The Official Airdrieonians Thread - 2019/20 and beyond

[Mabawsa Ritchie]

Its an exciting time to be Airdrie fan, and unlike previous years its nice to be in a position to be talking about players we can take from other clubs as opposed to worrying about losing our best players to clubs in higher divisions. With this in mind, players worth considering from League 1 clubs who those clubs won't want to lose and may be keen to test themselves at a higher level.

Stanger(CH) & Church(LB) from Alloa

Callumn Morrison from Falkirk

John Robertson from Edinburgh

As has been suggested by others, Connor Smith and to a lesser extent Daniel O'Reilly were impressive in the 2 games v Hamilton. Although not a old fashioned dominant centre half, O'Reilly looked solid and with him being left sided, appears an ideal partner for Fordyce

Interesting to see Brody Patterson has been freed from Hartlepool today. Would love to see Kyle Turner back also, but suspect he may have higher ambitions

Those added to some experienced old heads and we can look forward to holding our own in the Championship.

 

[Diamond Oracle]

1 hour ago, cb_diamond said:

Was thinking of this earlier and laughing about the fact that last season they were all over our thread telling us they'd take whichever players they'd want from us with impunity. I would love to do the same but genuinely think none of them would make our team bar maybe Leon as we need a left back

I don’t think Leon has progressed at all since he left us. I would imagine we could get way better LBs than him.

I’d definitely take Morrison and Henderson though. Think they’ve both been standouts for Falkirk this season.

[ShineOnYouCrazyDiamonds]

19 minutes ago, Mabawsa Ritchie said:

Its an exciting time to be Airdrie fan, and unlike previous years its nice to be in a position to be talking about players we can take from other clubs as opposed to worrying about losing our best players to clubs in higher divisions. With this in mind, players worth considering from League 1 clubs who those clubs won't want to lose and may be keen to test themselves at a higher level.

Stanger(CH) & Church(LB) from Alloa

Callumn Morrison from Falkirk

John Robertson from Edinburgh

As has been suggested by others, Connor Smith and to a lesser extent Daniel O'Reilly were impressive in the 2 games v Hamilton. Although not a old fashioned dominant centre half, O'Reilly looked solid and with him being left sided, appears an ideal partner for Fordyce

Interesting to see Brody Patterson has been freed from Hartlepool today. Would love to see Kyle Turner back also, but suspect he may have higher ambitions

Those added to some experienced old heads and we can look forward to holding our own in the Championship.

 

Was expecting Hartlepool to release Paterson and wouldn’t be surprised if we’re in for him. Would love Turner who I believe is out of contract but Thistle will want to keep him. If they lose in the playoffs would he consider a move to another team in the Championship? Possibly. Would we be able to offer as much money as Thistle? Probably not. Is he represented by Consilium Sports Group? You better believe he is.

[FLDiamond]

2 hours ago, cb_diamond said:

Was thinking of this earlier and laughing about the fact that last season they were all over our thread telling us they'd take whichever players they'd want from us with impunity. I would love to do the same but genuinely think none of them would make our team bar maybe Leon as we need a left back

Leon was the first name that came to mind for me.   Last season he was rarely in the team and was an out of favour option.  This season much better but Falkirk got the Airdrie bug and shat the bed in the playoffs so no Championship football for him.   I think he originally signed a 3 year deal with a year left, so not seeing him making any kind of move if Falkirk want to keep him for next seasons push.  But I’d have him back in a minute.  Fordyce, McCann, Ballantyne and another upgrade defender?   Yes please. Face it, he went to Falkirk to make the next level which hasn’t happened - who knows if he’s getting impatient 

[Diamonds are Forever]

2 minutes ago, FLDiamond said:

Leon was the first name that came to mind for me.   Last season he was rarely in the team and was an out of favour option.  This season much better but Falkirk got the Airdrie bug and shat the bed in the playoffs so no Championship football for him.   I think he originally signed a 3 year deal with a year left, so not seeing him making any kind of move if Falkirk want to keep him for next seasons push.  But I’d have him back in a minute.  Fordyce, McCann, Ballantyne and another upgrade defender?   Yes please. Face it, he went to Falkirk to make the next level which hasn’t happened - who knows if he’s getting impatient 

 

I've never been sold on McCann, and certainly not for the Championship. If we didn't know about him from having played with us previously I don't think there's anyone who would have looked at him in the last 2 years and thought he'd be a particularly good signing. Defensively there were always question marks and that was in League 1. Last we saw him he was somehow dodging a red card after hauling down Ben Stanway giving a penalty away. No chance of it happening anyway as he's under contract.

I thought Paterson was a better player and has a much higher ceiling than McCann. No idea of his availability though and I know he had a bad injury.

 

[FLDiamond]

1 minute ago, Diamonds are Forever said:

 

I thought Paterson was a better player and has a much higher ceiling than McCann. No idea of his availability though and I know he had a bad injury.

 

I liked Brody too…. But honestly, I’m not sure he’d be ready for Championship football.  I’ve not followed him since he left last year but hoping he kicks on,  seemed like a good lad  

[Diamond diehard]

Don't understand the Leon chat at all. Cammy is a far better left back than him and he's not even a natural left back. Let's set our sights a bit higher than that please. 

[Glenmavis Diamond]

2 hours ago, cb_diamond said:

Was thinking of this earlier and laughing about the fact that last season they were all over our thread telling us they'd take whichever players they'd want from us with impunity. I would love to do the same but genuinely think none of them would make our team bar maybe Leon as we need a left back

Nope, he's no Euan Devenny.

[Diamond72]

Leon McCann will be the first to admit that he is plaing football in L1, not through lack of footballing ability, but a lack of height and physique needed for the higher leagues.

[AJ77]

4 minutes ago, Glenmavis Diamond said:

Nope, he's no Euan Devenny.

No disrespect to Euan, but he really can’t be our starting left back next season.

[Diamonds are Forever]

3 minutes ago, Diamond72 said:

Leon McCann will be the first to admit that he is plaing football in L1, not through lack of footballing ability, but a lack of height and physique needed for the higher leagues.

 

If Leon does think that I think he's mistaken, or looking for an excuse as to why he's not at a higher level. Nothing wrong with his physique at all, he's quick and strong. Yes he's small but that's not a major issue for a full-back, he's taller than Greg Taylor who plays for Celtic and Scotland. He's at this level because he has the ability of a decent League 1 full-back.

[Diamond diehard]

Callum Smith is integral to the way we play and I hope to f..k he stays with us along with the vast majority of others. A few additions in key areas will hopefully see us good. Smithy is an athlete and works so hard defensivly too. brilliant team player. 

[Chapelhall chap]

12 hours ago, Sage Monkey said:

Utter respect to the younger fans, you have earned this. I started following the club around 1970, and had the joy of a great team to follow in the 70's a Cup Final, a Texaco Cup Final and a Spring Cup win. We had a spell in the top flight in the 80's and then the great 90's with 2 Cup Finals, and a  jaunt into Europe.

I think that those memories and the joy I got from them helped me through some grim times this century. Last Saturday was a return to those great days, with an evening of sheer joy.

So what about next season, we have just spent 210 minutes against a team that is weaker than any we face next season, and we couldn't beat them in regulation time, not good. However, anyone who followed the team through the entire season will have seen dramatic improvement in a number pf players abilities through the season, so the coaching is good. We have also seen improvement in Rhys' management of the games, so management is improving. If both can carry on improving, then we have every chance. I'm looking forward to the challenge.

Much as I agree with your post, can I gently point out that we did beat Hamilton in regulation time in the first leg. It's difficult to judge future prospects against other Championship sides on the basis of this play off format, but I'm looking forward to next season.

[1320Lichtie]

18 hours ago, Diamonds are Forever said:

 

Agree with most of this. I think Euan Deveney will turn into a good player, he's still very soft defensively (as the 2nd goal showed on Saturday) but is decent on the ball and has had some good performances this year. He's still only 20 and the defensive side of the game will improve. However he isn't ready to be a starter in the Championship yet so he'd be signed on the basis that he'll develop and play the odd game as back-up. Not sure.

I thought there was very little between us and Hamilton which I'm actually encouraged by. If you work on the basis that we will be looking to improve in at least 3 or 4 positions then currently being the equivalent of a 9th placed team in the Championship isn't a bad starting point. With those additions we'll hopefully be good enough to be around mid-table.

Arbroath, Hamilton and Cove have been 3 of the worst Championship teams I have seen by far the last 5 year. We have all been absolutely stinking. That Hamilton team was so very bad for Championship level, ask their own fans.
 

The top 7 were actually all very good this year too up until a certain point when it’s the business end and the results matter more and pressure hits where everyone seems to go all over the place. 
 

I think it’s a pretty big step up from L1. You’re basically playing teams better or probably similar to how Dunfermline were for you this year every single week. 
 

A good back 4 and keeper for me is the most important thing. We survived on that alone 

[Kenny_m]

 

9 hours ago, Diamond diehard said:

Don't understand the Leon chat at all. Cammy is a far better left back than him and he's not even a natural left back. Let's set our sights a bit higher than that please. 

Exactly, bang average League 1 jobber, we need an upgrade and the team in general needs more height. 

[airdrieman]

17 hours ago, ShineOnYouCrazyDiamonds said:

Surprised to see some unsure about Smith. He’d be one of the first I’d be trying to keep along with Frizzell. He maybe hasn’t been as good as last season, but towards the end of last season he was ridiculous. One of the best grafters we’ve got and never leaves anything on the pitch. He might not be as prolific as Gallagher or McGill but his overall play has been so so important to this team.

 

9 hours ago, Diamond diehard said:

Callum Smith is integral to the way we play and I hope to f..k he stays with us along with the vast majority of others. A few additions in key areas will hopefully see us good. Smithy is an athlete and works so hard defensivly too. brilliant team player. 

Likewise. I've said it before but I think this Smith has regressed from last season talk is grossly over-stated. He had a brilliant end to the season last year, and put in one of the best, if not the best, individual performances I've ever seen in Airdrie shirt. He ended last season on 16 goals. He scored 13 this season, so that's hardly a downturn at all in terms of goals scored, and in fact is probably a better contribution over the course of the season when you consider how many of Smith's goals last year came in the last quarter and in the play-offs. I suppose you could argue over which is better. But it's not only that, he's hugely important to how we play and how we attack teams. The way he carries the team, and the ball, up the park, presses and attacks defenders, brings the ball into and around the box. We'd be a much worse team and score a lot less without him. I also think he's almost always amongst our better players against teams in the Championship and above. He'd be a huge loss and I'd be gutted if he left. I'll remember that Montrose play-off hat-trick forever. 

[airdrieman]

I can't remember who it was but somebody mentioned how Gal tends to get the plaudits rather than Gabby. I think I've spoken about it on the podcast before, but I think it's worth bringing up how many times Gabby pops up with a big goal. His goal on Saturday was the most important Airdrie goal in years (maybe the most important in the last 20). But there was also the one away to Falkirk a couple of weeks ago (arguable how important the 7th goal in a 7-2 play-off final win is but you know what I mean ), the goal to put us 1-0 up v Cove, the 6th in the Montrose play-off which was actually the goal that won it even with Smith and Afolabi's heroics and I'm sure he got a lateish winner or equaliser v Clyde last season? There might be more too that I can't recall off the top of my head. He's some man. Lifetime contract please! 

[goodwin]

Is ATS a bit injury prone to rely on.

I think we need another CH and I'd keep Byrd with Rhys as an alternative to drop back from his defensive mid duties. I wonder if Rhys might be a bit slow(ish) to play a season in midfield.

I'd keep Ballantyne and Jannie but I agree a LB needs added. 

I hope McMaster and Justin D stay but wouldn't be surprised if the latter is on other radars. If the 2 Hibs boys are midfield too, and we have Rhys (occasionally), Telfer and Frizz, I think we need a bit of dig in there. 

Can we have any part timers (Gal). I assume it involves other players being OK training on a Tuesday and Thursday evening?  But are there any proven scorers we could attract?

Gal's best games (and there were many of them) I think were when he was dropping deeper and linking play with others and had Smithy Gabby, and the full backs bombing forward. In the play-offs (most of the time) Gal seemed to be left on his own, in what seemed to be a 4-1(Rhys)-4-1 (Gal) and I thought Gal struggled albeit he always puts in a shift. If Rhys is going to play that way next season we need a different type of player up front.

Keeping Gabby and Smithy would be ideal.

Will any of the Development Squad get a deal?

Going to be exciting and at least I expect we'll start next season with a full squad

 

[Diamonds are Forever]

1 hour ago, 1320Lichtie said:

Arbroath, Hamilton and Cove have been 3 of the worst Championship teams I have seen by far the last 5 year. We have all been absolutely stinking. That Hamilton team was so very bad for Championship level, ask their own fans.
 

The top 7 were actually all very good this year too up until a certain point when it’s the business end and the results matter more and pressure hits where everyone seems to go all over the place. 
 

I think it’s a pretty big step up from L1. You’re basically playing teams better or probably similar to how Dunfermline were for you this year every single week. 
 

A good back 4 and keeper for me is the most important thing. We survived on that alone 

 

That's why I'm quite optimistic though, like I say, on the assumption that we add 3 or 4 players. Our results against Dunfermline this season were 3 draws and a 4-3 defeat (after being 3 nil up). We drew with Dundee in the cup (before an ET collapse with 10 men and a youth team on the bench), beat St Mirren and then drew on aggregate with Hamilton. Not trying to claim we are anything special but my point is that even with our current team we have shown against a few higher ranked teams that we can hold our own and be competitive. So with some quality additions (no guarantee of that obviously) I think we'll be able to hold our own. In previous seasons promotion would have required an entire rebuild which I don't think is the case now.

As you say it's the defence that really matters and that is where over the season Dunfermline pulled ahead. We had a few issues with the goalies early on in the season and were chucking goals away. We'll definitely need another full-back, a solid centre-back and a solid midfielder. I think that would give us the extra solidity needed to try and stay clear of relegation.

Edited May 23, 2023 by Diamonds are Forever

[1320Lichtie]

1 minute ago, Diamonds are Forever said:

 

That's why I'm quite optimistic though, like I say, on the assumption that we add 3 or 4 players. Our results against Dunfermline this season were 3 draws and a 4-3 defeat (after being 3 nil up). We drew with Dundee in the cup (before an ET collapse with 10 men and a youth team on the bench), beat St Mirren and then drew on aggregate with Hamilton. Not trying to claim we are anything special but my point is that even with our current team we have shown against a few higher ranked teams that we can hold our own and be competitive. So with some quality additions (no guarantee of that obviously) I think we'll be able to hold our own. In previous seasons promotion would have required an entirely rebuild which I don't think is the case now.

As you say it's the defence that really matters and that is where over the season Dunfermline pulled ahead. We had a few issues with the goalies early on in the season and were chucking goals away. We'll definitely need another full-back, a solid centre-back and a solid midfielder. I think that would give us the extra solidity needed to try and stay clear of relegation.

Aye fair enough. It’s a weird league. Last year so many clubs seemed to get it right in comparison to previous years where there was always a couple of clubs who had got it badly wrong. Hard game every single week and rough and tumble.
 

We’ve finished 2nd, 5th, 7th and 8th so kind of had the full range of experiences and for me it’s much more enjoyable. Every week feels like an occasion with a good crowd and a big match feel to it in comparison to League 1. 
 

Enjoy