28 Aug 2026 07:09:36
Few thoughts,
Our set up was awful last night, and although it was pretty much identical to how Hearts set up, we had 3 key players who just didn't perform in their roles.
I loved DM post match press conference and interviews.
I feel for Curtis and Penrice and hope the squad rallies round them. Any criticism of them, or others who 'didn't step up' is just nonsense.
I see we've now added coaching staff to list of people who aren't good enough. Who's next? Logistic office?
28 Aug 2026 07:39:46
Tea lady has got to go, used sweeteners instead of sugar, unforgivable.
28 Aug 2026 07:39:46
We add all of those who are not cutting it, simple!
If we do not improve as a team or as a club, then whoever is in charge of those goes on the list. What else are we meant to do? Continue to accept mediocrity?
28 Aug 2026 07:40:30
Well, if it's not the manager? Coaching staff? Recruitment? Players? What do you think is the issue? Genuinely asking, because nothing seems to be working.
28 Aug 2026 07:41:07
EHL, I don't know about you, but I thought DMs response to them overloading the midfield was really poor, was far too safe and made the decision to bypass the midfield entirely and go straight to the front men without any real support. It was clear last night we missed Chermiti.
At times, the gap between your attacking players and defensive players was enormous. In transition it was scary. We showed them far too much respect. I didn't see any risks being taken on the ball at all, it was all far too safe in possession and chaotic out of it.
I don't know if that's a manager problem or player problem, because this isn't a new issue.
I actually liked his post match interviews, even though I'm still raging at his decisions. I thought it's clever man management and pushing the team for a reaction on Sunday whilst protecting the ones who need it. But we probably could all give a good interview and not know how to set up a team. Things will get worse before they get better, I think.
28 Aug 2026 07:41:18
EHL, do you think we just need more time. There's been a big turnover in players etc.
28 Aug 2026 07:44:06
Ehl, I agree. One Dm comment I was a little confused by was him saying we need to be a team that either keeps possession, attacks on the counter etc etc but we don't look like that yet.
Is that not his role ultimately?
Or is he trying to say there is a lack of direction from elsewhere? The recruitment? The leadership?
Or is he throwing the players under the bus for not doing what they're supposed to do?
28 Aug 2026 08:03:14
Ehl, we were 1-0 up with 45 to go. It was turgid but fairly comfortable. He changed the game in their favour, same as he did v Polish side.
Surely let it go to 60 mins or so. Two strikers is killing us every time.
We've replaced a midfield that wasn't good enough with ones that are worse.
Drago will be good, I've no doubt, but we can't hang hat on a 20 year old every week.
Constant tinkering is a big issue when it has visible negative affect on game.
28 Aug 2026 08:05:57
Fork that's cheered me right up mate. 😂 Brilliant line!
28 Aug 2026 08:16:16
Was just down to a complete lack of quality, every pass looked lazy, every cross over hit, every corner over hit, no composure on the ball, nobody willing to take a shot, take a risk, everything just looked so safe. Dujon Sterling & Fernandez slowing the game down to a snail's pace every time they are on the ball, players taking too long on the ball, not moving it quick enough, that's on the players.
I'm sure McInnes is telling them to move the ball quicker, take risks, but it all just looks so safe.
28 Aug 2026 08:28:34
Which set up? We played about 5 different ones every 45 mins. If he doesn't know how he wants to play, how can the players? I've been right behind him till now, but what is he actually trying to do? It's just throwing players on and hoping something happens.
28 Aug 2026 08:29:21
It's either recruitment (scattergun at best), manager (tactically homeless) or the players (lack of fight).
28 Aug 2026 08:35:53
Is this guy still in a job? Crazy. Can't see him seeing out September. Every time he's changed formation at half time it's gone against us. Why was he instructing Chukwuani to press so high in 1st half? It didn't make sense. That emptied the midfield. Why is he persisting with Naderi? Why is he persisting with our somehow vice captain Dan Neil?
28 Aug 2026 08:42:58
He won nothing at Hearts with his set-up. He blew the league against a poor Celtic and Nancy, and very poor Rangers and Martin. The man is clueless and just panics into rash changes.
28 Aug 2026 08:45:16
End of day, no matter how you butter it up.
It's not good enough.
Let's stop concentrating on berating each other for comments made in heat of the moment, and look at the real issues.
We're out of Europe, we're spending a lot of money on wages and transfer fees, and we have once again been embarrassed in exiting Europe, whilst also being 5 points behind the league and a trip to Aberdeen coming up next.
Would rather read real discussion about real club affairs and issues than read about he said she's said.
Maybe I'm just pissed off. But I don't recognise our club and where it's going at this moment in time. I don't see any turnaround.
28 Aug 2026 08:48:51
AK7, in my opinion, it was aimed at the players, and he didn't miss. Nor do I think he'll miss behind closed doors.
Youngblue, I don't think there was a particularly noticeable overload in the midfield. I think we were punished by our inability to control the space behind our midfield and in front of our defence.
Chenks, I've been pretty firm in my belief that we need to go through some real pain with this squad before we start to see some character rising from the adversity. I stand by that, and think come October time we'll start to see the emergence of a team.
28 Aug 2026 09:00:07
EHL, we all want McInnes to be a success, I like his honesty in all the interviews he has done. Yes, we are all hurting, but it may all depend what happens between now and the international break, if McInnes gets to October.
He has to find a formation and settled team asap so that it doesn't look like he has no clue. Maybe once the transfer window closes he'll know what he has to work with, albeit we say that every year.
28 Aug 2026 09:04:40
We were sh. EHL. That's the truth.
28 Aug 2026 09:06:05
EHL, he tried 5 different formations hoping something would work, that's not good management, that's just being desperate. Playing players out of position in a game as important as this is nut. Is his back room staff good enough, as they haven't been with a club as big as ours? Is McInnes out of his comfortable zone as well?
28 Aug 2026 09:19:57
Coully two strikers is killing us because both wouldn't get at game at the juniors.
And as for McInnes comment about possession side, counter attacking side, or a side that goes direct.
Yes, that's exactly it, Del, what are we because that's your job, and that doesn't mean you try and be all three I'm the same game as it just looks like you haven't a clue gaffer.
28 Aug 2026 09:23:11
Ehl, I agree with needing some post-transfer window time. While I see any number of errors by McInnes in terms of over-reacting during games, it is clear that some players are not doing what they are told before or during games, and that is driving a lot of his frazzled decision-making.
There must also be factors in terms of who's going or wanting to go affecting team dynamics.
28 Aug 2026 09:24:52
EHL, genuine question here pal, why is it we look so slow, sluggish & unfit in games as a team, not just individual players? Surely that comes down to coaching? I could understand it if we are bursting a gut constantly from the off, but we aren't & still somehow look knackered after half time.
Frustrates me, yes I know fans don't think Barron or Cameron etc are good enough, but at least they show effort & energy. 🤷🏻♂️
28 Aug 2026 09:28:47
Rg69, the players weren't carrying out their duties in the way they had been coached to do so over 7 days.
Apparently, Beale, Gio, Phil, Martin never changed it at all.
I'd rather a manager who tried everything to win a match instead of resting on their set way.
Professional footballers should have the knowledge in how to play different formations, especially since what McInnes was trying last night wasn't anything revolutionary, i.e. Nancy at Celtic.
28 Aug 2026 09:43:50
Two strikers isn't working because most teams that can pass will take control of the midfield. We aren't good enough in midfield with 3 never mind 2.
Midfield is the glaring in our fave issue, and was last season.
We've planned an overhaul and so far with a week to go we are looking worse.
EHL, he won't make October in fanbase eyes without success in next few weeks. Celtic games are massive.
28 Aug 2026 09:47:57
Dan Neill or Joe Rothwell - who was worse? Too close to call.
28 Aug 2026 09:47:59
Also I'm glad the missed penalties were Curtis and Penrice in a way, because they won't get any fan backlash. Both players give what they've got, whether it's good enough on the day or not. A missed penalty doesn't change that. Good lads.
Had it been a Shankland, Miovski, Aasgaard etc., fans would have been all over them.
28 Aug 2026 11:00:06
McInnes is still finding out who he can trust on the park. Several players playing last night likely to move on, and it showed.
Once we get those players out, get the last of the incoming bedded in, then we can see what McInnes can do with a settled squad.
Think it will be closer to turn of the year before we can see the consistency we all want.
I believe, if given time and if there are no knee jerk reactions to a few more bad results, McInnes will bring us success.
28 Aug 2026 12:13:08
Let's be honest here, DM told the players to slow the game down to try to stifle the opposition when he should have been going for it. That's on the manager, nobody else. You trying to tell me the players played so slow on their own behalf? Not a chance.