hislopsoffsideagain

I think things have come to a head today because of Rossco's error, but for me this is just the latest of many mistakes/poor performances that he's racked up in the last season and a bit.  Apart from today, I made it to Tannadice and our home win over Hibs, and I thought that in both games Proctor got forward as often has Rossco does, passed as well as Rossco does, but noticeably Proc gets back a gazillion times quicker than Tokes does when attacks break down.  

I'm not convinced that Proc is more naturally talented, but I think all Tokely's problems are based on the fact that after about 20 minutes he's knackered...

As an aside, while Sophia makes very good points in her post, does anyone else picture her as a prim 19th century schoolmistress with spectacles on the end of her nose and her hair tied back in a bun?  Or is it just me?

Agreed.  Back to topic.  I thought "roscoe23" was a reference to the number of pounds Tokely has put on since he won those awards...

Whythankyouverymuch, RiG!

I don't think we've agreed on anything since primary school, when we both supported the San Francisco 49ers...

I stand by my comments on the matchday thread.  He is unfit and looks overweight, and has done since the beginning of last season.

Scotty is right, as always.  He deserved those awards a few years ago.  But I've long lost patience with Tokely, and Proctor has now shown that he is at least as good an option.  Rossco, in short,  needs to shape up or ship out.  

Just back - I live round the corner from Pittodrie.

Biggest waste of 21 quid ever.  Neither team deserved anything from that whatsoever - each side looked about as threatening as a damp sponge, apart from a short period in the second half where we reminded Langfield that he was actually playing in a match.

The referee did his best to liven up with some weird and wonderful decisions against both sides.  I was sure it wasn't a penalty - Miller went down like someone in the Richard Donald stand had got him with a sniper rifle.  Regardless, Rossco was wheezing like an asthmatic from about the 20th minute and needs to be dropped until he cuts the pies out of his diet.  

As for our attack - where do you start?  Bayne looked more out of his depth than ever.  A person with no eyes and no legs would be able to judge and control high balls better.  On the rare occasions he got it, he required about eight goes to actually control the **** thing, by which time he'd gone back ten yards and the defence had reorganized.  Meanwhile, Niculae was anonymous, at best, and missed our best chance with a header wide from 8 yards.  

A word of advice for Rankin and Cowie today - it helps to pass the ball to players in the same coloured shirt as you.  Poorest I've seen Cowie in an ICT shirt, none of his crosses seemed to be within 5 yards of a teammate.  And why were we playing with one up when we were chasing an equaliser?  What about Wyness or Wilson?

Pass marks?  Well, Fraser had bog all to do till he picked the ball out of his net.  McGuire, Munro and Hastings seemed to be strolling through it.  And Black was the one shining light for me.

Aberdeen won because they were marginally less hopeless.  

I know I'm really angry and annoyed at the moment because we lost a game we shouldn't have.  But from the tremendous minute's applause at the beginning it really was downhill.

Marks out of five:

FRASER  :003: :003: :003: :003: I wish he would come for crosses more, but two outstanding stops today, and partial credit for dribbling round the Hibs striker in the first half

PROCTOR  :003: :003: :003: :003: Solid again.  For the love of goodness, Brew, keep Tokely on the bench next week

MCGUIRE  :003: :003: :003: Titanic battle with Donaldson.  Lucky not to be sent off for his shirt pull as Donaldson hit the bar.  We need to bust a gut to keep him

MUNRO  :003: :003: :003: :003: Only really lost Fletcher once all game.  Appalling passing out of defence though

HASTINGS  :003: :003: :003: Beaten all ends up by Morais a few times in the first half but comfortable in the second period

COWIE  :003: :003: :003: Quieter performance than most recently, but worked as hard as ever

BLACK  :003: :003: :003: :003: Another great effort, using the ball well when we had it and harassing Kerr and Noubissie tirelessly when we didn't

DUNCAN  :003: :003: Continues to protect the defence well but even by his standards the passing was atrocious.  Subbed late on with an injury

RANKIN  :003: :003: :003: :003: :003: My man of the match.  Nearly caught out Makalambay from distance twice.  Still pressing Hibs defenders in the 94th minute.  How can we possibly let him go?

MCBAIN  :003: :003: Worked hard but never really in the match much.  Subbed for Bayne

NICULAE  :003: :003: :003: :003: :003: Oh, Marius!  Two super finishes, he held up the ball really well first half, and looked different class when he came deeper after Bayne's introduction

Subs

BAYNE  :003: :003: :003: :003: Made the difference when we were shaky at 1-0 - he went in where it hurt to start the move for the second.  It's a long time since he's done that well

WILSON  :003: :003: Not really on long enough to do much

BREW  :003: :003: :003: :003: :003: Kudos for bringing Bayne and changing things while we were under the cosh.  We look better organised and fitter than we have in ages.

This afternoon was a flashback to Brewster's first stint in charge - we did a great job of shutting up shop after nicking a goal away from home.  What for me was particularly striking was that the midfield were still running and pressing high up the pitch right to the end - are our fitness levels back to what they were pre-CC?

Wonderful goal from Blackie - at first I thought it was a fluke but on Setanta it looks like he meant to lob the goalie, who did end up going a**e over t*t attempting to save it.  Cowie was absolutely magnificent first half, combining well with Proctor in the early stages, and Rankin gave it everything, though he spent a lot of time in what must be an unfamiliar "second striker" role.  Please keep him, Brew!

We rode our luck in the second half a bit - Kenneth missed an absolute sitter from 6 yards, and the ball spent most of the last 45 minutes bouncing around our box.  McGuire vs Wilkie was a fascinating battle, and Phil did a great job of keeping him under control while United lobbed the ball at him again and again.  And for me the man of the match was Grant Munro, who always seemed to be first to the loose ball, and threw himself in front of everything.

Also a special mention to Marius who, despite an ineffectual afternoon, did a smashing job of wasting time by insisting on shaking the ref's hand as he was subbed!

Good performance, great result.  Not often we can say Brew got his tactics spot on...

Late last Wednesday night in Aberdeen's A&E, I had to look after a bloke who, in his early twenties, had come in with angina brought on by cocaine use.  Just a reminder that one of the reasons that "recreational" drugs are illegal is because they are potentially very dangerous to health - whether cocaine, heroin, cannabis or whatever.

The one undeniable fact is that Richie Hart has been an idiot - as said above, a lot of what's being talked about is based on rumour and assumption.  While there are very good (and very bad) arguments for and against terminating his employment with the club, I'm not sure if it has been pointed out yet that Richie Hart is a professional athlete whose career is hugely dependent on his fitness.  I know it all happened during the summer, and it might well have been a once-off, but doesn't it **** off anyone else that we pay the wages of someone prone to such unprofessionalism?

If he a) shows some remorse (or at least more than he showed in HN) and b) suggests to the club himself that he VOLUNTARILY goes round local schools etc. (not sure if it would actually make a difference, but it's a gesture), and c) maintains Brew-like standards of fintess and professionalism, then he deserves a second chance.

If it hasn't occurred to him to do the three things above then he's the architect of his own downfall.

As above, really.  We were great, while Gretna were mince (apart from the start of the second half).  Wyness looks like he has his mojo back.  I thought Morgan did pretty well, though he still looks a bit rusty with the occasional naff touch.

Did the entire away support travel up in the same car?

Yes 4thstand, it didn't surprise me to read that article.  Everyone should be forced by law to drink nothing except tea and coffee (of course, those contain caffeine...)

To be honest I think this is an excellent thread with good arguments from both sides.  Hopefully some of the younger members of the support are reading this - they'd be getting a fairly balanced argument I think.

"What about all the folk you would have encountered with problems associated to drink? Has that put you off drinking?"

Actually, yes!

"No one is shocked when an athlete goes out and gets steaming though are they?"

I thought that, on the continent, footballers don't go out and get absolutely ratfaced.  It seems to be very much still a British thing that people think that working 5 days a week means they are entitled to drink copious amounts at the weekend (and potentially at other times) if they so wish.

On the other hand, plenty of Italian footballers smoke like chimneys.

Before everyone calls me a PC-twit, I'm aware that my views on the effect of alcohol and drugs in society are very much in the minority and are mostly due to the daily despair of having to treat people who are destroying their lives with the use of these substances.  Whether they like it or not, sportsmen are role models and, unfotunately a large chunk of society are influenced by what our "celebrities" do.

Considering the effects of marijuana on physical and mental health that have begun to emerge from recent studies (and my experiences as a medical student at Newcraigs a couple of years ago back those up strongly), I'm personally horrified that any athlete could even consider smoking dope, even just on occasion.  It would explain why he seems to run out of steam in the last 20 minutes of a game...

My main issue is that he's led us a merry dance for so long - we've lost time to search for better forwards.

Craig Dargo has been a wonderful player for us, no doubt about that, and we will miss him.  But we survived after we lost Wilson, Robson and Wyness, didn't we?

On the other hand, it's very tempting to put money on us being relegated next year.  Losing him and Dods, and Brown before that, is a blow that I don't think we can recover from in a hurry.

Agree with the sentiment above.

To be honest, the win over Rangers at xmas was worth my season ticket alone...thanks lads!

We really didn't deserve to win that, but Dunfermline, and De Vries in particular, got their come-uppance for ruining the game with their time wasting.  If they'd had any sense they'd have got on with it and thumped us.

As said above, great away support. 

Sticking by my comment about Caff - I'm fed up of watching RossCo wheezing as he chugs up the wing, putting in the occasional cross which invariably fails to clear the first man, and then watching from the distance as our opponents counter attack into the area that he's vacated.

Caff offered virtually nothing in the way of an attacking threat, but to be honest RossCo doesn't offer much more.  And the number of left sided attackers who have run rings around him this season - Derek Riordan, Steven Naismith and Steven Fletcher come to mind - means that I was much more relaxed watching Caff dealing with trouble on that side.

GOOD POINTS

The three we got today - after all, this is the results business.

Dargo's sharpness in front of goal.

That glorious move in the first half when Munro marauded forward and nearly laid on a goal for Hart.

Having a right back who can defend - McCaffrey was man of the match for me.

Our first clean sheet in bleeding ages.

Russell Duncan's defending (as usual)

That bloke in the main stand who kept shouting "we want four" even when it was 0-0!

BAD POINTS

The second half - a new cure for insomnia.

Russell Duncan's passing (as usual).

Bizarre substitution no. 1 - Bringing off Dargo for McBain and sticking Hart up top.

The lack of another substitution - when will you get a better chance to blood a youngster?

The people in the main stand who look horrified when anyone starts singing...

Saw McPake play for Livi against County in February - he looked pretty nifty.  A defender very much in the Dods mould, but is much younger and possibly a little bit faster.

At the moment, with Dargo probably offski, I'd take Sutton like a shot - can anyone actually think of a better striker we could realistically sign?  I can't.

Here's a report I knocked up if you need it...

RANKIN RESCUES A POINT

Inverness 1 Falkirk 1

John Rankin struck late on to earn Caley Thistle a draw in their last match before the split.

The former Ross County midfielder struck with just four minutes left on the clock to save the home side from defeat after Falkirk substitute Carl Finnegan seemed to have earned the visitors a smash-and-grab win.

Caley made two changes from the side that drew at Ibrox last week.  Darren Dods’ suspension meant that Grant Munro took the armband for Caley, with Stuart McCaffrey recalled to partner him.  Markus Paatelainen also dropped out, with Barry Wilson restored to the lineup.  Falkirk kept the same lineup that saw off St. Mirren last time out. 

Both teams came out of the dressing room looking for an early goal, and both should have got one.  First Craig Dargo was denied by the legs of Bairns keeper Kasper Schmeichel, with Barry Wilson screwing the follow-up wide.  Then appalling defending at the other hand gifted Dean Holden a chance, but the Falkirk full back inexplicably headed wide from all of two yards out. 

The rest of the first half settled into a pattern, with Falkirk having much of the possession, but Caley carving out chances.  Schmeichel’s acrobatics denied Richie Hart a goal with a dipping volley from the edge of the area, while a 30 yard missile from John Rankin curved just inches past the post with the goalie beaten.  Then good work from Wilson created an opportunity for Graham Bayne, but his tame shot was easily saved. 

Both sides seemed to have run out of ideas after the break, with goalmouth action at a premium.  However, with just 10 minutes left, Falkirk sub Finnegan raced behind the Caley defence onto Stephen O’Donnell’s long ball and cracked a superb low strike past Michael Fraser to break the deadlock at last.  The lead lasted only six minutes though, before Rankin popped up to flick a Grant Munro cross past Schmeichel to level things once more.  Dargo then had a golden opportunity to win it in injury time, but chose to round the goalkeeper and saw his shot cleared off the line.

A draw in the end, then, which leaves Caley ninth in the table with just the post-split matches to go.

Man Of the Match: Richie Hart (at least according to the tannoys)

I'd certainly be happy to put together a report for today's game if you need it, from my vantage point just behind Charlie's dugout.

If he's fit to play and doesn't want to then he can get stuffed.  He's paid by this club to play football - I don't get to choose to take days off work just because I can't be bothered.  He's club captain for god's sake!

If this is true its completely unprofessional and we shouldn't rest him - we should drop him.

Of course, it may not be true...

Still in a daze after coming off nightshifts on Friday morning, I decided to give the rugby a miss (good idea, it turns out :007:) and brave the elements (well, a little bit of drizzle) and take in the travelling folks' match with Livingscum.  The visitors won 2-0, the game lit up by an absolute screamer late on by a Livi sub called Liam Fox...I'm sure I remember that name from somewhere...

Anyroad, the main focus of my attention was very much Don Cowie, who spent most of his time on the right touchline.  Right now he is clearly the only County player capable of stringing a pass together, looking creative and dangerous but never quite able to carve an opening, though County's strikers look about as dangerous as a rubber knife.  He looks like he would make a useful squad player, though whether he can be a regular for us is another matter.

There were a few other guys on the pitch that we've been linked with recently - notably Sean Webb and James McPake.  Both are very much out of the Dods school of defending, and I have to say that I was very impressed with McPake, though he tends to thump the ball into the stands whenever he's within 30 yards of his own goal.  One goalsaving challenge in the second half was very impressive.  He's young as well - only 22 I think.

One guy who is worth keeping an eye on as well is Joe Hamill.  Remember him from Hearts?  Levein took him to Leicester but that didn't work out so he signed for Livi in the summer.  He went off with a knock after an hour but he looks too good for Division 1 and would be a potential replacement for Wilson.

Oh, by the way, Golly played for Livi and looks just as uncomfortable as he did at the start of the season.  Not sure he'll be challenging Hastings ever again... 

To echo those above - absolutely superb effort today.  Every single player gave everything from start to finish, they did everything asked of them and more.  And McAllister!  What a great performance, hopefully this is the making of him.  No need for a smileymometer - even despite the soft goals we let in I'd give  :003: :003: :003: :003: :003: to everyone today.

What?!  :010:

I will support Celtic against Milan because I support all Scottish teams in Europe, but there is no way we will give Celtic a greeting like that.  I'm saving myself for booing their fans every time they sing "Fields Of Athenry".  The home fans should cheer only one team at TCS, and as loud as we can - remember the way the full house inspired the players against Rangers?

A smiley count for today (out of 5):

FRASER  :003: :003: :003: Dealt with crosses well, otherwise had nothing to do.  The closest you'll get to being paid for nothing without being an MSP.

TOKELY  :003: :003: :003: :003: Is he coming back to form at last?  Some great drives forward and finally looks like he has some stamina back.  Assist for McBain's goal I think.

DODS  :003: :003: :003: :003: Ref wasn't happy with his grappling, but was his usual self on high balls and managed Hibs' pacy forwards well.

MUNRO :003: :003: :003: :003: :003: Outstanding.  Again.  It seems to be a recurring theme this season.  If only we ever scored from his long throws...

HASTINGS  :003: :003: :003: :003: Remains the only SPL left back to be able to deal with Sproule.  Continues to be consistently solid, though he did look vulnerable in the first 15 minutes.

WILSON :003: :003: :003: :003: Wonderful, wonderful goal.  Gives us a real threat with his constant wandering, though I wish Rossco was left less exposed.

DUNCAN  :003: :003: :003: :003: Still unable to pass the ball, but protects the defence much better than most of the crowd notices.  Good to see the crowd's evation for him when he was subbed.

MCBAIN  :003: :003: :003: :003: :003: Not convinced he meant to chip the goalie, but he won't care.  All action, all running, harassed Hibs midfielders constantly and looked like he could run for another 90 minutes if we asked him to.

RANKIN  :003: :003: :003: Didn't look like adding to his recent goals, but worked extremely hard and is the best passer of the ball we've got.

WYNESS  :003: :003: :003: I guess he gets the assist for Dargo's goal!  Held the ball up well, still seems shot-shy though he had a goalbound volley brilliantly blocked in the second half.

DARGO  :003: :003: :003: :003: :003: Gutted he's injured, he looked really up for this and was an absolute menace with his movement and touches.  We'll miss him against Celtic.

Subs: Black, Bayne and Paatelainen - not really enough time to make an impact, though Black deserves a couple of smileys for not getting booked.

Any disagreements?