15 Aug 2026 09:55:34
We have something like 18 days left in the window, and I think we need 6–7 players in.
Personally, I think we need a right-back, left-back, centre-half, creative midfielder, striker and a winger — preferably two.
I thought when DM came in that he would make us hard to beat and solid defensively, but we have a defence that lacks depth and quality, as well as having an awful injury record.
I also really can't get my head around why we have so many midfielders but still lack a genuine creative spark in the middle of the park.
Shankland, Miovski and Nediri can all score goals, but the chances being created for them are few and far between. We desperately need more quality and creativity both through midfield and out wide, and we still don't have it.
I understand that you need to have some patience during the transfer window, but this has turned into a shambles. We've been knocked out of the Europa League, we're going into the League Cup low on confidence, and, in my mind, we're now looking like we might not even qualify for the Conference League as the team we're playing are no mugs either.
Unless some sort of miracle happens, this is shaping up to be a long campaign to forget.
Many people on here will know far more than me about what's going on behind the scenes at the club, but from the outside it looks like we've appointed an experienced Scottish manager who knows the club, yet haven't given him the tools to succeed.
I also acknowledge that he's made some poor decisions, but he's had to make a lot more decisions because of the poor quality of the squad he's had available to him.
We have no idea who all the players Thelwell and Purdy are identifying, but the end results so far have been mostly bang average and, quite frankly, lacking the quality we need if we're serious about challenging for the title.
AC and the board need to get serious about recruitment over the next 18 days, because if they don't, this could turn into a disaster.
15 Aug 2026 10:13:11
We started recruiting early, and yet we are scrambling around for players all over the park. The other side seemed not to open the biscuit tin, then bam. 4 quality signings. It's not good. It always seems to get worse before it gets better. And yet I continually see teams brought together on a shoestring, playing as a team.
Motherwell, St Mirren etc etc. We have the talent on the books, but, okay, like they've just met. The pressure on these players is immense. Expect them to freeze again at home due to our fans. This is a big, big job and McKinnes is feeling it big time.
15 Aug 2026 10:14:54
I think, with the injury to Chermiti, we now need to bring in about 7 players to be where we need to be.
LB, RB, CB, Creative MC, LW, RW & ST.
I'd prob also say we need to shift around the same amount, maybe more.
With around 2 weeks to go, will we be able to do that amount of business with ins and outs? I don't think so.
We will end bringing in 3 or 4 and most likely loans.
15 Aug 2026 10:28:41
Well sign Penrice and a couple loans at LW/ST and that will be us.
15 Aug 2026 10:37:07
Naderi doesn't look like he could score in a brothel at the minute!
15 Aug 2026 10:41:20
EHL made a good point on the turnover of players and the amount that are trying to leave (I didn't realise so many are on the way out).
What's frustrating me, and many others, I assume, is the pace at which we are recruiting now, the priorities and the quality.
I have been told time and time about being patient, and as much as I get what's being said, I feel like I've been trying to be patient since 55.
I can't help but focus in on Purdy and Thelwell, but am I just following the crowd with that as we know very little of what players they are identifying.
I'm assuming it's Stig, AC and JG that are actually negotiating the deals - I could be very wrong there.
We thought we would have at least one big exit this window, but that's looking less likely as Chermiti clearly won't go, Fernandez thinks he's Philip Senderos, and if we lose Raskin, who replaces him.
I guess we are only one league game in, and as fans frustrations get the better of us quickly, but I am very low on confidence when it comes to this side and the board's ability to sort it.
15 Aug 2026 10:44:53
Great post, Coop. We lack creativity in midfield and have for ages. Shankland and Miovsky will score with the right service. At centre back, sad to say, we need someone like Carter-Vickers, a no nonsense type.
We don't need luxuries like Fernandez, Aasgaard or Gassama.
15 Aug 2026 10:48:04
I would try and sell Miovski and Naderi (sell or loan out for the season) and bring in 2 new strikers, we are badly needing goals added to the team. 2 new wingers and a number 10 that can link the play and chip in with goals. A new experienced centre half, left-sided, and decent quality right and left backs.
There is not a lot of pace in the team at the moment, so hopefully we can add that with some of the signings and we might have a chance of turning things around. If not, it's going to be a long painful season. I fear.
15 Aug 2026 10:53:10
As Wishy says, I don't think the club will be spending much more than they already have, loan deals only, unless there is a cheap option. Not sure if the club want to give any more money to the recruitment team because there could be changes within it, again only surmising like the rest of us.
15 Aug 2026 11:03:07
I wouldn't be against loaning Nadiri out, as he needs games and goals.
A season as 3rd choice with us could wreck his confidence if he's only coming on with five minutes to go, with all the pressure of having to win us a game.
Yonkota clearly has ability, but what's worrying me is that he looks like he really lacks physicality. If last week's game is anything to go by, a heavy wind in Aberdeen will knock him over.
This is pure guesswork, but I can see us doing the following:
- Penrice on loan, with an option for a left-back
- A right-back on loan
- Splashing out on a centre-half to play alongside Fernandez
- A loan winger
- A loan replacement for Chermiti
The loans are a huge gamble though, as we saw last season, with Moore being the only real success in my opinion.
I'm clearly basing the above recruitment on my lack of confidence in the club to get deals over the line.
I'd absolutely love to be proven wrong and for us to smash it.