Kmcalpin

Apart from the clear financial benefits of these deals it allows us continue with a solid core to the team which will benefit us next season. No major rebuilding is required rather some fine tuning. Maybe a left sided wing back, a creative central midfielder, and a couple of strikers. Every team needs to bring in 2/3/4 new players every year to keep things fresh. We're reasonably solid; now to add a bit of attacking flair.

Great news and great bit of business.

Here we go folks https://www.scotsman.com/sport/football/competitions/scottish-cup/why-stephen-robinson-should-be-derek-mcinnes-successor-at-aberdeen-1-4723407 In another article in the same paper we're compared to Millwall....nobody likes us we don't care etc. etc.

There are quite a few reasons for the low key nature of the game. Quite a few folk are on holiday, as you will know very Iain, and thats not something that would've happened so much at Easter say 10 years ago. I knew many older fans, no longer with us, who would have given their eye teeth to have had the privilege of watching us at Hampden in a semi but rarely got the chance. We, that is the fans, have been very fortunate this season to be at Hampden at least 3 times. IF Aberdeen bring can bring twice their average home crowd then we're looking at a healthy 35,000. My guess is about 19-22K.

Speculation on my part but perhaps Andy Rose is the least likely. I'm led to believe that he was offered an extension months ago but hasn't signed, commonly believed to be for family reasons. My best guess is 4 from Kipre, Dunne, Tait, Main and Aldred (not sure of his contract position down south).

Curtis Main?

Its been reported on several other sites that Stephen Robinson has confirmed that we are in signing talks with 4 players and hopes to have further news on this by the end of the week.

Pretty happy with those fixtures. I was expecting 2 homes and 3 aways but understand the logic behind our programme. As Weeyin wrote earlier most of the delay is down to the TV companies, pure and simple.

Sorry whats a VL? I've looked up this abbreviation online and none of the explanations make much sense in this context.

Probably true. Our group too will be taking the same number, if not slightly more. I suppose too some younger fans are being a bit blase about the game i.e. oh its just another semi. I've no problem with the game being live on TV but do feel sorry the fans who don't subscribe to TV packages but have to put up with all the nonsense of the TV companies. Again speculation on my part.

Is it not time we moved to a new thread "The Great Rebuild 2018-19"?

Yes, I agree with that but I wonder how Robbo is thinking.

Playing devil's advocate here but Grimshaw could come in at the expense of Bigi. Not impossible.

I suspect we'll be given 2 home games and 3 away and that way we'll end up with 19 homes and 19 aways.

You might be right but who would take over McHugh's role there to break up play, put in tackles, chase and harry, and generally protect the defence?

We'll need to upgrade our strikeforce for next season as its a critical area. I'd like to see Main being given an extension to his current 12 month deal. However I see him as being a more effective version of Bowman, who is a honest trier and worker but not much more (you can't criticise him for that). As far as Ciftci is concerned he has shown some talent whilst with us but more in a supporting role. However he hasn't done enough, for me, to warrant any attempt to retain his services - it may not be possible anyway. Surely he's running out of chances with various clubs? George Newell looks promising, as a young player, but there must be questions about his injury record. As far as our under 20s go I don't think that any are quite ready to step up but that doesn't mean they shouldn't be given some limited first team experience.

Andy Rose will be in contention but the question is how fit he is. I'll be surprised if he doesn't start. Again there are question marks too over Ciftci's fitness. As far as midfield is concerned who will be tasked with sitting deep and protecting the defence? Our strikeforce isn't quite right yet, but thats more of an issue for next season.

Just back from holiday so I missed the last 3 games. By all accounts not a great game yesterday but we earned another point; didn't get beaten by close rivals; recorded another shut out; and Barry Maguire had a reasonable debut so it wasn't all bad.

They like the money we've generated. Saints have recruited very well in recent years but, May apart, haven't brought in much transfer cash.

No Cifti either. Bench looks light. Fingers crossed we don't pick up any more injuries.

According to Moira Gordon in the Scotsman Tavernier was "clattered" by Frear. Ahem.........

Thats been the case in our last few games. Overall 2 points lost but it could have been worse. Results round about us went our way today and our battle, as it has been for a few weeks now, is with St Johnstone and Accies for 7th spot. I didn't make the game today and so cannot comment on the details.

It could be both will play Andy as McHugh is also doubtful. What are we doing in training these days?

Section I5 of South Stand almost sold out.

I think it was in a newspaper article some weeks ago.