Catweazles ring piece

Ruddy was fantastic during his spell at Motherwell and has undoubtedly improved since moving to Norwich. However, I would say Randolph is more consistent (like for like at Motherwell.) Randolph has bigger and better things ahead, but hopefully we'll see him a bit longer performing in the CL. Best since Keith McRae IMO - that's top praise indeed to be even mentioned in the same breath.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/scot_prem/6359481.stm

Time's not running out for S.M. However, tactics and formations need addressed. Some mentioned months ago about the home 4-5-1formation and liked it to Levein's tactics. Is this influenced by Kenny Blacks involvement with The Scottish Set Up? Plaudits were given to S.M. and co and were well deserved, but, how he reacts to the current slump will shape his standing. Personally, I hope he will look at mixing things up (undoubtedly hard with a small squad) but it looks like he's taken the early successful formation as far as it will go (totally sussed and nullified now) Let us hope things are being reworked on the training ground and hopefully we can have an equally successful second half of the season.

Well, I really liked John Sutton and I really like Michael Higdon. So there's only one way to decide, FIGHT

A 4-4-2 set up with a combative central midfield, 2 wide players capable of getting crosses in and someone supporting Higdon. Fingers crossed Dave.

Never made the game last night but listened to it on commentary. First thing; Well done TAM COWAN on highlighting the over priced cost of football. Getting it mentioned on air is a start. However, as mentioned on an earlier thread. Other pundits jumped on the increased crowd and instantly assumed it was due to Friday Night Football. Very little mention about entry prices (Tam aside) but absolutely no mention of freebie tickets. So there you go. Approx 1600 or so added to last nights game. Conclusive; Friday night football brings in the crowds. Talk about smoke and mirrors when you want to sway the public with statistics.

Sounds like S.McCall isn't for changing tactics/formations/players unless he's forced through injury. Well, regardless of how BAD Aberdeen have been playing, Auld Broon will out fox us with a stuffy and unspectacular set up. Higdon will be isolated again and we'll all discuss the same pi$h about lack of changes etc. WE'VE been sussed and need to change things quickly. The problem is, has anything different been worked on in training AND is there even a plan B. Hope I'm wrong, but, concerned about the one trick pony tag!

I've got to agree with some of the posters regarding poor tactics and the lack of ability to change the shape of matches during the 90 mins . The thing for me, is constantly playing formations with a sole striker. Now, whether that's a 4-1-4-1 0r 4-5-1 formation, the midfield has to be well disciplined and mobile enough to be able to quickly support the front man and secondly defend the back 4. Problem is, neither are happening. Higdon is constantly isolated and the back 4 are getting pumped just now. What worked early on in the season has been sussed by our SPL rivals and THEY are using tactics to totally nullify us and break us down regularly. 4-4-2 to steady things and get the players confidence back up.

Mentioned the same thing today when we lost the cheap goals. Absolutely no reaction from anyone, which is alarming. Craigan certainly wasn't playing the captains role with either rocketing or geeing up team mates. Totally flat performance again today. Are the players happy with the line ups and instructions?

Lets get back to a 4-4-2 formation with Murphy up front playing off Higdon. The last 2 weeks, the players look totally bewildered about what they are meant to be doing. FFS - I like the idea of playing intricate football on the deck, but, 10-12 passes to get to the halfway line and then 1 pass to lose possession is not on. Ditch the 4-1-4-1 ....... 4-5-1....... and 5-4-1 formations and lets get back to basics.

To be fair, I haven't heard or read anything that has been overly critical about S.McCall. There's 2 camps on these boards in regards to our performances, especially against the O.F. 1. Don't care against O.F....as long as we perform in other matches. 2. Do care (although expect a defeat) but want a tight match. I'm in the camp of not happy in the manner in which tactics are constantly revamped against the O.F. and one which don't look particularly comfortable with the players. IMO from watching the celtic match; Our 4-1-4-1 formation "seemed" to have defenders marking zonally and with celtic's front line constantly running off one another, we appeared totally lost in who was picking up, which saw us constantly opened up on numerous occasions. (Again to be fair, teams who run at us at pace either on the flanks or through the middle have caused problems for quite a good few seasons now, so that can't be leveled at the present management team, although it does need to be addressed.) If we're going to defend in numbers, surely we should hold a reasonably higher line than past performances with players picking up and not giving midfield or front players a minute. (In their faces.) Higdon was isolated again with absolutely no support, so there was no out ball. £uck it, why not play 4-4-2 and tell everyone to get in about it. Surely we wouldn't do any worse than our recent 0-3/0-4/0-5 results.

First things first. S McCall and the team have done a brilliant job since taking over and has the team playing in a certain way, which seems to suit the players. However, when we play the old firm........ he seems to over analyze things and plays systems that we struggle to cope with. We've a small squad and don't have massive versatility within it. Over egging it here, but, Red Rum was magic when it ran The National, however don't expect it to do well if it was entered for a show jumping event. Keep playing the way we play, but lets have more confidence in our players against the O.F. - if we're going to get beat, lets do it with the team confident, fighting and passionate in the formation it's set up. I don't think even Well fans would complain, if they saw us fail, but giving 100%

Tactically poor today. Can't believe we haven't learnt anything from past matches. No out ball at all and everyone sitting soooo deep - Higdon must be fed up with these tactics. Looks like Kenny Black has brought Levein's tactical blue print for important matches. Don't over analyze it, just get into them. Simples.

Agree totally. I don't believe anyone thinks we can compete with the O.F. resources, but, come on, 4-5-1 formation and we're allowing them to stroll through us with hardly at tackle and little or no pressing. Tactics a mile oot again. Sounds like the Scotland set up at work again. Wait a minute. Any links there.

Link across on FPC saying Omar Daley has signed a 2 year contract.

I've got a bad feeling about today. Although, it's maybe just down to all the years following MFC and when you're on a high, it comes crashing down. The other alternative is, Big Higdon kick starts his scoring tally today and rips them a new one. Lets hope it's the latter. Changed my mind, 2-1 to the Well, Hutchinson and Higdon

There might be a positive spin put on the season ticket sales, with the amount of free tickets passed out to the kids. But, you know what, well done MFC for initiating incentives to replenish and grow the core support with young ones (the life blood of our future support ) All they need now, is to help and endorse the young team with their atmosphere, flags and displays. We're getting there.

Tommy McLean shaped teams by buying players you wouldn't have touched in a million years. For example - Brian Martin was honking in midfield for St.Mirren, signed him and turned him into a fantastic center-back. However, I agree most signings are based on players current form and how they would fit into the team shape. There's nothing better when a player off the radar makes a huge impact. Nicky Law looks like he is going to be a major player individually and to the team, with players like Hammell getting a new lease of life. Great signing - well done S.McCall.

Sun shining - Top of the league and Cool and The Gang belting out in the background. Happy Days.

The current board are stuck between a rock and a hard place. With J.B's wallet strings having been cut, what other alternatives are open to them? The major problem with this initiative, is, economically, everyone's in the financial shitter and no real amount can realistically be generated. Good idea, but, the necessity of having to be implemented at the wrong economic time I suppose. I do hope though, that it is successful and can be developed over the coming years. But like Fatcalf, the alternatives shown on TV last night are far worse than our current predicament.

Calm down...calm down... Frequent the company of a few Quentin's do we Mr Diggle? Aye, better left as it is. ZIP (hope that's no Quentin's fly now)

That's the problem Peter. The general thoughts of folks on these boards are nothing to do with the facts. In fact - the reality of the whole claim episode are totally different from what people perceive and what the fuss was all about. Lets just say, folk who got a whiff of what happened completely flipped 180 degrees on their thoughts about C.B. although him leaving left a bad taste to everyone. I'm sure it will all come out in the wash soon enough, although it would be better swept under the carpet (£25K that is!)

In all honesty, I'm worried about this scheme, even more so in the current financial climate. We don't have a big enough fan base, never mind fan base numbers with a vast expendable income. The main problem is how the present board generate any worthwhile financial income, especially when they don't possess the financial assets personally. Interesting times ahead. This is a huge undertaking in the hands of the board and there is absolutely no room for error. It really is this serious.