald was an excellent crosser with us so was a decent option going forward but his defensive positioning was not great at all. I was surprised when he got the move to Dunfermline because of our nailed on starters at the time he seemed like one of the weaker ones. Watson’s been the superior right back (and is also a good crosser) for us and obviously Ballantyne is there as well so I can’t see MacDonald being signed back unless Ballantyne at left back is seen as a long-term solution (I’d expect we’ll be in the market for a left back though, rather than a right back).

Edit: on the subject of left backs, I’d imagine Brody Paterson (as one of Hartley’s failed Hartlepool signings) will be looking for a new club this summer.

Edited May 7, 2023 by ShineOnYouCrazyDiamonds

[airdrieman]

Quite the contrast in response to conceding a penalty, when 2-0 up and in control, against Edinburgh from Jay Riley’s from young Corrie Fellows. The former completely falls apart and more-or-less throws us the game. Whereas Fellows goes straight up the park, from left-back, beats his man and slots it past the keeper. Shows a lot of maturity and confidence in the young man which is nice to see. Can’t read anything into a one-off end of season game but hopefully a sign of good things to come from the academy. Bit annoying though that we probably could have just played Fellows instead of that dumplin’ Riley in that game and we’d have probably won but nice to finally beat Edinburgh. 

[Kenny_m]

1 hour ago, ShineOnYouCrazyDiamonds said:

Edit: on the subject of left backs, I’d imagine Brody Paterson (as one of Hartley’s failed Hartlepool signings) will be looking for a new club this summer.

Brody has had a nightmare, in and out the Hartlepool side, goes to Cove and gets a season ending injury after a couple of games. Still has another year to run at Hartlepool in the conference so I doubt he'll have many suitors.

[David Fernández]

I think O'Hara would be a pretty decent signing for us, especially if we are still in league 1. I think Callum Smith will be away next season and he would be a pretty ideal replacement. Also think it would be a good move for the player as well, I can't imagine too many Championship teams will be in for him either. With our style of play I think O'Hara would definitely score a good few goals. I know that LJ turned down a contract with St Mirren but I couldn't imagine us forking out for a development fee for him so would be surprised to see LJ back next season.

I think someone in the Championship will be in for Toderov, a team like a Morton or a Raith Rovers perhaps. I wouldn't be overly excited to see Kyle MacDonald back with ourselves next season either, especially with having Watson and Ballantyne.

 

 

Edited May 7, 2023 by David Fernández

[Rhys McCabe Hype Train]

22 minutes ago, David Fernández said:

I know that LJ turned down a contract with St Mirren but I couldn't imagine us forking out for a development fee for him so would be surprised to see LJ back next season.

If LJ leaves St Mirren after his contract expires, then would his new club be liable for a development fee?

[David Fernández]

8 minutes ago, Rhys McCabe Hype Train said:

If LJ leaves St Mirren after his contract expires, then would his new club be liable for a development fee?

I'd assume so from what Stephen Robinson said in this interview.

Edited May 7, 2023 by David Fernández

[CoveRangers1922]

47 minutes ago, David Fernández said:

I think O'Hara would be a pretty decent signing for us, especially if we are still in league 1. I think Callum Smith will be away next season and he would be a pretty ideal replacement. Also think it would be a good move for the player as well, I can't imagine too many Championship teams will be in for him either. With our style of play I think O'Hara would definitely score a good few goals. I know that LJ turned down a contract with St Mirren but I couldn't imagine us forking out for a development fee for him so would be surprised to see LJ back next season.

I think someone in the Championship will be in for Toderov, a team like a Morton or a Raith Rovers perhaps. I wouldn't be overly excited to see Kyle MacDonald back with ourselves next season either, especially with having Watson and Ballantyne.

 

 

O'Hara I think is best suited to L1. Could find a Championship side, there was worst than he in the league this season, but not sure he would be a regular starter, more a 3rd choice striker. Pars are gearing up to strengthen clearly. Agree he'd do well with the Diamonds, if promotion isn't achieved.

Also agree that Todorov might find a Championship gig. 6ft 3, decent movement and finds himself in positions to get chances. Murray's Rovers need options in that department. Morton have Oakley, Quitongo (contract expiring) and Muirhead. Todorov could fit the Imrie mould.

Talk of Brody Paterson. Played 2 games I think for us so hard to judge. I have a feeling Hartley will offer him a deal but might want to remain FT / be closer to the central belt.

Callum Smith was on fire last season so surprised he could leave. Would it be the players choice presumably? If he goes, I'm interested to see where he ends up.

Edited May 7, 2023 by CoveRangers1922

[RRFC_Liam]

7 minutes ago, CoveRangers1922 said:

Callum Smith was on fire last season so surprised he could leave. Would it be the players choice presumably? If he goes, I'm interested to see where he ends up.

I would take Smith at the rovers Can play Centrally and out wide, Murray likes versatility, Todorov won’t come near us after the incident with Davidson a few years back so I could maybe see him ending up at like a Morton or someone like that (won’t be surprised if he ends back up at Falkirk though) 

[David Fernández]

4 minutes ago, CoveRangers1922 said:

O'Hara I think is best suited to L1. Could find a Championship side but not sure he would be a regular starter, more a 3rd choice striker. Pars are gearing up to strengthen clearly. Agree he'd do well with the Diamonds, if promotion isn't achieved.

Also agree that Todorov might find a Championship gig. 6ft 3, decent movement and finds himself in positions to get chances. Murray's Rovers need options in that department. Morton have Oakley, Quitongo (contract expiring) and Muirhead. Todorov could fit the Imrie mould.

Talk of Brody Paterson. Played 2 games I think for us so hard to judge. I have a feeling Hartley will offer him a deal but might want to remain FT / be closer to the central belt.

Callum Smith was on fire last season so surprised he could leave. Who it be the players choice presumably? If he goes, I'm interested to see where he ends up.

When he was with us last Season Brody Paterson was pretty good going forward, most of the games he played with us last season we dominated so he wasn't tested too often defensively, but when he was I remember it was his mistake that cost us defeat in the first leg in the play off semi final. I don't think he's at Championship level yet, but I think he'd do well at Cove in league 1 next year if he signs for you.

Callum Smith stays in Fife and on both occassion he signed for us, it was under Ian Murray. I know that he really likes him so I think Raith Rovers will definitely make him an offer in the summer. He's still a really important part of our team, he's lacking a but of confidence just now. He hasn't scored for a while and takes a couple of extra touches too many but will still be a massive player for us in the play offs.