joewarkfanclub

Id rather have Luca Ross at LB than Ewan Wilson. Decent lad, but he doesnt have what it takes for the top level or he would be smashing it out the park at Raith Rovers, and he isnt. Koutroumbis is a better RB than Sparrow and he is definitely a better LB. I get that he is the one out of contract and could be the makeweight to freshen up the squad, but you just need to look at what happened with injuries and suspensions this season to see tge value of versatile players.

The issue for me was that Kettlewell signed him and then froze him out. If he didnt fit his style, why sign him? Quite baffling behaviour.

I think you are right. I didnt really think we were in with a genuine chance of winning the title, but just talking about the possibility and thinking about whether I could handle that had me quite emotional. Saturday, I was just fully focussed on 4th place, so there was a nervousness attached to that as well. All compounded by the fact you could see Hibs were forcing us wide and instead of bringing Eythor on to attack crosses we continued to play through the middle. The Scotland games will be a welcome diversion for the next 10 days or so.

Suggestion from the Zimbabwe fans on the clubs socials that all the European based players are out in solidarity with Marshall Munetsi who has been snubbed by the current manager. No idea if there is any truth in that or not. Seems unlikely......

I think the way we play it also comes down to small margins a lot of the time. We play quite a high risk possession game where a lot of our passes are in tight areas. If thats a little bit off, as it was on Saturday, the number of turnovers is higher and it becomes more difficult to build momentum and pressure. Personnel is also important. Hibs played a narrow mid block forcing us wide. That only worked well because Longelo and Koutroumbis were both out forcing us to play Sparrow on the left. Hopefully with 2 weeks rest, Longelo back, 2 weeks more growth on the pitch and 2 weeks to work on tactical options, we will be in a better place for Falkirk.

Just one of many things he got wrong on Saturday. Dont know if it is just me, but he also comes across as quite arrogant when dealing with the players. Probably my least favourite Scottish referee, which is saying something given the very low bar!

Just certainly does appear to being singled out for "special treatment" the referees should be doing more to protect him. If they dont, guys like Said will end up getting booked or sent off trying defend their team mate. Dickinson is a really poor referee which, given the pool he swims in, is really saying something.....

It absolutely IS our selling point. But that doesnt mean we have to sell all our good players at the one time. They all signed contracts they were happy with. The club wont stand in their way, but we WILL manage the squad to ensure we remain competitive. The manager said as much the other day.

Priestman for me. Should never have been subbed as Fadinger and Watt both had off games. Hope Jens isnt doing the seniority thing. That only works up to a point.

2 week break to re-charge the batteries and think up new strategies. Just and Maswanhise being away will hamper preparations and maybe rule them out of this one, depending on how much gametime they get and flights back. Could do with Koutroumbis and Longelo being back. Falkirk losing again today keeps them off our tails, but we could do with 3 points when we are off to Tynecastle before the split.

Thought we were decent enough first half without being exceptional. The offside goal.was hard to take but the right decision and we didnt carve out any other clear cut chances. Second half, the drop off.was considerable and probably the poorest half since Falkirk at home. Thought Fadinger looked outnof sorts today, not sure if it was the mask/sun giving him problems but he wasnt his usual self. I thought subbing Priestman was a mistake as he was having a much better game and we looked worse after he went off. Too many stray passes, although Hibs press caused us problems and closed off a lot of space, which slowed us down and caused us to go backwards. Nice to get the clean sheet and maintain our unbeaten run at home, but it feels like 2 points dropped and Jens is gonna have to think up a new plan as teams have started to get organised around what we do. We may not lose many more games, but at the moment its hard to see where we win one.

Aye, didnt really look at those still in contract that we might like to move on. Stama being another one, but Ive already mentally got him being a Sydney player next season.

Only got round to watching this last night as there was hee haw on the tv. Im acually raging about the tackle on Just by Oxlade - Chamberlain now. Never thought too much of it at the time and felt a yellow was probably about right, but when you see the pictures that were available to VAR and the intitial point of contact, I just cant fathom how they dont think thats a red card. Especially when Beaton tells them he has a mark on his shin! Least said about the Gordon red card the better. Totally pointless exercise now as they are just using the review to justify decisions and save face, rather than admit mistakes and actually improve the standard of officiating.

Absolutely fascinating podcast! Stuart is a wealth of information on the rich history of our club and love the enthusiasm that both he and Nick have for The Trust. Really looking forward to seeing the improvements around the stadium and hopefully, at some point, a museum!

And was pilloried for it by sections of our media! Precious wee darlings! 😍😍😍

Purely going on what Jens said yesterday. They will NOT all be sold at the same time, as we want to maintain the integrity of the playing squad. Makes sense. We are not just a money making machine. We are here to win football games. We cant stand in any individual players way indefinitely, but if for example good offers come in for Maswanhise and one other, I can see us asking other players to be patient with us. I wouldnt be too worried if Watt or Fadinger had to move on as the replacement is in the building, but I wouldnt be keen to let both move until further replacements had been sourced. I think thats where we can be cute and time it to our advantage. I dont see any last minute deals being done at the end of transfer windows without the ability to replace an outgoing player. Just will be the problem. Where do you find a replacement for him?

I think Maswanhise will be sold. Welsh will go back to Celtic and be sold or put out on loan again. If we could get him back without breaking the bank great, but more likely we are looking at another player we can develop/sell on. Of those OOC. Gordon, Halliday, Robinson, Nicholson I would let go. Koutroumbis and Slattery Id offer new deals, albeit Slattery will probably move on. Just, Watt & Fadinger will all attract attention, so good to hear Jens say, they wont all be sold at the same time. I think there has probably been a conversation with JT assuring him that we wont step in his way in the summer. The rest will depend on the bids received. But we are undoubtedly in the driving seat. Particularly if we get a good fee for JT. Looking forward to a positive window with a net gain in cash and squad depth.

Gonna be really interesting to see how Jens approaches this one. Obviously we have issues at full back with Longelo suspended and Koutroumbis injured. I do wonder if we might go 3 at the back again with Sparrow and Luca Ross as wing backs? Or will we see McGhee get a start? If we go with wing backs do we play Eythor and get crosses into the box and give Hibs something different to think about? Good to hear Just is fit and should start. Slattery has looked good the last few weeks so probably Said to drop out if we need to shake up the midfield. Over to you Jens!

Really loving the Jens interviews. Our players will be sold, because thats our model. But they will be sold for a fee that we believe benefits the club AND most importantly, they wont all be sold at the one time. Basically, no chance of a wholesale clearout in the close season. Top man.

I agree. Its about the same as we would need to do to pip Hearts for the title and everyone pretty much accepts thats not happening!

If Celtic win the Cup it goes to 5th in the League. Any other Cup Winner and 5th misses out....

Its the contesting the ball part that is the problem. Players jostling and wrestling for the ball happens at every corner/free kick and is generally unpunished by referees until the ball comes in the vicinity of the players contesting. At that point the players know they risk giving away a penalty which in this case you admit was rightly given. If Longelo and Maeda have equal chance of getting their heads on the ball it probably isnt a red card, but Maeda rolls Longelo and gets in front of him, at that point Longelo just has to let go as there is no way he is getting to it. He doesnt, prevents a clear goalscoring opportunity and given that he wasnt trying to get to the ball, just stop Maeda, its a red. You cant change the wording of the laws of the game to suit our purposes.

Fantastic interview. Ferry comes across as a total fanboy, but I actually quite like that. The insight into Jens mind and thought processes is incredible. He really is a special guy. (Psychological safety!) The more I hear him speak though, the more I feel he see's us a project he can mould in his own image. He clearly loves it here, and I think it will take more than just money to prise him away. It will require the right club, with the right ethos that he views as a compatible match for him and his aspirations. (I am aware there are likely to be a few of them around and at some point one of them will come for him).

Ive seen a number of posters referring to the double jeopardy rule, so this isnt directed at you, but...... It only applies if the defender has made a genuine attempt to play the ball. Longelo makes no attempt to play the ball, so the double jeopardy rule does not apply here.

Elijah Just. Given the treatment that he got from Celtic throughout the game his performance was magnificent. Full of energy, full of running, great out ball and lovely finish for his goal (Im not having it that he didnt strike it cleanly). He is the difference maker in our team and the one player we cant do without.