Council Juice

Ha Ha... might have known that was coming. But Im sure as a true Scotsman 1st and formost you'll get behind the whole team irregardless of what you think of them personally. On the actual squad which is: Goalkeepers: Alexander (Rangers), Gordon (Sunderland), Marshall (Cardiff City); Defenders: Hutton (Tottenham), Berra (Wolves), Caldwell (Wigan), Dixon (Dundee United), Kenneth (Dundee United), Wallace (Hearts), Webster (Dundee United, on loan from Rangers) Whittaker (Rangers), Midfielders: Adam (Blackpool), Brown (Celtic), Dorrans (West Brom), Fletcher (Manchester United), Hartley (Bristol City), McCulloch (Rangers), McFadden (Birmingham), Robson (Middlesbrough), Thomson (Rangers), Forwards: Boyd (Rangers), Fletcher (Burnley), Iwelumo (Wolves), Miller (Rangers) Im a bit suprised by the call up of Dixon, because it may be little early for him, and Kenneth, as he's maybe not yet ready for International Football. I find it odd to omit the vice captain irregardless of his situation unless agreed between McManus and Levein. I would perhaps have seen Danny Fox in there in front of Dixon. A little bit more experienced. Good with set pieces also. But I do understand Leveins reasons in that he is looking for a left back to make the role his for years to come. And it might have been better to have someone like Commons, Cowie or perhaps Snodgrass instead of a 5th sitting midfielder in Hartley who is a Bristol City bench player. Again in saying that, it's probably good to have a couple of mainstays in the squad. Iwelumo.....hmmmm, is splitting my opinions. I have never actually seen him doing anything more than misdirect headers and knock ons, miss easy chances and fall over. But Emil Heskey used to bring out the best in Owen doing this and it seems to work alongside Rooney too, so utilised correctly, big Chris could cause continental la de da defenders problems and create space for others to flourish. My team would be (using squad) - Gordon - Hutton - Caldwell - Berra - Wallace - Thompson - - Brown - Fletcher - - Miller - - - McFadden- - Boyd - I also think it's a fairly strong squad. A few suprises. But it's not whos there... its how Levein uses whats there and that he gets the best out of them and a good system that works.

Yeah, come to think of it he is.

Aberdeen are a top 6 SPL side with a chance of a cup run to the later stages. Nothing more. Jimmy Calderwood took them into Europe beyond Christmas but that wasn't good enough for them mugs. I doubt even a title would suffice some of the idiots at that club. They along with every other Scottish club outside the filth are also rans. Unless a huge financial boost is on the cards, then they should learn to accept it and set their goals at more realistic heights

They're brothers Do you think it would be worth trying to get Andrew Shinnie on loan next season perhaps? Was he not at Dundee last season? Surely the fact his brother plays for ICT would have some weight in getting him up here (if he's any good. And I imagine Graeme would still have to be here and getting a look in.)

I like that design. Maybe replace the blue sleeves with black. But it's a stellar design nonetheless.

I would agree with the sentiment that it would be nice to see our kids get a chance at a higher level than highland league. Division 2 or 3 perhaps. I mean if we had loaned out Rory Mac to the 2nd division it's likely he would have coped well as evident by his scoring exploits this season. I dont really know why we can't put more faith in youth. Though I'd have thought TB would be the man to do it if anyone was given that he HAD to rely on them a Well. And you only have to look at how Hamilton have faired by trusting their younger players to mix it with the experience.

Did hear somone mention a 16 team league but you cant drop gate money so would imagine it would be home and away once and a league split 8/8 and play 7 more games =37 that would give county a good chance of getting in to the SPL the following year. I would say McGees days are numbered. the bizzare thing is he fielded a weaker team against Celtic, he got slated for that too, as he wanted the best team for the cup game. Could you not have an 18 team league without a split and go for the 34 games like Italy and thus freeing up time for a winter shutdown? Then there could be two leagues below of 12 or 1 of 24. Only problem is whilst there are certainly 6 more teams with 6000 seats, there aint much beyond that. Oh and on topic HA HA HA HA! If Aberdeen were to ever get relegated, going on this evidence they'd really struggle given the amount of lower league teams that give them a pumpin in the cups.

For a moment there I thought we were getting Andrew Shinnie(Rangers kid) on loan. I think he's Graemes brother or cousin as he's listed in favoured personell in FM. And is from the same place. Back to topic - If he's not going to get a game here, then getting out on loan will do him the power of good. So I'll take it as good news.

Surely it would be more beneficial then to pay Clach (or someone else) an annual fee and then use them as a place to send our u19s for competitive action.

I don't but the DoF and co have previous poor form when it comes to dilly dallying around new contracts. Often waiting till it's too late.

It would probably be in the clubs interest to get an affiliate of some sort. One where we could farm out the more promising young guys if they're not ready for first team action at ICT for a year or 2. Get them game and 1st team experience whilst keeping them together albeit at another club. Both teams would benefit.

Maybe we'll snap him up for next season, but it looks like he is staying put for now.

Im not saying it's not possible for guys that age to break through now. But it's generally the exceptions who break through at 16/17 with the majority being about 19/20 if they're gonna cut it. Fyvie and Pawlett have been described as two of the best Aberdeen youngsters in years so are bucking the trend with their talent. Most guys still need a couple more years to fill out, and stop growing. So that they can cope with the demands of 1st team footie.

Not many managers stay around for the long haul nowadays so its a good bet he will leave at some point. I think he's starting to see the results of his expectations now and I think he will take us into a real fight for promotion. He now has the nucleus of a very good team and a few on the fringes fighting for places. We are getting more consistant. We will, maybe, lose a game or two along the way but so will the others. I dont think either of the managers will take much persuading to stay. They love the area. Have moved home. Are enjoying the job and are seeing the fruition of their team. Terry made a commitment to get us back up in a season and I doubt he would be interested in contract talks until he has either succeeded or failed. I also believe the same of a number of the players. They want to get the job done then negotiate the future. Im sure if the club were to give him a deal irregardless of whether we go up this season of not and say "We either want you to be our manager in the SPL next season or the man to take us up next season, but either way we want you as our manager" he'd be tempted to sign. Both would. If the club show how much they are wanted. They will feel loyal and want to see the club succeed.

Delighted to hear the success of the young squad. Hope to see some of these young boys breaking through into the first team before the end of the season 17s breaking into the 1st team? I think that would be unlikely.

I was really hoping to go the home game versus County. Might do the Dundee one. I may go to Dingwall for the away game, though I've never been for fear of being pitch forked or given a Gypsy curse. But I've got a compadre up there who is following the county scum so I might try and catch up with him before the game. And take a body guard.

It's still working so why fix it?

Yup Heilandee, We can see the fear creeping in there.

Negative, negative, negative... Personally I'd love to see Terry and Maurice stay with us for a couple of seasons. I wouldnt say it's negative, he wants T and J to stay. I think its fair to aknowledge Terry hasn't got it spot on every time. But the fact is he's not continuing to make the same errors. He changes the team when it need changed and is not afraid to be bold. I want Terry to stay put. And Mo. Even if we dont go up this season. We've had a huge player turnaround. So getting promoted whilst gelling a new squad was never going to be easy anyway. However if the players dont get signed up also, we'll be back to square 1 again, if not further back. We need to keep the nucleus though. I'd give Terry and Maurice another year now. With no promotion necessary this season. And have the incentive of a further year if promotion is gained. Get the key out of contract players signed up with (affordable) promotion incentives in their contracts. Im sick of having a new gaffer every 18 months and want a bit of stability and continuity. I for one like Terry Butcher. He's good with the press and likes Inverness. Some don't like his ex Rangers connections (still) I for 1 don't care about his playing past. He's Inverness manager now and he's doing a good job. So I think we should stick with whats working. For another season at least. I mean, we still have a chance of promotion this year. We can still do it. If I remember correctly we were about 10 points behind Clyde in January and still behind till the 2nd last game! Then we had 5 glorious years in the SPL. Lets keep up this years push. But be prepared for next season too. With the same bunch of lads and I reckon we'll do it.

Does section 3 not mean that you are not allowed to lodge on private land without permission. You are still, I think, entitled to walk onto and around providing you are not disruping the status of the area. Much like you can't actually squat or claim squatters rights in Scotland. There is no such thing here. You need an agreement with the land/property owner to reside on their land/property. The most the police would ever do is remove you from the pitch anyway. It would be incredibly unlikely charges would be brought against you.

I think Esson is a more solid and reliable keeper than the one who played for Aberdeen. He always had talent but he seems to have removed the errors from his game also. He's taken his place in the team and made it his though merit. Rooney has become more composed in front of goal. Always good at getting in the right positions but is more confident 1 on 1. Hayes has become fitter and just continues to improve. Bully started a bit shaky but he was a young guy coming to a new country at centre half which would be difficult anyway. But once he has become settled he looks more and more confident and reassured. Proctor has become one of the most experienced members of the team and has started to thrive on the responsibility.

I may have said before that Dundee have a habit of playing poorly and still winning, but if we keep up our form and County as well, they'll be getting twitchy at the brown end. Will their bottle hold?

Maybe Rory just needed a run and a step down. The gap between reserves and SPL 1st team sub being too much perhaps. Reckon he could have done a job in 1st on this evidence.

I'd go with the same team only put in Sanchez for Odiambho.