30 Oct 2026 10:17:35
Thoughts for this weekend.
Does DM stick or twist?
Formation, players or same team from 2 weeks ago? Min-su out on left and Bouanani out on right.
Does he have a Plan B if they set up like Hearts or Killie?
30 Oct 2026 10:51:50
Pieter, i will attempt to answer.
I think he will stick to his unbalanced system.
I think you will be correct in terms of reverting to the team that played St. Johnstone.
I don't think he has a plan B and if he does, it will likely come into force around the 85th minute.
30 Oct 2026 10:30:46
I would be dropping Fernandez and Gassama and bringing in Godfrey and Bouanani.
30 Oct 2026 10:48:33
Think it will be 2 cf's Pieter, can't see many changes, same line up as St Johnstone, Minsu left Bouanani right, I'd have went with Godfrey for Fernandez only because he's off form, but after listening to McInnes yesterday can't see him not starting, hopefully he's on it tomorrow, we can't go dropping half a dozen from the Hearts line up, the last thing we need is rocking a players confidence at this stage of the season, it was a bad performance on Wednesday, it's done, lucky leaving with anything, but let's hope they make up for it and we have a final to look forward to.
30 Oct 2026 10:58:37
Will be good if minsu starts his second game on lw.
30 Oct 2026 11:06:56
Yes McInnes will have plan b, he schooled Martin O'Neill twice with a plan b.
30 Oct 2026 12:02:42
He clearly doesn't trust/rate certain squad players if its the same 11 again, that was a horrific performance on wednesday night and if fernandes and Gassama start then you have to question his judgement unless he doesn't trust what he has as back- up, Sterling too would be lucky to start after costing us a goal at Dundee and his woeful performance on wednesday- i think his only change from Tynecastle though will be bounanni starting for Gassama.
30 Oct 2026 12:20:47
I reckon the only casualties from the Hearts game will be Gassama & possibly Penrice as he has played a lot of minutes and could do with a rest. He has publicly backed Manny so as much as I would drop him I just can't see it happening now.
30 Oct 2026 12:21:33
DM, does have a plan B, its to rotate between 442 and 352
It involves Penrice rotating in to midfield and Sterling sitting to form a back 3.
It works amazingly against side who try to match up with us.
However when a side is happy to sit deep, stretch the game and target our right side of defence both our systems are nullified.
If we insist on trying to make it work, we need vastly improve at RB and RCB, find a better balance in the 2 CMs and get the magic sponge working on Shankland and Chermiti.
30 Oct 2026 13:14:36
I would like to see Gassama and Fernandes dropped for the weekend. Both have been poor and need to know their place in the team is not guaranteed. Other players have to be given their chance too.
John, I will be around the corner pre match in the wee Italian from our last meeting. I'd be delighted to buy you a pint.
30 Oct 2026 13:31:38
I am pretty much with the manager in that you don't overreact to a poor team performance at a hard venue. Not the first bad game at a place like Tynecastle and won't be the last.
Stirling, Manny and Maka have been good since the Jablonec game so I would not change them. I am 50/50 on Penrice/Rommens as I like both.
I'd also start Minsu even though he had one of the worst ever performances I've seen from a Rangers player.
My biggest concern around Tynecastle was not the players, it was the manager watching it and not making enough changes. Minsu staying on till the 84th minute was bizarre. Every player minus Maka and Niko could have been subbed at half time and had no complaints.
30 Oct 2026 14:01:03
Don't agree with your take on DMs tactics at all NATO. We've already seen him playing a number of formations this season. We had Naderi along with Kelsy and up on his own in recent games.
How is that sticking with same system? We've played 433, various 442s, 352 so can hardly say no plan B and he was heavily criticised early on for making too many changes. Can't have it both ways.
30 Oct 2026 14:38:00
I do think one or two changes required. Maybe there is an element of complacency due to it being mostly same starting 11 every week.
A few needing a reality check and the subs also need to be kept motivated other than coming off bench late on as NATO said.
30 Oct 2026 16:41:26
Kaiser I am maybe being a little disingenuous with wording, I am merely trying to convey my frustration at the poor game management.
Yes he has started with a few systems but it's his inability to adapt during the match that frustrates me.
That is just my perception of what I am seeing.
30 Oct 2026 14:44:45
Agree with you there, Kaiser.
NATO, wretched system? Gave Celtic 2 of the biggest bullyings I've seen in modern times. And for a man who has no Plan B he was getting some amount of stick a few weeks ago for playing 6 different systems in the same match.
Can't help but notice a few opinions seem to have soured on here since Weds night and the critique is getting stronger, which posters are certainly entitled to. I'm not sure it's as bad as being made out, imo. Majority of starting XI didn't perform on weds and we left the toughest away ground in the league with a draw. We move on, for me.
30 Oct 2026 15:12:18
It ok to say we don't want to dent players confidence, but Fernandez, s performance this season have largely been questionable, he slow play down too much, does not cover back or react quick enough & as for some of his clearance they are terrible time to give him a break, if he throws the toys out the pram as he seems to think he is undroppable, so be it .
30 Oct 2026 15:14:25
Weds night was always going to be a tough ask at Tiny, Jambos are unbeaten there for 18 months for a reason.
Bit old fashioned when it comes to systems and tactics etc, much like Parlane, think attitude and drive can be almost as important in match ups at certain grounds.
These boys need a trophy blooding, that winning together feeling would bring them on no end.
30 Oct 2026 15:17:18
Lots of jibber jabber on formation's and tactics, all of which goes flying over my head. At the beginning of the season Del gets some stick for tinkering and chopping and changing then we go on a great run and everything is rosey in the garden. Shock horror we get a couple of draws and lots of the players put in some bad performances and now all of a sudden it's Dels fault for not changing his winning formula and gets accused of not being able to change his tactics.
It's no easy being a fan I'll tell ye, In the words of uncle Fred "I say Ashley lad it's not easy"
I'm more worried about how my big pot of soup that's on the cooker just now as to how my tastebuds will react as it is going to go two ways, delicious or extremely delicious.
A wee spot of high intensity sheep rustling tomorrow and all will be good again with one of Dels tactical masterclasses.
30 Oct 2026 15:19:08
Come on we are playing an Aberdeen out of form stretched in squad terms with injuries i would like to think we win be at least 3.
30 Oct 2026 15:32:08
Teddy, form goes out the window, it's a semi final, we turn up we win, we have as many players not turning like we had on Wednesday, every chance we lose, Aberdeen will be right up for this game.
30 Oct 2026 15:33:37
Godfrey and Bouanni in for me. Maybe Kosta for Sterling if he's not 100% fit.
30 Oct 2026 16:02:37
"Ohmahsides" 🤣
Hilarious post, TC. Point made, too.
Hope the soup is doubly delish!
30 Oct 2026 16:32:27
Before the Dundee game, his system was getting nothing but praise, even getting linked with how Spain play the game, couple of draws later and he should change it.
30 Oct 2026 16:58:23
The proof will be in the pudding when I test it tomorrow Parlane.
Hold on stop the bus, can you say "the proof will be in the pudding" when talking about soup?
Answers on a postcard please.
30 Oct 2026 17:55:31
Ibrox will hopefully see u.
30 Oct 2026 18:04:32
I must agree NATO,
I have a lot more time for McInnes than I did at the start of the season but his game management has consistently been very poor.
30 Oct 2026 19:13:04
Fair enough NATO, but that's very different from saying it's the same system or he has no plan B or not adaptable just because u don't like the changes he does make.