Onthefringes

Take it as read.

Pearl of wisdom. Right there.

Definitely confirmation. To state the fans never see any commitment is just false & should be dismissed. For the avoidance of doubt, I’m far from happy with the midfield unit & how it’s performing. Passing from the back with our limited players is folly given we’re regularly forced to go long which bypasses our midfield. Swamped in a midfield 3 against a usual 5 means you’re dizzy given the dog runs required all game. Things like being in the right areas to block the opposition route of attack etc. It’s not always obvious, but expected to be bursting to get back into the shape. That’s a hard shift. That’s the positional sense they’re being asked to maintain. Perhaps against my better judgement, surely Alexander is more qualified to judge than the porridge dribbling on here? That system stifles though? Holding midfielder protecting the back line, pressing higher, box to box and going beyond would be a preference… That’s only in offensive transitions though - when we’ve lost the ball. Alexander wants the midfielders to rat (as Allan Campbell excelled) and I think he sees those attributes there. Not aesthetically pleasing, but, Whilst we feel they may be playing playing with reigns on… under closer scrutiny Allan Campbell didn’t last year - it actually suited him under Alexander and he ended up getting in more goalscoring positions. He wants strikers to make first contact on passes, and for midfield support to join in off second balls etc. That’s where it’s felt our midfield can really come alive. Our forward line are so off the pace, the issues above become apparent. Good hold up play? What’s required is a discipline to protect & not be profligate in possession - Donnelly offers more than the others asked to do the same. The creative force that can carry the ball forward is lacking. That’s on Alexander & his Head of Recruitment. We still need to add midfielders as we’re light (particularly as a few don’t have great injury records in there), but like Barry Maguire in recent seasons, the challenge for the current kid is to ensure he is fighting hard for his spot. It’s never easy, but he’s a grafter. I’m certainly not convinced we’ll sign any ready made replacement or improvement. Your closing point is nonsensical. Before you reply in kind, read what’s being said, not just look. There’s a world of difference.

Which they have done?

Look at the comments objectively rather than personal slate? Could’ve quoted any of a few posts with regards our midfield. A lot of the things he asks midfielders to do, fans will never see or understand, there are those who do them to effect and tactically, they get the game. Do I agree with that approach? Far from it, the balance isn’t there.

That’s confirmed to me that there is little understanding in how our midfield are being asked to play.

No. Ownership was transferred to their majority shareholder when restructuring finances.

Bit of a stretch saying he was at West Ham. He played a trial game…

Had it noted I won’t be making my way to the back row of the South Stand Upper to watch Ricki Lamie and been asked to contact the ticket office and they’ll try to move us. Keep this up and I’ll be in a padded seat & hospitality.

Due fitness or lack of? It’s not difficult.

Definitely merit in what you say, I’d disagree with ‘an engine in the middle of the park’ - definitely a requirement, it’s the tactic not to press higher and going box to box or beyond the forward line that stifled the prospect. For those that haven’t experience of our reserve/development games pre-pandemic, that’s his key attributes.

What were the players calling him Chris for?

What do some base the ‘Looks not a bad player’ on? Kipré mould? Size, mobility or colour (not that it should matter)? All that from watching from afar. Deary me

Aye, wrong. Not sure development bounce games count.

Dress it up how you like, you’re fucking boring.

No need to use your position to be sanctimonious. The poster answered his own question so thought it wasn’t worthy of reply - simply put, others on here have remarked who offers the energy that I (and I don’t doubt they’ll be others) dispute. You’ve levelled at me I have a weird, creepy fascination - churlish to say the least. Your closing gambit only serves to ingratiate you with the forum sycophants the rest of us see as bullied at school wankers.

Good job his previous bosses didn’t think along the same lines. Not advocating he should be ahead in any pecking order, but, we lost an energy in the team with him being unavailable - that was never replicated, despite the Mark O’Hara fans trying to say otherwise. That energy forced the team up the pitch allowing others to do their thing elsewhere. Kid has bigger problems.

Rejoice.

Knew that would stir you. Very few players is of no concern at this time. Associated with certain players? I get the manager perhaps wanting to work with former charges, I’d expect the recruitment specialist to look beyond players that have been linked with him previously and those who’ve had a good 90 minutes against both. Success rates? Tripping over those ringing endorsements.

Was there due diligence carried out on the Head of Recruitment? Looks to be an easy gig…

All in the detail I suppose. Whilst development fees shouldn’t be complex and follow a matrix, there are too many variables - clubs trading on future fees for example. The figure in question will be an optimum rather than an expected modest given his age in development terms. Burrows was involved in media pieces yesterday discussing a fear for future development as a fallout from Brexit where the bigger academies cannot hoover up talent from the continent - the focus is now on Scotland as our elite programmes bear fruit, where many clubs are now employing full time scouting staff.

We’ll don’t. Not everybody is part of the Stephen O’Donnell love in.

He was. I can vouch for that. It’s a shame Hartwood disbanded when he was on the cusp of even greater things. Had been untold success until then.

Academy systems that favour power & strength over technical ability won’t offer any help.

On the flip side, the emergence of Gilmour, Patterson et all are the elite programme who’s origins are around a decade since starting to bear fruit. It’s about our coaching evolving beyond the current networks.