Kmcalpin

We really need an out and out striker for this kind of game.

Ross County will present a very different challenge to Rangers on Sunday. We'll have more possession and they'll defend more. So, we 'll have to field a more attacking line up. Fast wingers suited to the counter attack will be of less use to us unless we take a goal or 2 goal lead and draw County out. I'd expect Goss to come back in. If Van Veen isn't fit???

Is the fact that if Dundee couldn't afford him in the Championship of any relevance to them?

We offered him a new deal but Dundee blew us out of the water with their offer. If they have that kind of cash to throw about then that's up to them. Dundee never seem to learn lessons.

Well, I didn't see that result coming. All credit to the management and players. I didn't like the look of the team before the game but in fairness GA picked the right line up for the day as the result proved. We were obviously set up to counter attack. It didn't look good at 2-0 down but the team showed determination and character to fight back. Impressed with Woolery. Not often do Well teams do that at Ibrox. We have to keep that going this week though.

No out and out striker in the line up.

No red cards or injuries......anything else is a bonus.

Defensively left back has been a problem for many years. Stevie Hammell for example, was weak defensively but his pace and attacking ability compensated for this. McGinley is ok but no more than that. Maybe GA will be able to develop him further - he must see something in him to award an extension.

Yes our fixtures are easier but not easy. We've not been playing especially well i.e. a bit toothless up front and conceding cheap goals at the back. Teams like Dundee, St Johnstone and Livingston have improved too. We've also found it hard to beat St Mirren in recent times. Yes, these games are there to be won but they'll be far from easy.

I don't know the details but there was some "discussion", he didn't just walk away.

Pretty much my view but he still wanted a pay off. He didn't just walk out the door without a deal.

A good midfield is more than the sum of its parts. At the moment, it just isn't right.

Hopefully KVV's injury isn't serious but if he's out for weeks or even a month or two we have a problem. After the Sevco game there will be no easy games with some teams fighting for their lives. We have to start turning superiority into goals. That's what matters.

We're not overly physical but there's a world of difference between being physical ie being able to withstand challenges/successfully make challenges and being dirty which was what Goodwin was.

Overall I thought we merited a draw and were perhaps a shade unlucky not to win. Aberdeen were much "improved" since last week but showed a real nasty edge, as opposed to being physical. There's no doubt that Van Veen's injury hampered us and whilst I understand why he wasn't substituted, ie no one similar to replace him, I didn't agree with the decision, for the reason cited by others. Nastiness aside, Aberdeen were quicker in midfield and worked damned hard to close us down. They had about 5 efforts on target to our 3, despite us having more pressure. Our defence wasn't great but in fairness it didn't receive much help from midfield. I thought Donnelly had a poor game and was off the pace; Goss was poor maybe down to those around him; and O'Hara whilst having an energetic game and scoring did leave a few gaps at times. The engine room, whilst competitive, lacked creativity and our set pieces were quite frankly awful. Still, the main talking point was Nick Walsh's refereeing. To put it euphemistically he had a very bad day at the office; lost control early in the first half and never regained it. He looked out of his depth. Early in the first half Shields was about to break into Don's penalty box from the left and was wiped out by a defender. At that point, Walsh ought to shown him a yellow card to lay amarker down, but didn't and that let Aberdeen know they could play right on the edge, and indeed over it if they so wished, which of course they did. That was a turning point in the game. At the time, some of the fouls he awarded Aberdeen looked very soft and the TV highlights only served to underline that. Some Olympic diving and Oscar winning performances from Aberdeen. In particular, Ramirez and Besuijen should have carded for frankly, cheating. Walsh ruined the game with a weak performance and that and Van Veen's injury will be my abiding memories of this game, sorry to say.

Having seen it again in highlights Gordon, I'd say that it warranted a yellow, maybe red if you take into account excessive force Carl McHugh style. However, I think the referee would have been perfectly justified in giving him a second yellow for simulation later on once he had fully recovered.

Pretty much agree with you Yorky, but I fear for our top 6 slot. We'll struggle as it is to remain in the top half but if Van Veen is out for any length of time (2+ weeks) then we'll drop down a few places given how tight it is. Even with him we're struggling to score but take him out and we've virtually no firepower. Sucess for me this season would be anywhere above 8th spot, which would represent improvement on last season. Overall our recruitment has been pretty good but we have made a mistake in not signing another out and out striker, and could cost us.

Pitch is in great nick for this time of year. If the 2 teams couldn't produce good footy on it its because they, not the surface, were at fault.

Best approach is to ignore injury rumours and assume, barring suspensions and long term injuries, they'll field a full strength side.

Pleased with this news. I wasn't sure of him initially but he's improved greatly and hopefully will continue to develop.

Of that bunch, Joe Wark was the standout by far, followed by Rab MacKinnon. Although decent, I never thought Steve MacMillan was that good being held back by his lack of pace. Stevie Hammell was very loyal but not a great defender. He was however extremely good going forward, and that masked his defensive limitations.

That quote has stuck with me ever since. At a time when when we all looked to our leader to pick us up and motivate us he came out with that.

Dundee must have a very quick decision making process McGhee has still to serve the rest of his touchline ban incurred when with us. Given that he lives in Brighton, how mch time will he actually spend at Dens?

I suspect that this move was planned before the Hearts game. They're panicking either because of the improved form of St Johnstone & Ross County or because other clubs have sacked their managers and they don't want to be beaten to a target. In short they're a basket case of a club and have been for some years now. Their recent treatment of Cummings and Adam only serves to underline that. Mark McGhee?????? Ricki Lamie will be looking on with interest although I don't suppose this situation will phase him in any way.

Yes, task Ross Tierney to mark him at set pieces by doing a Dougie Arnott and standing on his toes so he can't jump.