The Official Airdrieonians Thread - 2019/20 and beyond

[KD1711]

5 hours ago, airdrieman said:

Agreed, was proper buzzing to see him. Can’t remember what I did on Thursday night but still remember Jerome and especially his record quick 4 goals v Stenny. Funny what nostalgia does to you! 

Can still remember his celebration after the 4th as well. What a time to be alive.

[AndyDD]

Aye, Jerome Vareille was a hero to me when I was a younger supporter, too. Classy. Back when I had to force my Dad to take me, he'd spend the game complimenting Jerome. Great to see him on Saturday. 

Not sure they will, but I'd be for putting the feet up and resting as many key players as possible for the playoffs over these two games. Give them a chance to reset so we can go into the playoffs fresh. I imagine we might still go quite strong for next week, or at least stronger than the last day. 

[Mr November]

I’m expecting a mostly full strength team on Saturday, with anyone who has even the slightest issue rested just to be safe. I’d be playing a nonsense team like this on the last day though:

Hutton
Watson - McCabe - Byrd - Deveney
Stanway - McMaster - Telfer
McGregor - Salim - Dixon

I’d even throw in a few of the youth players for Watson, McCabe, McMaster etc. if possible.

[++Ammo - Airdrie++]

14 minutes ago, Mr November said:

I’m expecting a mostly full strength team on Saturday, with anyone who has even the slightest issue rested just to be safe. I’d be playing a nonsense team like this on the last day though:

Hutton
Watson - McCabe - Byrd - Deveney
Stanway - McMaster - Telfer
McGregor - Salim - Dixon

I’d even throw in a few of the youth players for Watson, McCabe, McMaster etc. if possible.

I'll be very disappointed if we dont see some Bright Prince vs. Edinburgh.

[Mr November]

6 minutes ago, ++Ammo - Airdrie++ said:

I'll be very disappointed if we dont see some Bright Prince vs. Edinburgh.

I think you’re not allowed to play for your parent club until the next transfer window after going out on loan, though I could be wrong. I’ve got absolutely no intention of going to Meadowbank but Bright playing could change that.

[++Ammo - Airdrie++]

4 minutes ago, Mr November said:

I think you’re not allowed to play for your parent club until the next transfer window after going out on loan, though I could be wrong. I’ve got absolutely no intention of going to Meadowbank but Bright playing could change that.

one that maybe @Skyline Drifter could assist with?  I just assumed that because he had reached the end of his loan agreement and returned "naturally" he might be able to feature. I have been known to be very wrong on occasion though.

[AndyDD]

25 minutes ago, Mr November said:

I’m expecting a mostly full strength team on Saturday, with anyone who has even the slightest issue rested just to be safe. I’d be playing a nonsense team like this on the last day though:

Hutton
Watson - McCabe - Byrd - Deveney
Stanway - McMaster - Telfer
McGregor - Salim - Dixon

I’d even throw in a few of the youth players for Watson, McCabe, McMaster etc. if possible.

I think you're right and we will go mostly strong against Queens, aiming to finish at home with a win, but I personally would much rather we rested Frizz, Gal, Smithy, Ballantyne at the very least. No need to tip Sincy and Gabby in either, make sure they are fully recovered from the knocks that kept them out on Saturday. 

 

[Skyline Drifter]

8 minutes ago, ++Ammo - Airdrie++ said:

one that maybe @Skyline Drifter could assist with?  I just assumed that because he had reached the end of his loan agreement and returned "naturally" he might be able to feature. I have been known to be very wrong on occasion though.

.....and you are again.

You are out on loan after 31 January then you cant play for your parent club again that season, even if the loan is cancelled (it cannot come to a 'natural' end before June 9th so whether he's back or not he's still officially on loan unless its been formally cancelled). 

[AJ77]

1 hour ago, Mr November said:

I’m expecting a mostly full strength team on Saturday, with anyone who has even the slightest issue rested just to be safe. I’d be playing a nonsense team like this on the last day though:

Hutton
Watson - McCabe - Byrd - Deveney
Stanway - McMaster - Telfer
McGregor - Salim - Dixon

I’d even throw in a few of the youth players for Watson, McCabe, McMaster etc. if possible.

Yeah i hope this is the team against Edinburgh, although depending on the top goalscorer chart I think Gal could feature from the beginning.

[++Ammo - Airdrie++]

37 minutes ago, Skyline Drifter said:

.....and you are again.

You are out on loan after 31 January then you cant play for your parent club again that season, even if the loan is cancelled (it cannot come to a 'natural' end before June 9th so whether he's back or not he's still officially on loan unless its been formally cancelled). 

I'll happily take that on the chin, something I'll admit to knowing absolutely hee haw about, loans.

thanks for the clarification.

[airdrieman]

1 hour ago, ++Ammo - Airdrie++ said:

I'll be very disappointed if we dont see some Bright Prince vs. Edinburgh.

We might not get that but Big Byrd v Jon Robertson at Meadowbank could be an all-timer. 

[airdrieman]

All for a bit of nonsense these next two games. Saturday could be something like - 

                         Rae 
Watson Fordyce Byrd/ATS Deveney 

                     McCabe 

                 Stanway Telfer
McGregor    Salim    Dixon/Gabby 

Not even close to our strongest team but enough first teamers in there to be competitive and you could start ATS and McGill if you want them to get a final run out before the play-offs. 
 

Full nonsense at Meadowbank though please. Might as well given our record against them. 

[David Fernández]

Would it be possible to play our development team at Medowbank which gives everyone a rest? They won 15-0 yesterday so they might actually do better against Edinburgh than our first team.

Big Byrd to score in the play offs. Two years in a row we've had an unlikely goalscorer in the play off semi.

Last year the Haddy was big Johnny and the year before that it was Jack McKay. I have a funny feeling the big man will head one in from a long throw in Grangemouth.

Edited April 24, 2023 by David Fernández

[airdrieman]

5 minutes ago, David Fernández said:

Would it be possible to play our development team at Medowbank which gives everyone a rest? 

They won 15-0 yesterday so they might actually do better against Edinburgh than our first team.

Big Byrd to score in the play offs. Two years in a row we've had an unlikely goalscorer in the play off semi.

Last year the Haddy was big Johnny and the year before that it was Jack McKay.

I have a funny feeling the big man will head one in from a long throw in Grangemouth.

If you go back even further Derek Holmes did the same about 10 years ago. I'm sure he scored about 6 goals for Airdrie, 4 of them being in the play-offs or something like that anyway 

The scenes if Big Byrd scores the winner at Falkirk Stadium. Personally hoping for a late Telfer winner and Adebayor esque celebration to the Kevin McAllister Stand myself. 

[Diamonds are Forever]

Having 2 games left makes it a bit more awkward. If you have one game to spare then you just play the subs and youth team. But you don't want players not playing for 2 and a half weeks before the play-offs. I'd go more or less the first team against Queens minus any fitness worries, with obvious instructions not to do anything stupid.

I'd be quite happy finishing 4th and playing the Championship team in the semi-final so if Alloa win this weekend and we lose I'm still happy to put out a second string team against Edinburgh and risk dropping to 4th.

[Mr November]

44 minutes ago, David Fernández said:

Would it be possible to play our development team at Medowbank which gives everyone a rest? They won 15-0 yesterday so they might actually do better against Edinburgh than our first team.

Big Byrd to score in the play offs. Two years in a row we've had an unlikely goalscorer in the play off semi.

Last year the Haddy was big Johnny and the year before that it was Jack McKay. I have a funny feeling the big man will head one in from a long throw in Grangemouth.

Salim is tailor made for the big haddy striker turning up in the play-offs role.

[Skyline Drifter]

43 minutes ago, David Fernández said:

Would it be possible to play our development team at Medowbank which gives everyone a rest? They won 15-0 yesterday so they might actually do better against Edinburgh than our first team.

Assuming they are at least 16 years old, fully registered to the club, have been continuously registered since 31 January (or if signed later were unattached at 31 January), AND haven't been on loan to anyone else since 31 January, then yes, under the rules they are eligible. You play them all the league might have a word under the rule about playing your strongest team though!

You can't play anyone who is out on loan to anyone else but still allowed to play development football too though.

[AJ77]

20 minutes ago, Diamonds are Forever said:

Having 2 games left makes it a bit more awkward. If you have one game to spare then you just play the subs and youth team. But you don't want players not playing for 2 and a half weeks before the play-offs. I'd go more or less the first team against Queens minus any fitness worries, with obvious instructions not to do anything stupid.

I'd be quite happy finishing 4th and playing the Championship team in the semi-final so if Alloa win this weekend and we lose I'm still happy to put out a second string team against Edinburgh and risk dropping to 4th.

Agree with this, would only make 1/2 changes for Saturday, then the following week play the back up side.

[David Fernández]

16 minutes ago, Skyline Drifter said:

Assuming they are at least 16 years old, fully registered to the club, have been continuously registered since 31 January (or if signed later were unattached at 31 January), AND haven't been on loan to anyone else since 31 January, then yes, under the rules they are eligible. You play them all the league might have a word under the rule about playing your strongest team though!

You can't play anyone who is out on loan to anyone else but still allowed to play development football too though.

Thanks for clarifying that. Earlier on in the season when we were short in numbers and a few of them were on the bench. In the Scottish Cup game against Dundee after extra time I think 3/4 of them came on.

When we were in the play offs last year I think Ian Murray made around 9/10 changes to the line up on the last game of the season vs Peterhead but I'd imagine we'll need to play a few first team players to avoid breaking any rules. 

It seems daft having the play offs 3 days after the season finishes, especially with the potential of 4 games within two weeks with the possibility of extra time and penalties.

[AndyDD]

42 minutes ago, Diamonds are Forever said:

Having 2 games left makes it a bit more awkward. If you have one game to spare then you just play the subs and youth team. But you don't want players not playing for 2 and a half weeks before the play-offs. I'd go more or less the first team against Queens minus any fitness worries, with obvious instructions not to do anything stupid.

I'd be quite happy finishing 4th and playing the Championship team in the semi-final so if Alloa win this weekend and we lose I'm still happy to put out a second string team against Edinburgh and risk dropping to 4th.

Is missing two games really enough for rustiness to set in? Maybe. I'm not convinced. Either way I suspect we will be pretty strong on Saturday as mentioned earlier, but I completely agree with your second point, I'm not at all averse to finishing 4th and having first go at Hamilton/Cove. Not actively wanting it, you instinctively want to finish as best you can, but I'd not be concerned at all. 

Dunfermline are a comfortably better side than anyone we can face in the playoffs, so with our best players fit and available, we shouldn't fear any of them regardless of the home/away permutations.