weeyin

"Conor" Just sayin'

Health and safety gone mad.

Robinson mentioned on Saturday, Hartley was out for 7 months and isn't very close to match fitness - he alluded to dropping him for this game. I think I read/heard Main picked up a knock too, but I don't remember where.

It's all very well saying put out the fittest team, but if our fittest team consists of 2 defenders, 7 midfielders and Bowman, it might not be the most well balanced.

Confirmed in Robinson's MFC TV interview yesterday.

Anybody worked out what the structure is for the new "Reserve" format this year? Do we still need to play a certain number of U20s (or U21s or whatever), or can teams just pack their side with senior pros? Is it a merit based league or regional? Is there still the equivalent of a U20s cup? I haven't read or heard much about it.

Hartley has been out for months and needs game time. Kipré, apparently, was playing hurt on Saturday. Would playing them tonight be "messing" or "no messing"?

Print at home not available for the League Cup games, apparently.

I haven't seen us win a game at Fir Park since I moved to the US in 1997 (and that's not because I haven't been to any games). I have seen us win games away from home - but Fir Park remains my jinx.

Not that I enjoy these "fiascos" but, like last season, you only need to look at the results from our Premiership colleagues to see how precarious games are at this point in the season. Win our last two and we'll still top the group. I was more concerned about Dunne's injury and Kipré reportedly playing hurt for a part of the game.

Because, as Robinson said after the match, he is already struggling to bring a number of his senior players up to full fitness and doesn't have enough competitive game time to achieve even that. Playing Turnbull in a meaningless 2nd half isn't nearly as useful as getting a new signing closer to full match fitness. And I say that as someone who wants to see our youngsters develop as much as anyone.

Compete at Edinburgh City level? Turnbull has probably played against better opposition for the U20s in the Irn Bru cup (or whatever it was called)

The dilemma at this stage of the season is having to choose between youngsters and giving new signings that aren't fit yet some more game time.

Tommy was being generous.

That's the problem with the new format, though. There's no way for players to be up to full fitness after the summer break, and there's no other option for pre-season games before the league starts. So what's the answer? For a squad our size, the only answer is to walk the tightrope between winning games and getting players minutes. I'm sure if there was a better way a lot of clubs would be delighted to hear it, as you can see from the group results, it's a common issue. Unless we do well enough to come in at a later stage of the competition, we are going to have the same problem every year.

Glad the cup final never made it to pens. Honestly not too bothered about the result. Was never a fan of making the group stages early pre-season, and games like these are exactly why. Disrupts the training schedule and annoys some of the fans.

Not really the time of year to be judging new players. As long as they are getting minutes and we find a way to win, it's all good.

"ALDRED!"

Seems strange after they gave him the number 9 shirt this season. Aberdeen do love a 'Well player/manager though.

Robinson said he expected today's team to be stronger than the last one. I imagine the plan will be to try and win early and then give a few guys some minutes.

Did you mean to tweet that?

That's what Twitter's all about. Manufactured outrage over clickbait headlines. I'm seething just thinking about it.

Neville needs to get off Twitter. He's already had one Twitter spat with the Accrington owner who attacked him over the Rooney deal with "Who’s place in the football league is Gary Neville going to steal with this p**s take.” and "What’s your budget Gary? You’re buying your way in, that’s the word on the street.” That's why he's on the defensive.

Zane Francis-Angol was an ex-Spurs starlet defender too, wasn't he? Good to see Aberdeen's scouting strategy is still to try and nab our players and targets. Steelmen? Steal men, more like. Amirite?