MrCaleyjag

Like Starchief I love Footie Man as well, Caleyjag can't see the enjoyment from it but I certainly can. Went ICT and finished 4th in first season, second season won SPL and League Cup and got knocked out of Europa League in qualifier by Inter Milan, 3rd season won SPL qualified for Champions League group and got Real Madrid, Ajax and Benfica!!! Beat Ajax 3v2 away, beat Benfica 3v2 at home, drew 1v1 away to Real and also 2v2 at home to them too after being 2v0 down, drew 2v2 at home to Ajax and got beat 4v2 away to Benfica, qualified from group and got put out by Tottenham. Signed the following players amongst others on Bosmans or free transfers: David Templeton, Liam Miller, David Goodwillie, Scott Brown, Alaiksander Hleb, Zurab Khizanishvilli, David Healy, Pedro Mendes, Jeremy Clement, Edu. Got offered the Chelsea job so now planning my revolution there and starting ripping them apart lol. The game is awesome and have loved the new changes to it although not sure about watching the match on the match engine, I'm too impatient for it. Don't think there is much that needs to be changed to the game as a whole, the training could be a bit better and more in depth although I do like the match preperation. Also the team talks before/during and after the games could be a little bit more detailed and give you more options for things to say.

While I agree a little with your thoughts on the camorarderie and team spirit it is up to TB to keep this going, I have no doubt in my mind that he can and that he has total belief in himself and the players that he has kept. Like Tree said it is really only 2 big players we are losing that were fixtures in the first team and even then I think most of us knew that from the way RD was in and out of the team he was going to go sooner rather than later. Lets also not forget that our young boys have come through the ranks so have the ICT way instilled in them, I believe this is what TB sees and the nucleus of the first team has been kept together. I know it might not seem like the ICT way but in order to progress in all walks of life we sometimes have to do something we don't want to do. I just think there is more to the releasing of GM and RD than the fans will know and find out other than what we are being told. As for certain players who are free agents, I agree with Scotty please don't sign Colin Samuel, he's not what we need and would not show the ambition that we as the fans want to see from this.

There's not one of those midfielders you would take out the squad for Nick Ross I'm afraid, he's a great talent but needs more nurturing and games to progress further. The boy also needs to bulk up a wee bit to make it at International level. The only one I could see would to leave out would be Barry Bannan but then he has Premiership experience and also is a different kind of player, he is in the squad for the balance. Give Nick another two years and if he keeps on progressing the way he is then he'll be a stick on for the squad, it's just too early yet, let him play some more U21 games. As for Esson he's really unfortunate other keepers play in better leagues although I would have had him in instead of Turner, as a goalkeeper your prime is round about his age as he is showing now. Look at Jim Leighton, lost his place in the squad for years and came back into the fold in his mid 30s if my memory is correct around about the same time Goram was at his best.

It would be interesting to compare our points total to other teams first seasons after being promoted from the First Division, I'm sure someone will know if we are up there with the best or not. Something makes me think Livingston had a stonking season after they were promoted and finshed third?

AYE and not just because of last night, times this season I have been very critical of his influence and performances in games or lack of it and too often the need for Granty to punt the ball long just to get rid of it, Saturday was a prime example although he wasn't the only one. He is a solid centre back with ICT running through his viens and I reckon he would walk through walls if he could for the good of the club but is this one step too far in his eyes? Club captain then stripped of it, told he is needed then released, I do think part of TBs decision was made rashly but it must also have been one that has weighed on his mind for a while. The question is would he want to stay after being told he isn't wanted? I agree with a previous post, if TB can find two better CBs then he is an ample third choice and definately the type of player ICT need around for the good of the club and the good of the younger players but he will need to cut out the long punts that the manager and fans clearly don't like should a miraculous u-turn be made. When I heard the news I said to Caleyjag it is one thing stripping a squad apart but it's another to dice with club legends that the fans regard in the highest esteam as this could be a wrong move towards keeping the backing of the fans, maybe TBs statement last night was to appease the fans or maybe he genuinly believes that his decision has been rash. I do have faith in TB and will back his judgements but would like to see Granty stay.

Much more solid defensively and positionally than Shinnie and doesn't look out of place against anyone he's come up against, I have been impressed with him since he came back from his injury and hope a good pre-season will lead to much more.

Every team has an off day and as much as I was disappointed on Saturday and had a massive rant about the players as I walked up the stairs at Pittodrie in front of Graeme Shinnie (hoping secretly the views would work back to the dressing room in some form) deep down I knew it was just that, an off day. We all have one at work and collectively the team had one. I do think it is unfair to suggest they upped their game last night as it was on tv, lets not talk ourselves down and try to pick at why we were so good last night compared to Saturday. Lets revell in the fact we beat one half of the OF, all through today all I have read and heard in the media and press was how Celtic were so poor and how they threw it away, not once did I hear praise for ICT about how they won the game so lets not jump on the band wagon. We played to our strengths and it worked. Remember this is a team that went to both Ibrox and Parkhead and got draws with the later being a bigger achievement than the first due to the way they pulled it back so we know it can be done. I for one am extremeley proud of everyone of those players last night for the effort, commitment and energy they put into the game and put Saturday down to being an off day, maybe they needed it to be brought back down to earth and be reminded of what it is all about. If that's what it was then it worked wonders. Also lets not remember the game on Saturday didn't lose us a top six place, we all were hoping for a top six finish and it was just that, hope, realistically we wanted to cement our place in the league for next season and last night was a bonus. Lets enjoy it as I certainly am.

Jaggie994 I have to agree with the point that CaleyD is making and agree that I think the crux of his argument is being missed. Did you read my post near the beginning of the thread where I stated that I get behind the team just as much as others if not more and have never had trouble in all the years I have been going to nay football games and never been singled out by stewards. I would argue with anyone that they shout louder or jump up more than I do, I'm sure TB and MM heard me shouting on Saturday and they were nearly 100 yards away. The difference with me is that I sit away from the crowd and therefore am not seen as 'one of the lads' or one of 'that group' who the stewards continually speak to. Now I am not saying that being in the group or area of the group should cause problems but it clearly does and nor am I saying that the group or crowd cause all the problems but i think they aggrivate the situation. I do sympathise at times with guys on here who post about why they have been ejected and for some of the petty reasons for why they have been ejected but it's like I have said get a little street wise. On the whole those that are ejected are in the large group that the stewards focus on. As for Govan Jaggie yes your case is ridiculous and I would be taking that up with the club as well as with Aberdeen direct and continue until you get an answer from them. In terms of stewards they are glorified door men and have no right or legal right to lay one finger on you including pulling you from your seat or the ground, for this you can easily have them charged with assault or at least a complaint made to the police no matter how much they or the police may tell you that you cannot. A simple word of warning to them that if they lay a finger on you you will report them or you will defend yourself as you feel threatened should be enough to deter them for fear of a complaint or their job. This piece of advice was given to me by a police officer. If the police at the ground don't take you seriously go to a police station where they will.

I have never really been one for slagging our own fans as I believe we should stick together but on this one I have to agree 100% with everyone above, some of the behaviour at times this season is stupid, we all know how it works at football now a days and it's been that way for decades now. It's about time people started growing up and realising that they are ambassadors for their team when they are in the crowd. Whether or not you agree with the stewards it doesn't matter, start getting street wise and act like you would expect others to act around you. Stop spoiling it for others who are their to chear on ICT and get behind them as ultimately the way you act reflects on them and spoils it when the stewards pile in. You wouldn't act like that on the street on a night out for fear of being lifted so don't do it at games. Like Caleyjag said above I love to get involved as much as everyone else and a bit more than some but I have never attracted the attention of stewarts or police and I jump about and stand and shout etc but I sit further down the front. The guy who Caleyjag was talking about in particular should be ashamed, your choice of language at a game where there were so many youngsters sitting in front of us was shocking, there were 2,3 and 4 year olds sitting there. Once or twice I swore but I rained it in, I'd be surprised if you even remember it tbh.

What a performance by everyone!!! Can't praise them any higher than saying I think that was one of our best performances this season, from what I saw of it from behind the couch haha It's always good to get a win against the OF but even better when we were completely written off by everyone and also after the news of players being release coming out only a few days ago. they deserve every bit of praise they get for pulling that one out of the bag. Well done all

Could Burley be abymore Pro Celtic, I am sure he would bleed green if he was cut open!!

My nerves are completely shot!!!!

Can't say that I am too surprised with the latest names to be added since I last posted except for Hogg but if they guy doesn't want to stay as has been rumoured before then not much we can do to keep him. Guess it's not just a club we're trying to sell to players but a completely different area to live in, unlike playing in the central belt where the commute can take you anywhere easily in a relative short space of time. Could TB and MM be planning a comeback as our central defence next season?

Of all the players that I thought would be released at the end of the season I really didn't expect one of them to be Grant Munro, I am a bit shocked by it tbh especially for a player who TB has used this season as a first team regular. Something for me isn't quite right with it and must be down to just more than just footballing reason. Russell I can understand as TB never really favoured him and this was seen from his team selections when he played him then dropped him for a few then brought him back in, Gollie and Roy I can understand and as much as they have been great ambassedors and players for the club there comes a time when financially it doesn't make sense to have players in the squad who aren't playing. Before I heard the news I was of the opinion that we needed and experienced defender and a reliable experienced midfielder, now that has just jumped up to two in each of those positions and if you consider that the list of players now leaving at the end of the season stand at Gollie, Granty, Russell, Roy and Chris Inness along with the posibility that Ronney could leave on a Bosman and McDonald and Doran are on loans we are looking at a potential 8 faces leaving at the eand of the season, thats a heck of a lot of players on a squad which at times this season has lacked to provide a full 18 listed for games. I assume that he is confident of keeping Chris Hogg otherwise you can add his name to the list as well. I do have faith in TB and hope that this time in 2 and a half months I am lauding his signings but there are going to need to be a power of them for me to believe that we have the squad capable of sustaining a decent challenge next season. Lets see what he has planned and hope he can stun us all even more than we have been. In terms of the players who have been released I really hope the club do something to honour their contribution to the team and club over the years so that the fans can see that they recognise, as well as us, just how much it has been. I would like to thank them for everything they have doen and achieved at ICT and wich them all the best for the future wherever they go and should they play against us in the future sometime I will be the first to stand and applaud them

Congratulations to Dunfermline, hope they enjoy their success this season and the end of season party. Caleyjag and I were reminiscing in the car yesterday listening to the results after our game as to what it was like last season for us, if it is for them as good as it was for us they'll have a ball

This idea started a week ago and was added to with many people's contributions from there! have a look at the original thread if you do not believe me. http://boards.footym...&mid=2117748807 As with most ideas - it evolved! There is no agenda.... this would presume that we were organised.... . What you can see is an idea being discussed in an open forum, many people putting views towards it and it evolving in both the threads and on the site.. As the people who are running a "community" forum I would have thought that you would have backed that.... instead of using it as evidence of some sort of secret agenda! As for spam? Usually, you get spam from a commercial site that is trying to make money! (can you tell us what your "commercial rates" are?) If the site increases interest in the games and gets more people going to them and more revenue into the clubs - surely this is a good thing? If there are issues that need to be addressed... and most fans in Scotland believe there are, why not instead of criticizing something that is trying to increase interest in the game... go and do something about it? At what point do you believe this will increase interest in the game, certainly an interest to the level that is needed to help out our game when presumably you are generating interest in your site from coming onto forums like this that have members who are already interested in the game. I don't doubt you have probably used other avenues to promote the site but by using fans sites like this you are not increasing the popularity of Scottish Football, we already know about it hence why we are on here. In our own way we are all doing something to help the good of Scottish Football, by going to games we are helping our own clubs grow, by giving them money in order to progress and therefore hopefully increasing the level of our game. I can't see how your site will make anyone that is in authority pay any attention to what fans think, they don't already and have clearly shown that the fans opinion is very low down in their priorities.

What can I say about the game, not much, it was the most dire, dross, pathetic game of football I think I have ever been to and chose not to post yesterday after it as I was so annoyed. Glad I didn't as it seems TB had the same outlook on it as I do and yesterday I was likely to absolutely slate him and the team, something I don't do lightly. TBH though if I wanted to go and watch guys punting the ball long and scrabbling about to see who the first one can be to emerge with the ball I would go and watch a game of rugby, when is the penny going to drop that playing long ball doesn't work, period!! Just stop it!!!! We had nothing in midfield, both Ross and Cox struggled to get a grip with the game and in turn we lumped it forward all the time, the game cried out for Russell Duncan in the middle to get a grip of it and link up our full backs with the wingers or our midfield with the attack. Instead TB brought him on after we went 1-0 down and way after he brought on Odhiambo for McDonald which was an even more bizarre decision. Yes he was struggling but wouldn't you if you were the same size as Johnny Hayes and had to cope with long balls being lumped into you against their defenders. We don't do it when Hayes plays so why do it yesterday. I have no plus points to take from yesterdays game other than i don't think I can see any worse and maybe the fact that TB has hopefully saw who is not good enough. I fear a spanking by Celtic if we play anywhere near what we did yesterday. I hope TB has some plans for next season as we cannot sustain anything with the team we had out yesterday.

I personally don't care too much for this site and that doesn't mean I am wrong, it's merely my opinion like everyone elses but there are clearly other agendas with the site other than just being a 'fantasy league' to see what it would be like without the OF. Look at the thread above and how much the OP changes his mind on what the site is about, why was this? I reckon because he was questioned about it and couldn't back it up so had to change it. Why have it in the first place if you don't want a league without the OF. Rather than try and see where other teams would be in the league without the OF why not start questioning your own teams abilities and ambitions and ask them why they are in the position they are and not fantasize what life would be like outwith the OF. This to me is merely masking the problems that our game has and our clubs have. Like it or not they are not all down to the OF, the demise of Aberdeen is not the OFs fault, the inability of other teams to challenge is not down to the OF, the shoddy way the SFA is run is not the OFs problem, the lack of youth investment is not down to the OF, the list is endless. I personally would rather come on here and talk all things ICT that actually will make a difference or are worth talking about.

Good win on a horrendous pitch, I know Saints haven't scored in just about 1000hrs but you've still to beat whoever is put out in front of you. Great to see we can produce an accomplished performance like that with so many youngsters in the team. All in all a very good weekend of results for us and looking good in 7th place.

I am almost sure you can pay at the gate, the game last November you could pay at the gate as they give you a ticket at the turnstyle which gets you through the scanner. All the times I have been to Pittodrie I haven't had to buy a ticket beforehand

I too had planned to go with it originally being a 2pm kick off, Caleyjag is working but I'm off, going to give it a miss now that the KO has been changed to 745pm

I agree with the decision for Johnny to have the op just now and see it as a good piece of forward thinking from the club. We have achieved our main aim which was to stay in the SPL and from the clubs point of view I guess anything else was a bonus. We have in the past berated the club for their lack of foresight so to see them thinking forward is good to see. I personally would rather see a fully fit Johnny Hayes next season than a half fit one this season with the possibility of the injury getting worse between now and the end of the season.

Should it happen, not that I am saying it will, it won't be this season. The court case is scheduled for October/November '11

I am absolutely astounded that no one from the SPL was available when both ICT and Celtic tried to contact them having come to an agreement to put the game back to a 13:00hrs kick-off, not that I know the ins and outs of the possibilties of doing this but surely it was one since both clubs tried this route. For the SPL not to have a representative available on a weekend where a full card takes place is ridiculous, no business runs over their busiest time without having someone on duty and now no one knows if it was possible to put the game back for this reason. It just highlights the massive issues that our football organisations have that need sorted out from the core. As for Lawells comments, I have already posted in regards to his mouth and what comes out of it so I'm not prepared to waste anymore of my time. Next thing will be it's a conspiracy.

I too from a neutral point of view really enjoyed the game, was glad to see that the football done the talking this time and not any antics and nor was it a dull.