05 Sep 2026 17:13:47
Another 3 points, we have spells where we played with pace & intensity but too slow at times & didn't look like scoring, thanks to Naderi running his socks off & chasing everything, was rewarded. Would like us to play with more like the pace we did as I think we have the players to so imo.
Dan Neil had his best game, has the ability to play those quick passes & can tell unlike Rothwell, that he actually wants to be here & is trying to get use to Scottish football. Makhanya continues to impress me & Fernandez was good imo, players showed for the passes for him not to take too long & mess them up.
Will get pelters for this but Curtis needs to be a sub, he's not doing much & isn't quick enough right now, think he's better off the bench tbh. Is Kosta injured? Strange that he wasn't on the bench. What's happening with Drago? Yet another game where he doesn't get any minutes.
What's everyone opinion on our set pieces so far? I think the deliveries are good but there doesn't seem to be anything special or much movement in the box at all.
05 Sep 2026 18:55:27
Losing our captain Lawrence Shankland is a big loss for us and he's going to be out for 6 weeks or more obviously depending on the grade of his bad hamstring injury. ☹️ It's being labelled as a significant hamstring injury by McInnes. ☹️
05 Sep 2026 19:07:42
Game was a battle to the last minute. I don't think you change your CMs in that kind of game, mate, so that's probably why Vanja didn't come on, hopefully see him on Wednesday.
Think you're a bit harsh on Curtis, thought he was very good today, agree, once everyone up and running, he will likely start a lot from the bench, but he's not out of place in the 11.
05 Sep 2026 19:36:43
I think some are a bit harsh on Curtis. Thought Yakota was right off it defensively and hasn't really got up to the level of his first appearance. Curtis, when switched to the left, immediately generated some chemistry with Penrice.
I think that Curtis has the mind of an opportunist, and he is still young and will grow to be an Arfield-type forward that we've all said is missing.
05 Sep 2026 19:51:46
Sorry we didn't look like scoring. 🤷
We missed a penalty; had 2 cleared off the line and missed two sitters. What does it take for you to think we did look like scoring. 🙈
Another improvement as a team with lots of good performances and we didn't look imo in any trouble at all.
Real Motherwell passed the ball around in a U all afternoon in front of us and never really troubled our defence.
05 Sep 2026 20:28:55
Bouanani not in the squad today?
05 Sep 2026 20:56:01
Angus, that's my point. We huffed & puffed, the 2nd goal didn't come. Would it come if Naderi didn't score, idk.
Maybe it was a bit harsh on Curtis, but I don't think he is effective starting. He did fine today when he moved to the left.
05 Sep 2026 22:30:09
I don't think the fact we didn't score a second means we huffed and puffed. We created plenty of chances. Huffing and puffing is when you're playing in and around the opposition box, trying to create chances, but struggling to actually produce them. That wasn't the case here.
In fact, Real Motherwell did a lot of their passing in front of us, often moving the ball in a U-shape across the pitch. McInnes had us set up and coached specifically to prevent them doing much more than that. They wanted us to press aggressively, because that would create opportunities for them to pass through us if we bit.
We didn't. We stayed disciplined and didn't give them the gaps they were looking for.
Curtis had a good game, and he was even better when he moved to the left and developed that interaction with Penrice. So, if he'd started on the left, would we have seen that from the outset? There's no evidence to suggest we wouldn't.
That said, Gassama is playing well, so Curtis may simply have to bide his time and take his opportunity when it comes.